Vegas anyone??

[Paul N]

It would be interesting to know who is going to Vegas for the WCAF show.

I already know of a few who have already booked (chat room gossip...;)). So, who else is going?? And is there the usual dinner??

Anybody making Limo arrangements?? Any shows to attend??

Any Grumbler's special ribbon or secret handshake???

[Greg Fremstad]

FrameTek will be there with 2 new products! Stop by the booth and say hello. If you don't have the time, just say Hi.
This is the best show of the year! Both for exhibitors and framers. Take some classes! See the new Beatles Love Cirque Solil (sp?) show - it's terrific - I'm going to see it again.

[Val]

I'll be there! Have decided to put off my knee surgeries until after I get back, so I won't be so limpy and slow. So, do I still get to - I mean - have to - sit on someone's lap in the Limo??

I have a pretty full class schedule, but made time for the trade show, and evenings are free too.

Looking forward to meeting everyone and Grrrrrumbling!!!

[danny boy]

There will be two attending from my side. Planning on taking in lots of class's as well as the trade show of course. Evenings and all other free moments will be for great food and friends (many of which I have not yet met).

[Paul N]

Yes Greg, Cirque Du Soleil is definitely a great idea!

PS: Would be great if booth numbers are posted here. I plan to compile a list of booth numbers for quick access.

[Greg Fremstad]

Sorry, FrameTek is in booth # 1824 I'll bet you can't wait to see our new products.

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

Andy and I will be there too.

Me to work, Andy to attend classes and shop!

Mike

[gemsmom]

I'm going to Vegas, but not until mid-February. I have already bought our tickets to the Cirque du'Soliel show, so I am happy to see it recommended.

We will be starting out in Vegas, and ending up in Scottsdale, AZ. I am looking forward to a couple of weeks out of the cold. I'll have to find out if there are any Grumbler's I can visit if there is time.

[LeighAnn]

I am attending also. Days are mostly filled with classes/trade show, would love to meet some grumblers and want to go to the grumbler dinner Tuesday.

[Paul N]

If memory serves me well, I think somebody was in charge of the Grumblers' dinner.

Would this devoted person please stand up (or post) and be recognized....:)???

[Steph]

I'll be there.....to take classes and to help Andy shop!!

Oh and to keep Paul in line too, Val might need your help with that one.

[Val]

Oh yeah, who's gonna keep me in line? And when did I volunteer to keep Paul in line? Isn't his Lovely Monica gonna be there with him? And what about Connie, Steph, who's keeping her in line?

And who's keeping Steph in line??? I guess we'll all have to keep each other in line, eh? (Yeah, right!) What goes on in Vegas.....aw, never mind, we know that isn't true! HA!!

Now.....what's going on who/what/when/where with the Grumble Dinner (Tuesday night?) and Chinese Limo? And who's up for Cirque de Sole'?

[Steph]

We might need reinforcements Val! I don't think Monica is able to go now, Bob won't be coming as well. We were trying to imagine how much it would cost to kennel 4 dogs, plus the kids have school. So Bob volunteered to keep the household in order. Bless that man!

I guess your right we'll have to keep each other in line. I'll do my best to keep a handle on Connie, but that girl is wild! Vegas is her kinda town !!!!

I'm game for anything.

[Val]

Anything?? Oh boy, this is gonna be fun!

Oh yeah...and the classes too!

Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Baer Charlton]

Due to the comments intercepted between Val and Steph, and the understanding (?) of Connie... Vegas is now at Orange and will be escalated to Red as of Jan 6th.:beer:

[Paul N]

OK, I will definitely rely on Steph and Val to keep me in line...:p

Cirque du Soleil? Why not!

[Harry FKA Harry]

I will be there with bells on. Looking forawrd to it. Was supposed to fly home Tues PM but thinking about waiting until WEds AM so I can attend the dinner.

For the record, I am not looking fo anyone to keep me in line...IT'S VEGAS BABY!

[Jim Miller]

Make that Wednesday afternoon, Harry. You won't want to miss the Industry Breakfast. Every year one or another of the expert panelists says something that makes national news -- well, framing news, anyway.

It's always a spirited discussion. Last year Jim Parrie said, as I recall, there will be about 8,000 framers in the USA by 2010. Others disagreed, but he seems to have an inside track on the imported wall decor business. I imagine the topic of small-shop framer survival will come up again.

[Jim Miller]

Rob Markoff is the organizer of the Chinese Dinner. The limo isn't Chinese, the dinner is. The limo is just crowded. And fun.

