I am contemplating heading up to Baltimore for the “con”, too soon? I’m curious if it’s a faux pas to show up for part of the convention (Friday and Saturday) for example.
Secondly, with what I read about the hotel last year is it an issue staying at another hotel? I am an admitted hotel snob. Thanks and perhaps I’ll see some of you in June!
I’ve only been to one NHC, but i don’t think anybody would be upset if you only went for one day. If you can only manage one day, then do it! Most people would be glad you were able to make it. The hotel issue is really more about convenience. Staying elsewhere means you have to find transportation to and from, possibly (likely?) after having lots of beer to drink. Some of the events go on till 2am, if I remember correctly. It’s just easier being able to walk up to the room when you want to take a nap or sleep for the night, than worry about getting back to some other hotel.
No problem with taking in only a portion of the convention, but its your loss. There is a lot going on…all the time. Learning, doing, partaking, enjoying. I haven’t regretted going to any of the conferences, and this will be about 9 for me.
You are free to stay anywhere you like, but I can assure you that being in the middle of the action is a lot of fun and it keeps you out of trouble. Do try and meet up with folks from your local club or here on the forum. Sharing is caring.
Everything Martin said. I have met so many cool people (including Martin) that it’s worth the extra travel expenses.
It’s not the expense…it’s the “new baby at home, mom will go crazy” thing.
Then your priorities are right.
Last year was my first Conference, and it was an amazing experience.
This will be my 11th. Come for as long as you can. The educational aspect is a big part of it for me. Then there are some outstanding people you see once a year, and pick up right where you left off.
Make sure you go to club night on Friday, a great time every year.
I would REALLY recommend you stay at the conference hotel. I didn’t once, and even though I was nearby, it was still a drag. I won’t do that again. And why would last year’s hotel have anything to do with this year’s?
I get the impression that this year will be more like the Grand Rapids situation. Conference center and surrounding hotels, due to the size of the NHC, err HomebrewCon.
There are not many hotels that can hold it all, Town and Country may be exception as it is ~3000+- these days.
Good point.
Does anyone know if there is going to be an app out similar to last years for organization and planning purposes?
I loved that app. Gary Glass said it was adapted from the app for CBC, so we can have expectations of it happening again.
I don’t see why it wouldn’t be easy to do. More than likely they just have to update the backend database.
Alright. Being this is my buddy and my first time we are like kids heading into Christmas at this point. Our beers are being judged in philly this weekend so it is adding to the excitement. The biggest question I have at this point…is there a pre registration for the seminars? Are there certain seminars and or instructors we should make SURE we catch?
If you need to know our level. All grain. Been brewing for quite a few years…a ton. He’s the engineer who makes sure we follows the processes. I’m the drunk wild one who loves the historical scientific aspect and pushes boundaries.
For most seminars, it’s first come, first served, but they will typically have the ones they expect to be really popular in larger rooms. Some of them still wind up being standing room only. Must catch in general would be Denny and Drew. Always fun.
Popular ones also include well known Brewers, guys like Strong, Mosher, and Daniels, and certain mead talks.
Look over the seminars and find the ones that you have a strong interest in. Those are the not miss ones.
In Grand Rapids, I went to the post-fermentation cider seminar and it was excellent. But I have a huge interest in cider and where someone who is casual might find the information useful, it was one of the best seminars I’ve been to.
I don’t think Michael Fairbrother is doing a stand alone seminar this year (just part of the mead panel), but those are always great because he serves some great meads.
Have fun at your first conference. After, you’ll be counting the days until the next one.
Maybe it’s just me, but Randy and Ray’s seminars last year were just OK. Maybe it was the size of the room. Randy did practically the exact same presentation at Dixie Cup in October and it seemed a little more lively.
That being said, skip any talk about mead from either Schramm or Fairbrother. More for me that way. 
Bah…boring old farts…
In addition to what was said above:
Look for the mead, cider, wood aging, and sour talks. Always new cutting edge stuff going on in these.
Look for LAGER sessions. This is where you learn precision.
Look for judging / palate training type seminars, where you can begin to learn to evaluate the flavor and aroma of your own beers.
Look for off the wall fun stuff, like Justin Crossley’s “How NOT to brew” a few years ago (in Philly?) I almost had an aneurysm I was laughing so hard.
Some of the most popular seminars are repeated so if you miss it on Thursday, you can see it on Friday or Saturday.