Russ, I'll save you a spot.

Since we're getting closer to the date, I'll be arriving at MIA on Friday at 6:35p. Happy to do a ride share--and hoping someone saves me a "seat" at the reception!

If you are flying into MIA, it is very close to the Hyatt. FLL is far. I would suggest NOT checking in any bags. It's only 3 nights, so pack light to move around faster. I am arriving with AA at 6:00 MIA and hoping to make it in the reception around 7:00. May have to drop my luggage at the lobby and check in later.

A) "From the airport to the hotel, don't take a taxi since it's gonna be expensive. Take the shuttle." - words of my ex-coworker from the travel industry living in Miami for many years.

B) There is a conference reception going on 6:00-8:00. Look at the schedule:
http://iasummit.org/2008/co...
Looks like that reception will be the best time for the first "hellos".

Let's try again. 1 week to go, and I'm getting in around 6:30p on Friday at the Miami airport.
A) Anyone arriving around the same time? Cabshare?
B) Umbrella drinks start when and where?

http://runger.muxtape.com/

Today's fun link is Muxtape. Make a 12-song mix tape and share to your friends. Like I did, because you're my friends. If only I could add some radio pre- and post- audio over the songs, it'd feel like a cassette mix tap from the 80s!

You are absolutely right to ask...it is Miami after all. Besides conversations over umbrella drinks are the best kind !

I was wrong--I'm arriving on FRIDAY around 6:35pm. Anyone else going to be at the airport around the same time and want to split a cab/limo? :-)

I'll send a cab. Keep an eye out for somebody in a gorilla suit.

I'm doing Public transit to/fro the airport. The transit agencies (Broward & Miami) are customers of ours, so I'm going to give it a whirl. It's like $5 from the airport to downtown Miami (with a few connections). Best option from MIA is shuttle with others to downtown, or take the Tri-Rail.

I'm coming in to FLL on Thursday afternoon. I'm in for refreshing beverages. Flying into (and out of) Fort Lauderdale was about $250 cheaper than MIA.

I'm 100% finally confirmed on everything for my travel, etc. I will be arriving at MIA on Thursday evening at 6:35p. Anyone else going to be showing up around then? Might be worthwhile to get a few of us together for a shared cab/limo to the hotel. And then, of course, umbrella drinks.

Thanks for bringing up a very private, very sensitive family issue, Russ! Tony and I are still trying to cope with this bizarre curve ball that life has thrown us.

Thanks for bringing up a very private, very sensitive family issue, Russ! Tony and I are still trying to cope with this bizarre curve ball that life has throw us.

Tony Stubblebine
Dave Cooksey

Separated at Birth?

Ok - the $50 cancellation fee was for the main conference (before the cancellation date) - it was just in the wrong place on the page.

Where and when shall we meet for the formal wise-ass competition (FWAC)? Seeing as we are both still up at 1 am, maybe we should not schedule it before 8 am? All are invited to attend!

Is there a lower cancellation fee for PoorMembers?

So, now I'm starting to feel like the conference wise-ass.

But...

"Pre-conference workshop fees are non-refundable. There will be a $50 cancellation fee. "

So, it's just cheaper to no-show a pre-conference workshop than it is to actually cancel, right?

I'm not trying to be nitpicky (or, well, maybe I am), but that just seems odd to me.

Russ,

I also noticed that I was labeled a PoorMember.

Your profile is amusing and intriguing. You sound like an overachiever/maximizer, and I'm really looking forward to navigating through some of your "puddles". Hope to see you next month!

Awww, you know - I would do that but my details are already in the system ;-)

Hah! Thanks for taking a look at it.

My broke-arse will pay you $5 if you make your badge-name Rich "Bastard" Dalton!

Wow Russ, sorry about that - i've passed it on to the ASIS folks, i'm sure they'll want to change it. If its any consolation mine said "RichBastard" (only kidding ;-)

(trying this a bit friendlier)
So, I just registered and I printed up my Confirmation Page to hang up in my office next to my hotel confirmation.

The following conference category was selected:

Full Conference
PoorMember
Regular
Early

...

"PoorMember"?

That's a label for me, as a Student?
It's a little embarassing to post that up on my wall here if anyone actually looks at it, but it also seems a bit harsh. Maybe a bit of a better outward label is in order?

Hi Russ, many attendees come in on Wednesday afternoon/evening for the pre-conference sessions on Thursday and Friday (perhaps 200 or so), with another 400 or so typically travelling on Friday to attend the main conference. There will be about 15 regular sessions on each of the 3 days (Sat, Sun, Mon) with Monday culminating in the closing plenary and "5 minute madness" (an open mic session where anyone can say whatever they want) - with everything wrapping up about 5:00. Some people drift away during Monday - but i'd encourage everyone to stay for the closing plenary and 'madness' - its a great way to finish the conference!

Being a first-timer, I'd love to hear a little insight from people on when they are flying in and out--day/night before and morning after or some other brilliant mechanism?