Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention ~ Oct 27-29 2006

[rossandrachelfan]

Hi! I wanted to let you know that I went out to check the hotel/area for the Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention yesterday (10/29/05). The firm dates for the mini convention are Friday October 27-Sunday October 29th 2006. We have negotiated a room rate of $99 per night and the registration will cost $100. We will start accepting registrations within the next week or so. Vendor registration would be $25 for the weekend if interested.

The hotel is in a great central location. It is close to the Harrisburg International Airport. It is about 10-15 minutes away from Hershey Park (we went yesterday and it only took 8 minutes). Hershey Park at this time would have free admission and you could just purchase tickets or bracelets for rides if needed. It is also 10 minutes or so from The Hershey Outlets featuring Mikasa, Ralph Lauren, Nautica, and many more. There is also Hershey Golf nearby and The Hershey Spa.

The hotel itself was very nice. It has a restaurant, a saloon (bar but also has free country line dancing lessons for anyone interested), and it also has a Pizza Hut inside the hotel that you can order from through the room service. The rooms also feature high speed internet.

We are going to have several speakers (will be announced as the mini convention gets closer and we are sure they have confirmed). There will be a banquet on Saturday night. There are going to be lots of prize drawings.

Vendors that do not live nearby are welcome to donate prizes to promote their businesses. I will be posting more information over the next week. If anyone has any questions, please email me at nicole@sweepstakesnewsletter.net



Updated Info:

To make a hotel reservation, please call 1-717-469-0661 (Credit card needed or you will have to send them a room deposit by check or money order). You must mention that you are booking for the Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention to get our rate of $99 per night.

Convention Registration forms and Vendor Registration Forms have been posted on www.sweepstakesnewsletter.net and can also be sent by email.

Any questions or registration form requests, please email hersheyminiconvention06@comcast.net or nicole@sweepstakesnewsletter.net

[kbsocial]

This sounds like a blast - is it really 2006 or is this for 2005?

[rossandrachelfan]

It is for 2006. I tried several months ago to book for 2005 and everything was booked. Got in early this time just to be safe.

[kbsocial]

It is for 2006. I tried several months ago to book for 2005 and everything was booked. Got in early this time just to be safe.

Fantastic:gvibes:

[noelleray]

might be able to make it to this one since its only a hour away!

[rossandrachelfan]

For everyone who emailed me, I will add you to a mailing list with updates on the Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention.

[steflink]

I'm excited--especially since I won't be making it to Scottsdale this year...
:cheer7:

[rossandrachelfan]

Updated Info:

To make a hotel reservation, please call 1-717-469-0661 (Credit card needed or you will have to send them a room deposit by check or money order). You must mention that you are booking for the Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention to get our rate of $99 per night.

Convention Registration forms and Vendor Registration Forms have been posted on www.sweepstakesnewsletter.net and can also be sent by email.

Any questions or registration form requests, please email hersheyminiconvention06@comcast.net or nicole@sweepstakesnewsletter.net

[slgibbs1]

I'll be there. I used to live on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, so I can visit all my old friends before the convention. Hoooray!!!

[insomniac104]

Ok, just 2 questions:

1. Which hotel is this?

2. What town? Hershy? Harrisburg?

Either I can't read or am blind because I didn't see this anywhere in the post and since I live in Lancaster I'd love to attend!

[rossandrachelfan]

The Hotel is the Holiday Inn Harrisburg/Hershey located in Grantville, PA (about 10 minutes from Hershey)

[CARAN52]

Please refer to our new webpage with information regarding the convention, etc. The email address is still good as posted above for the registration form.

Hope to see you ALL there!!! It will be run similar to that national conventions, but just cut back one day. We are open for all suggestions and questions. Email either Nicole or myself. We have a good number of volunteers so far from friends, our club The Bucks County Sweepers and also volunteers from other clubs and sweepers.

We are also looking for vendors and plenty of donations so that we can give out lots of prizes. If you can help out with the donations whether big or small, a little or a lot it will be mucho appreciated.

Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention Webpage (https://home.comcast.net/~northeastminiconvention06)

[Sweethart79]

can I come for just the registration fee if I dont stay at a hotel?? I'm going to be in the area anyway during that time!!! :cheer7:

[CARAN52]

You certainly can attend without staying at the hotel. In fact, there are quite a few that will be commuting because they live in the area. I do not have the start and stop times for each of the days down yet since the agenda has not been finalized but it will allow you time for transportation, meals, etc.

You do not need to attend all sessions and activites for the 3 days, but there will be no reduction in the registration fee for those who don't. Otherwise it would be an administrative nightmare. All you will need is to print off a copy of the registration form and send it in with your fee. Rally your friends. We will have a great time.



For the benefit of everyone reading this posting. You must call the hotel directly if you are planning on staying overnight. We blocked off some of the rooms to get the special rate. So anyone who is going to stay must be sure to mention that they will be attending the sweepstakes convention when they register.

Hope to see you there!!

[princessJ]

Who's going to this from OLS? :)

[slgibbs1]

I'll be there!!!!

