oh great DC, what happens if they pick a hotel that is around a forest or wooded area. I'll have to decide between my hunting gear or a silk suit.............who am I kidding? It would be much easier to talk my way out of being in the woods if I'm wearing the silk suit

If we do decide on New Jersey, then I say we rent a mini van or mini bus and have Don Smitty give us a REAL Sopranos tour. With a stopover at the Bada Bing!


Don Cardi

Don't worry DMC, I'll just tell them that my Luca Brasi now sleeps with the Dear.


Don Cardi

But that would involve him actually BEING THERE and TALKING

EXACTLY!!!!


Don Cardi

AppleOnYa

Yeah, they're all such small states, I always figure it's like the distance between counties here in California.

Yea! What Zia said. :p I never realized it was that far either. We Californians don't have any concept of distance when it comes to the Eastern part of the States.

Mig, why didn't you fly??? That's one hell of a drive.

TIS [/b][/quote]No I had to drive from Ohio to VA to pick up Becky then to Somerset then back to Ohio so Bec could spend a day with her grandparents then back to VA then back home to WV.

I call a window seat

Wow. I'm getting carsick just thinking about it.

Here are a list of places to have the '06 Covention so far:

Chicago
Philly
Washington DC
New Jersey
New Jersey(Renting a Summer house)

Did I miss any? Is there any other ideas?

Please keep in mind that a few of us can't afford high price hotels. That might make some of us not be able to attend. Just food for thought.

Las Vegas

If you plan on having it in New Jersey, let me know. I'm currently living in New Jersey and would be interested in attending then.

Well there were a lot suggestions mentioned throughout this thread, including Chicago, San Fran., D.C. I know we keep going back and forth and many suggestions sound really good.

PLaw mentioned Vegas, and more food for thought...you most likely can get great air/hotel packages to Vegas in August if you don't mind the heat. Anyone interested, and/or have never been there should browse around if you're the least interested. You'd be surprised at hotel rates that time of year, with most all of the known hotels on the strip being nice (of course gambling is where you spend most money).

All that being said, perhaps it's best to ask the "right" Coasters and vicinity (since there's more of you), how many would be willing to go to Vegas, because I'm guessing it'd be a smaller group than if we decided on the East Coast turf (so to speak ) If anyone wants, I'll be glad to check on rates/packages during that time period. I love Vegas, I love NY, both being my two favorite cities.


TIS

I'm going to Vegas next Tuesday.

That's great JL. Where are you staying? The weather should be pretty nice this time of year.

Btw, are you gonna try to come to our "convention" this year??


TIS

Mignon, if they decide on a NY/NJ location, I can name a few hotels in my neck of the woods that are a little more reasonable than all these 'Hilton's' and still close enough to be able to join the gang for a little fun.

For what it's worth, I'm not booking any hotel regardless of where the convention is. If it's in my area, 'll just drive out to meet with everyone for dinner as was the case last time (only hopefully I'll get there in time to eat something...). If it's in Manhattan, I'll hop the bus/subway.

Apple

If we end up in NJ/NY, I have no problem with any of you who know the area choosing a place, since you all would know what's good and reasonably priced. Also, if it's in NJ does it matter if I arrive via JFK, LaGuardia or Newark airports? I'm guessing Newark no??

I know Apple said she wouldn't be staying at the hotel, but for those of you who live in the NY/NJ area, would you be staying at the hotel, since you live in the area, or would you go home and return the next day?

TIS

I would still stay at the Hotel TIS. This past August almost everyone stayed at the hotel. So for the most part I don't think that it matters to us if we are close to home or not. What matters more is the comraderie. Personally if I hang out with everyone and have a couple of drinks, I would rather have a room to go to as I refuse to drive when I drink. If we're having a good time, who the hell wants to be looking at their watch and worrying that they have to drive home?

As I've said several times, I will do whatever the group decides as a group, as long as we get to have a weekend together. But personally, I think that Philadelphia would be a nice place for us to go to. Plenty of sightseeing to do, The Moshulu for a dinner, and for someone like yourself it's still close enough for you to go up to New York after the weekend for an extended vacation. Hey, you could have the best of both worlds.

My Vote is Phialdelphia.


Don Cardi

Here's a Hotel that I found in Philadelphia that's reasonably priced and close to the Historic sites:

Wyndham Philadelphia At Franklin Plaza
17Th And Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
$119 per night.
Shula's Steak House - On-Site
Terrace Restaurant - On Site
Cocktail Atrium Lobby Lounge/evening Shula's No Name Lounge
In Room High Speed Internet
Computer Business Center or cybercafe


http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PHLFP/main.wnt

It's 3 miles from the Moshulu and approximately 1.5 miles from The Liberty bell, Independence Hall, etc.


Just another suggestion.


Don Cardi

More food for thought: While looking at the hotels in Plaw's area I noticed that one of the hilton chains was already booked for that weekend of the 18-20 in August. Becky told me yesterday that we should set a date and book the room. We can always cancel if something better comes along without penalty's. Do we want to stay in a Hilton chain and let Becky get us a group rate?

Looks like a nice hotel DC! I don't care where we go really, and anyone else seriously interested that hasn't posted, please do so. Nothing is in stone at this point. Once we narrow it, or if it still remains between NYC/Philly, then we'll just have to make a decision. I am waiting for Geoff/SC's ideas. They have to go, or it just wouldn't be the same.

Btw, can we make it the weekend of 8/11 instead of the 18th?

TIS

Not a good weekend for me next year TIS, sorry. But if everyone else can, then please do NOT worry about me. I just cannot go that weekend.


Don Cardi

My 2c: If we're going to Philly, I'd rather stay in Philly. NYC isn't all that far for anyone wanting to go afterwards - or even take a train one day during the weekend. Amtrak takes about 1:15 to get there, for (currently) $42 each way.

But, I'm pretty much up for anything. Y'all know my basic necessities.

I understand DC. The 18th isn't the best weekend for me, and I wouldn't be able to definitely commit. I realize we can't work around everyone's schedule, but if it's not complicating matters further, and since we are still planning, may I suggest we post a couple different dates or month, as options? Just a thought. If not, that's ok.


TIS

That's great JL. Where are you staying? The weather should be pretty nice this time of year.

Btw, are you gonna try to come to our "convention" this year??

TIS [/b][/quote]I'm staying at Ballys. I haven't been to Vegas since last year. I used to go about 4 times a year, but now I go to Aruba instead. As for the convention, I probably won't be invited since I keep missing out on the local dinners.

JL,

Why you silly boy!! You know you're invited. The only clout anyone needs is to be a BB member. We all qualify. There may be a trip to the "Bada Bing' in it for you. :p

Never stayed at Bally's, but usually stay in that area. Have a good time and if you come back rich, let us know.


TIS

Then we'll just pick another weekend. Nothing is written in stone.


Don Cardi

Don Cardi

Newark?? YUK!! And any hotel near an airport is going to be incredibly noisy, and tons of people coming and going. Gross.

I still think that if we choose Philly, the Embassy Suites is a good choice. It's $179/nite, but that includes breakfast every morning. It also includes a nightly reception. AND everyone gets a suite, which is nice if we want to visit one another's rooms. As Plaw has said, chances are that the rates will go down as we get closer to the date as well. And the location seems perfect.

Here's the link to the hotel website: Embassy Suites Philadelphia