Tell me about the convention

[yallgurl]

I'm still really new at the whole sweeps thing. But after reading everyone's posts, I'm really interested in going to next year's convention. The only problem is, I can't find an "About" page. Can anyone give me some information for what the convention is about? Like how many people attend, what you do, what's included in your registration, etc.

Any information would help me make the decision about whether to go or not. Thanks!

[jofo3511]

There were $800 registered attendees. We received a daily breakfast & general drawing tickets with the registration. And they gave away alot of cool stuff.

We listen to some speakers but throughout the session they give away prizes. So it's alot of fun. Saturday night we had a banquet and the food was really good. In the vendor rooms you can buy sweep supplies and they also had raffles.

Next to that the most fun was the partying after. :smile9:

[Dave W.]

The convention really is geared toward people who enter via snail mail, or snail and online both.
If you only do online, it might be a little boring for you.
They give away lots (hundreds) of prizes- but many are postage stamps, envelopes, markers, stickers, Staples gift cards, etc.
I love this stuff, but it might be less than exciting for others.

It's a great chance to meet people from all over who do what you do. You don't come away with big sweeping secrets-- it's more social than learning.

You can order a DVD of the event for $29.95 from Jeff at jdcrosno@yahoo.com
I'm not sure if the address is current, but it was last year....

[sweeps aku]

Dave's right about the snail mail part, but the conventions have come a long way towards online info, in just a few years. Moline was the first convention Brent was at & this year one of the speakers talked about OLS & how with OLS & a newsletter he had all the sweeps he could keep up with. A vast improvment over "what's OLS?" a question I heard at the San Diego convention. Online is the way sweeps are going, if you want to keep winning you have to progress with the times. I am not giving up on snail mail but I am adding more online sweeps everyday.

[sdadolf]

At previous conventions when we gave away computer related items (for people who enter online) they were not received well...no one seemed to want these items, so yes most of the prizes were geared towards snail mail sweepers.

However, just in the past couple of years that has changed and computer related prizes are now more prevelent. and wanted. Prizes now include laptops, flat panel monitors, printers, subscriptions to OLS, gift certificates for online stores, etc.

You can be sure that this trend will continue as "everyone" now has a computer, or if you are like me four (4) computers. More computer related prizes are sure to be given away. One of the drawbacks to the computer stuff, is that often it is rather large in physical size, so for many very invonvenient to take home on a plane.

The folks hosting the 2007 convention have asked for suggestions on prizes desired by the attendees. If anyone here has some ideas of prizes geared more towards online sweepers, I stongly suggest you contact them with your ideas.

While I personally spend a lot of time (my wife says too much) entering online, I still do snail mail entries, and win lots of trips that way. When I won 1000 stamps at this past convention it was great for me, even as an online sweeper.

[kbsocial]

At previous conventions when we gave away computer related items (for people who enter online) they were not received well...no one seemed to want these items, so yes most of the prizes were geared towards snail mail sweepers.

However, just in the past couple of years that has changed and computer related prizes are now more prevelent. and wanted. Prizes now include laptops, flat panel monitors, printers, subscriptions to OLS, gift certificates for online stores, etc.

You can be sure that this trend will continue as "everyone" now has a computer, or if you are like me four (4) computers. More computer related prizes are sure to be given away. One of the drawbacks to the computer stuff, is that often it is rather large in physical size, so for many very invonvenient to take home on a plane.

The folks hosting the 2007 convention have asked for suggestions on prizes desired by the attendees. If anyone here has some ideas of prizes geared more towards online sweepers, I stongly suggest you contact them with your ideas.

While I personally spend a lot of time (my wife says too much) entering online, I still do snail mail entries, and win lots of trips that way. When I won 1000 stamps at this past convention it was great for me, even as an online sweeper.


Convention Guru in the HOUSE!!

[sdadolf]

Convention Guru in the HOUSE!!

Me???

[kbsocial]

Me???


Yes! You:)

[Dave W.]

Glad to see you posting in here Steve!
I liked your presentation on online sweeping.

If you want to know anything about hosting a sweepstakes convention, Steve (sdadolf) is your man.
He wrote the book on it -- quite literally! ( Well, a booklet, right?)

[kbsocial]

Glad to see you posting in here Steve!
I liked your presentation on online sweeping.

If you want to know anything about hosting a sweepstakes convention, Steve (sdadolf) is your man.
He wrote the book on it -- quite literally! ( Well, a booklet, right?)


I agree - Steve is THE man!!!

[JesterPester]

I agree - Steve is THE man!!!
:clap: :clap: :clap:

[sweeps aku]

Steve is the speaker I was mentioning!! Great to see you here!!

