Time to start planning for LDI 2015

gafftaper

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Well the summer is wrapping up and it's only 3 months to LDI! Time to start planning your trip. Also known as convincing your boss/wife to let you go! It's the week of October 19-25. The main exhibit hall being the 23rd - 25th. I haven't seen any free exhibit hall passes offered yet this year.
 
I'll be there!
 
Ill be there as well! Might go out early to catch a few classes, but I'm not sure right now.
 
Pro Tip: If you are going only for the exhibit hall, don't buy your pass just yet. Watch the LDI site for free registration opportunities. Plus traditionally, exhibit hall only passes get distributed by many of the exhibitors about a month ahead. So wait a bit and then contact your favorite dealer/manufacturer representative and see if they can get you an exhibit hall pass. Sometimes you will see the exhibitors advertise that free passes are available in the trade magazines.


On the other hand if you plan to attend conference sessions, master classes, backstage tours, etc... now is the time to register before the prices go up or the sessions fill.
 
Book your hotel early! Also, watch out for resort fees. Many hotels on the Strip will advertise a reasonable rate, but then they add on resort fees to cover extra amenities. Those are often free at other hotels, things like free local calls (in case your cell phone is dead?), swimming pool (it's Vegas, but still most of the pools will be closed in October), and in room internet (my gosh is it slow). Then again, not always totally outlandish in the grand scheme of things.

Booking a hotel along the monorail line is a great way to get to and from the conference. Plus, a weekend pass for the monorail is cheaper than paying for parking at the convention center, a lot cheaper than a taxi, and more convenient than the shuttle buses.
 
Yeah those resort fees are just about everywhere. This website has all the details on resort fees, including the list of places without a fee. $32.48 at the MGM family of hotels.

I do one of two things, find a really good package deal on travelocity. Or I use my google-fu skills (and a website called betterbidding.com) to make educated guesses on the mystery hotel deals on Hotwire.com. I am able to narrow it down to one or two possible hotels and know what I'm getting before I buy the mystery deal. I usually end up on Fremont Street or in one of the lesser places on the strip like the Circus Circus, but I also usually get a room for under $50 per night including the resort fee.
 
Yeah. There will definitely be a CB meet up.
 
Show floor pass secured. Now to schedule my life around it.
 
Found a pretty good deal at the Westgate (formerly LVH) next to the convention center. Search your travel dates on Hotwire. You will see a 3 1/2 star mystery hotel in the convention center area for $50. That's the Westgate. After tax and resort fees it's $86 per night. Not bad for decent hotel in easy walking distance.
 
Found the monorail tickets even cheaper here.
 
Found a pretty good deal at the Westgate (formerly LVH) next to the convention center. Search your travel dates on Hotwire. You will see a 3 1/2 star mystery hotel in the convention center area for $50. That's the Westgate. After tax and resort fees it's $86 per night. Not bad for decent hotel in easy walking distance.
That is a good deal. Bonus is that the Westgate has a monorail stop.
Found the monorail tickets even cheaper here.
Two years ago, we were able to purchase monorail tickets at a discounted price like that from a page on the monorail site that was for LDI. Worked great. I found out about it through an email from LDI. Last year though, I didn't see the link in the "same" email. I used my interwebs skillz to find the page, but this time it required a code. It didn't ask for the code until after you had all your payment info and stuff entered. We contacted Ken and he knew nothing about it and couldn't get any information about it. It was kind of strange.
All that to say, do you need a code to get those prices? They are a good deal, although I remember the LDI prices being a bit better. (Especially when your company pays for it!)

EDIT:
Okay, I got curious and went digging. Surprisingly easy to find this time. A google of "las vegas monorail ldi" brought up this page, and at the bottom was a link to this page. https://tickets.lvmonorail.com/LDI2015/ I remember that being the URL the past couple years, just change the date. The prices are higher though, with the exception of the 7-day pass at $1 less. I would get them at the link ruinexplorer posted, if there is no catch like a secret promo code.
 
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I didn't see a promo code when I first found that one. This was the link that came from one of the discount Las Vegas attraction sites, but providing the direct link was easier than having everyone navigate the prior page. The only time I have ever had an issue with the monorail was during the Consumer Electronics Show where they push you in like in Tokyo.
 
Just found out in the last few days that I might be able to make it for Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday. Time to start looking for a good deal on a hotel.
 
Unsure if you should arrive early? Thursday might be a good day as @STEVETERRY will be honored for his contributions to the industry.
 

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