World Spinning and Sports Conference 2008 [Archive] - Innercycling Forums: "Your Indoor Cycling Place in Cyberspace!"

Pink

11-16-2007, 05:53 PM

Just got the "Save the Date" e-mail from Mad Dogg, so it's official: May 29–June 1, 2008 at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, Florida. Start saving your pennies...

Yup, and saving your music selections for the be music swap. I just got an application to renew my certification -- I'm supposed to be certified for life. I called and they told me to ignore it. Wonder how many more I'll get?

Lewis

11-16-2007, 06:20 PM

I got an invite too, I was very impressed with their professionalism, then I clicked on the link and it said "this address cannot be found"

SpinBob

11-16-2007, 07:29 PM

MDA seems to be having system problems these days. I'd hate to be in their shoes...I'd be willing to bet they're losing new customers and alienating their current ones with their techno-snafu.

Pink

11-16-2007, 07:32 PM

jsejt

11-17-2007, 09:50 AM

I can't wait to see all of you!:)

musicgal28

11-17-2007, 12:50 PM

Let me know when you guys find cheap flights! I'm putting the date in my calendar!!

Pink

11-17-2007, 09:03 PM

Let me know when you guys find cheap flights! I'm putting the date in my calendar!!

Musicgal, I've been told that Spirit flies out of Atlantic City for a pittance. We're going to watch out for mega-bargains (like $49 one way). If that's the case, we'll drive the extra miles. I'll need to see it to believe it, though.

SpinBob

11-17-2007, 09:15 PM

As crazy as all this stuff is, I have always been impressed at how well the WSSC is run. I've never had any problems with sessions, etc. Granted, the Douville was a pit, but they jumped on that and changed venues. I can't imagine the organization needed to pull off that weekend, especially with such a small staff.I agree with you Pink! WSSC is run really well.

I tend to believe they went into this technology upgrade as a small, naive company with the best intentions and didn't foresee some of the problems that could arise. They seem to be having a worst-case, or near it, scenario.

SpinBob

11-17-2007, 09:17 PM

Musicgal, I've been told that Spirit flies out of Atlantic City for a pittance. We're going to watch out for mega-bargains (like $49 one way). If that's the case, we'll drive the extra miles. I'll need to see it to believe it, though.JetBlue also flies out of Atlantic City and Newark, but they fly into Ft. Lauderdale. You can take a shuttle from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami for $20-$30.

NJspin

11-17-2007, 09:35 PM

Sorry Bob, we're not that lucky yet. No JetBlue.. but as Pink says.. Spirit does fly outta here to Ft Lauderdale a few times a day.. if you watch you might get a $9.00 OW deal Pink. I'd even let you leave your car here and pick you up to save the parking fees (the new pd lot will be open then) Oh but you could do the same with your parents. :DJetBlue also flies out of Atlantic City and Newark, but they fly into Ft. Lauderdale. You can take a shuttle from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami for $20-$30.

midnight rider

11-17-2007, 09:57 PM

Just about all the budget airlines such as JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit fly into Fort Lauderdale rather than Miami. The Fort Lauderdale Airport is about 23 miles and more or less 30 minutes from the IC Hotel, while the Miami Airport is about 5 miles away. My experience has been that the slightly longer trip to and from Fort Lauderdale is well worth it to be able to take advantage of the much cheaper airfares.

musicgal28

11-17-2007, 10:06 PM

Musicgal, I've been told that Spirit flies out of Atlantic City for a pittance. We're going to watch out for mega-bargains (like $49 one way). If that's the case, we'll drive the extra miles. I'll need to see it to believe it, though.

If you want to pick me up in Philadelphia on the way to the airport, I'll chip in for gas/parking/cab from Ft. Lauderdale. We can carpool and save even more money... This is the beauty of planning ahead!

musicgal28

11-17-2007, 10:09 PM

And the research I just did said that it was $116.00 round trip from Atlantic City to Ft. Lauderdale. I wonder how much a cab would be from Ft. Lauderdale to IC? Anyone have an idea?

