Beer Forum

I am currently trying to decide if i can attend my first NHC this coming year in MN. I have a hotel booked already but now I have to think about the items that are non-cancellable ( is that a word ? ).

I was hoping to get some insight from the veterans about the Conference seminars and banquet. Did you find that you were unwilling or unable to attend the sessions after events like club night, BN 4, etc. The awards banquet is only $40 more so that's probably worth it, but the speaker sessions, although informative I'm sure, add a chunk of change to the cost.

Just looking for some insight...I just don't want to be disappointed my first time ( that's what she said )

Thanks.

P.S. Do you know how quickly the banquet sold out last year?

as far as conferences go it's one of the cheapest things you can attend at $230. I've spent far more for way less on other venues. the biggest disappointment of the NHC o9 was not being able to be at two places at once. and I was not able to get a banquet ticket. not even somebody's extra. it was S-O-L-D OUT! but you may not know that Paxton is chef this year. get a ticket! Duh.

here are some things to remember:
it's a marathon not a sprint.
some things on the list will never be repeated. get there.
you very likely know lots of what is being presented. which means you can ask a hard question.
there will always be one session that you go into thinking I won't get nuthin out of this that will blow your mind. I'm pointing at you Mead panel.
you know all these people on theBN as voices, avatars or nicknames in a chat window but they are real people. some of them smell but that's the exception. it's fun to put the real with it all. and that doesn't have a price.

I don't smell that much!

I've only been to three NHC's, but I've never regretted signing up for the talks. It's hard to get out of bed in time for some of them, but it's totally worth it.

Does anyone know how quickly these tend to sell-out? As its xmas time, I had hoped to get my ticket after the new-year, is that too late?

just my two cents...

GO

Doesnt matter where it is, or what it costs. All the previous comments were 1000% correct. Oh, and YES go to the banquet and all the other stuff. There are not enough hours in the day, and there were times I wished I could be in three places at once as well, but its worth every effort and penny you have.

I don't think they sell out before the end of the year, just keep watching the conference webpage. AHA is great about "counting down" the number of tickets left!

See you in June!

TwoDogs

the 2009 conference sold out by April last year. the banquet was sold out before that. the one thing you want to do is if you are thinking of going at all book your room. the hotel can always be canceled.

edit: after looking into this more you really want to stay at the conference hotel. while there are other options that might be cheaper the locations of them aren't really walking compatible. check it out for yourself.

johnfoster wrote:the 2009 conference sold out by April last year. the banquet was sold out before that. the one thing you want to do is if you are thinking of going at all book your room. the hotel can always be canceled.

edit: after looking into this more you really want to stay at the conference hotel. while there are other options that might be cheaper the locations of them aren't really walking compatible. check it out for yourself.

Booked my room the day it opened up.