Gentlemen, Addressing the meet & greet this year. We have use of the Presedential Suite at the hotel this year. It's pretty much the whole south east corner top floor of the hotel. Floor to ceiling glass on the 16th floor of the hotel overlooking Old Sacramento and the Sacramento river. There are 4 couches, a dining table that seats 8, 3 or 4 cafe tables and chairs with room for about 4 or 5 more tables, it's own bathroom, sink, fridge, and bar top. We can either= 1) Hang there and bring in our own stuff and have pizza delivered. (The "Chicago style" meet & greet, we can do prizes and what not there too) 2) Go and find a restaurant that seats 50+ and head over there, 3) Go to River City Brewery (the 25 yard away brewery/restaurant I mentioned at last year's convention that I hope to have the Saturday Dinner at) and take over there for Friday night too. 4) I let the manager know that we are going to take over the hotel bar and we just get loud down there. Click Here to take poll, yes it's an outside link All are viable options. Thanks guys.
Meet & Greet
Invading and taking over the Micro seems to go hand in hand with us. I think we need to let the microbrewery know that we can be a loud and crazy bunch of Dads free of all responsibilities for the weekend so be aware that we might, and I don't know scare is the right terminology or not, but we might "jam" the more reserved clientele looking for an ambiance. Same for a reservation for 50+ at a local establichment
INMHO, The presidential suite needs to say a "hallowed ground" staging area so we do not add on incurred unseen charges that may, or may happen late nights, if you catch my drift.
As for the hotel bar, bring it all on!
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They have not made it out to the West Coast yet. There is the most killer greasy spoon breakfast place not far away that I'm hoping is still there. It actually only has a counter and a half dozen seats so it will not do for the whole crew. :-)
Greg
A couple of guys couldn't go to the meet and greet last year because of limited space. I worry about a big turnout causing a bigger problem this year. Maybe the top floor lounge/room at the hotel would be a solution, even if the brewery might be a more fun atmosphere.
Chef Kev,
There will always be room. Last year it was last minute stuff that kept a FEW guys out. For all the early registrants, there are accomodations. It is the biggest part of the reason Dayv is talking this stuff up now. The more we know early on, the easier it is to make choices based on real numbers and make sure all will fit. I am glad that JPhillip brought it up though. It makes us all think about it. I am quite impressed that guys have already made plans with the family and are sure they're coming out. I, for one, have told my wife I'm going, no matter what. I earn it. :)
Jim
Boulder, CO
Dad to Cole, Luke & Trev
I was at the meet and greet in KC this last year, and I think we're overestimating what "Loud and Crazy" means, especially for a brewery.
Didn't somebody float the idea of going more the winery route, since we're in more wine country than beer country? Is that option on the table, or is that too far of a trek from Downtown Sac?
Speaking of wine, or wHine,
Robb T. (Chitownman) came out to California last week to visit and one of the things he had scheduled was a wine tour of Amador County. He went this past Sunday (4/6). He said depending on how the tour went, he was going to head up a wine tour for the Friday pre-convention event.
Also, I play hockey with one of the wine makers for a major winery here in CA, and he has pleged a few cases of a major label wine for our event as well. This is why I'm thinking we stage in the suite for the meet & greet.
I would be up for the Suite as long as there is good microbrew available and food so we don't need to go out separately. I also want to know more about the hockey game, what night was it? When can we reserve our rooms? I need to get started on a flight.
Dan
OK,
I followed the link and am now talking to my wife about how long to stay. I was thinking of flying in on Thursday and out on Monday. Just have to check plain tickets before I make the hotel reservation. Is there a forum for room sharing?
Dan
Hooray! I was so worried that we weren't going to get to ride on a school bus this year. If it turns out there is only enough guys to carpool, can we ride a school bus to a hockey game? Please, can we? It is one of the most important traditions. Seriously.
A lot of shaky stuff going on with airlines right now. You might want to wait a little while to book your flight. Also, I know that Southwest doesn't even give you the option to book that far in advance yet.
Regarding roomsharing: Guys usually just post something on this site under the Convention category.
Robb has the wine tour details in the works, it would be on the Friday. It includes transportation to/from the hotel.
Room sharing- we usually start a thread or two once it gets a little closer to the event, if its really needed, I can start that thread now, and I'll put a direct link to it on the site.
Micro Brews- I'll look into getting a variety of the local stuff, and yes there will be food at the M&G at the suite.
I can't do anything definite about the hockey game until I see the schedule for next year. It comes out in summer, so as soon as I know what the schedule is, we can work on setting something up.
I prefer to have cocktails and pizza at the Suite on Friday evening. It's easier to hang out and chat with the other guys, especially the greenhorns, and it keeps the cost of drinking and eating down.
How about scheduling the Meet and Greet from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm? And then guys can decide if they want to stay in the Suite or go bar hopping.
I'll be arriving on Thursday evening and have a room booked at the Holiday Inn until Sunday. I'll be rooming with Al Watts.
Hogan
Suite sounds good if we could fit 50-60 dads in there. I like the idea since some guys who get in late afternoon/early evening Friday night might miss out on a reserved setting like the Boulevard m & g the last few years.
I would encourage dads to come in early on Thursday and meet our very own godfather, Hogan Hilling. I hope to come in early, but have to catch up with relatives in the area. I haven't been to Sactown in 20 years and need to see a bunch of cousins. Hope I can save some money and work the trip out. Hockey would be great if I can share the bus seat with JPhil ;-)
Liam!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, it's going to be tough because I just turned 53 last Saturday. However, if I recall correctly I met you at the convention last year as I was going out the hotel door late Thursday night looking for a bar.
Al emailed me the other day and asked if he could room with me again. With Al it's a safe bet that I'll get some sleep that weekend.
Looking forward to seeing you again at the convention.
Wouldn't the safe move be to room with Liam since you know that you will have the room to yourself until 3am?
db
Father of three,
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