Sandy from Pittsburgh

[missreneer]

Have fun you guys. I'm from back east but far away from home now. Wish I could be there :gvibes:

[CARAN52]

There was a posting on one of the other newsletter sites that there were no more non-smoking rooms and only a couple of smoking rooms left. NOT TRUE. I wanted to let you guys know before panic set in. Although, I wouldn't wait too much longer, we still have plenty of all of the types of rooms left. Please let us know if you have any problems reserving your rooms. I'd suggest calling the hotel directly instead of the 800 number. Be sure to let them know that you are attending the Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention to get your room and at a discount. I think the poster didn't mention that. and had called the 800 number. Unfortunately, we will not be getting in the middle of any problems with rates for those who forget to tell them about the rooms that we have blocked off. If for some reason we have more attending that will be staying that need rooms than that which we have blocked off, and the hotel does book solid, there are other hotels nearby that we can contact. The earlier we get all reservations in the easier it will be to manage things. Also, BE SURE TO SEND IN YOUR CONVENTION REGISTRATION TO US, just reserving a room is not a guarantee that you are on the list to attend the convention. Once 500 people have paid the list will be closed, whether room reservations have been made or not. From what I have seen some have made room reservations without sending in their conference registration. That could prove dangerous as the limit gets closer.

Thanks for your cooperation,
Carol McLaughlin
Co-host - Reservations
https://home.comcast.net/~northeastminiconvention06
email: northeastminiconvention06@comcast.net

[CARAN52]

The winner of the February early bird raffle is: Flo, from Medford, NJ
Congratulations Flo!!

Keep sending in those registrations!!

Carol McLaughlin
Planning Committee
Registrations-
Co-Sponsor

[CARAN52]

How many OLSers are coming to the Northeast Mini Convention??? We're getting a lot of registrations, but can't tell who the OLSers are. Just wondering.

[CARAN52]

Just a reminder to stay tuned for the winner of the second Early Bird Raffle drawing for the Northeast Mini Sweepstakes Convention. Includes all who already registered and all registration slips that I get out of the mailbox on Friday, March 31st. Drawing will be held on April 1st.

Good luck to everyone. Thanks a million to all who sent in their registrations this month, and to those who didn't keep 'em comin'. Don't miss out on the fun and I know there are a lot of you Pennsylvanian's out there not registered yet!!


From all of us at Bucks County Sweepers --- :cheer7: :cheer7: :jump: :gift: ::gift: :smile9:

[Adrianita]

Are any OLSers going to this?

[Adrianita]

Anybody here going? :sherlock:

[Krystal]

Is there any other info on it?

[alycep06]

I would be interested if I knew anything about it..........

[Adrianita]

http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275820

:gvibes:

[CARAN52]

Adrianita - I think that you are not getting much of a reply to your posting because this thread is embedded in an unusual spot on the forums. I don't have the names of the newsletters, websites, etc. that the registrants subscribe to. I believe we will be sending out a survey form to them in the near future for planning purposes and that would be one of the questions. However, I would not be able to post their names on any of the message boards due to privacy restrictions.

What I can say is that there are a lot of people coming so far (as of now 150 with some more on the fence yet) from all up and down the east coast plus Canada and Arizona. So if anything, it will be a good time for you to meet lots of new sweepers and help me get them to sign up for this fantastic website! I do personally know of several in my club that belong to this website. I've already contacted Brent and KB to come....and of course all of the others that I partied my butt off with last year in Moline --- would love to have that gang there. They were sooo much fun. And I got started late with them.

I don't know what the policy is for bring these "mini's" up to the front of the forum page (like the National), but maybe when the National passes we could at least have something go up there. Please pass the word around and if you have not yet registered - please do -- I am sure you will have a good time. (you could always help me!! lolol)

I am asking everyone to at least keep an eye on our webpage because it is getting difficult to get to all of the message boards on a daily basis. The webpage is kept up to date.


Oh, and Adrianita --- there are lots coming down from New York. I can tell you that much!!

[slgibbs1]

I know at least 10 are coming from the Pittsburgh Sweeps Club. What is the maximum attendance you will allow?

Sandy

[mmcarter67]

I just found this and am very interested in going.

[Rokki]

Oh What fun, do they have these things in Texas too? :gvibes:

[CARAN52]

I am one of the sponsors for the Northeast Mini Conention and handling all registrations. We have a maximum capacity of 400 for the full weekend registration with an additional capacity of 100 for the "banquet only". See our webpage for more information or email us with any questions. There are about 150 signed up so far.

Hope you can come. I would recommend signing up as soon as possible and be sure to call for your hotel reservation soon in order to stay in the main hotel.

Visit our homepage often as that is where all of the information is being posted. Spread the word throughout these forums since this is not easily found.

[CARAN52]

Just checked with the hotel and we have 13 hotel rooms left at the discounted rate of $99 per night. We cannot block any more until those have been taken. If the hotel should book up entirely, you will be able to register at the Comfort Inn which is right next door. We still have about 150 spots left to register for the full session but they are moving along steadily. Don't know how much longer they will be around.

