Super 8 Motel
$82.40 + tax
This rate includes wireless Internet, microwaves, refrigerators and hot
breakfast
Hampton Inn & Holiday Inn Express
$99.00 + tax per night
This rate includes a complimentary hot breakfast, pool, hot tub, fitness
center and wireless Internet
Jeff, at first glance I thought Ottawa's location would be a problem. But for anybody who could make it to Chicago this is only a rental car away (and they have to have a rental car anyway to get to the other place you were looking at in Lombard). Plus, Ottawa is on I-80 and completely devoid of traffic. The space looks larger, which could enable us to bring more interesting displays and demos, and accommodate a larger crowd. The costs seem right, too. With such space you would be certainly free to extend invitations to companies that UPEC (or UPEMW) attendees would find of interest.
We might even be able to draw from locations west of Ottawa by being out of the Chicago suburbs. Quad cities area of Iowa also provides an alternative airport.
For this location I would be able to provide a UPS drop-ship location in nearby Joliet, too. Or, I imagine this hotel is open enough to accept UPS deliveries ahead of time too.
Personally, I tend to favor this location. The fact we can bring pizza in really helps, too! Either location has our support.
There is a private airport in LaSalle(12 minutes)... no commuter service, but a huge runway. So, if there are any private pilots, that is where they would go.
Rockford is about 1 hour and fifteen minutes, very convenient. Low stress commute.
Our favorite is Peoria... no walking. The facility is the size of a postage stamp. Right on major highway ... and a straight shot home. Usually the cheapest rates.
Midway Airport to Ottawa is very easy... (two turns... three traffic lights) about an hour or so, depending on the time of day. Problem is the walking involved at the Airport.
I can promise you that in terms of siting, for total convenience... it is hard to find anything (except Rosemont) that is easier than coming to Ottawa.
If you aren't already sitting... you might want to sit down for this...
My favorite thing about living in Ottawa (and this should seal the deal)...
is...
that...
WE HAVE SYNCHRONIZED TRAFFIC LIGHTS!!!
So... you can start at one end of town and if you know how to do it... you can get all the way to the other end without hitting your brakes!!!!!
Try that in Lombard.
For gun enthusiasts... we have a gun range that also has a little bit o history to it... if you are old enough to remember the
Iran/Contra controversy... well... at one time on our gun range we had the second largest private armory in the country.
and guess where some of those Iran/Contra weapons came from[noparse]:)[/noparse] You guessed it!!!
The armory burned down years ago and the original owner died in the fire... but the range is still open.
We used to have radium baths ... everyone had one in his house, but the EPA took care of that a while back.
We also make shooting marbles in Ottawa and we have one of the biggest holes in Illinois... a sand pit. That makes Ottawa the silicon valley of Illinois... without the chips... just the sand.
Jeff,
I would be able to attend in Ottawa. Put me down for 1.
Bean.
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1st rule of finance...Don't lose money.
Never be ashamed of making an honest·profit.
Live within your means...Make do, or do without. ·
Synchronized traffic lights and open acceptance of gun ownership. We need both of these things in California. Marbles and sand are only a bonus considering the aforementioned "big wins". Sounds like our treasures shall be safe in the conference room.
We're in! Put us down for at least five people, maybe more.
As long as I am in town I will be there.· I have only been in that town a few times and it is a nice town.· Knowing now that there is a gun range there, I will have to pack the guns up for the trip too!
I'm sure you will anyway Jeff, but as soon as you know a date could you let us know?
Blossom is coming and she wants to try to go to a taping of the Oprah show...LOLOL
But that might be a cool thing for some of the wives depending on dates etc.
I'll have to think about this one for a while. Do I want to be on the water with old friends or talking Propellers with new friends? Also will I be ready for another 2 day drive within 2 weeks of a drive back to Maryland from Florida.
The holiday rush is slowing the process down a little bit.. I'm 85% sold on the Ottawa location.
(A little more information needs to flow my direction, as well as a contract.)
I expect we'll be taking official reservations sometime early-mid January.
Just for those who aren't paying full attention (that would be me), what are the Expo and dates/time frames for next year? Two, three, ten expos? Chicago, Ohio, Cali?
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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I. www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT www.tdswieter.com
UPEC Chicago Area - May 15th (Will be confirmed with 2-4 weeks)
UPEW Rocklin, CA - Mid June (Will be confirmed soon)
UPENE Norwalk, OH - August 28th (Likely confirmed after UPEC)
Thanks OBC. We will have to see what the new year brings for projects, time off and travel, but hopefully I can return and visit one of these events, display a few products, do a talk or two, and meet all the other great people that attend the event.
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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I. www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT www.tdswieter.com
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with the location. My family will be very dissapointed if they drive all the way up here to see Chicago only to learn that the Expo is 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES AWAY!!! That is NOT the "Chicago area"!!!!
Neadless to say I will still come (my birthday present was getting to attend this Expo) but my family will be VERY dissappointed that Chicago is so far away. Can you get it about 15 minutes away?
P.S. That and I'll be wanting to see Chicago myself.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Computers are microcontrolled.
Robots are microcontrolled. I am microcontrolled.
