goodnf, you don't hire them for conversation :)

it was worth a try :-)

Goodnf and CresNut,

Yes - Denver has some excellent quality hookers including some that speak French. When we did the final site visit to close the deal the mayor of Denver assured us that both our male and female members would have no problem "hooking up" with a wide variety of “companionship” at very competitive prices. If you want any further details please ask Andy Willcox as he is chairman of the "companionship committee" and stayed behind a few extra days to insure that our membership would be well cared for.

No- I’m sorry but you must be at least 1 mile above the ground to qualify for the “Mile High Club”. October 4th is my personal 10 year anniversary. Jeff

glad you guys have a sense of humor. Some people in the intermission forum just don't "get it."

Dam I am out of luck then!

If it is good enough for Andy then we will have nothing to worry about.

:)

I've been going to CES for the last 10 years or so. And while an attendee can get shafted on room rates, with even the smallest amount of effort, you can get GREAT room rates regardless.

First and foremost, don't try to stay on the center of the strip.

The worst rate I ever paid? $65.00 per night at the Flamingo Hilton (mid strip).

The best rate I ever paid? Comp room at the Stratosphere (it wasn't worth it....lol)

Most times I stay off the strip, and the room rates run an average of $30.00 per night, or less. And these are not bad rooms at all.

Maybe we should all get together and have a secret convention in Vegas. Nobody will know we're there, not even us! That way the room rates will stay low!!!!

I will try to get this post back on target and tell you why I attend CEDIA (which includes what I am anxious to see). I have attended CEDIA since the first time in Dallas (maybe 1994?) and have been impressed with what the EXPO has become.

My tips on getting the most out of the EXPO:

Go early and attend as much of the training you are interested in BEFORE the show floor opens so you can have more time on the floor. I haven't attended a class in years other than monitoring a few at the instructor's request for feedback reasons.

I allow very few appointments with reps or manufacturers since I found myself running from appointment to appointment and missing a lot of the booths.

Don't spend all of your time in booths of products you already are a dealer for. Go there and meet the people you deal with or may need to face to face (one of the most valuable parts of the EXPO), see the product line and move on.

Visit competitive brands and learn as much as you can...it never hurts to know your competition...it makes you look more informed and adds validity to your recommendations. It also allows you to give educated advice to clients (even if it means sending them to a competitor). There are different products for a reason.

If you have specific needs to fill a hole in your product line or for a particular project, keep your eye out for ALL of the potential solutions, not just the first one you see or the one with the most impressive booth....I have found some very nifty products in some of the rarely visited back booths.

Don't spend all of your time standing in those ridiculously long lines. Ask someone who just came out what they saw and was it worth the wait...many times the answer is "No".... you will hear about the few that are. I save those for later.

Meet fellow dealers after hours. Talk about common problems and solutions. Make friends. Make business contacts.

So, "What am I anxious to see at CEDIA?" EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY I can! Sounds corny but taking the time to visit as much as possible usually pays off more for me than looking for 1 or 2 specific dream items.

Good luck, and if you thought about not going....I suggest you think again! BTW, this is not a paid ad for CEDIA....I have some beefs with them too, but I am a fan of EXPO.

Randy

I've heard that next year will be in Denver.

Craig,

The top post on this page is from CEDIA's president and he states that it is in Denver 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Do you know something he doesn't or simply not see his post?

It is Indy for 2005.

Denver sounds like a great change. After this many years, Indy sucks and I know several dealers not going or minimizing who they are taking since they view it as the same old thing!

Randy

I've heard it's going to be Denver for 2005.

What am I anxious to see at Cedia? The temendous amount of Bose bashing that I think will take place. On the one hand, I hate Bose for this stupid lawsuit and the money it has cost Cedia and its members. On the other hand, I kind of feel bad for the people who are going to be maning the booth, that is if there will still be a booth. I just hope that no one loses there temper to a degree that makes the industry look bad. After all, most people in this industry tend to be very passionate with there opinions and that could spark a 'heated situation'.
I am all in favor of telling Bose what they can do with there product due to the lawsuit but this could become more of an explosive situation than anyone wants. Imagine the poor guys that will have to hear hundreds, if not thousands, of times over the course of the show that "Bose sucks!" I know I would lose it after a while but I guess they do deserve whatever verbal abuse they get. I have a feeling that there is a "film at 11" story in the works. To be certain, I am not going to be that guy, nor due I agree with that kind of behavior. Although, I have thought about going to cafepress.com and getting a Bose Sucks shirt printed up, just for laughs. They would probably sue me for using the letter S in sucks, as it is one of the letters in there logo.

What is the status of Bose having a booth at Cedia? Are they going to be so bold as to actually have a booth on the show floor, while still in the midst of a lawsuit? If so, is there any action that Cedia could take to stop them from having a booth? Will Bose have security posted at their booth and is that even neccesary? I ask these questions because I havent seen that much chatter on any of the boards, which is a good thing, but wonder if Bose should actually even be involved with Cedia anymore.

How about a shirt that reads:

BÔZ SUCKS!

check my comment by clicking on edit post

Hi,

I am the immediate past president of CEDIA not the current one but I promise that CEDIA is in Indy for 2005 and then Denver for 2006, 2007 and 2008

CEDIA has far too much class to prevent Bose, who is still a member, from attending this years Expo and yes they will most certainly have a booth. Jeff

How about the Front of the Shirt that Reads "Got Knee pads?" and the back that Reads" B0*E Blows!" Say 10 of us in unison walk up to the booth with these shirts on and turn on que.