1st Annual Kidlitosphere Conference –hotel update!
Thanks to the remarkable and tireless efforts of Annette, we finally have a hotel! APPLAUSE FOR ANNETTE!
It turned out to be much, much harder than any of us thought, since for some reason the Chicago Marathon had to be scheduled for that same weekend in October, which means that there was not a single hotel room left in downtown Chicago for less than $350. And I didn’t think you’d want to do that.
So we’ll be staying out near the O’Hare airport, which means free and easy transportation if you’re flying into O’Hare, but a little more complicated if you’re flying into Midway, and I’m sorry about that. And for those who want to travel into the heart of the city, all you’ll have to do is take the free hotel shuttle back to the airport, catch the El, and away you go.
So here’s the information: We’ll be at the Radisson Hotel Chicago O’Hare, 1450 E. Touhy Ave., Des Plaines, IL (don’t be alarmed–it really is Chicago). 1-847-296-8866. Tell them you’re with the “Kidlit Conference.”
Annette got us the fabulous room rate of $79, but they’re only holding 30 rooms right now (I’m going to call and see if I can increase that to 40), and they’re only holding them for the next 30 days, so it would be best to jump on it now. They’re holding both doubles and singles, so if you want to split the cost with someone, now is the time to speak up.
Which brings me to the point of a bulletin board. Would someone like to take the initiative to start up a Yahoo group so we can talk about this elsewhere and not bore the non-attending blog readers? It would be nice to be able to shoot messages to each other about who is coming in when, who wants to take Adrienne up on her offer to go to the comedy club Friday night, etc. So let me know if any of you Yahoo-versed people will do that for us.
Finally, I need to talk about money. Liz B. said I should be as transparent as possible about this, so I’m going to.
When I originally started planning this event, it was just going to be a small dinner party for whomever actually wanted to come to Chicago to hang out for a night. And I was going to pay for all of it, because I just wanted it to be my treat.
But now it’s gotten a little more complicated (and expensive) because we’re going to have some roundtable discussions throughout the day, so I’ll be renting a few conference rooms for that, and I’d like to provide some food to keep us going, like a continental breakfast in the morning and some cookies and coffee in the afternoon, just like a real conference (which this now is). And then there’s still the feast that night, with a few more people than I was originally planning on, which is GREAT and I’m so happy about that, but I have to confess that suddenly I’m looking at the numbers and thinking, “Aack!”
So here is what I propose: How would you feel about kicking in $40 per person as a conference fee? Does that seem like a fair amount? It would take a little bit of the pressure off of me, and I’m hoping it isn’t too much to add onto what you’re already spending for flights and hotel rooms.
Let me know what you think. You can write to me here or send me a separate e-mail.
Meanwhile, get on the phone to Radisson and make your reservations!
[tags]1st Annual Kidlitosphere Conference, Kidlit Conference, Kidlit Blogger Conference[tags]
July 6th, 2007 at 5:40 am
We’re so on the same wave length. Yesterday I was going to write you about the cost and what to do about it. Of course then I got distracted by some pesky library patrons who wanted - of all things - help, and didn’t get back to the thought.
I think $40 is quite reasonable, esp. considering the sweet deal you got on the hotel. Of course, now I really expect John Green to show up. It hit me how close his new home is to Chicago, so it should be a breeze for him.
I’ll call today to reserve a room, but I’m holding off on plane tickets until we work out our child care situation. Good job on this whole project, Robin. I am in awe.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:59 am
Thanks, Mother Reader! What a nice thing to say!
July 6th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Oh, man, I still don’t know if I can come, but seeing how well it’s taking shape, I’m just dying to.
July 6th, 2007 at 6:42 am
$40 bucks is imminently reasonable — as is the hotel rate. And I’ve actually conferenced at that hotel before, I believe. There’s a conveniently located liquor store just up the way.
July 6th, 2007 at 7:10 am
Gwenda, ha. I’ll make sure there’s wine at dinner, so never fear.
Katie, do it! It will count as your nice thing to do for Katie that week.
July 6th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Yes, $40 is more than reasonable, and the room rate is awesome (i.e. even *I* can afford it). How do you want to gather the funds? Should we send a check your way soon? You really should collect in advance.
July 6th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Yeah, Adrienne, a check if probably the way to go. If and when we get a Yahoo group going, I’ll post my address and you guys can send those to me.
July 6th, 2007 at 8:19 am
As I always say, Gwenda -
Let’s get lickered up and done write some kiddies bookes.
July 6th, 2007 at 9:19 am
I just called the hotel, and the “Kidlit Conference” isn’t on the books yet, but I did get a room reservation and rate request. I have a room with two double beds in it, so if someone wants to room with me (female, please!), shoot me an email.
July 6th, 2007 at 9:21 am
P.S. And yeah, I’ll give you 40 bucks!
July 6th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Thanks for letting me know about the hotel, Alkelda. I changed the phone number and I’m taking care of making sure it’s in their system!
July 6th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Patrick, remind me to tell you the story of the time I accidentally got in a cab with a drunk would-be kid lit author. He wanted to tell me all about his graphic novel starring South American guerrillas who were really (you guessed it) gorillas.
At least he was polite enough to roll down the window when he belched.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I’m in for the $40. Will send.
Thanks for doing all this, Robin. Has someone committed to setting up the Yahoo group? If not, I can ask my personal tech support, my husband, about doing that for us, though right now I have no clue. Just let me know.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Jules, if your tech man could spare us the time, I’d love him/you forever.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I’ll ask him.
What I typed before — amidst my two tween-nephews jumping around me — didn’t make sense, now did it? What I meant is that *I* have no clue as to how to set up such a group, but Blaine will. So, I’ll ask him later.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I can set up a Yahoogroup if needed. Just let me know. Whomever is setting it up, please be sure that it’s a closed group, whereby people have to write to an administrator to verify that s/he’s actually a human being with an interest in the conference, and not some bozo spammer or cyber-stalker.
July 6th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Thanks, Alkelda. Excellent tip.
July 7th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Hi Robin.
I’m happy to chip in $40.
Is there any other way I can help, with expenses or other details?
July 7th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Robin, I have an important question. What time are things starting on Saturday? I was planning to fly in from Maine that day, but from your message above, I’m worried that maybe I’ll have already missed it by the time I get there. Are the sessions on Saturday or Sunday? Or both?
July 8th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Nancy, thanks for the offer, but $40 will do it.
Does this mean I can move you from the tentative list to the definite?
And as for event times, I’m thinking we’ll start the first one on Saturday around 9:00, and have a few in the morning, a few in the afternoon, then a break before dinner. So if you fly in Saturday morning you may miss some of it, but you can slip in whenever you get there.
July 8th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Robin, like MR, I was thinking that as this expands, people should be helping you with the cost. But I hadn’t gotten my act together to offer. $40 sounds very reasonable to me, and I’m happy to send you a check.
I just booked a room at the hotel, and they did have the conference block listed. That’s a great rate! And I personally love it being out near the airport, because I have an early flight back out on Sunday.
July 8th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I just watched Giada’s Weekend Get-Away show and she was visiting Chicago. Oh, I want to go! I am still working on this.
July 8th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Oh, good, Jen. Glad that hotel works out for you.
Camille, I’ve put you on the tentatives list. I’d love to move you to the positives!