[CARAN52]

Checked with the hotel today and 5 rooms left of our original block of rooms for Friday and Saturday night. Can't block any more off until they have been claimed and there is another party also booking for that weekend, so hurry and get your reservations in.

The entire hotel has been booked for early birds who wanted to come in on Thursday night. But there is always the Comfort Suites next door for Thursday night and then move to the Holiday Inn for Friday and Saturday. I think we only get credit for the rooms booked by the Holiday Inn to discount our fees for the convention rooms. Checking into that now.

[CARAN52]

Just checked with the hotel. They are completely sold out for Thursday evening. We have 1 more room blocked for Friday and Saturday night and they have a total of 42 rooms left before the entire hotel is booked. There are plenty of rooms left for anyone staying over on Sunday night to go home Monday.

I would strongly suggest booking your room as soon as possible. If the hotel completely books there is a Comfort Suite or Comfort Inn right next door. I will be talking to the planner next week to see that we get credit for any overflow rooms.

Also, be sure to visit our webpage often for information. Right now we are running a theme contest which is explained on our webpage and is only open to those who have already or are sending their ideas in along with their registering for the convenion. Deadline is the end of June. See webpage for more details.


See you soon.

[CARAN52]

One of the other sites wanted to know numbers. As of today I have 150 confirmed cash in hand with another 60 who have emailed me that they are definately coming (not guaranteeing them entrance until cash is in hand) plus our own staff. In short I can take another 200 registrations before closing it off. I wouldn't wait because I'm assuming most are just waiting for the Phoenix convention to get behind them, held off until graduation parties and early vacations are behind them. I will probably pick up several more while out in Phoenix too.

Carol McLaughlin
Planning Committee

[melissaann11]

Any one from Michigan going?? :)

[kbsocial]

I think I may have been talked into attending - stay tuned :smile9:

[pestkaj]

I think I may have been talked into attending - stay tuned :smile9:

The summer tour has been extended? I want advanced notice when tickets go on sale!!

[kbsocial]

The summer tour has been extended? I want advanced notice when tickets go on sale!!

They'll be released on ticketmaster or directly from Tom via paypal!!

[Adrianita]

I think maybe I can go :royal:

[kbsocial]

I think maybe I can go :royal:


DO IT!!!! :cheer7:

[Adrianita]

well right now I just filled out the form... I don't know if I can get Friday off work or not.. and then I will book the hotel :smile9:

[kbsocial]

well right now I just filled out the form... I don't know if I can get Friday off work or not.. and then I will book the hotel :smile9:


I will call your boss :halo:

[Adrianita]

:laugh: she is off today, I will ask Monday, but thanks! :nana:

[Adrianita]

Other than me being a threadkiller... any OLSers going?

please say! I'm gonna try to book the hotel today and mail my payment :scoot:

[Krystal]

I am thinking about going. I want to know who is going first. I won't bother if other OLS'ers aren't going to be there.

[CARAN52]

Krystal --- you better come. An OLSer is running it!! There are other OLSers coming. KB started a sign in list and I know of some others coming that didn't sign in yet. Plus there's going to be tons of great people there to party with!!

[CARAN52]

Talk about OLSers attending!! You guys actually got "hottie" Stephen King to attend a regular club meeting on Sunday. Just what did you say to him at your tables??? I've been trying to get him to go for 2 years now. lolol Thanks again guys and I did tell him I was booking him a room over at the Comfort so that Mom won't see the damages. :halo:

The list is growing. Thanks peeps. Can't wait. Anyone have any questions just let me know.

[kbsocial]

Talk about OLSers attending!! You guys actually got "hottie" Stephen King to attend a regular club meeting on Sunday. Just what did you say to him at your tables??? I've been trying to get him to go for 2 years now. lolol Thanks again guys and I did tell him I was booking him a room over at the Comfort so that Mom won't see the damages. :halo:


Some questions are better left unanswered momma;) When is he joining OLS:halo:

[CARAN52]

I keep telling him to start entering and signing on with you guys. Will talk to him when I see him.

[luje35]

Would love to go! :rolleyes: But I can't take off work...oh well! Have a great time! :cheer7:

[CARAN52]

Maybe this will help for you guys trying to work around work schedules. I will be there all day on Friday setting up and once that is done will let those who already have arrived pick up their registration pack (as long as you help me lolol :smile9: ), but the "official" weekend does not start until 8:00 on Friday night (so that workers could make it) and even with that there is no set time that you have to be there. It is very, very informal on Friday night so that we can all get to meet each other. Like a light dessert happy hour, cash bar, from 8 to ???? Wear the jeans or whatever you drive up in. don't care. All you may miss out on is a couple of doorprizes if they are drawn before you get there.

I apologize to those who have been holding off thinking you have to be there all day Friday. Not our intent. We only mentioned it because some want to come early and to let you guys know that we will be there. I'll be going up actually on Thursday afternoon to be sure all is honky doory.

Then for those with a schedule on Sunday. Sessions will be over by noon, however, for those who have time and want to shop we will be opening the vendor room until 2:00, vendors will pack up to go home between 2:00 and 2:30. We have to be out of there by 2:30.

PM me if you have any other questions.