I go back to the hotel after class and we don't see anyone we know until we come back for class the next day."......... ................... staying at a different hotel is really most disadvantageous to you in the long run.
Over the years, I have faced this dilemma. I attended conferences years ago in a professional capacity with a limited budget. I tried finding a nearby cheaper lodging a few times. Generally, I found the 'savings' rather limited when I had to pay a taxi to get me to the main hotel, or couldn't change clothes before the banquet, or wore out my arms carrying a raincoat and other stuff with me all day. And this was without lace pillow and etc.
Staying at the main hotel and sharing the room brought the per night cost down as low or lower than a cheap motel. Then I was close to my room to deposit my stuff, didn't need a coat (if winter time), could sit down and put my feet up during a free time, go to my own room during a break to use the restroom instead of standing in a long line near the classrooms, attend all the various functions, and, as Tamara mentioned, have many chances for what was then called networking with the other attendees.
I hope this hotel has a nice lobby area that we can take over for group lacemaking. Tulsa was nice for this. I have many friends that I see only at IOLI and making lace in the lobby gives a chance to see many of them.
I remember my first lace conference. I had been making lace about six months and didn't really know what was going on. The regional conference was nearby but I couldn't get the week off work but my teacher insisted that I go as much as I could. I could get half a day off, so worked mornings then drove madly 50 miles to get to the afternoon class session. After class, I had the return trip home during rush hour traffic except for the evening of the banquet when I stayed late. I missed out on the comradery, most evening functions, and staying in the dorm. I did get introduced to a different kind of lace and got to see the pillows, bobbins, and bobbin fastening methods used by the others in the class. It was educational, but would have been so much more so if I could have been there the whole time.
So, I join the veteran conference goers with urging an attendee to stay right in the thick of the action. I believe that is the best way to really experience all that the conference has to offer, if you can possibly work it out.
Happy lacing,
Alice in Oregon -- where I'm 3/4 done with a ten year old UFO that I'm determined to finish.
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