Pink

11-17-2007, 11:12 PM

And the research I just did said that it was $116.00 round trip from Atlantic City to Ft. Lauderdale. I wonder how much a cab would be from Ft. Lauderdale to IC? Anyone have an idea?

You don't need to take a cab -- as SpinBob says, there's a shuttle. We've done it before and it's not a big deal. You can certainly catch a ride with us to AC if that's what we decide to do. We like to get to Maimi on Wednesday afternoon. I'll pm you.

Steve, is the airport close to my folks? (they live in LaCosta Lakes, on the road behind Storybook Land).

I cannot believe we're already focusing on this. Kellllllyyyyy, where are you????

NJspin

11-18-2007, 12:19 AM

Pink, less than a 10 min ride from your folks.. with traffic that is. All of 5 -6 miles. Same exit where you get off to visit them on the AC Exp

jsejt

11-18-2007, 08:53 AM

Pink

11-18-2007, 09:22 AM

Ok, Pink, Bob, Kelly (you'll have to repeat yourself from last year), where do I start getting the good deals?

Is everyone staying at the IC hotel? The rooms were steap. Should I rent a car? Help. I wan't to do this as inexpensive as possible.

Granted, it is not a cheap weekend.

Accommodations: Most people stay at the IC, but some found a less expensive place a few blocks away. Monica, Rick & Patrick stayed there last year and can tell you about it. The IC is pricey, but nice & convenient to the conference. I think it's a plus to be able to run up to your room to change out of wet clothes or jump into the shower.

Transportation: Car not needed. Shuttles run to/from the airport. Cabs are expensive and we spent a fortune on them the 1st year it was at the IC, running back & forth to South Beach. There's a bus, but we never took it. Last year, however, we only went to SoBe twice. Sharing cabs helps too.

Food: Expensive in the IC. There's a mall a block away with restaurants & a large food court. And there's places surrounding the hotel. So, with some planning, food doesn't have to be mega-bucks.

We have found that we are so beat by the conference (I go to as many sessions/rides as I can), we pretty much eat & sleep, so we're not out late looking for entertainment. In fact, we wind up eating an early meal & hanging in the lobby together (the best part!)

Flights: That depends, obviously.

SpinBob

11-18-2007, 12:38 PM

Here's an article I wrote for the Spinning Instructor's newsletter, it ran in April this year and I think the overall information is still current.

In addition, I think it's wise to look for a roommate to split hotel expenses. We can do that here, but MDA also keeps a list of folks looking to share a room at the Hotel IC. I think Midnight Rider stayed at the other hotel too.

Pink

11-18-2007, 01:19 PM

Nice job, Bob.

A few additions -- if you don't feel like schlepping your power bars & snacks from home, there's a Walgreens a few blocks away. Also, don't forget wall-hugging, often were I've gotten my best insights. I've found sitting by the sidelines, watching the MI & the crowd, taking notes, invaluable.

Also, MDA has a program where you volunteer part of the time (i.e. manning the doors into sessions, etc) in exchange for attending sessions for free. Not sure if the entire conference is free or not, but it's worth a call to MDA to get the 411.

SpinBob

11-18-2007, 02:02 PM

Also if you don't feel like standing in line at Starbucks, there's a little coffee shop about a block away that has really great cafe con leche and their tuna salad is out of this world.

midnight rider

11-18-2007, 02:52 PM

I stayed at a hotel called the Continental Bayside last year.

http://www.riandecontinentalbayside.com/

I ended up staying there for a fantastic rate of $42/night through a third party online travel company called Last Minute Travel and used the money I saved to stay a couple of extra days in South Beach after the conference. It's a about a 5-10 minute walk from the IC Hotel and is directly across the street from the Bayside Marketplace, which is a restaurant & entertainment complex that is more or less the only thing open at night in the immediate downtown Miami area.

