The Next B&P

Daniel-

I used to visit Oz every year or so (spent most of my time in the Barossa).

(. . . sigh . . .)

You live in a wonderful place. Aussies are some of the coolest people I've ever met in my entire life.

One of our PLAN goals is to spend a year in Oz w/the kids, once we retire (a few years from now).

-Russ H.

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"Control everything. Own nothing." -John D. Rockefeller

"Don't confuse motion with action" -Ernest Hemingway

Thanks, Russ, and you're always welcome down here. If you do decide to drop in, let me know. You'll get the grand tour (of a small part of my state, since it takes almost 8 hours to fly from one end to the other) as well!

That said, I've only ever been to NYC, and if you can call landing at Newark and taking a bus to JFK "being in NJ", then I've also been in NJ! hehee... I'll have to visit CA one day. One of my friends was driving home from work once and saw the turnoff to the airport on the freeway, so he took it, parked his car, bought a ticket and flew to LA. Maybe I should be that spontaneous!

Daniel.

ATW: are you sure you want everyone to know about your little secret paradise?

I just spent a week and a half in Missoula with my aunt and uncle (who became RE investors after selling their business called the Trail Head) and fell in love with the place. Definately on the list of places I want to end up!

I vote for Montana!

Bligefisher: yes flying in and out can be quite pricey! I think it was around $500 for me round trip from St Louis to Missoula.

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We are what we think we are, and what we perceive ourselves to be is what we will ultimately become.

Back in the early 90s, I was in New York visiting a good friend. I was there for a few days, and he had nothing important due for at least a week (unusual for both of us, as we were very, very busy theater designers).

He opens the paper on Sunday morning and they have last-minute trips to Paris for $400, round trip. So he says, "This is crazy. We both love Paris-- let's grab a taxi and go, we'll be back in a week!"

I didn't have my passport. It was the ONLY reason I didn't go.

(I did go that year, and many years thereafter).

After that trip, though, I *always* traveled w/my passport. Didn't matter where I was going.

I didn't want that kind of opportunity to slip by again.

-Russ H.

__________________
"Control everything. Own nothing." -John D. Rockefeller

"Don't confuse motion with action" -Ernest Hemingway

I'd like to volunteer my services to help set this one up. Not sure where folks want to go though. Perhaps a vote would be in order.

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www.liveandflip.com "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain"

Well, 2 key things last year were

1. Centrally located* (not on either coast), and

2. Cheap flights.

Vegas and Phoenix tend to be the winners in the low price category, at least the last time I checked.

That may have changed, though.

Also important is cost of hotel, meeting space, and cost of getting to the hotel from the airport.

IMPORTANT:

We had also discussed timing this along with someone else's presentation/workshop/seminar, so that we'd get kind of a "guest speaker" without having to pay the big bucks.

Someone also threw out the idea of a cruise.

Any other items I'm forgetting?

-Russ H.

*With apologies to our international members, as the location chosen is only central for those living in North America.

__________________
"Control everything. Own nothing." -John D. Rockefeller

"Don't confuse motion with action" -Ernest Hemingway

I believe Vegas may be a good choice to fit those criteria. If folks want to change the venue slightly. The downside, March starts the busy season in Vegas. As far as I can tell though with revenues down 55% this year, there should be some really good deals on the horizon.

I'd like to throw Denver in the mix as well. As much as I'd like to travel to other locations, DIA flights are reasonable, I can check into presentations and meeting area. Hotels vary like any major city. Some are as cheap as $29 a night, but I can check on that as well if folks are interested in Colorado. And for you ski bums out there, our Ski resorts didn't close until June this year. Downside to Denver in March, weather is extremely unpredictable. 2 years ago we had 80 degree weather followed by blizzard conditions followed by 80 degrees, then blizzard again in a span of 4 days. As far as cost from the airport, depends on the number of people, but the Bilgefisher Taxi service is pretty cheap.(The driver is a bit of a wiseass though) I only live 15 mins from the airport.

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www.liveandflip.com "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain"

Vegas may be a good option considering weather, flight, hotel and food. Hotels and food tend to be cheaper in gambling cites...

Cashflow v. poker, wait, I've got two hands!

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If you want things to change around you, you have to change first.

Bilge-

Those are some significant advantages!

Phoenix has the advantage of being MJ's home, so we stand a better chance (I think) of having him be a part of things if we're there (can't say this for sure, though).

Also, Diane Kennedy has an office in Phoenix or nearby (I think), so we might be able to do something here.

However, I distinctly remember that last year's B&P was just before tax time, making it impossible for Diane to attend or help out.

-Russ H.

__________________
"Control everything. Own nothing." -John D. Rockefeller

"Don't confuse motion with action" -Ernest Hemingway

Is the meetup this year going to be in March again?

I don't think we are set on a date... I'm open for February and March, and both Vegas and Phoenix sound good to me.

Last B&P was the same weekend that Diane Kennedy had a seminar in San Diego so she couldn't make it, so I agree, we should try to find out if any seminar is in place with her, that sounds like a great idea. Any other potential speaker worth researching?

This will be an issue as there are not that many topics that can fit most in here... Taxes is an obvious choice... marketing maybe? --for both "regular" businesses or internet based ones... what else?

I suggest Phoenix over Vegas only because of cost effectiveness and fewer distractions.

And I promise to make it this time!

I have a tendency to get myself into trouble in LV.

What about the paradise of Salt Lake City? Perfect weather that time of year, excellent outdoor activities, and I could come! Spring skiing in the mountians and golfing in the valley, what else is better? I would love to sit in and listen to all of you. That would truly be an unforgettable experience. Give me about two years and I will be able to attend. Where ever you have the meeting, good luck!

-Woody

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A real entrepreneur is somebody who has no safety net underneath them. -Henry Kravis
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Umm...yeah. Although I like staying in seedy hotels as much as the next girl, I think I'm gonna pass on anything under $30/night. (Just FYI: The clip below is peppered with hilariously strong language.)

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www.ReservationsRightNow.com/forum

Oh man... Im in this one! Always wanted to go skydiving!

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"You only live once, have fun and challenge yourself" -Talkintoy-

I'm in for skydiving, I'll have to stay an extra day though, doesn't that eat up quite a bit of time?

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www.liveandflip.com "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain"

There are some great roach motels near my neighborhood I'm sure the rooms on East Colfax are only slightly used.

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www.liveandflip.com "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain"

I am proposing the last week of February. Thoughts?

<----- is in.

Remember, we are looking for rooms that rent by the night, not by the hour!.

-Russ H.

__________________
"Control everything. Own nothing." -John D. Rockefeller

"Don't confuse motion with action" -Ernest Hemingway