Thanks for the OLS plug! I have been around here a few years & love it, but try to limit my forum time. More time for entering that way. As I only have 1 computer!

[sdadolf]

Glad to see you posting in here Steve!
I liked your presentation on online sweeping.

If you want to know anything about hosting a sweepstakes convention, Steve (sdadolf) is your man.
He wrote the book on it -- quite literally! ( Well, a booklet, right?)

The "book" is 30 pages on 8 1/2 x 11 size pages.

It was first published (by me) in January 2003. I am now collecting info for an update/revision to be ready by the end of the year. It will be available to any club or group that wants info on how to host a convention.

[kbsocial]

The "book" is 30 pages on 8 1/2 x 11 size pages.

It was first published (by me) in January 2003. I am now collecting info for an update/revision to be ready by the end of the year. It will be available to any club or group that wants info on how to host a convention.


Brent and I would love to have an updated copy when you are done revising:)

[JesterPester]

The "book" is 30 pages on 8 1/2 x 11 size pages.

It was first published (by me) in January 2003. I am now collecting info for an update/revision to be ready by the end of the year. It will be available to any club or group that wants info on how to host a convention.
I would love a copy too. I am thinking we really need a Vegas convention, but with very few in the sweeps group there, I am thinking it's an impossibility. Sure would be fun though!

[sdadolf]

Brent and I would love to have an updated copy when you are done revising:)

Just send an email to me at: sdadolf@san.rr.com with your snail mail address and I'll add you to the mail list when the new book is available.

[sdadolf]

I would love a copy too. I am thinking we really need a Vegas convention, but with very few in the sweeps group there, I am thinking it's an impossibility. Sure would be fun though!

We have tried several times to have a club host a convention in Las Vegas. Six or seven years ago we had a volunteer from Las Vegas (forgot his name) who wanted to do that, but he wanted the convention to be downtown, instead of on the strip....downtown was said to be less expensive. The convention attendees didn't want that.

We actually have a back-up plan to hold a convention in Las Vegas, if we find no club volunteering one year. We would have the convention hosted/managed by a group of us determined to keep the process going. We'd use Las Vegas as the place. We almost had to use that plan a few years ago, but now we seem to have volunteer clubs as hosts for the next 3 or 4 years so we are ok...for now.

Nowadays with the electronic communication we have at our disposal, the convention host really doesn't have to live in the city where the convention is to be. I've already hosted the convention twice in San Diego...once in 1995, then again in 2004. I've wondered if when my turn comes up again if instead of doing it again in San Diego I should consider Las Vegas.

The only problem I see is my perception of the high cost for a good location in Vegas.

[pestkaj]

Steve- we so need to talk about my caption contest entry. I got ripped off on that. I mean some of those winners were funny but none of them worked "schlong' into their entry, now did they??

[sdadolf]

Steve- we so need to talk about my caption contest entry. I got ripped off on that. I mean some of those winners were funny but none of them worked "schlong' into their entry, now did they??

You know the old saying...."the decision of the judges is FINAL."

That's what good with being the judge.

Next time, you can host a contest, and then you can be the judge. :)

[JesterPester]

You know the old saying...."the decision of the judges is FINAL."

That's what good with being the judge.

Next time, you can host a contest, and then you can be the judge. :)
OMG, that would be scarey! I am only imagine what sort of caption contest pestkaj would come up with. :laugh: Bet it would be fun though.

[ignoramoose]

You know the old saying...."the decision of the judges is FINAL."

That's what good with being the judge.

Next time, you can host a contest, and then you can be the judge. :)


How does one go about being a speaker at the convention? I know several folks from OLS that I think would make excellent speakers.

[kbsocial]

How does one go about being a speaker at the convention? I know several folks from OLS that I think would make excellent speakers.


Gotta contact the next hosts and tell 'em!

[sdadolf]

How does one go about being a speaker at the convention? I know several folks from OLS that I think would make excellent speakers.

Please don't take this personally, but the hosts have a responsibility to find not only knowledgeable speakers, but those who can present well.

It is often very easy to find someone who is an expert in their field, it is another to find someone who can present their info in a way that is concise, articulate, and useful to the audience.

And, of course, the speaker needs to present a subject that the majority of the audience will find interesting.

[sweeps aku]

Might I add, that Steve's speech, in Scottsdale, was great!!

[pestkaj]

Please don't take this personally, but the hosts have a responsibility to find not only knowledgeable speakers, but those who can present well.

It is often very easy to find someone who is an expert in their field, it is another to find someone who can present their info in a way that is concise, articulate, and useful to the audience.

And, of course, the speaker needs to present a subject that the majority of the audience will find interesting.


Not sure why anyone would take that personally?? :sherlock:


Is there some sort of formal process for auditioning a speaker or choosing topics?

