Thank you!!!

[mpenguin1]

Vegas is a good location for the partying & places that are able to handle a large group of people....

If Seattle is a chosen location, I can probably work out some really good tours, since that is Boeing's backyard.

If I had a vote, Vegas should be the main J/C event, while Seattle would make for a fun meet/greet event.....

If we wanted to do something away from Seattle, maybe a place that is warm? Hawaii would be loads of fun, but, jumpseating can be a pain, but, October may not be that bad as the kiddies are in school.....

[Kristie]

yea... but Hawaii = $$$$$

JC does have a budget limit.

[Qgar]

Dear Lord...if I had to sit on a plane for anything much longer than 5 hours, I'd have to put a bullet between my eyes!

[N826AW]

<p>

Originally Posted by Kristie

easier trip? how do you figure?? vegas is a 5-6 hr drive...SAN, 8 hrs

PHX-SAN is about a 5.5 hour drive. Its only 70 miles further than PHX-LAS and you don't have to worry about traffic at the dam. Not to mention if Doug isn't hurting he can probably shave another .5 off the trip.

[SRA_kbad]

Originally Posted by SeanD

The one downside to moving it? LAST CALL FOR ALCOHOL.

San Diego is a great city (born and raised). But without any wheels, you'll be limited to just the area around the hotel. That could be a good thing or a bad, depending on where the hotel is. There is just so much to see and do in SD, ie... the beaches, the mountains, the zoo, balboa park, seaport village, just to name a few. And in my opinion, the public transportation isn't the greatest either. Just my .02
I kinda like the idea of Naw'lins though! What more does a networking event need than some Zydeco and Boiled Crawfish!!!

[mikecweb]

I'll throw another city in there on the east coast... Orlando.
Super easy to jumpseat to. October might work out as an in between summer and winter busy seasons, might be able to get a good rate. October in Florida is pretty nice time of year. NASA and KSC are a short drive plus plenty to do around Disney. Great for families. Polar probably has the dl on all the gay bars for max.

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by SRA_kbad

San Diego is a great city (born and raised). But without any wheels, you'll be limited to just the area around the hotel. That could be a good thing or a bad, depending on where the hotel is. There is just so much to see and do in SD, ie... the beaches, the mountains, the zoo, balboa park, seaport village, just to name a few. And in my opinion, the public transportation isn't the greatest either. Just my .02
I kinda like the idea of Naw'lins though! What more does a networking event need than some Zydeco and Boiled Crawfish!!!

Where were you man?

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by N826AW

PHX-SAN is about a 5.5 hour drive. Its only 70 miles further than PHX-LAS and you don't have to worry about traffic at the dam. Not to mention if Doug isn't hurting he can probably shave another .5 off the trip.

I do believe the bridge will be done next year eliminating the damn traffic.
5.5 hours is a stretch. I remember it being well over 6 hours through the desert and it was a brutal drive.

[WacoFan]

Perhaps something in the middle? KC fits that definition, but is dreadfully boring with only one airplane museum - the Airline History Museum (flying Connie, soon to be flying DC-3, Martin 404). Dallas is in the middle, has a great museum or two, but is antiseptic somewhat. NO is ok and kind of in the middle. Chicago is an awesome city. My vote is Austin though, Seggy can host. Picking a middle city allows people from either coast to have no more the 3 hours to fly.

[SRA_kbad]

Originally Posted by SeanD

Where were you man?

Packin up the apartment bro. Moving to Charlotte on Sat.
And these guys are complaining about an 8 hr drive from PHX to SAN

[SRA_kbad]

Originally Posted by SeanD

I do believe the bridge will be done next year eliminating the damn traffic.
5.5 hours is a stretch. I remember it being well over 6 hours through the desert and it was a brutal drive.

The dam bridge is scheduled to be done late 2010

[AZBigDog]

Alright I'm going to go out on a limb here and say why not change the venue every year? You'll have a different scene every year and then you can rotate back to Vegas once every so often.

Although I had an awesome time in Vegas this year, I wouldn't mind seeing other parts of the country as well. Plus the cost of Vegas skyrockets when you start factoring in some gambling and/or other extra curricular activities. This might be important to some folks that are just getting their careers started and don't have a lot of extra money for a trip to Vegas.

