Alex and I are working hard to put together the next "National LAP-BAND Conference".

As we are searching venues we are finding NJ is much cheaper than NYC. Per the poll most people are willing to spend $100.00 per night, we found a venue in NJ for $119.00 per night.

So we would like to know if you guys are ok with NJ or if you prefer to actually be in NYC.

At the last confernce the participants said they wanted to enjoy the host city, so you will get the opportunity to spend Saturday evening in NYC.

Alex and I would like an approximate head count as well. If you could answer these questions it will help us to plan an amazing conference for you guys.

What location do you prefer NYC or NJ (keep in mind NJ is much cheaper than NYC)?

We are going to post a poll of "Who's coming" so be sure to answer the poll question as well.

Alex and I hope you are as excited as we are, this is going to be an amazing conference. It will not be the same if you're not there!!

UPDATE

2009 - New York City Banded Together-Lapband Talk National Event<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

When:<o:p></o:p>

March 20-21, 2009<o:p></o:p>

Friday Meet & Greet 6pm-9pm EST<o:p></o:p>

Saturday Conference 8am-5pm EST<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Where:<o:p></o:p>

The Marriott LaGuardia Airport<o:p></o:p>

102-05 Ditmars Boulevard <o:p></o:p>

East Elmhurst, NY 11369 <o:p></o:p>

www.marriott.com/lgaap

<o:p></o:p>

Lodging:<o:p></o:p>

The Marriott LaGuardia Airport<o:p></o:p>

102-05 Ditmars Boulevard <o:p></o:p>

East Elmhurst, NY 11369

www.marriott.com/lgaap

<o:p></o:p>

We have a special rate of $139 for guest rooms at this lovely hotel. Be sure to book early,as the room block will sell out. <o:p></o:p>

There is a Friday reception, so come stay with us for the weekend! <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

To book your reservation for the conference visit https://www.bandedtogether.net/Events.php<o:p></o:p>

Edited November 10, 200817 yr by CoachCher

I vote for NYC...many of us will be using mass transit...like train, bus, subway, amtrak all of which are easier to take directly into NYC.

Those of you who are flying in, trust me, the extra money to stay in NYC is worth it. You are not going to come all this way to stay in NJ.

Disclaimer: There is nothing wrong w/ NJ but it does not offer the same excitement as the city.

I have read all the posts and truly missed when it was definitely decided on NJ. Can someone please repost that info. and any other updated info. specific dates, hotels,etc. I want to go for sure and I have to start planning now. Thanks!

It is not "definitely decided", but it looks that way.

The dates for the conference are 03/27/09-3/28/09

NJ is looking like it is going to be the best spot. The hotel we are looking at is in Livingston NJ.

Friday night will be the meet and greet with appetizers, and a cash bar.

Saturday is the day of the conference. Our speakers will be LAP-BAND Surgeons, Dr. Schulman (Plastic Surgeon), Nutritionist, psychotherapist, successful post ops, personal trainer and of course myself. lunch will be provided on Saturday as well.

The conference will be all day Saturday from 8-5.

By having the conference in NJ brings down the cost. We are looking into the cost of a charter bus right now so we can get an idea of our options.

We will have door prizes and plenty of vendors for you to visit as well.

By this time next week we will be able to provide all of you with much more information.

Keep checking back often to keep in the loop.

Edited November 13, 200817 yr by ajoneen

I vote for NYC...many of us will be using mass transit...like train, bus, subway, amtrak all of which are easier to take directly into NYC.

Those of you who are flying in, trust me, the extra money to stay in NYC is worth it. You are not going to come all this way to stay in NJ.

Disclaimer: There is nothing wrong w/ NJ but it does not offer the same excitement as the city.

What she said.

Staying right over the bridge in NJ is ideal. We could take the train over to NYC during the day and/or taxi's if we go in the evening. Still much much cheaper than staying in NYC. Sounds like fun. Count me in.