[sdadolf]

I've given some sort of "Internet Sweeping" talk every year for the past 10 years. I have talked on managing EMail, searching, finding local sweeps online, selling unwanted prizes via ebay, various sweeping tools, etc.

I've tried to vary my talk each year by taking a different online sweeping aspect....so as to not become boring. And, also I've tried to be concise and pointed on an aspect or two.

Each year I've suggested that maybe the audience is tired of having me talk each year. But the hosts have said that (1) half the audience each year are at their first convention, (2) each year people are more experienced and like to learn even more, and (3) they know I'm available.

It would actually be nice if there were some new speakers. I'd be happy to listen for a change.

I had actually planned to sit in the audience this year and spend time listening, and talking to other attendees. Instead, I eneded up never sitting down for 3 1/2 days. :)

If there are some here who have a good topic, I recommend you contact the 2007 hosts and let them know. They are definitely looking for guest speakers.

[pestkaj]

So does that mean the speakers and topics for next year are already chosen? I would love to see the topics/speakers posted or listed ahead of time so I have an idea if I will want to attend every day.

[risavjl]

Vallgurl, if you go to the forums and click on '2006 Convention' there are threads that talk about pre-convention stuff. On KB's initial thread it gives the link to the Convention page that has ALL the info (if it's still up). That would help a lot. There's much more there that's simply funny. Good Luck, hope you find what you're looking for!

[risavjl]

Also, Steve, I found your speech quite excellent and thanks for all the work you did. And the gal too, forgot her name, I forget most names...Donna? She was great and I adored her banquet attire!

[easum]

As a first time attendee at the 2006 Convention I wanted to add my 2 cents worth to this thread. The cost of the Convention itself is a SUPER bargain, I don't know how the folks putting on this convention were able to do it on a measly $145 - my hats off to them for a TERRIFIC job.

Now to the point I wish to make, by the time I figure in the cost of airfare to Arizona (from the east coast) and hotel (which was a bargain at the Conference rate I might add) plus food and rental car the Conference overall was not worth attending. If they ever have it my home town again (I missed it when it was held in my hometown as I was not doing Sweeps at the time) I will attend but otherwise I will not be back.

The major useful piece of info I gained from the entire conference was about this website and if you're reading this then you already know about it. I met only a couple of people while I was in Phoenix (most people come as part of a Sweeps Club) so if you're going alone you will most likely be sitting in the hotel room at night with nothing to do. If you do belong to a Sweeps Club then attending may be a very good experience.

Thanks and Good Luck to all of you!

[sdadolf]

As a first time attendee at the 2006 Convention I wanted to add my 2 cents worth to this thread. The cost of the Convention itself is a SUPER bargain, I don't know how the folks putting on this convention were able to do it on a measly $145 - my hats off to them for a TERRIFIC job.

Now to the point I wish to make, by the time I figure in the cost of airfare to Arizona (from the east coast) and hotel (which was a bargain at the Conference rate I might add) plus food and rental car the Conference overall was not worth attending. If they ever have it my home town again (I missed it when it was held in my hometown as I was not doing Sweeps at the time) I will attend but otherwise I will not be back.

The major useful piece of info I gained from the entire conference was about this website and if you're reading this then you already know about it. I met only a couple of people while I was in Phoenix (most people come as part of a Sweeps Club) so if you're going alone you will most likely be sitting in the hotel room at night with nothing to do. If you do belong to a Sweeps Club then attending may be a very good experience.

Thanks and Good Luck to all of you!

In case folks might not be aware, the majority of the cost is for food.....probably close to $100 per person of that $145 was for food. The hotel needs us to buy food, at their highly inflated cost to cover the cost of the meeting rooms, which we don't have to pay for.

I'm sorry you did not have a good time. This was my 14th convention, and I would not miss one each year, no matter where it is.

For the past 4 years, roughly 1/2 of the attendees were attending their first convention....that's a pretty remarkable stat in my mind.

Most people who come year after year will tell you that while the prizes are nice, and the speakers are usually good, they really come for the social aspects of meeting people who they may only see once a year, but may correspond with via email, or see mentioned in various forums.

I disagree that most people come as part of a club. In fact, even though many of the members of a our San Diego Sweepers did come to this convention, we spent most of the time away from each other. Instead, we soulgt out people from around the country to talk to so that we could learn tips from them.

Activities such as going to the casino, local restaurants, and just having meetings of small groups in someone's hotel rooms kept most people busy the whole time thery were there. Some got very little sleep.

In case it isn't obvious...I love the convention experience, and I sure wouldn't want to miss any of them. :)

[coljim]

Gotta contact the next hosts and tell 'em!
Get on it!!