Oldbit... how about a spot on Route 80, less than an hour West of downtown Chicago, 20,000 square feet for free? Easy commutes to states North, South, East and West. Exactly the same ambiance that you have in Ohio. Walk in the footsteps of Lincoln!!!
When I came to Ohio, I was stuck in Chicago traffic for two hours.
Parking in the Chicago is a hot topic since the City sold the parking meters and the cost shot up to about a million dollars a day. Accommodations in the area of the city can be somewhat expensive.
Ottawa has really cheap, really vacant, but nice motels. Parking is free. There is a deluxe vacation spot 10 minutes away adjoining an indoor amusement park the size of football field. Flying in is a breeze... you can come in through Rockford, Peoria or Midway and get to Ottawa as fast as you can go from O'hare into the City.
Everybody would know you are here!!!
Why Ottawa?
We have really high unemployment, and a cancer rate that should make the Guinness Book of World Records. We need the business.
Free radio spots would guarantee local interests. There is a local college, with a modest techie population.
I was thinking about a location in the Lombard area which is NW a little outside of Chicago,
but this sounds interesting.. If I can keep us close to Chicago without the drawbacks of
fighting our way into a big city. (Although I LOVE Chicago) then it's a big plus with me.
Got an interesting view of NY (China town) as Matt and I went to NYC Resistor last weekend.
Took us an hour to get a parking spot once we located the building! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
As another Milwaukean, I'm all in favor of sites that I can get to without having to drive _through_ Chicago, so Ottawa or the site NW of Chicago sound great. In fact I'm driving down to a town a little west of Ottawa (Princeton) on Saturday for a rocket launch - it's not that big a burden to get there, and I'd certainly plan around this to make sure I could attend.
Has an exact location for Chicago been determined yet? ... My brother-in-law is here over Thanksgiving and he lives in Chicago. Based on the concern for parking, he suggested that Rosemont might be a good place. It's close to the airport, and far enough away from the city that parking would not be much of a problem. He also thought that Rosemont was very, as he put it, "EXPO mature" in the since that he thought that they would be well equipped to handle an event such as ours.
Just a thought
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Beau Schwabe
IC Layout Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
I haven't emailed because of the holiday[noparse]:)[/noparse]
I agree with Beau... almost completely but not quite. Rosemont is definitely easier traffic than anywhere else in Chicago. The parking rates are pretty cheap (around $12 a day last time I was there). It is very convenient for people from the North. It is right next to O'hare. Range of room rates. Not much for kids to do. The wives can go shopping ... lots of it within a 30 min. drive. To me the issue are timing, scope and expense. If you held your meeting around the time of the sensor expo for instance, Parallax can kill two birds with one stone... and the extra cost can be offset by trade-press attention. You could probably attract more speakers and get higher exhibits. If you want a stand alone meeting... come to Ottawa. If you want to piggy-back your meeting and go for the glitz (which isn't a bad thing)... then Rosemont at the time of another meeting makes perfect sense to me.
No the Chicago location has not been determined at this point...
I'll start making the call this next week, after the holiday weekend and see what is available.
The trick with any location is to keep the "grass-roots" look that makes it hobby believable.
We don't want to come off too glitzy. The feel of the Norwalk expo is what I'm looking to maintain.
so locations like the Sheraton are off the list.
I would check with Ken and see what his feelings are...synergy is important. You will want to make sure that your wavelengths are the same. I think you are in perfect sync. Organic growth of a product/brand is a very reliable way to go. If you depend too heavily upon marketing ... then your market will be among those that are sensitive to marketing and there will be a never ending demand for more/better marketing. With organic growth, brand loyalty is pretty much a given as long as everyone keeps working.
One day my Aunt, who lives in Utica, came into my office for a prescription for her dog (I am an eye doctor[noparse]:)[/noparse]
It was cold wintry day and she was due for an eye exam... but when she finally got into my exam room she refused to
have an eye exam... "no time today." She just wanted a cream for her dog's butt.
What was the big hurry? They were doing a traffic survey in Utica to see if they could get a stop light. And she wanted to make sure they were counting all the cars.
The dog's butt got better, but Utica still doesn't have a traffic light[noparse]:)[/noparse]
Rosemont is the wrong place for such an event. Not only is it a "has-been" major trade show and conference center complete with the characteristics that we dislike for such events (union labor for setups, mandatory trade show catering, over-the-top expensive parking, etc.) it's very expensive. OBC should look no further into this location - all it would take for him to come to such a conclusion is a phone call to their organizers to know that it's got the wrong vibe. The only thing this venue has going is location - it's right next to O'Hare. If I sound cranky about the idea, I am.
