The Chicago Seminars, a weekend of fun with miles and points lovers and learners, created by Rick the Frugal Travel Guy, is now open for registration. Mark your calendars for Chicago on October 11-13. Book the main host hotel before it sells out, it is much more fun to be on-site.
Your flight on Friday, October 11 better be early because I am kicking off the event at 6:20 pm with my International Bootcamp opposite the Rookie Bootcamp by Bikeguy. It is an honor to have the opportunity to speak. From Global Entry to entering North Korea we will explore international travel far beyond the lie-flat seat and hotel executive lounge.
On Sunday, October 13 at 11:00 – 12:30 I will present a beginner’s session, Using Hotwire and Priceline, opposite advanced session, Is the Mileage Game Just About Over? by Steve Belkin.
Let me know anything you would like to hear in either session. Please note that this Friday-Sunday comments on Rapid Travel Chai may be closed while Boarding Area undergoes maintenance, please be patient.
I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new.
See you in Chicago!
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Seminar Overview (via Frugal Travel Guy)
We are pleased to announce that the Chicago Seminars will again be held the weekend of October 11th-13th at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village, Illinois. There are several changes including transferable registrations and more sessions with a wider variety of topics this year.
Confirmed Speakers to date are:
Brian Kelly, the PointsGuy
Ben Schlappig from One Mile at a Time
Summer our MommyPoints
Daraius Dubash Mr. Million Mile Secrets
Our Mad Scientist Greg the Frequent Miler
Rene from Delta Points
Captain Denny Flanagan
Stefan of Rapid Travel Chai fame and offbeat adventures
Mr Steve Belkin “Beaubo the Contrarian”
Hans Mast of Shopping Portal Fame
Marshall Jackson on Cruising
John Nielson on Three Trips for Two
Bikeguy with Rookie Bootcamp
Howie Rappaport with Managing Family accounts
Cara Kretz ITASoftware by Google
John Lopinto of ExpertFlyer
Cliff Stratton with Computer Help for all
Rick Ingersoll the Frugal Travel Guy
We will be holding sessions from Friday late afternoon until Sunday at 4 PM so you can catch the last bank of flights home from O’Hare.
This event is an all volunteer event put on by members of the community for the members of the community. All excess proceeds after covering expenses are given to charity.
Our event is the ONLY not for profit event of its kind with registration at only $85 per person which includes lunch and coffee breaks each day and a Saturday evening cocktail reception as well.
The host hotel (separate registration) will again be $79 single or $89 double including one or two breakfast per day included in that rate. The overflow hotel will be the Holiday Inn O’Hare and shuttle service will be provided.
We are thrilled to add afternoon smaller sessions for 60 to 80 people in addition to our larger meeting rooms for 250 and 300. These smaller rooms will allow for more hands on seminars for both rookies and experts alike.
Hotel and Seminar Registration will begin later this week. We look forward to seeing you all sooner than you think at the fourth annual Chicago Seminars. Mark your calendars today for the premier gathering of the travel space each year.
Seminar Schedule
Friday 6:30 -7:20PM Rookie Bootcamp with Bikeguy or
International Bootcamp with Stefan Rapid Travel Chai
7:30- 8:30 SkyPesos to Delta Gold with FTI and Delta Points
Computer Tips and Tricks with Cliff Straton
Managing Family Accounts with Howie
Saturday 8:30- 10 AM Beginners with Daraius MMS and Mommy Points
Advanced Shopping Portals with Hans Mast
10-10:15 Coffee Break
10:15- Noon Beginners Mileage Runs with Ben (Lucky)
Advanced Mad Scientist Greg our Frequent Miler
Noon to 1 PM Lunch
1-2PM Beginner Credit Cards with Rick FTG
Advanced Rental Cars the Right Way with Daraius MMS
2-3:45PM Beginner Customer Service with Capt Denny
Advanced Credit Card Strategies with the Points Guy
Cruising with Marshall Jackson
Hands on Award Booking with Ben (Lucky)
3:45- 4PM Coffee Break
4:00 to 5:45 Beginner Award Booking with Ben (Lucky)
Advanced ITA with Stavros M and Expert Flyer John L
Amtrak Awards with Bikeguy
Spouses Reception with Mommy Points
7 or 7:30 PM til ??? Cocktail Reception
Sunday 8:30 – 10:30 AM Sponsors Workshop
10:30 – 11 AM Charity Raffle (Thanks Again Sharon)
11-12:30 Beginners Using Hotwire and Priceline with Stefan
Advanced Is the Mileage Game Just About Over? Steve Belkin the Contrarian
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3PM Hotel and Airline Breakout Sessions in all four rooms
Group leaders: AA/US-Sagy and ?, Delta-Delta Points, UA-?, SW and others-?. SPG-Mrpickles, Hilton-?, Hyatt-??, Priority Club-?, Marriott-Sharon Skiadcock
3-3:15 PM Coffee Break
3:15 to 4PM Full Room Closing Remarks and Speaker
Reservations are already booking, those attending should be sure to book early as this event has sold out each of the last 3 years. Like, sold out months in advance. If you can go to only one event this year, this is the one.