Hi all!
Major discussions took place at the Santa Ynez event last weekend on the following matter:
An off line in the original city of sin--that's right, the western world's Sodom and Gomorrah- Las Vegas. A tentative date of September 12th thru 14th has been set, perhaps informal dinners can be arranged individually on Friday and we will have the BIG dinner/event on Saturday the 13th at Pinot Brasserie located in the fabulous Venetian. We can abuse the new policy ----"no corkage fee"
Mid-September has been selected for a few reasons:
#1- trying to avoid conflicts with other large off-line events (i.e. NOLA)
#2-kidlets are back in school and therefore not competing with the summer-vacation syndrome
#3-pre-convention season therefore more availability (convention season begins late Sept)
#4-traditionally, air fare deals can be found as well as reasonable room rates
I will work on blocking some rooms at a decent rate at a couple of venues, however, I would like to get a feel for the level of interest first.
This is going to be a great time!

I'm pretty certain Gigond Ass and T-bird are in; let the roll call begin!

Ahh, wish we could make it but we'll be on a plane to Firenze! Have fun though!

long ways off to plan for me but I am definitely interested.

my favorite city! i am going in 2 weeks, maybe i can talk the missus into another trip in sept. i will give this very serious thought.

Sounds like fun... but I'll be up to my eyeballs in grapes about then. So count me out

Definite advance planning, but this might be a good way to indoctrinate myself to the Sin City.

I know it's early to talk about confirmations but I am all about scheduling!!!

BTW- particularly for the west coasters--if you are considering flying; NOW is the time to look for reservations and decent prices on SouthWest, seriously, if you put this off, within a week, the lowest available fares will be gone, if they aren't already!
Some prices I pulled up this morning on Southwest.com
with a departure of 09/12 and a return of 09/14
the following destinations direct to Las Vegas:
all prices are roundtrip per/person

Orange County $72-limited seating at this price
Ontario $75-moderate availability
San Diego- no availability at lowest pricing
Oakland- $136.50 limited availability
LAX-no availability at lowest pricing
Burbank-no availability at lowest pricing

Just a brief note, Vegas is a popular venue (California: Nevada's only natural resource) and seats go quickly! Also, if schedules and finances allow, departing on Monday morning, the 15th is a different story, and --arriving Thursday and departing Monday--PRACTICALLY FREE!
Also, worse case scenario, if you book the reservation and for some reason cannot attend and you don't use it, you will receive full credit for future flights (future offline events!) valid one year from the original date of departure.

I will work on getting some room rates, however, in Vegas things can change quickly--to the consumers advantage.

Bloody Pacific!

<<Burbank-no availability at lowest pricing>>

just found $70 on aloha.....

WELL;
ALOHA T-Bird!!
Do you think you'll get Lei'd on the flight?

I just learned that this is a huge weekend in Vegas as it conincides with the Oscar De La Hoya fight, however I will not have a problem securing rooms at the RIO for approx $99 per night. If you are seriously interested in attending please send me a PM; as I was told; sooner not later!
Like I said, I know this is very early for some of you as far as planning but, such is life in Las Vegas.
Cheers;
pe

butt of course!!!

Just to let all interested parties know; standard room rates for the weekend of September 12th at the RIO are $280 per night, thanks to a very special person I know, we are being offered $80-$95 per night- let's put July 15th as the cut-off date for those who want a room, August 31st should be the last day for commitment for those attending the Saturday night dinner at Pinot Brasserie.

Question: How far is Sin City from Phoenix?

Count me in! Barring any unforseen sickness like the one that sidelined me for the last event.

GA,

if you are going i am def going to try to make it.

I hope you can anthony. I'll try to find something with some age in the cellar to share with you.

GA ---

so it's time to seperate the men from the mice. who's gonna bungee jump with me?

I'll watch.

*squeak*