There are so many choices around Chicago that could fit a UPE type of event, providing the group with the freedom and space to operate without the overhead and complexities that come with formal operations. UPE needs entry/exit freedom, free parking, a unique venue that has a casual atmosphere, and the ability to bring in good food without the help of venue caterers.
Naperville and surrounding communities could be better. Not only are they on major train lines, they are easily accessible to airports without going into Chicago, too. I've got three sister-in-laws who live in Chicago, as well as my wife who grew up there - I'll put them on task for the rest of the weekend to give us some ideas. Heck, most of them are at my home this weekend.
This isn't our event, but yours, so we'll be fairly hands-off when making suggestions. We don't want to tramp on OBC's approach or to restrict his freedom to invite in other companies to show off their stuff. But we can at least help find the right place.
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 11/30/2009 3:18:06 PM GMT
Another aspect of making choosing formal venues like Rosemont will be insurance. They'll require a short-term liability insurance policy for the event. One policy could sink a UPEC event.
It's an arboretum but it has several large meeting rooms. Pricing is even available at the above link ($1-2K for a Saturday). Not sure about internet access (or lack of) or the terms of usage.
Stranger things have happened! Seriously, of all the big cities I've been to, Chicago has been the least intimidating (O'Hare notwithstanding) and most fun. But the original Checkerboard Lounge is no more, so I don't know...
-Phil
Addendum: Ditto your comments about Rosemont, BTW. I've done two trade shows there. It's an absolutely horrid place. The food is lousy and way overpriced. Its only saving grace is close proximity to a train station, so you can escape downtown without a car.
Post Edited (Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)) : 11/28/2009 11:32:50 PM GMT
Having been to (and worked at) many trade shows here in the chicago area, Rosemont is not a good choice.· McCormick Place is also out (expensive).· I am not sure what the requirements are for a prop-expo are but if you need a "convention center" type place, I might suggest:
Odeum in Villa Park
Schaumburg Convention center in Schaumburg
Sears Center in Hoffman Estates
But I suspect that these all might be overkill for such an event.· I am guessing that a hotel conference room would be more in-line with the needs.·
As for traveling into and out of the Chicago area, I offer the following to help everyone...
If driving on our toll roads, prepare to pay about $1.60 per toll booth.· Have the change ready as some off-ramps only have automatic gates and no one to accept bills.· If you don't pay the toll and are in a rental car, expect to get the bill mailed to you from the rental car place about 6 months later - there will be "handling charges".
O'Hare might be a big airport and busy but don't let it spook you.· It is just like any other major airport, lot's of people wanting to get somewhere rather quickly.· There are plenty of signs directing you where to go and as always the case, simply follow the herd as that works well too.· As it is a major hub, bad weather elsewhere in the country can cause delays here.·
As for planning a location, the one thing that seems to "cause problems" is picking a location that does not have both and on-ramp and Off-ramp to the toll roads.· Toll roads have limitted access which minimizes the "convenient locations" to have events and such.
DynamoBen said...
You could always cross over to the great state of WI. Madison might not be a bad choice. [noparse];)[/noparse]
It's the most beautiful inland spot in the world. And we don't have tolls in Wisconsin.
Rjo - The rocketry was in Princeton Illinois, at Midwest Power 7, which might have been called "Mudwet Power 7" this year. But the flying was good (I even got a tan on Saturday), and my Stamp-based Telemetry receiver got a nice workout (it's soon to be replaced with a Prop-powered version, but I didn't have time to get it programmed before the launch).
One of our guys who couldn't make it to the launch was lucky enough to see one of our rockets fly at night from _above_, from an airliner coming into O'Hare (yes, well clear of the launch area - we don't fly when planes are overhead). ·
By way of introduction, Boyd Palmer, Executive Director, Ottawa Area chamber of Commerce & Industry.· I was given your name by RJO(Richard) and the looking for a home for a conference for your organization in an area out of the metropolitan areas.·Ottawa is located 70 miles southwest of Chicago immediately off of Interstate 80.· I would like to discuss the many attributes of holding your conference here in Ottawa if you have an interest.
Norwalk is about as far as I can drive in one day and arrive before supper. I do attend another annual event in Indianapolis, and that drive takes another half day if I want to arrive before supper, although I can drive home in a day. How much further will the Chicago area drive be from Indianapolis or Norwalk. Come to think of it, the road from here to Norwalk is loaded with tolls while the road to Indianapolis only has a short section of toll road.