Quite frankly the hotel is a bit of a dump and needs some sprucing up, but if you're like me and just looking for a place to lay your head at night and can do without all the frills that the IC offers, this hotel is a great el cheapo option. Also unlike the IC, which charges an extra $10/day, there's free wireless internet access in the lobby.

Here are a few other hotels in downtown Miami that are within easy walking distance of the IC Hotel.

http://www.river-park-suites-hotel-miami.com/
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/miabb?&firstpoint=dcb1&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-GoogleMaps-_-hi-_-miabb
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/miadt-courtyard-miami-downtown/

I've been a volunteer many times at past WSSCs and it does enable you to attend WSSC sessions at no charge. In exchange you are basically MDA's slave and will be required to work a full day and a half during the conference and in addition must be available to work either the Thursday before the conference to help set up or stay and work late the last day on Sunday to help tear down. I would suggest calling MDA for more info.

SpinBob

11-18-2007, 09:22 PM

Mat,
When you volunteer, who decides when you have to work?

midnight rider

11-18-2007, 10:46 PM

MDA actually lets you make the decision whether you want to work the 1st Shift, which consists of working from the start of the first sessions early a.m. on Friday till the end of the morning on Saturday or the 2nd Shift, which is from noon on Saturday till end of the last sessions on Sunday. You are also given the choice of whether you want to help set up on Thursday or help tear everything down and get it boxed to be shipped out on Sunday. The downside if you help tear down is that MDA will expect you to stay on Sunday till all the work is done, which sometimes can run as late as 6 or 7 p.m.

In addition, all volunteers are required to be available for what's called All Calls in the evening, in which you help move bikes both in and out of the largest exhibit hall for the the major evening rides like the MI Team Ride, which are usually held on Friday and/or Saturday night.

Volunteering is definitely not for everyone. But if the substantial time commitment doesn't bother you and are able to just go with the flow, it can be a great way to experience the conference from behind the scenes and also have the opportunity to meet a lot more people than if you were just a regular paying attendee.

SpinBob

11-18-2007, 11:02 PM

Sounds cool, that may help make it to Miami this year...

jsejt

11-19-2007, 09:14 AM

Pink, Bob, & Mat

Your advice is awesome, thanks. I guess when it gets closer I'll be able to make a more informed decision. When can you start registering for the workshops?

Pink

11-19-2007, 02:05 PM

Pink, Bob, & Mat

Your advice is awesome, thanks. I guess when it gets closer I'll be able to make a more informed decision. When can you start registering for the workshops?

End of January, beginning of February? Last year I remember downloading the catalog and registering on-line -- long before the paper catalog came in the mail.

SpinBob

11-19-2007, 06:12 PM

There's usually a break on the price if you register between January and the middle of March, or so...

Kathleen H

11-20-2007, 12:31 AM

I can't wait for WSSC 08!!!

Since I have not not taught since late July I have been mostly lurking here lately.... So I am ready, willing and able to prepare for WSSC. Flight prices from America's Heartland are around $435 right now.

The volunteering sounds like a great idea. Thanks all, for the insight on how that works.

Sun, sand, Spin.... Ah Miami, I can't wait.

midnight rider

11-20-2007, 02:10 AM

I should've added that MDA has always required each volunteer to submit a $300 deposit along with their volunteer application to ensure your commitment to actually show up in Miami and work the conference. Your check is then returned to you in Miami to tear up and discard upon the completion of your volunteer duties.

Cheeze

11-20-2007, 02:13 PM

Kath just be patient. Of all the years I've flown to WSSC FL I've never paid more than $200.00 plus tax round trip. The last two years I've been able to fly Midwest Airline (love the cookies) Milwaukee to FtL for $175.00 plus the tax.

Cheeze

Kathleen H

11-22-2007, 12:36 AM

Thanks for the info Cheeze. Last year I flew out of DBQ and this year it looks like Des Moines airport. As they are smaller airports than Milwaukee I wonder if that makes a difference in price?

Not to worry though, between volunteering and nabbing a roomie, I think WSSC is a definite event for me next year.

