Meet People, Learn Stuff, Save Money

Admittedly, I am a fan of social media.  I like to see what the mean girls from high school ended up like.  From a business perspective – I love that I have developed some great relationships with people online.  It is quick and easy to “meet” someone – often it is something as simple as a RT or @ reply on twitter.  But, as much as I enjoy learning about people through social media – there is nothing like actually meeting someone in person and creating a *true* connection with them.  In fact – one of the main reasons I go to conferences is because of the amazing conversations I have with REALLY smart people.  I can honestly say that I have never been to a single conference where I didn’t walk out smarter than when I walked in – not even including any of the actual conference sessions. (If you get really lucky – you even get to have dinner with a legend…)

So – As you look toward fall – Here are the conferences that are coming up in September and some tips to save $$ -

9/9-9/11 ERE Fall Expo 2009 Hollywood, Fl

• Conference $ Saver – Register by Friday and save an additional $200 – On twitter?  DM or @ reply to scottbaxt for addt’l discount!
• Travel Tip – Travelocity has Flight/Hotel deals for the Westin Diplomat at a savings of around $60/night over the conference discount

9/23-24 Recruitfest Toronto, CA

• Conference $ Saver – Use “MAREN” To get a ticket for $150!!!  Also, The prices are all in Canadian.  Most of us going are not.  That $150 bargain price (After the discount) is really closer to $125 for the rest of us!
• Travel Tip – Get your passport like TODAY.  There are 2 airports in Toronto that you can check flight prices on as well.  Make sure you call the hotel and get the recruitingblogs.com rate – roughly $175/night – much better than the $350 on the web site.

9/30-10/2 HR Technology Conference

• Conference $ Saver – Register by 9/18  for an additional $300 savings.  To be honest – the expo area is HUGE and if you are looking or a geek like me – you can spend 2 FULL days just in the expo space (Trust me, I have done it the last 4 years).  If you are someone wanting to JUST go to the expo – Add a comment or email me I have FREE passes.
• Travel Tip – Chicago has 2 airports – MDW & ORD – both would work for the conference.  The expo is a bit out of the way, so they have shuttle buses that drive you back and forth from downtown airports.  Want to save money – Priceline (Name your own price) a hotel in the Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area of downtown in the 4 star range.  Last 2 years I have been at the “official conference hotel” at a rate of $90 per night including taxes.  Even if you don’t end up at the “official” hotel – you walk a block or two and still take the shuttle bus

I will be at all 3 of these shows – not speaking this year, but enjoying the knowledge gathering – come September and hope to see you there!