I think that I have answered my own question, but I will post the answer here for the benefit of anyone else who comes from this area. Chicago seems to be around 12 hours via the toll roads, or 13 via Indianapolis.
By way of introduction, Boyd Palmer, Executive Director, Ottawa Area chamber of Commerce & Industry. I was given your name by RJO(Richard) and the looking for a home for a conference for your organization in an area out of the metropolitan areas. Ottawa is located 70 miles southwest of Chicago immediately off of Interstate 80. I would like to discuss the many attributes of holding your conference here in Ottawa if you have an interest.
Comments
Would you call it UPEC or UPEMW (midwest)?
Ken Gracey
When I came to Ohio, I was stuck in Chicago traffic for two hours.
Parking in the Chicago is a hot topic since the City sold the parking meters and the cost shot up to about a million dollars a day. Accommodations in the area of the city can be somewhat expensive.
Ottawa has really cheap, really vacant, but nice motels. Parking is free. There is a deluxe vacation spot 10 minutes away adjoining an indoor amusement park the size of football field. Flying in is a breeze... you can come in through Rockford, Peoria or Midway and get to Ottawa as fast as you can go from O'hare into the City.
Everybody would know you are here!!!
Why Ottawa?
We have really high unemployment, and a cancer rate that should make the Guinness Book of World Records. We need the business.
Free radio spots would guarantee local interests. There is a local college, with a modest techie population.
... and we have a Radio Shack!!!!
Rich
Email me about this.. jeff at orrtech.net
I was thinking about a location in the Lombard area which is NW a little outside of Chicago,
but this sounds interesting.. If I can keep us close to Chicago without the drawbacks of
fighting our way into a big city. (Although I LOVE Chicago) then it's a big plus with me.
Got an interesting view of NY (China town) as Matt and I went to NYC Resistor last weekend.
Took us an hour to get a parking spot once we located the building! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
OBC
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Ken,
Since I'm open to moving one of them around a bit, let's go with the city name and use UPEC
for that one this year. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
OBC
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Rockets!!! where/when
Rich
Has an exact location for Chicago been determined yet? ... My brother-in-law is here over Thanksgiving and he lives in Chicago. Based on the concern for parking, he suggested that Rosemont might be a good place. It's close to the airport, and far enough away from the city that parking would not be much of a problem. He also thought that Rosemont was very, as he put it, "EXPO mature" in the since that he thought that they would be well equipped to handle an event such as ours.
Just a thought
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Beau Schwabe
IC Layout Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
I haven't emailed because of the holiday[noparse]:)[/noparse]
I agree with Beau... almost completely but not quite. Rosemont is definitely easier traffic than anywhere else in Chicago. The parking rates are pretty cheap (around $12 a day last time I was there). It is very convenient for people from the North. It is right next to O'hare. Range of room rates. Not much for kids to do. The wives can go shopping ... lots of it within a 30 min. drive. To me the issue are timing, scope and expense. If you held your meeting around the time of the sensor expo for instance, Parallax can kill two birds with one stone... and the extra cost can be offset by trade-press attention. You could probably attract more speakers and get higher exhibits. If you want a stand alone meeting... come to Ottawa. If you want to piggy-back your meeting and go for the glitz (which isn't a bad thing)... then Rosemont at the time of another meeting makes perfect sense to me.
Rich
I'll start making the call this next week, after the holiday weekend and see what is available.
The trick with any location is to keep the "grass-roots" look that makes it hobby believable.
We don't want to come off too glitzy. The feel of the Norwalk expo is what I'm looking to maintain.
so locations like the Sheraton are off the list.
OBC
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
I would check with Ken and see what his feelings are...synergy is important. You will want to make sure that your wavelengths are the same. I think you are in perfect sync. Organic growth of a product/brand is a very reliable way to go. If you depend too heavily upon marketing ... then your market will be among those that are sensitive to marketing and there will be a never ending demand for more/better marketing. With organic growth, brand loyalty is pretty much a given as long as everyone keeps working.
Rich
A true story:
One day my Aunt, who lives in Utica, came into my office for a prescription for her dog (I am an eye doctor[noparse]:)[/noparse]
It was cold wintry day and she was due for an eye exam... but when she finally got into my exam room she refused to
have an eye exam... "no time today." She just wanted a cream for her dog's butt.
What was the big hurry? They were doing a traffic survey in Utica to see if they could get a stop light. And she wanted to make sure they were counting all the cars.