But you·can·call me micro. Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project? SX Spinning light display· My overstock is killing me. PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
I'm a Chicago fanatic! I truly love the area and to be honest would love to place the
Expo in downtown off the waterfront. Remember the show Married with Children?
That waterfall is just outside of downtown (blocks) off the waterfront.
However, actually placing the expo in downtown Chicago would create a number of
unrealistic hurtles including costs which make it more reasonable to place it outside
of town a bit. See if you can attend the Saturday expo in Ottawa, then make a
Sunday morning trip (low traffic) into Chicago to see the sights. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
You can't get across the street in 15 minutes. Getting from Ottawa to downtown is probably 2 hours or better. The mapquest times don't include traffic and average speed is not the posted limit. Some times of day, maybe and it depends how close you are to an on/off ramp. Of course, you haven't lived until you are doing 75 down 294 with the cars around you parallel parking into your lane without signaling. But if you haven't driven in those conditions, just stay the heck out of my way...
The fountain at the start of MWC is called Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. It's impressive at night when all lit up. At the southern end of the park are the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. All worth a visit but too much for one day. Also there is the Art Institute of Chicago.
You can't disappoint the family... it isn't right. But it doesn't have to be all or nothing, either.
Mapquest is good... but not perfect.
On weekends, I can get from my door to the John Hancock Building in about 65 minutes. Of course I know where the cops will be sitting[noparse]:)[/noparse] It is an easy drive, with only a handful of stop lights and once you get on 55, you just follow your nose until you are sitting just north of the loop). Last year I drove my daughter to UIC twice a week(she has a lead foot and doesn't know where the cops are sitting... so the State of Illinois decided it would be best if I drove her around for a year[noparse]:)[/noparse] An hour twenty minutes or less to UIC on a weekday at around 10 A.M. without violating any speed laws was typical.
Consider staying for a night in Chicago... or for a night at Harrah's in Joliet and commute into Chi-town in the morning. The aquarium is awesome for kids($35 a head... parking and hot dogs are extra). The view from the top of the Hancock is worth the trip. Memories are for a lifetime. We all need positive memories and unless you provide them, your kids won't have them.
I lived in Chicago for four years in the mid 70's. I can remember when Chicago was a really great tourist destination. Chicago is still a great place to live, but except for the museums, parks and aquarium... much of what used to make it a fun trip is gone. The shopping is nothing special. Second City is still a major highlight.. never a disappointment and kids do go there. They won't hear anything that they don't hear on TV. The perfect day in Chicago? For me, the aquarium beginning at 10 A.M.... the Hancock for dinner and Second City at night.
Of course the kids really don't need us... they just need good memories. If there is enough interest, there is no reason why we couldn't put together a day trip for the wives and kids.
Comments
Super 8 Motel
$82.40 + tax
This rate includes wireless Internet, microwaves, refrigerators and hot
breakfast
Hampton Inn & Holiday Inn Express
$99.00 + tax per night
This rate includes a complimentary hot breakfast, pool, hot tub, fitness
center and wireless Internet
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
Edit: oops, yes, I meant the 15th. But surely I'd have plenty to do in Ottawa for five days while I waited, right?
Post Edited (sylvie369) : 12/12/2009 2:53:29 AM GMT
We might even be able to draw from locations west of Ottawa by being out of the Chicago suburbs. Quad cities area of Iowa also provides an alternative airport.
For this location I would be able to provide a UPS drop-ship location in nearby Joliet, too. Or, I imagine this hotel is open enough to accept UPS deliveries ahead of time too.
Personally, I tend to favor this location. The fact we can bring pizza in really helps, too! Either location has our support.
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
There is a private airport in LaSalle(12 minutes)... no commuter service, but a huge runway. So, if there are any private pilots, that is where they would go.
Rockford is about 1 hour and fifteen minutes, very convenient. Low stress commute.
Our favorite is Peoria... no walking. The facility is the size of a postage stamp. Right on major highway ... and a straight shot home. Usually the cheapest rates.
Midway Airport to Ottawa is very easy... (two turns... three traffic lights) about an hour or so, depending on the time of day. Problem is the walking involved at the Airport.
I can promise you that in terms of siting, for total convenience... it is hard to find anything (except Rosemont) that is easier than coming to Ottawa.
If you aren't already sitting... you might want to sit down for this...
My favorite thing about living in Ottawa (and this should seal the deal)...
is...
that...
WE HAVE SYNCHRONIZED TRAFFIC LIGHTS!!!
So... you can start at one end of town and if you know how to do it... you can get all the way to the other end without hitting your brakes!!!!!
Try that in Lombard.
For gun enthusiasts... we have a gun range that also has a little bit o history to it... if you are old enough to remember the
Iran/Contra controversy... well... at one time on our gun range we had the second largest private armory in the country.
and guess where some of those Iran/Contra weapons came from[noparse]:)[/noparse] You guessed it!!!
The armory burned down years ago and the original owner died in the fire... but the range is still open.
We used to have radium baths ... everyone had one in his house, but the EPA took care of that a while back.
We also make shooting marbles in Ottawa and we have one of the biggest holes in Illinois... a sand pit. That makes Ottawa the silicon valley of Illinois... without the chips... just the sand.
