I've already taken both coures back in August 2007. They are worth it. You get to learn some pretty cool things.

Unfortunately I won't be arriving at WES in time to take a Monday course, but will be taking a course on Friday.
If you could only take one course....would you recommend taking Admin 1, or skipping to Admin 2?

The Admin 2 course builds on what was covered in Admin 1. While Admin 1 might seem like a basic, introductory course it does provide a foundation for Admin 2. Besides the certificates for both look really good on my wall.

i plan on being there this year again. will be my 3rd WES.

and like omg.. JOHN MAYER will be there. i'm just glad it's someone i've actually heard of.

Top 40 ain't exactly what I call quality entertainment, but hey... it's free.
Maybe I'll skip it again and stay in my comfortable chair.

remember, Darth, the closed circuit tvs are there to keep up with what happens on stage, but also the deserts are outside the concert room.

If memory serves... outdoor seating, near the food buffet, near the bar, near the bathroom, near the cigar rolling dude, near the CC TVs, with a view of Universal Studios. Yeah, life was good!

Woo got the approval today! Plane ticket and hotel are booked lets party!

Got my approval today .. hopefully I'll find a good flight and hotel now .. anyone stay at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Seaworld last year?

Also when I registered on attendwes.com the option for the certification exam is gone?

Just got approval and registered! I did this yesterday and the exchange certification exam was there.

Anyone got any hints or feedback from previous WES goings? It will be my first time.

If possible stay at the Marriot.

A very good suggestion. It has been sold out for a while.

Pls post pictures!

What do you mean sold out? I just reserved a room at the Marriott from May 10th through the 15th??

All the rooms were booked in the middle of January. I guess the rooms are coming available has people find out the can't go.

well there are still rooms available from what I can see. I am trying to go but unsure at this point We need to have a BBF get together one night!

I would loveto hit up WES but not in the cards this year

I just called Marriott, I was able to change from the Renaissance Orlando Resort to the Orlando World Center. All though I did not get the "WES" discount. I will not be renting a car so I will be breaking even or a little less considering parking fees and gas with the standard rate.

Yes we do!

Our agent here called every single place and nothing was available last Friday .. at the moment I'm at the Renaissance Orlando Resort so I hope rooms come up .. I'm calling today to see if they will provide a shuttle as it is only noted for the Doubletree, Hilton, Beuna Vista. I do not want to rent a car.

Anyone get any invites or any info about Vendor parties yet? I received an e mail from T-Mobile just saying be on the look out for the WES T-Mo party . .

Update - I called the host site Marriot. Not using the WES rate they have a deluxe pool view room available 12-16th

$329 Tuesday - Thursday
$259 Monday

That's excatly what I got. It's a wash if you are not going to stay at the Renaissance and not renting a car.
But then again I am staying from the 11th-16th.

I couldn't get a room at the Marriot. I'm staying at the Hilton, located in the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort from May 9th to the 16th. This is my first time going so I hope this is a good place. Anyone else staying here?

I'm awaiting word back from me Blackberry rep if they will extend the shuttle, as I don't want to rent a car. it's a $500 difference so I put the bug in my cost centers ear if it's that big a deal vs. having to rent a car.

I've stayed at that Hilton and it's nice, close to downtown Disney

This is awesome that a bunch of people are getting to go!
I'm considering moving back to Florida, and I want to be there!

Does anyone know how the tracks agenda works? Do we have to sign up for a track during registration when we get there?

you are not shoe horned into a track. You just can use the tracks to help you find the sessions you want hear topics on. I spent a good portion of Monday evening going through the session summaries to see wat I wanted to attend. I went through it once marking all that interested me and then a second time to rule out the ones that conflicted with each other. Some of the sessions fill up quickly, so you need to be quick to the room sometimes. Last year they also, re-ran a few of the more popular sessions.

Based on being a WES virgin last year - I'd note to take some timeout to figure out your sessions in advance - sitting round the pool with a cold one worked well for me... I found that there were 3/4 "must attend sessions" and about 10 "interested sessions" some of which overlapped so I had to re-prioritise

Also watch for last minute room switches as they tend to adjust the room sizes based on demand, and yes last year re-runs happened too.

It's gonna be a blast...

Thanks for the tip. I try not to make any important decisions without a cold one... around a pool is even better.

so ... does anyone have a top 10 or top 5 things to do at WES? Seriously.

This is my first WES; my company has been there for several years with a booth / kiosk, whatever you want to call it, as a sponsor ... and lucky me, I don't need to spend all my time manning the kiosk. I get to go to sessions

Get a room at the Nickeloadan Hilton Hotel. Its right across the street and they have a *****en Sponge Bob waterpark. Room rates run from $99 and on up. It's a farily new hotel and not bad for a good laugh

I'm thinking the ladies won't be digging a sponge bob theme .. more drinks will be required ;)

I'm sure I owe you at least one drink, that that should be in the top 10

Sponge Bob is fine, but Patrick RULES

As long as it gets expensed

Yes I will join the club.
Wont be staying in the marriott though. Its full boohooo.
200 meters from there is (forgot the name).

See ya.

This will be my first WES too! I'm totally excited about it.

It looks like my approval came in, the flights are booked and (thanks RIM!) a spot at the marriott has been reserved for me.

For those of you trying to get rooms still at the Mazza, I guess RIM block book big bunches of rooms and then split them out to carriers for them and their guests. It might be worth trying your carrier rep if you are a big account for them. OTOH they might have used up their allocation already...

Bring it on - are we going to do to the monday night get together like we did last year? I only made it for 30 minutes or so as I had a clash but it could be a fun way to get to know people...

as to hdawg - man you just need to make sure you scoop up all the invites to the cariers 'private' parties, I'm sure that can't be too hard for a man of your undoubted Blackberryness. That will cetainly fill up a few slots of the "top 15" list of things...

Hey does anyone know if this is the last year they're holding WES in Orlando???
Rumor has it that they're going back to Chicago....
Can anyone confirm?