The dog's butt got better, but Utica still doesn't have a traffic light[noparse]:)[/noparse]
Rich
There are so many choices around Chicago that could fit a UPE type of event, providing the group with the freedom and space to operate without the overhead and complexities that come with formal operations. UPE needs entry/exit freedom, free parking, a unique venue that has a casual atmosphere, and the ability to bring in good food without the help of venue caterers.
Naperville and surrounding communities could be better. Not only are they on major train lines, they are easily accessible to airports without going into Chicago, too. I've got three sister-in-laws who live in Chicago, as well as my wife who grew up there - I'll put them on task for the rest of the weekend to give us some ideas. Heck, most of them are at my home this weekend.
This isn't our event, but yours, so we'll be fairly hands-off when making suggestions. We don't want to tramp on OBC's approach or to restrict his freedom to invite in other companies to show off their stuff. But we can at least help find the right place.
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 11/30/2009 3:18:06 PM GMT
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
http://www.mortonarb.org/plananevent/business.html
It's an arboretum but it has several large meeting rooms. Pricing is even available at the above link ($1-2K for a Saturday). Not sure about internet access (or lack of) or the terms of usage.
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
-Phil
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Chip Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
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Chip Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
Though he's halfway serious, Chip has an interesting idea of combining UPEC with another unique techno-wonder.
Ken Gracey
Stranger things have happened!
-Phil
Addendum: Ditto your comments about Rosemont, BTW. I've done two trade shows there. It's an absolutely horrid place. The food is lousy and way overpriced. Its only saving grace is close proximity to a train station, so you can escape downtown without a car.
Post Edited (Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)) : 11/28/2009 11:32:50 PM GMT
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Beau Schwabe
IC Layout Engineer
Parallax, Inc.
Odeum in Villa Park
Schaumburg Convention center in Schaumburg
Sears Center in Hoffman Estates
But I suspect that these all might be overkill for such an event.· I am guessing that a hotel conference room would be more in-line with the needs.·
As for traveling into and out of the Chicago area, I offer the following to help everyone...
If driving on our toll roads, prepare to pay about $1.60 per toll booth.· Have the change ready as some off-ramps only have automatic gates and no one to accept bills.· If you don't pay the toll and are in a rental car, expect to get the bill mailed to you from the rental car place about 6 months later - there will be "handling charges".
O'Hare might be a big airport and busy but don't let it spook you.· It is just like any other major airport, lot's of people wanting to get somewhere rather quickly.· There are plenty of signs directing you where to go and as always the case, simply follow the herd as that works well too.· As it is a major hub, bad weather elsewhere in the country can cause delays here.·
As for planning a location, the one thing that seems to "cause problems" is picking a location that does not have both and on-ramp and Off-ramp to the toll roads.· Toll roads have limitted access which minimizes the "convenient locations" to have events and such.
Chris
Rjo - The rocketry was in Princeton Illinois, at Midwest Power 7, which might have been called "Mudwet Power 7" this year. But the flying was good (I even got a tan on Saturday), and my Stamp-based Telemetry receiver got a nice workout (it's soon to be replaced with a Prop-powered version, but I didn't have time to get it programmed before the launch).
One of our guys who couldn't make it to the launch was lucky enough to see one of our rockets fly at night from _above_, from an airliner coming into O'Hare (yes, well clear of the launch area - we don't fly when planes are overhead).
·
By way of introduction, Boyd Palmer, Executive Director, Ottawa Area chamber of Commerce & Industry.· I was given your name by RJO(Richard) and the looking for a home for a conference for your organization in an area out of the metropolitan areas.·Ottawa is located 70 miles southwest of Chicago immediately off of Interstate 80.· I would like to discuss the many attributes of holding your conference here in Ottawa if you have an interest.
Please contact me at b.palmer@ottawachamberillinois.com or phone 815-433-0084.· Our web site is www.ottawachamberillinois.com
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Boyd Pamer
I think that I have answered my own question, but I will post the answer here for the benefit of anyone else who comes from this area. Chicago seems to be around 12 hours via the toll roads, or 13 via Indianapolis.
Ron
UPEC (Mid May)
UPEW (end of June)
UPENE (end of August)
OBC
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Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 11/30/2009 9:30:44 PM GMT
I will contact you as time permits this week. Thank you!
Jeff/OBC
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I'll post more as pieces start falling into place.
Adrenalin levels rising.. Must be another expo gearing up!
OBC
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Can you move the May 15th date one week in either direction?
Thanks,
Ron aka sailman58
We'll see how the final quotes shake out. Paperwork is in process in two directions.
OBC
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