The Treasure Island is a fine hotel. Not the best I've ever stayed at, but CERTAINLY not the worst.
You are correct in saying that the service people from the maids up through the pit bosses and security teams all were polite, courteous, and friendly. The hotel itself is very nice.
The food was very good, especially the awards dinner, and was brought promptly, while it was hot, and was prepared to appeal to the eye as well as the palate.
The registration, an event unto itself, was very well done and Laura Ingrahm deserves more than a radio show.
She is concise, well spoken, humorous, but drives her point home with all the artistry of an epee master.
I met some FReepers at the registration that I had been looking forward to meeting for some time now. In my business travels I had already met several FReepers, Gabz, Cool Breeze, dubyaismypresident to name a few, and now can add several more to that list. I've got to say, "FReepers ROCK!.
The conference on Saturday was fast paced, informative, and I will have to digest the information for at least a week before I can coherently comment on the information given. This is a compliment because normally I am a quick study on, almost, any given subject.
There were some things that can be put to immediate use but other things I will have to cogitate on. (You like that big word?) ;^)
All the speakers were good. They seemed to know what they were talking about and could put the thoughts into words so that everyone could understand what the ideas were.
The awards dinner was well handled. The food, as I said before, was delicious, especially the deserts!
The keynote speaker certainly DID know how to hush OPH, at least for a while ;^) and I enjoyed the question and answer period at the end.
I didn't get a chance to attend the follow up on Sunday due to prior commitments. (All right, I had told my wife that Sunday was HER day and that we would do whatever she wanted.)
I'll plan better next time in order to make all the events.
All in all FRIVA LAS VEGAS had everything that was advertised. I got to meet and greet FReepers that I had corresponded with, I had much much information on grass roots activism put out in an organized form for my perusal, (another big word ;^) ) and I had a GREAT time doing it.
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On a side note - Many thanks to Slip18 and her better half Cyber Liberty. Thanks, Slip for making my wife feel comfortable, even among so many FReepers. She really enjoyed chatting with you.
I wish I'd known of your pocket billiards proficiency, par excellence. I used to play a more than halfway serious game and would have enjoyed finding out just how out of stroke I am (...reaching for wallet). I used be able to go out looking for pool players who wanted to gamble, but nowadays would have to go out looking for gamblers willing to bet on a game of pool. Big difference.
Thoroughly enjoyed meeting you!
It was so great seeing you there. Now I know who you are when I'm asking for my Scotch in the Smokers' Lounge. LOL!
This thread is great. A lot of information has been given. I missed the fundraiser on Saturday afternoon. My head was already too full. Now I see Strela has posted the information on that. FReepers are great people!
Of all the comments you posted here, Slip - and there are some really, really good ones from your excellent notes! - and of all those comments posted about you by the admiring Auntie Mame, OPH, and others, this comment from Just Another Joe makes me the most proud of you.
LOLuv, .30.