Kristie, I don't know what that would do for your workload in organizing the events but I think it's maybe something to consider.

Thanks to Doug and Kristie and the rest of the NJC organizers for all their efforts in making NJC 08 a really great time.

Al

[ready2fly]

My thoughts:

Wherever NWJC is next year, I'll do my best to be there. You'll never meet a better group of people. Seriously!

That said: The Sahara was okay. For the price, it was what it was. In the end, we really didn't spend too much time there.

The room for the main event was indeed big, but it worked out fine. We weren't bumping into each other like we would/did in a suite. A smaller conference room may have been cozier, but in the end, it worked out. Maybe a HUGE suite or a smaller conference room might fit the bill.

Entirely too much walking..... .... but that's a byproduct of (a) Vegas, and (b) me not knowing where in the hell I was going.

I like the Thursday-Sunday idea for the next event, wherever it is.

I might even suggest that we have the main Meet-n-Greet first (like on the day we ususally do 9FI)...perhaps that would give folks more incentive to get out there early and stay longer.

In the end, I had an incredible time....again!!! GREAT to meet new people and re-acquaint with those I've met before!

Thanks to Doug, Kristie, Toria, BobDuck, Mpenguine, and many many more who planned the event and made it happen!!

ABSOLUTELY OUT-FREAKIN-STANDING TIME!!!!

Stan

[Polar742]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

I'll throw another city in there on the east coast... Orlando.
Super easy to jumpseat to. October might work out as an in between summer and winter busy seasons, might be able to get a good rate. October in Florida is pretty nice time of year. NASA and KSC are a short drive plus plenty to do around Disney. Great for families. Polar probably has the dl on all the gay bars for max.

First, thanks to Doug, Kristie, and all everyone for such a great time. I look forward to returning next year.

Even though his taste in men is exquisite, I'd agree with mikec. for my home town area.

The weather is just getting good this time of year, and it's slow season as summer vacation is over and the snowbirds haven't arrived yet. You can get to MCO from just about anywhere in the world direct or with 1 stop.

Of course Orlando is convention central, so that is a given, but in brevard county (Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral and such) there is mucho aviation related activities. It's only an hour drive from the airport, not super crowded either.

As mike pointed out, there is Kennedy Space Center with some wonderful tours (that's a whole day just for that). Liberty Aircraft which makes a certified airplane, CompAir which makes kit planes, and is in the process of certifying a plane, and numerous other aircraft MRO and upgrade facilities. I think Embraer is also spooling up a production line for the Phenom series as well.

For non-aviation related activities you have: bon fires at the beach, free trolley that runs the Cocoa Beach area, Casino cruises, live music, plenty of hotels with space (which I'll volunteer to scout out), flight schools galore (in the line of adding to our network), and a 1.5 hr ride to the theme parks (IMHO is worth it, cause the west side is a bit touristy)

That's my sell on it. Even though mike might be lost to the Parliment House the entire time, I think it'd be an interesting place to hold the event.

I know no matter where it's at, it'll be a great time!!

[FiveO]

I WILL be there next year.

Bring NJC to Florida!

[Seggy]

Problem with Florida is that if a hurricane decides to make an apperance that time of year in the Cape Canaveral area.......

[Captain_Bob]

Orlando = Non-rev Hell...

Seriously...

[tonyw]

My vote is for Vegas, baby, Vegas. That town never gets old. There is a reason that so many organizations hold their conventions and meetings there. I can tell you that the organizations I worked for always had their best turnout when they held their conventions there.

As for the hotel, the Sahara is fine. No, it's not the nicest hotel on the Strip. In fact, it might very well be one of the worst. But what's the place I see the last of when I go to Vegas? The hotel room. It's just a place to sleep and shower in.

The session with Captain Haynes was awesome. The lessons he learned are good for anyone in any career field.

I think what Vegas has to offer that other cities don't is something for everyone. Seriously, if you want to go to a dive bar, there are plenty of them. Want to go seriously upscale and club hopping? Have at it. Good eating? You can't spit without hitting a Zagat rated restaurant. Or if you want to go cheap, then you can hit In and Out or a buffet.

