NHC 2012 SEATTLE - Almost Sold out after 24 hrs | SOLD OUT

[SPLASTiK]

Is there any other way to get tickets? Will any more open up, or will people be selling the ones they don't use? I had no idea it would go so quick and it's in my back yard this year.

There's a waiting list you can sign up for on the conference website. The AHA expects quite a few will probably drop out but they probably won't be able to accommodate everyone.

They didn't expect this much growth, the hotels have to be booked far in advance and this one was locked in around the time of the Minneapolis conference and has 20% more capacity than that conference.

I think people get excited about it and buy up tickets even if they aren't sure they can go. What is the cancellation policy on the event?

They have until March 31 to get a refund.

 

[blizzard]

I was planning to go, but was really disappointed it was actually in Bellevue and not Seattle. Poor choice, IMO.

 

[SPLASTiK]

I was planning to go, but was really disappointed it was actually in Bellevue and not Seattle. Poor choice, IMO.

Meh, it's not like there's much time to really go anywhere. You're pretty much busy the whole time except for very short meal breaks.

 

[Zen_Brew]

I was planning to go, but was really disappointed it was actually in Bellevue and not Seattle. Poor choice, IMO.

The NHC takes bids for the conference center and the hotel. They are looking for a good price on the conference center, and also a reasonable hotel rate for attending members. Bellevue obviously beat out the Seattle convention center.

I wouldn't sweat it too much. There has been much discussion among the larger local beer clubs here and WAHA (Washington Homebrewers Association) We will make sure there are events planned in Seattle and elsewhere that are documented, mapped, and will likely have transportation to.

As to the tickets going so quickly, that is just a symptom of the growing popularity, as well as the hotbed of homebrewers in the Portland and Seattle area. It is a shame, as I'd love everyone to attend who wants to, but look on the bright side. At least ticket master isn't running it!

 

[blizzard]

Meh, it's not like there's much time to really go anywhere. You're pretty much busy the whole time except for very short meal breaks.

The NHC takes bids for the conference center and the hotel. They are looking for a good price on the conference center, and also a reasonable hotel rate for attending members. Bellevue obviously beat out the Seattle convention center.

I wouldn't sweat it too much. There has been much discussion among the larger local beer clubs here and WAHA (Washington Homebrewers Association) We will make sure there are events planned in Seattle and elsewhere that are documented, mapped, and will likely have transportation to.

As to the tickets going so quickly, that is just a symptom of the growing popularity, as well as the hotbed of homebrewers in the Portland and Seattle area. It is a shame, as I'd love everyone to attend who wants to, but look on the bright side. At least ticket master isn't running it!

I understand that it's a busy event and the AHA wants to do it for a reasonable price. But, if the location doesn't matter, they could have it in BFE rather than a major city, and save a ton of cash. If location (and the beer scene) really doesn't matter, then why bother with Seattle, or San Diego, or any place that people would want to actually visit? Bellevue is a nice enough place and they are aggressively building and marketing themselves where they can, but it isn't the beer Mecca that Seattle is. And combining an event that involves drinking with a drive across the lake doesn't seem too smart. But mostly, I'm just disappointed to hear the conference would be in Seattle and then find out it isn't.

Having said that, thanks to WAHA for getting some events in place. Hopefully people can enjoy the East Side and Seattle.

 

[remilard]

There's a waiting list you can sign up for on the conference website. The AHA expects quite a few will probably drop out but they probably won't be able to accommodate everyone.

They didn't expect this much growth, the hotels have to be booked far in advance and this one was locked in around the time of the Minneapolis conference and has 20% more capacity than that conference.



They have until March 31 to get a refund.

For Oakland I had to cancel well after the last date for a refund. There were still people on the waiting list and I still got a refund.

So my guess is that despite the published policy, there will be full refunds as long as there is a waiting list.

 

[olllllo]

I understand that it's a busy event and the AHA wants to do it for a reasonable price. But, if the location doesn't matter, they could have it in BFE rather than a major city, and save a ton of cash. If location (and the beer scene) really doesn't matter, then why bother with Seattle, or San Diego, or any place that people would want to actually visit? Bellevue is a nice enough place and they are aggressively building and marketing themselves where they can, but it isn't the beer Mecca that Seattle is. And combining an event that involves drinking with a drive across the lake doesn't seem too smart. But mostly, I'm just disappointed to hear the conference would be in Seattle and then find out it isn't.

