Budgeting twist - conventions!

[smallworld0]

OK, for some this may not even apply, but I thought it worthy of a mention. Conventions! (Hey, I rhymed!)

In every business, every market there are conventions and expos: a place where B2B takes place, networking reigns and, if you're lucky, the destination is somewhere warm and full of things to do outside of the convention.

Orlando is one of the hottest convention markets today! The weather, lodging, recreation - all play a part. My better half is in sales in the water industry. This covers a broad spectrum with conventions held somewhere almost every weekend.

How about the industry you are in? Or the business hour significant other runs? The budgeting advantage we've found is that if DH is attending the convention, at least a day or more, his company pays for his airfare. They also pay for his hotel, which means I stay for free. Many times his meals are also covered, and if he/we entertains customers for a meal, that is covered, too.

We have shamelessly worked at finding conventions in Florida, particularly in or near Orlando. We've been averaging 2 conventions per year, but could conceivably make a couple more if we wished. Now, I am not advocating taking company money for a personal vacation, but DH always works several days of the trips he takes. He just extends the trip a day or two for a couple full WDW park days, and we also take advantage of late afternoon/early evening entry to enjoy a few laid back hours when most are eating dinner or are back at their resort. Anyway, a happy, relaxed employee is going to be more effective when he's working then one who is stressed from overwork.

So, if your schedule is flexible and you can find a convention that fits your business, here's another way to sssttttrrretch your budget farther.

Nancy :dazzle:

PS - Here's the link to the Orlando, Orange County Convention Center's 'event' calendar: http://www.orlandoconvention.com/homeEvent.asp

You can check out who is holding conventions at the OCCC each month.

[SusanP]

I keep trying to get dh to "find a convention" in that area! Instrument/Electrical doesn't seem to have anything there. Once he was chatting with co-workers/others in the field/vendors at a show and a vendor mentioned they had a users conference somewhere at Disneyworld. Someone said, "why on earth would you have it there?", to which dh piped up with a quick, "I'm in!!" Sadly, his ethical stance wouldn't permit him to go as the product was one he was already familiar with, they already had it in use and wasn't very extensively used in the plant so he didn't feel he could use budget money wisely to attend. Sigh.

[MargaretJ]

My company seems to have Trade Shows in Orlando every year or 2 & always stays at Walt Disney World. I just have yet to figure out how to get invited to one of these shows. It seems the people who get to go have no desire to be there. Send me!

[LimeGreenCheri]

I have to have continuing education units to keep my respiratory license. Just last month I attended a 2 day conference in Orlando to get my units. We went 1 day early and then had the evening free. It was a great little respite from the family for just my hubby and I and I got my units to boot!

I'll probably do it again next year. My company doesn't pay for my airfare or my hotel, but they did pay me for the time I was actually in the conference. The rest is tax deductible.

[SuzyQ]

Oh how I wish that I worked at a company or industry where I could go to a conference in WDW! Though, it is so wonderful that you all get to take advantage of some of those opportunities! :mickey:

~Suzy

[Sheryl]

Oh Nancy,

That is a great idea, however I've never seen a lunchlady convention. :rofl:

:mickeyWalk: Sheryl :minnie: the professional Lunchlady :wink:

[Bookwood]

I'm with you Sheryl- I've never seen a subsitite teacher convention either! Mike goes to Trade Shows all the time (never in Orlando in places like Ryad Saudia Arabia, Singapore, Abu Dabi, not fun and family friendly especially now). He did have one business trip to Orlando- when I couldn't go along :(

[Brer]

hmmm, may be we need to have a convention on how to have a convention ?? ;)

[LimeGreenCheri]

hmmm, may be we need to have a convention on how to have a convention ?? ;)

That sounds like a fabulous idea!!!! So, when are you starting get the "speakers" rounded up? I know that I could be considered an "authourity" in planning and overplanning. :wink: And of course, you'll need a place to have it. Now where should that be? :confused2: Hey! I've got an idea! How about Disney World!!!! :D

[Bookwood]

I'm really good at overbuying food too if you want a talk on that!!

[Ursulinda]

Sheryl, There is hope for you. My SIL is head of a school cafeteria in Evansville Indiana and she goes to a convention almost every year!

[Pockets]

Conventions are the reason I have seen so much of the real World. Sometimes we go at the company expense but most of the time we pay for the trip. So it may not be a cost saving venture.

