So my final thoughts on Road…
It took me awhile to get this up and next week it’s already QuiltCon. But I wanted to get this in here before I forget. I kind of want a refresher when I start looking at classes in July.
First, I enjoy shows and I love taking classes.
I hope I can make this an annual event for me. I debate between Road and PIQF every year. I don’t think I could afford to do both and I want the consistency of attending the same one year after year. Well, I believe QuiltCon West will be in Pasadena every other years so maybe I can go to PIQF the years we don’t have QuiltCon. I’ll have to check if my budget will allow me to do this but I definitely want to do Road every year.
Here are some guidelines for next year:
#1- Definitely staying at a hotel near the area is a must. I enjoyed not to having to drive back and forth each day. I enjoyed the feeling of community with the other ladies staying. This year I stayed at Ontario Inn and Suites. it’s not within walking distance of the convention center but it’s only about 1-2 miles. So it’s a fraction of the cost of the hotels closer to the show. I still have to pay for parking but between hotel and parking, it’s still cheaper than staying anywhere closer.
#2- Ask anyone at my guilds if they want to go too, we could share a room and/or carpool.
#3- Once I’m parked at the show, Uber to and fro if I need to. For example on Thursday, my class schedule was classes in the morning, a long break, and then an evening class. I had to leave the show to check in at the hotel, and then get back to the show for the evening class. That meant I paid twice for parking. I thought about Ubering from the hotel to the evening class but I’m not familiar with the area and whether there would be an uber nearby at 10 at night. I didn’t want to risk it. Afterward, I figured I could have left my car at the show Ubered to the hotel to check in and a short nap and then Ubered it back to the show before the evening class. Well, I would have to get the fare estimate to see if that method would be cheaper or if paying twice for parking would be cheaper. But it’s an idea.
#4- Stash a cooler in the car. We can’t bring outside food into the convention center but I could always leave and eat in the car. This would save me a ton of money I’d rather spend on quilty stuff. I know, there were still ladies who brought outside food inside and I guess I could do that. We’ll see if I have the gumption to do that when the time comes.
#5- Take technique classes, not necessarily project classes. I enjoy taking classes but I don’t want UFOs. So, I look for techniques I want to learn. Register early for classes!
#6- Take classes where I can try different long arm machines .. this year, I tried the HQ Avante this year and would like to try others next year. I don’t know if I’ll be in a position to seriously buy one next year but I’d like to do my research.
