Yup, I'm doing the vacation home rental also. Screw staying in a cramped, overpriced hotel!

My company wants to send me, all expenses paid, to a 5 star resort where the service and facilities are beyond great..... be wined and dined with 5,000 of the most awesomely fun herd of I.T. nerds.....and all I have to do is make sure I show up! How great is that!

I stayed off site last year and found it to be very tiring going back and forth and lugging around all my stuff during the day. Even having a car - it was a pain because it was such a looong walk thru the parking lot.
Looking forward to sleeping in a little longer in the morning and being able to leave and pick up things from my room as I need it. Perhaps even take a nap!

IMHO It's worth the price of admission to be at the Marriott.
Perhaps if my family was going with me I'd consider renting a house.....
Nahhh! They like being pampered just as much as me.
I agree though - if you're footing the bill for your family, a house rental would be easier on the budget.

Just my 2 cents

That's awesome man! BBM or email me your flight info. Hope you get there on Sunday morning. We can "network" for the rest of the day Sunday and Monday. I think AlanM is getting there early afternoon on Sunday.

I wasn't that impressed with the Marriott when I stayed there a few years ago at another conference. Unless you have a nice suite, there's nothing special about the hotel room IMO. I just completed the rental deal and have a private heated pool and jacuzzi at the 5BR, 3BA house. I enjoy being able to spread out and relax and since I'm bringing the kids, this works out much better than everyone being cramped in a hotel room.

Only thing I'll need to "lug" with me is my BlackBerry.

Let me know about the meet and greets. I will definitly be there. I'm with the House and no, she won't be attending. ROFL!!!!

No official meet & greet for us yet. Last year, we all kinda met up at the Boxtone Lounge and at the WICKSoft booth... . I hope Will and Shayne make it again this year.

I dont see an update, did you get it to work yet?

lol yeah I had to mess around a lot and wait even more. I think having >14700 cal entries might be the cause .

Has anyone heard yet what the entertainment will be for the RIM Party this year? No big deal, just curious.

I don't think anyone knows yet that I have heard. AT&T isn't saying either. Just says "surprise guests" on their event invite.

I've heard rumors, but nothing solid. Lets see what we know and what we can speculate on.....

Last year John Mayer was sponsored by BlackBerry on his tour.
This year, BlackBerry is sponsoring U2. Their tour starts in Barcelona on June 30; more than enough time to play in Orlando. And their only other Florida stop is in Tampa.

My plane lands in Orlando 11:35 am Sunday. I can meet you at the Marriott.

I think we can arrange that. Now we just have to decide which external BES fellowship activity will enhance our communication and teamwork skills.
I'm even considering Universal as WES is a world-wide event and we want to be sure to encompass as many diverse activities as possible.

(Yes, I AM a master wordsmith...)

I will be attending this year alone, due to the restrictions on travel. I will need to hook up with some new friends this year.

hey i see you're in ok......im in okc and i will be at wes this year again and the only one from my company as well

I have it on good authority that the AT&T House of Blues musical entertainment is... (Drum roll please)

Kenny Loggins

Thats already been established....AT&T has updated their site as well to reflect "Top Gun Party".....supergay. The only reason i'm going is open bar and hopes of another free blackberry. Who knows, with all the free drinks i may be in the middle of the dancefloor by the end of the night singing along to Footloose, Danger Zone, and who can forget the "I'm Alright" themesong from Caddyshack!

Can't believe how fast WES is coming up.

Anybody want to find something to do Tuesday night? Entertainment for the WES party has been announced.... and it aint U2.

WES 2009: Conference Highlights

That's just not right

Just to clarify.....
I was referring to the WES entertainment, not Darthbberry's suggestion.

Ya, I kinda figured. No offense taken.

Not only does the entertainment at WES this year suck as$ is sucks big, fat, dreadlock hairy as$. Might try to find a concert or something that night. Maybe a trip to Downtown Disney to DisneyQuest. Or a strip club.

I'll take in some park hopping, or Disney Quest, but I'll pass on the strip club.

Just a note that the Pleasure Island part of DTD is closed. I'm up for Universal City Walk one night seeing the entertainment is pretty lame. U2 was a reach but would've been very cool.

Maybe I'll just chill by the pool most nights. There was plenty too see as it seems most BES Admins from international are woman

Park hopping might be a plan.
Closing times on 5/5:
MK - 9pm
Hollywood Studios - 7pm
Epcot: World Showcase - 9pm
Epcot: Future World - 7pm
AK - 5pm (5pm? WTF?)

Never understood why Disney closes so early this time of year, especially AK. I know it's a slower time frame than summer months, but still...

I am also located in OKC. It would be great to know another BES admin in OKC. I have been to this event for the last four years, so I am familiar with the event, but not with how to get invited to some of the parties. I will be flying at the crack A$$ of dawn to get in Orlando at 11:30 on Monday. If you want to get a hold of me just let me know and I will send you my PIN #.

I think I am flying on that same flight on Sunday. I am doing the BES 5.0 training on Monday and Friday. I am bringing my wife and daughter with me, but I will be going solo to the WES Event if its worth attending. PM me your PIN and we can maybe hook up before and do some meet and greets. I am signed up for the AT&T event as well. You can get the link in the Carrier Events thread. Last year I had a blast at the AT&T party. House of Blues Orlando is closed to the public and only open to us, it was open bar (everything at the bar), great food, and they gave out blackberries to everyone on the way out the door. No sure if they will do the same this year, but from what I hear, AT&T is pretty much the only carrier even having a party, so I will probably go.

Like I said, pm me your name and PIN and we can get together at the social on Monday evening or something.

I agree. Spring in Orlando is the prime conference and convention time of year. You'd think with the CEOs, CFOs, and Presidents of major corporations in the area that the attraction parks would be open later.

I wonder if WES 2009 will be like this....
YouTube - Come to IBM Impact 2009 in Beautiful Las Vegas, May 3-8

will.i.am??!!?

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This will be my first WES and any tips beyond what has been posted on this forum would be appreciated.

Cash
Good pair of walking shoes
Charge your BlackBerry whenever possible
Ability to nod politely at vendors when you have no freakin interest....

And sugary snacks for when Darth drags you around every ride in every park

I'm gonna give Stu nightmares again.
"It's a small world after all....."

OMG noooooo! Was trying to unholster my BB to take a mega-urgent call, as this fool is pushing me into the damn ride car. Nightmare doesn't come close to it

And then you lost service on the ride.... classic! LOL

Try explaining that one to the boss "no I didn't drive into a tunnel as such"

I ask, does it knot sound like tunnel vission?