Once again to Doug and Kristie thank you SOOOOOOO much for the time and energy you took to run this event. I had an AWESOME time and can't wait till next year. This event kicks A$$!
These suggestions are just some ideas I thought about today.
Maybe start a Network Organizing Committee. Have different aspects of the group, for example someone is social chair, someone as tour chair, someone as hotel room chair, and someone as nonrev chair. I will be the first to volunteer for ANY position on the committee.
Las Vegas is an AWESOME choice to have the event. However, it is very expensive. To lock people in AND help them be able to afford it what about this idea. We have a Network JC Fund set up. The fund will be set up through a financial institution such as Smith Barney. Members that want to attend will have the fund automatically deduct from their bank accounts 20.00 a week that is put into the fund. Do this from January to October, allow interest to accure then those members will have close to 800.00 for the event. That is MORE than enough to cover a hotel room, have some extra spending money, and lock people in to attending (obviously if something comes up and you can't make it then you get your money back!). Give the members a money order or something like that when they show up in Vegas and then they are all set! I know in my own personal experience that when I have things automatically deducted from my bank account it has worked well for me. When I was CFIing or even today 20.00 a week is nothing.
To help those attending that do NOT have pass benefits, those that do volunteer a pass to help those get to Vegas. That can save people a few hundred dollars on airfare!
Without a doubt have it at the Bellagio. AWESOME place and setup to have it at. Also I think we should try real hard to all stay at the same hotel. Like you said in another thread maybe try to pick different days of the week. We stayed at Monte Carlo last night for 58.99! Bellagio rooms were 119.00!!!!!!! I would pay a little extra to be centrally located (cabs add up) and be together than pay a little less for a hotel that I was the only one from the group staying in.
I will probably come up with more. If you need any help with implementing any of these ideas let me know! Thanks for a great weekend!