Having said that, thanks to WAHA for getting some events in place. Hopefully people can enjoy the East Side and Seattle.

Because no one in BFE puts together a conference bid. I'm guessing that it takes about 150 volunteers to put on the conference and 25 full-time dedicated people working throughout the year. I'm giving up about two evenings a week running my club, I can't even imagine the legwork for a conference.

 

[SPLASTiK]

I understand that it's a busy event and the AHA wants to do it for a reasonable price. But, if the location doesn't matter, they could have it in BFE rather than a major city, and save a ton of cash.

If location (and the beer scene) really doesn't matter, then why bother with Seattle, or San Diego, or any place that people would want to actually visit?

Ton of cash saved on expenses for the AHA... but will people be able to make it out to BFE? It's only been the past few of these that they've actually begun to break even through explosive membership growth. The AHA tries to strike a balance between affordability and ease to get there since a majority are from out of town. And does BFE have a club that could even put the event on? That's a major undertaking... There's events with similar amounts of people attending at the convention center downtown that cost 2-3x the full conference package and discounted hotel rates are $100 more per night on top of it.

I don't really think the locations/beer scene matters much though. The event is more about showcasing homebrewing than it is craft beer and you get your fix of tasting beer from the region at Pro-Brewers Night. It's more about the club being able to handle such a large event and they generally just happen to be near a major city with a good beer scene because if there's a good beer scene there's typically a thriving homebrew scene that can pull it off.

I don't know, I understand wanting to explore the city but the only time you really have to explore the city, assuming you're there to do the conference stuff like most people (attend the presentations and the events each night), are events before and after the conference.

If you think Bellevue is bad... look at where [ame=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sheraton+Bloomington+Hotel&ll=44.862941,-93.352225&spn=0.010631,0.026157&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Sheraton+Bloomington+Hotel&hnear=Sheraton+Bloomington+Hotel&cid=0,0,9842710101815403398&t=m&z=16]Minneapolis was held[/ame]. At least in Bellevue I'll be able to grab a decent lunch and not have to resort to Subway or TGI Fridays.

 

[weirdboy]

I understand that it's a busy event and the AHA wants to do it for a reasonable price. But, if the location doesn't matter, they could have it in BFE rather than a major city, and save a ton of cash. If location (and the beer scene) really doesn't matter, then why bother with Seattle, or San Diego, or any place that people would want to actually visit? Bellevue is a nice enough place and they are aggressively building and marketing themselves where they can, but it isn't the beer Mecca that Seattle is. And combining an event that involves drinking with a drive across the lake doesn't seem too smart. But mostly, I'm just disappointed to hear the conference would be in Seattle and then find out it isn't.

Having said that, thanks to WAHA for getting some events in place. Hopefully people can enjoy the East Side and Seattle.

Did you go to the one last year in San Diego? It wasn't in San Diego per se, either. But there were plenty of opportunities throughout the conference to head downtown and get your beer geek fix. With bus service provided, I should add.

Seattle is no less inaccessible from Bellvue as the strip in San Diego was at last year's conference. It is a friggin' 15 minute bus ride.

 

[H-ost]

Damn, this is in my area and I had no idea...

 

[SPLASTiK]

Damn, this is in my area and I had no idea...

Be sure to get on the waiting list then... I'd imagine a lot of people on the list won't be able to make it when people cancel, especially if it's last minute.

 

[blizzard]

Seattle is no less inaccessible from Bellvue as the strip in San Diego was at last year's conference. It is a friggin' 15 minute bus ride.

Edit: maybe too snarky. Even with the new tolls I think 15 minutes is optimistic.

Suffice it to say, I'm disappointed regardless of the reasoning. Obviously others plan to stay at the hotel/conference full-time, but having a lot of ties to the area, I was looking forward to a visit and time in the city.

 

[psbuckland]

This will be my first and I am ready! I'll be traveling from the DC area ready to enjoy! See you all there...

PSB

 

[AnonyBrew]

This will be my first and I am ready! I'll be traveling from the DC area ready to enjoy! See you all there...

PSB

Wow, long way to travel for NHC. Perhaps we'll meet. Just look for me lying on the floor somewhere.