I have to make it to Miami in '08, I promised to share my Joe Friel Cycling Bible book with SpinBob. I am looking at other Joe Friel titles for X-mas presents. Earlier this year you suggested one that sounded like a good read.

Pretty soon I will be a fairly well read Spinning gal!!

kszspin

11-22-2007, 08:08 PM

Wow guys, we have like over 6 mos to go! I haven't even digested my Thankgiving dinner yet, I have NO tan (yet), and the session selections aren't up on the net yet!
I thought I was early planning last year, y'all are scaring me! :o

DanielleF

11-23-2007, 03:45 PM

Kathleen,

Friel's Total Heart Rate Training is a good read with a 2006 copyright.

Danielle

SpinBob

11-23-2007, 07:01 PM

And I'll borrow that one when you're done with it, too. :D

Kathleen H

11-23-2007, 11:18 PM

Kathleen,

Friel's Total Heart Rate Training is a good read with a 2006 copyright.

Danielle

Thanks Danielle. I double checked my pm and that is the book Cheeze recommended to me earlier as well. I loved his bible, (Friel's, not Cheeze's).
So I am going to add the Total Heart Rate Training book to my Christmas list.

If I can get it read by the time WSSC rolls around you are first on the lending list SpinBob. A drink from the IC bar is my only lending fee.

Funhog

11-23-2007, 11:25 PM

If I can get it read by the time WSSC rolls around you are first on the lending list SpinBob. A drink from the IC bar is my only lending fee.

I don't know about you guys, but these kind of books are the ones I'd want in my library - not just to borrow. Heck they don't cost much - probably almost as much as a drink from the IC bar! All of my Friel books are dog-eared, highlighted, underlined with notes in the margins. You want them around to refer back to when needed! ;)

SpinBob

11-23-2007, 11:27 PM

Thanks Danielle. I double checked my pm and that is the book Cheeze recommended to me earlier as well. I loved his bible, (Friel's, not Cheeze's).
So I am going to add the Total Heart Rate Training book to my Christmas list.

If I can get it read by the time WSSC rolls around you are first on the lending list SpinBob. A drink from the IC bar is my only lending fee.I guess if I design a business card for you, then we're even, drinkwise. ;)

like2bike

11-24-2007, 10:48 AM

I loved his bible, (Friel's, not Cheeze's).

Wait...there's a Cheeze Bible? Wonder what his ten commandments are?

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's bike... (sorry...) :redface:

cfoam4me

11-24-2007, 11:39 AM

Thou shalt love (or not), The Moody Blues....

Kathleen H

11-24-2007, 12:32 PM

Wait...there's a Cheeze Bible? Wonder what his ten commandments are?

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's bike... (sorry...) :redface:

And on the Seventh Day, God created the Bratwurst. And all was good.

Larissa Kelly

11-25-2007, 07:08 PM

I want to go! I'm Schwinn certified, not MDA, so I didn't get the early invite. How will I know when it's time to register? Would you guys recommend getting MDA certified before the conference, or would that make a difference?

kszspin

11-25-2007, 07:13 PM

How will I know when it's time to register?
Would you guys recommend getting MDA certified before the conference, or would that make a difference?

Just keep checking in here, no doubt one of us will scream it! :p

As far as making a difference, well, not to MDA. They will take your money no matter what. But you may find the sessions fall into place in your brain after you have already attended an Spinning orientation (certification).

tdeckert

11-25-2007, 08:10 PM

Just keep checking in here, no doubt one of us will scream it! :p

As far as making a difference, well, not to MDA. They will take your money no matter what. But you may find the sessions fall into place in your brain after you have already attended an Spinning orientation (certification).

Plus you'll get STAR credits for attending. I'm trying to get the Samurai to get certified before we go!

T

Pink

11-25-2007, 08:23 PM

Plus you'll get STAR credits for attending. I'm trying to get the Samurai to get certified before we go!

T

and and and...although you could get certified in Miami (for an extra charge), I've heard it's less chaotic if you do it elsewhere, since Miami's orientations can crowded.

Why are you thinking of adding MDA?