Rich
It would be May 15th, 2010. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Wouldn't want you to miss it by arriving on Monday. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
I'm just looking for continued show of hands for the moment. We'll establish this date (or close) soon
and open up official registration.
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 12/11/2009 6:25:52 PM GMT
The trick of printing out a large color Propeller and put it on display on your rental car, backpack, etc. will be recommended as well.
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
I would be able to attend in Ottawa. Put me down for 1.
Bean.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1st rule of finance...Don't lose money.
Never be ashamed of making an honest·profit.
Live within your means...Make do, or do without.
·
We're in! Put us down for at least five people, maybe more.
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
Rick
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NYC Area Prop Club
Prop Forum Search (Via Google)
·
As long as I am in town I will be there.· I have only been in that town a few times and it is a nice town.· Knowing now that there is a gun range there, I will have to pack the guns up for the trip too!
Chris
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
Blossom is coming and she wants to try to go to a taping of the Oprah show...LOLOL
But that might be a cool thing for some of the wives depending on dates etc.
Rick
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NYC Area Prop Club
Prop Forum Search (Via Google)
·
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Ron aka sailman58
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Alex Burke
"Beware of computer programmers that carry screwdrivers." -Leonard Brandwein
The holiday rush is slowing the process down a little bit.. I'm 85% sold on the Ottawa location.
(A little more information needs to flow my direction, as well as a contract.)
I expect we'll be taking official reservations sometime early-mid January.
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT
www.tdswieter.com
2010 Unofficial Expo's
UPEC Chicago Area - May 15th (Will be confirmed with 2-4 weeks)
UPEW Rocklin, CA - Mid June (Will be confirmed soon)
UPENE Norwalk, OH - August 28th (Likely confirmed after UPEC)
OBC
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT
www.tdswieter.com
Neadless to say I will still come (my birthday present was getting to attend this Expo) but my family will be VERY dissappointed that Chicago is so far away. Can you get it about 15 minutes away?
P.S. That and I'll be wanting to see Chicago myself.
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Computers are microcontrolled.
Robots are microcontrolled.
I am microcontrolled.
But you·can·call me micro.
Want to·experiment with the SX or just put together a cool project?
SX Spinning light display·
My overstock is killing me.
PM me for absolutly FREE 8-pin Mini Din connectors.
Expo in downtown off the waterfront. Remember the show Married with Children?
That waterfall is just outside of downtown (blocks) off the waterfront.
However, actually placing the expo in downtown Chicago would create a number of
unrealistic hurtles including costs which make it more reasonable to place it outside
of town a bit. See if you can attend the Saturday expo in Ottawa, then make a
Sunday morning trip (low traffic) into Chicago to see the sights. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
OBC
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
There is nothing 15 minutes away when you are within 50 miles of Chicago :-(·
Nothing there to see anyway, just a couple million people, most of which are driving somewhere and some REALLY tall buildings ;-)
See you in Ottawa
Chris
The fountain at the start of MWC is called Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. It's impressive at night when all lit up. At the southern end of the park are the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. All worth a visit but too much for one day. Also there is the Art Institute of Chicago.
See you in May... Rich.
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Computers are microcontrolled.
Robots are microcontrolled.
I am microcontrolled.
SX Spinning light display·
http://designedbymemicros.blogspot.com/
Post Edited (microcontrolled) : 1/15/2010 1:21:06 AM GMT
Got some minor rental contract issues which are being worked out and we'll be ready to take signups
for the Chicago-area expo soon.
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
You can't disappoint the family... it isn't right. But it doesn't have to be all or nothing, either.
Mapquest is good... but not perfect.
On weekends, I can get from my door to the John Hancock Building in about 65 minutes. Of course I know where the cops will be sitting[noparse]:)[/noparse] It is an easy drive, with only a handful of stop lights and once you get on 55, you just follow your nose until you are sitting just north of the loop). Last year I drove my daughter to UIC twice a week(she has a lead foot and doesn't know where the cops are sitting... so the State of Illinois decided it would be best if I drove her around for a year[noparse]:)[/noparse] An hour twenty minutes or less to UIC on a weekday at around 10 A.M. without violating any speed laws was typical.
Consider staying for a night in Chicago... or for a night at Harrah's in Joliet and commute into Chi-town in the morning. The aquarium is awesome for kids($35 a head... parking and hot dogs are extra). The view from the top of the Hancock is worth the trip. Memories are for a lifetime. We all need positive memories and unless you provide them, your kids won't have them.
I lived in Chicago for four years in the mid 70's. I can remember when Chicago was a really great tourist destination. Chicago is still a great place to live, but except for the museums, parks and aquarium... much of what used to make it a fun trip is gone. The shopping is nothing special. Second City is still a major highlight.. never a disappointment and kids do go there. They won't hear anything that they don't hear on TV. The perfect day in Chicago? For me, the aquarium beginning at 10 A.M.... the Hancock for dinner and Second City at night.
Of course the kids really don't need us... they just need good memories. If there is enough interest, there is no reason why we couldn't put together a day trip for the wives and kids.
Rich
Bob