As for DC, one thing to think about is the cost. I can't squeeze 60 people into my condo. Even if I could, it's in a suburb so you'd have to drive to the subway and ride it for 20 minutes to get downtown. Lodging downtown would be spendy, probably around $100 a night or so.

I say stick with Vegas. And it is truly the city that never sleeps, with apologies to New York.

And a huge thanks to the organizers. I like being able to just show up, meet some new people, catch up with some old friends, and have a GREAT time even if my wallet feels the pain later.

[skidz]

Seattle? New York?
just a thought...

[Dazzler]

How about London?

[jdflight]

I have to agree with Tony. Keep it in Vegas, for numerous reasons.

1. Everything is central, and it's extremely easy to get around.
2. Something for everybody, like Tony said.
3. Remember all the stuff Doug and Kristie bring with them. If they have to fly somewhere, it's going to be much more difficult to bring all the supplies along.
4. Relatively cheap rooms, and the ability to shop rooms, be in different hotels, and still be able to get together easily. A couple years ago, several people got rooms all over the strip. It was still very easy to meet up.
5. My fiancee has never been to Vegas, and I promised I'd bring her next year. Seriously.
6. 9 Fine Irishmen and tradition.
7. Relatively easy non-rev.

[H46Bubba]

Wow, another great NJC has come and gone! Doug and Kristie, thanks for all your hard work!( You too Pengy!)
The Sahara was wahat it was....cheap and stinky, but it served it's purpose. It was good having most of the events right there at the hotel. Don't have far to walk to get to your room when your #### faced!
I'm with Seggy for holding NJC in SAN next year. Plenty of aviation stuff, decently priced hotels and there is also the trolly and an excellent public transportation system. SAN is also easy to nonrev to. If not, Vegas still welcomes us with open arms and offers plenty for attendees.
I like the event location hadling the catering and bartending as far as keeping the liabilty on them and not you. I would also like to see another speeker next year. That was awesome the Doug was able to get Al Haynes for us this year.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

I'll throw another city in there on the east coast... Orlando.
Super easy to jumpseat to. October might work out as an in between summer and winter busy seasons, might be able to get a good rate. October in Florida is pretty nice time of year. NASA and KSC are a short drive plus plenty to do around Disney. Great for families. Polar probably has the dl on all the gay bars for max.

Sorry, but NO WAY... my sister lives in Orlando and i can't even get in there anytime via non-rev... i always have to buy a ticket.

Anywhere in florida at any time, unfortunately won't fly. (no pun intended)

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by AZBigDog

Alright I'm going to go out on a limb here and say why not change the venue every year? You'll have a different scene every year and then you can rotate back to Vegas once every so often.

mostly because it's a 2 man planning team (me for meeting/hotel, pengy for tours). it's much easier for me to do something closer to home than it is to do something millions of miles away. changing the venue once every few years is possible but changing it every year as a 2 man team would be too difficult.

In Vegas...i know (for the most part) what's available and where we can go/do things.. as does pengy...
In seattle.. i've got Pengy as my backup for tours and so forth while i can still set up meeting space
In Phoenix... I have enough people here to depend on to get tours set up and i can EASILY set up meeting space and get discount restaurant prices etc (i know people...hell, we could rent out temple bar entirely (local irish bar) or satori's (local sushi bar))
In DC... visiting museums is easy...but i really have no one to rely on there that can be my liaison for tours and things to do...but my dad lives there and can give me ideas on good places to stay etc.

anywhere else...i have no idea what to do, what i can plan or where is the best place to stay and/or best way to keep things on the cheap.

Originally Posted by AZBigDog

Although I had an awesome time in Vegas this year, I wouldn't mind seeing other parts of the country as well. Plus the cost of Vegas skyrockets when you start factoring in some gambling and/or other extra curricular activities. This might be important to some folks that are just getting their careers started and don't have a lot of extra money for a trip to Vegas.

yea.. but figure anywhere other than vegas and you're going to need rental car.. that's a pretty big extra cost. unless we find somewhere that has subway/metro...

[FiveO]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

Polar probably has the dl on all the gay bars for max.

AHAHAH I'm dying laughing from this. Why? Cause I have no doubt in my mind it's true.

Bring it to Florida! Don't be a hater Kristie.