 

[psbuckland]

How can I search for someone while I'm face down?

 

[Bobby_M]

Is anyone holding on to a reservation at any of the hotels that they have intentions of canceling. My name came up on the waiting list but I'm not going to huff it 12 blocks after a day of drinking.

 

[bruin_ale]

Is anyone holding on to a reservation at any of the hotels that they have intentions of canceling. My name came up on the waiting list but I'm not going to huff it 12 blocks after a day of drinking.

Cab?

 

[Bobby_M]

Does anyone know what the room rate at the Hyatt was before it filled up?

 

[bruin_ale]

I think it was the same rate as the Westin (where I got my room). $139/night.

 

[Shooter]

Yeah, don't have my reservation in front of me, but $139 a night sounds right.

 

[Bobby_M]

Ok, the reason I asked was they had one room left in the block and wanted $225 for the first two nights. Apparently the original block got sold quick so they resigned another contract at a higher rate. None of the other hotels on the list in the $139 range had 21st to 24th availability so I was trying to convince them down to the $139 rate. No dice. Oh well, I'm sure they'll end up with a lot of cancellations.

I just booked at the silver cloud two blocks away for $139 and it comes with free parking, full breakfast, free wifi and 42" plasmas... Hyatt can eat it. I'm staying at the Hyatt in April for business so I'll get to see what I'm missing.

 

[luke2080]

We will make sure there are events planned in Seattle and elsewhere that are documented, mapped, and will likely have transportation to.

Will those events in Seattle be posted on the NHC website? I was a day too late in pulling the trigger to buy tickets to register, but I'm still headed to Seattle for the event. Its a good excuse to visit a friend out there. So if there is a list of "other" events outside of the official registered/ticketed events, I'd like to take a look.

 

[luke2080]

Bobby - I used to stay at the Courtyard Marriot in Bellevue all of the time for work. Its 3 blocks from the Westin, an easy walk down the main drag. (Did this coming back drunk from Earls quite few times) Right now its $149 a night for that weekend, and its a nice hotel. Nicer then the "courtyard" label.

I'd recommend that hotel for anyone still looking to book something.

 

[Zen_Brew]

Will those events in Seattle be posted on the NHC website? I was a day too late in pulling the trigger to buy tickets to register, but I'm still headed to Seattle for the event. Its a good excuse to visit a friend out there. So if there is a list of "other" events outside of the official registered/ticketed events, I'd like to take a look.

Wow. Long trip in from Boston. They did release some waiting list tickets a couple days ago. You may want to look into them.

I would think the events will be posted on the NHC site. WAHA is coordinating with the AHA, so it seems likely that any events will be posted on the event website. I'm sure the event postings will find their way onto HBT as well via myself or other local members.

 

[luke2080]

Wow. Long trip in from Boston. They did release some waiting list tickets a couple days ago. You may want to look into them.

I would think the events will be posted on the NHC site. WAHA is coordinating with the AHA, so it seems likely that any events will be posted on the event website. I'm sure the event postings will find their way onto HBT as well via myself or other local members.

Ok - I'll keep tabs on the events section there.

I did hear some waiting list spots were getting some tickets, and I'm on the waiting list, so hopefully I get the email.

 

[brewfish]

Anyone have a spare ticket?

 

[velotech]

Anyone have a spare ticket?

Did you get on the wait list with AHA? One of our club members just got a ticket two days ago after being on the wait list. Now he's looking for a room.

There will be 7 of us coming from the Rock Hoppers in CO.

Dave

 

[brewfish]

Yep, Im on the list

 

[Zen_Brew]

Some of the events during the NHC timeframe in Seattle are starting to post. Here is the link in case you are not on the AHA mailing list to receive the notices.

http://www.ahaconference.org/events/pre-conference-events/

PS. If you scroll through the list you will find Naked City presently listed on at least one event. If you get over there you may get a chance to say Hey to Don, (HBT ID Brewtopia) and he loves meeting HBT'ers.

 

[xsists]

I have a room booked at the lower rate through Saturday night. Unfortunately I am unable to go anymore. It looks like if I transfer the rooms, they hike it to the higher rate If anyone is looking for a room, I'll transfer it to you but can't guarantee the rate.

EDIT: At the Hyatt.