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

Atlantic City would be a terrific location. March is off-season and the hotels will be less expensive. I live in NJ and would love to attend a bandster convention!!!!!

Va Beach is a good place. But Baltimore, MD Convention may be better and cheaper as well. Plenty of places to stay in Baltimore, MD And plenty of things to see. Also there is a HUGE Arundel Mills Malls to hang out in for meals, shopping, games and a movie theater with awesome comfortable seats like a lazy boy..

D

What about Philadelphia for a conference?? Airport not too expensive hotels and you can find inexpensive rooms in NJ too???

Anyone is the 60 year old range with the band? We ought to have our own chat room. We lose weight at a different speed and have different challanges than those in their 20's and 30's.

Lyn

There is a thread somewhere on here for bandsters in their 60's. On the home page scroll down and you should find a link.

I am 63 and was banded on 3/25/08. I am right around my goal weight (149.4 yesterday morning, 150.4 today) so I am thrilled with my results. My surgeon said I lost faster than expected, but that helped my motivation. Now the challenge is keeping it off.

I'd love to attend and/or help out in any way if my schedule permits as I do live in New Jersey!

Louisa Latela

You had a remarkable weight loss. You must feel fabulous. Mine is going slower which gets frustrating, but still I am very happy to be down the 65 pounds.

Linny

Okay ladies and gentlemen Alex and I found a location in "NYC". We had to change the dates because the hotel was booked for the weekend we wanted.

Here is the information

2009 – New York City<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P></O:P>

Banded Together-Lapband Talk National Event

<O:P></O:P>

When:<O:P></O:P>

March 20-21, 2009

Friday Meet & Greet 6pm-9pm EST<O:P></O:P>

Saturday Conference 8am-5pm EST

<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>www.marriott.com/lgaap

</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

<O:P>www.marriott.com/lgaap

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!

We are signing the contract today so hopefully the room rates will be available by Wednesday no later than Thursday.

Visit the events page at my website to learn more about the conference.

https://www.bandedtogether.net/Events.php

</O:P>

Hi,

Thanks for the info! I went on the bandedtogether.net link and am a bit confused. Hope you can clear it up for us. My friends and I are planning to attend but do not want to stay over and want to just attend all day Sat. We would not be able to make it on Fri due to work/family. Do we need advanced tickets or can we get them at the door? There is no problem in getting them in advance. I think I would even perfer that. What is the $30 extra charge if you do not stay at the hotel? Is that in addition to the $87.50? We live in Westchester, NY and I was banded at NYU like Alex. Are there more speakers other than the ones listed in the link that might appear? How about the NYU Drs? Please give us more info. Thanks so much! We are looking forward to the conference!

Hi Barb,

We are thrilled you and your friends will be joining us.

Let me clear up the confusion the "$30.00" is for those who attend the full conference (Friday-Saturday) but don't wish to stay at the hotel.

So the cost for you and your friends will only be $87.50 since you are planning to attend Saturday only.

We are still adding speakers, we have contacted Dr. Ren to see if she is available. Keep checking back to see what speakers we have added.

You can purchase tickets in advance, just use the link on my website.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Hi CoachCher,

I was banded Nov. 3 of this year and stay plugged into various web sites, blogs, books, support groups etc. It's great motivation and I meet fantastic people. We all have a story. Different, but the same too.

I am a professional event and meeting planner. Unfortunately, I can't make the March conference, but can offer a helping hand as a volunteer as you work through your planning for 2009. My department at my company manages over 350 events/trade sows/meetings per year. There are 9 of us and we scramble pretty fast.

Perhaps I can attend another 2009 conference. I look forward to seeing your schedule for the rest of the year.

I live on Long Island so this is perfect. I would love to come especially since it is so close to home.

Would Vegas ever be a possibility? Just because my ex lives there and my son could stay with dad while I go and have the time of my life with you beautiful people.

CoachCher-

Thank you for your responce. I am wondering if we can buy tickets at the door on Sat. Some of my friends will not know whether they can go until close to the date and don't want to buy tickets in advance and then not be able to go. Thanks!

Hi Barb,

Yes your friends can purchase at the door.

Hi Alice.

We are coming to Vegas in October, so keep your eye open for the exact dates and location within the coming months.

I'd be interested in attending. I'm much more likely to go if it's in NYC!

Catherine

I'm in California, times being what they are, I can't afford going to the other side of the country---THOUGH I WOULD LOVE TO BECAUSE THE CONFERENCE SOUNDS AWESOME!!! But I hope another conference will be scheduled mid-country, maybe Texas, or maybe Las Vegas...I know Vegas isn't really mid way but doesn't that sound like SO MUCH FUN?!!! Good luck with the conference I know it is going to be totally wonderful!