[Pat Kotnour]

I will be there in booth 1841. Stop by with a business card and pick up a free gift. See you there.

[Framer Dave]

Consider me there. Already perusing the class schedule and signing up.

[Cliff Wilson]

ok. still don't know how I can afford both WCAF AND PPFA convention, but I've got hotels and flights for both. Now to look at potential classes ... harder because I have two venues to cross-reference ... sighh --- I guess it's not a bad problem to have :beer: see you there!

[Sherry Lee]

Paul,
Which classes are already 'booked'? I just scheduled our classes online - there was no immediate response saying any were "CLOSED - PICK ANOTHER"!

I sure hope that if there is a big demand for a course they will open a second opportunity! Seems only right, eh?

[Paul N]

Sherry:

I am not sure if the booked ones have been removed from the selection list, but it seems almost nothing is sold out, (and some were a couple of weeks ago!). Which I find a bit strange.

If it lets you add a course to "your Cart", then the course should be still available.

I hope it won't the case when you select a bunch and at the very end it tells you: Sorry, sold out.........

[Jim Miller]

WCAF is still about 6 weeks away. Only a few classes might be sold out at this early date. Paul, who said classes were sold out a couple of weeks ago?

Trouble is, early suddenly turns into late for WCAF because of the holidays. In late December, after the holiday work is done, a lot more framers turn their attention to WCAF. Some classes will sell out in December, and several sell out very quickly in early January. It happens every year. You are wise to book early.

Sherry: By October the schedule is cast in concrete. After that, the catalog is produced, class preparations are underway, and registrations start coming in. By the time a class sells out, considering the limited availability of rooms, A/V setups, class materials & instructor time, adding more sessions later would be difficult if not impossible.

A class is something like an elaborately prepared chef's dinner special, but in slow motion. The number expected to sell is estimated on history and best guesses, but when it's sold out, it's a done deal. There's always next year.

[Sherry Lee]

Thank you Paul and Jim!!

I do understand that 'hugemungous' effort and planning goes into each and every class. You just need to understand that I don't like to give up easily; after all, Santa still comes to our house on Decemer 25th!

[Jack Flynn]

Figured since I was going to Vegas I should enjoy the best entertainment possible, so two of the classes I signed up for have Baer and Bob C. as instructors. Should be rewarding AND fun....

Pam and I are looking forward to going to the WCAF for the first time and meeting Grumblers.

[Baer Charlton]

Jack, It will be a pleasure to have you in my class. Don't forget the dinner is that night too.;)

[Val]

Looks like I made it into your class too, Baer. Wouldn't be right if I didn't! Sounds like too much fun to miss. And I might even learn something!

Who's organizing the Grumble dinner Tuesday night? Count me in for that too. And for the Limo to China, too... is that Monday night?

[Paul N]

Baer's class is definitely recommendable.

Heck, I might attend just to get to meet Baer again!

[Baer Charlton]

Val, seriously, for the last time, there is NO Limo to China.. you have to take an airplane, boat or swim a whole bunch.

But if you want some good Chinese food, and a limo ride, you need to find Rob Markoff on Monday to buy your tickets for the Limo on Tuesday evening at 6:30 in the lobby at the front door.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/BaerMPF/RobandFriend.jpgThis would be a very good indication that the party is ON. And yes, that is the Rob that you are looking for. The girl didn't fit in the limo. . . . THAT year.

BTW: Attention all MCPFs, my class qualifies for CEUs.

[Paul N]

In that case, a slow-boat to China will do.

PS: How big is this limo that's supposed to ferry all those Grumblers to the restaurant?? Sound's like Noah's Ark!

[Cliff Wilson]

Just so everyone understands ... Rob started the "limo night" sans-grumblers.

Last year he extended the invite to us. It's kinda his gig and his rules. We Grumblers are hitch-hiking! But, it's still FUN!!!

See you all there!

[Baer Charlton]

Last year's Limo sucked in 34 of us.... but it was LAST YEARS SECOND largest limo. [The largest held 38]..... but that was like soooo 11 months ago.:D

[Steph]

All I know is my classes, hotel and flights are booked! Just got to help Connie put together a couple of special outfits and we're good to go!

She's decided, in the spirit of Vegas, to go with feathers and sequins as a design theme for her huate couture.

[Paul N]

Steph, please tell her to leave the famous pink thong at home this time..........:p

[Baer Charlton]

Paul, wuz thong with it? :D