I love going to NYC. Maybe I could go to the con. I can't wait to hear more.

:thumbup:Yes, I will attend the conference.

I know we (DH and I) won't be able to attend this conference, but we'd like to try to make at least one.

What are the proposed dates and locations of all the conferences in 2009??? :thumbup:

TIA

It's great to see such hard work being done to put this together. I hope to be able to make the conference. Being a banded NP in Idaho and having great success with my band personally, I want to learn from others to help more of my own patients have success. I will try to attend once you have details. Thanks Cyndi:thumbup:

I live in Monroe NY (about 1 hour from NYC and NJ). Either venue could work for me since I could come back and forth if need be. NJ would be fine for others if getting into NYC is close enough so that others can enjoy getting into the City without having to spend a ton on hotel. Since I live close by, let me know if I can help with any of the venue. I've done event planning and expos in the past.

Stephanie

Alex and I are working hard to put together the next "National LAP-BAND Conference".

As we are searching venues we are finding NJ is much cheaper than NYC. Per the poll most people are willing to spend $100.00 per night, we found a venue in NJ for $119.00 per night.

So we would like to know if you guys are ok with NJ or if you prefer to actually be in NYC.

At the last confernce the participants said they wanted to enjoy the host city, so you will get the opportunity to spend Saturday evening in NYC.

Alex and I would like an approximate head count as well. If you could answer these questions it will help us to plan an amazing conference for you guys.

What location do you prefer NYC or NJ (keep in mind NJ is much cheaper than NYC)?

We are going to post a poll of "Who's coming" so be sure to answer the poll question as well.

Alex and I hope you are as excited as we are, this is going to be an amazing conference. It will not be the same if you're not there!!

The dates for the conference are 03/27-29/2009

Good Morning Group,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

I wanted to give a quick update. Alex and I have not made a final decision on the location. Thankfully we have had some wonderful offers to help us locate a venue in "NYC". <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

What we found is; lodging is almost double in "NYC" vs "NJ". If we choose a venue in "NYC" the cost of the conference will go up and we are trying to avoid that at all cost. We understand these are hard economic times so we want this conference to be as cost effective as possible.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Trust us we were not trying to be misleading by calling this a "NYC" conference then only to book in NJ. We can change the name of the conference and call it a "East Coast Conference" so that will remove any confusion.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

We have a meet and greet planned for Friday night and then the conference will be all day on Saturday 8-5. This will give you time to enjoy the city Saturday night and Sunday depending on your flight time. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>If we have to book in NJ due to cost we will have services available to get you into the city. </o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>Our hope is to have everything finalized by the end of next week, so we can give everyone full details about the conference.</o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>Keep checking back for more updates.</o:p>

New York is the place to have it! If you live in ny nj ct pa..you still go.

I am very interested in attending the lap band convention and three more fellow employees who have had the band may be interested. I have weighed 115lbs for three years with my band -- I've had the band for almost 5 years now. It is such a life changing event and it gives you your life back!!! I love my band!!! I love life after having two heart attacks at age 40!!! The band is amazing I have tried to attach a picture of me as of three weeks ago. If anyone wants to see pictures of my journey email me at perkinsconcrete at msn dot com. Take care and go bandsters!!! Live life again!!!

You can do the Marriot east 129.00 per night.

Way to go congratulations you are almost there!!! Best wishes and blessings always.

You can do the Marriot east 129.00 per night.

To the Planners:

You probably already know this, but no matter what the price is that is listed on a website, most places will give you a discounted per-room price if you hold a block of rooms. If you get a general idea of how many people would be willing to book rooms, you can block them well in advance. And I mean like under $100.00/night, which would really be great. The closer to $60.00/night the better for me!

And I would love to hear that some of us got together to contribute to a "scholarship" fund to help those who might need assistance with either travel or accommodations come to the conference. I am not well of by a long shot, but I can contribute some shekels to help others out - I feel it is that important.