DH is in the insurance industry and one of his professional organizations has had two conventions at Disney World. On both occassions his company paid his airfare and on site hotel for several days. :D

Pockets

[Moley]

Last year we got to go to WDW for a convention. I was the attendee. While I spent 3 days at seminars, Zeus relaxed at the pool. Then we finished the week with vacation time. Our transportation and 4 nights of our room were paid for. It was a real saver.

Plus the convention had a private Epcot and Illuminations party. We had a blast!

[Robin]

I've done the Lotusphere conference for about 5 of the last 7 years....and I've gotten the OK from my new manager to go again this January!

As part of my severance package from the old company I get money for 'training and networking' so even though I have a new job already, they'll pay for my registration. I can use money from my training budget to pay for my airfare and expenses. :D

The conference is based at the Dolphin and spreads out over some of the other Epcot resorts. And we get fed 'very' well. There's a 'Welcome party' Sunday night, taking up the entry 'beach' from the back entrance to the Swan, all the way around past the pool's grotto to the the Dolphin. We also get a 'big party' on Wednesday night either a Disney, Universal or Sea World park. The only 'dud' party I've been to was held at Wide World of Sports...and I doubt they'll ever do that 'park' again.

Besides loving to learn new geeky stuff (I deal with computers and software) I usually arrive early and stay over the weekend, so I get a few extra 'play days' which I pay for myself. Since I'm planning to buy an AP for Mousefest so I can use it again next year, I won't even need to buy tickets this year.

Not a bad deal huh? :wink:

[sandar]

Robin,

That's great! Any of those hotels would be pretty swank, especially for free. :grin:

Sandi

[WDWDen]

I have always wanted to go to a convention! I am hoping that someday Jenines company will have one there. Of course, ANYWHERE would be nice, but I am hopeing for WDW! :lol:

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

If any of you ladies will be visiting Orlando in October, The Southern Womens Convention is a GREAT one to attend! I find lots of great merchandise here at really good prices!

LindaC :sun:

[WDWDen]

Thanks for the advise Linda, I'll tell all my girlfriends :lol:

[LimeGreenCheri]

What is the Southern Women's Convention? Do you have a to be a member of something or is it just something you can show up for? What kind of merchandise can you get? I LOVE a good bargain!!! :clap:

[Robin]

Robin,

That's great! Any of those hotels would be pretty swank, especially for free. :grin:

Sandi

I'd 'love' to stay at one of the Epcot resorts during the convention, but so far they've been rate rate or higher...and I haven't been able to bring myself to ask the company to pay over $200 a night for a room.

I compromise and stay at one of the 'sponsored' moderates that have bus service to and from the Dolphin. I try to POFQ, though a few times I've stayed at the CBR. I'm wondering if I book before the convention opens registration, if I could get a better rate. 8)

[sandar]

Robin,

What about booking the Swan or Dolphin through that special on AllEars? I think the standard rooms are $149/night. Might not have stuff for 2005 yet, though.

good luck!

Sandi

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

What is the Southern Women's Convention? Do you have a to be a member of something or is it just something you can show up for? What kind of merchandise can you get? I LOVE a good bargain!!! :clap:

You do not have to be a member Cheri, you just go! Usually ChikFilet or something similiar have a discount coupon for admission. It is huge! USUALLY, about 35,000 women show up for this multi day event!!! You will find purses,shoes,make up, perfumes,jewelry,cookwear,home decorating ideas and merchandise,spa treatments,Tupperware, I will look for a link for you!!

Linda :sun:

[Robin]

Robin,

What about booking the Swan or Dolphin through that special on AllEars? I think the standard rooms are $149/night. Might not have stuff for 2005 yet, though.

good luck!

Sandi

I've been seriously considering that. I've also heard that you can add and an additional 10% discount with the Entertainment card on top of that.

If starting at the basic rate, Entertainment gives you 50% off. :D

[Sandfisher]

One of our trips to WDW was for a convention DH was attending. It was the only time we ever stayed at a Downtown Disney hotel. The convention was actually at Coronado Springs if I recall correctly, but the rooms allotted were all filled up. It was okay because it wasn't our first trip and I soon learned to walk down to DD and use the bus system. We had our usual park hopper tickets, so I wasn't doing anything "illegal". :-)
We've had some nice trips to those conventions, including Hilton Head, San Francisco, Seattle, Ft. Walton Beach, Nashville, etc. Usually all that we had to pay for was my airline tickets and whatever we spent while there. Sadly, his company has downsized a LOT and we haven't gone to a seminar since fall of 2000. It was super while it lasted. :pityParty:
Sandy