I know it is very early but I wanted to start pushing to get a time frame for this years convention.

The boss just sent me a text asking because she is trying to schedule her vacation time and this is on the top of her list.

I'm fine with the same place as the last two. It was better the second year.

Come on Jeffrey, get us a set of dates!

I, too have always wished for dates as early as possible. I would bet the dates will be May 29-31 - the weekend right after Labor day.

I especially would like to know speaker & topics earlier.

But, I'm sure Jeffrey & Dot always plan it in ADDITION to all the other things they juggle, so I guess I can't "complain" too much : )

They do always put together a great event that would not be available to us otherwise.

I'd say mark off May 28 through June 1 on the calendar as unavailable for anything else. I think that's a pretty good bet. The location, however.....may be a while.

It always used to be on Memorial Day and people complained it cut into family time and graduations and such, so he moved it to the weekend after. In fact it might have been in middle of May at one point and people still complained ;) And later in June and it cut into summer vacations.

I've noticed the location is never announced until after the Retreat, because they are busy working in and on the retreat and have not started on the Convention which is 6 months away at this point.

And the speakers: he might have an idea, but hasn't finalized them yet :) Sometimes a Retreat speaker does so well that they end up coming to the Convention too.

Patience, Zero :)

Thanks Jeffrey!

The boss will be happy to hear it.

Can hardly wait, I seem like a fanboy.

Go central. KC or St. Louis! :)

Zero, I get you - Convention was the highlight of our year for several years. DS3 (yes the one you met) has a new baby arriving end of May though so doubtful we'll be able to go again this year, as they will need someone to care for the first one when in hospital and such.

Unless it's in RICHMOND then I can definitely go because that's where they LIVE. Thanks for the idea, Ray.

6x6, Richmond is in Virginia: officially the South. MUCH warmer than PA.

WMH, sorry to hear that you will be missing it.

There are certain aspects of the convention that go unseen by most. A space that can house upwards of 300 or maybe even 400 people are not in every city.

The cities that have housed the convention tend to be cash flowing cities. Jeffery, as a landlord, teaches the value of increasing cash flowing properties. That is hard to do if a rental is priced in seven figures but only brings in $4,000 a month. Jeffry picks places where these facilities are near a major airport with shuttle service - so you don't have to drive to the convention or even rent a car.

Jeffery loves brand loyalty. As much as he and Dot loves Marriot, I am absolutely sure that Marriot loves them back (as they should be as he is introducing hundreds of potential new customers annually).

Finally there has to be some kinda appeal to the location. I am not that far from Erie. It has all these items checked and a rather new convention center that can house 1,200 people, cash flowing properties that most parts of the US would be envious of, and views of the Great lakes from feet away in the convention center. But the reality - who really wants to visit Deary Erie? If the highlight of your vacation (and Sadly for many landlords, this is their only vacation), is going to Erie, I would recommend you save up a little more each month and drive down to Pittsburgh.

Now is the time that I invite you to make your suggestions for a city you prefer, especially if it is one of those we have held a Convention before. However, we are open to a new city.

Columbus, Ohio

Indianapolis, IN

Nashville, TN

I appreciate any and all votes, but if you can give me the reasons why you suggest or vote for a particular city, that would also be helpful (other than its 5 miles from your house:).

When we attend, we care about a hotel with eating options IN THE HOTEL, proximity to the airport with shuttle service to the hotel, and flight schedules (so some sort of airline hub city so not everyone has to change planes.) It's not the tourist offerings.

Newer attendees probably do care about what the city has to offer, but the old guard knows the value of the Convention is all inside the hotel from sunup until the wee hours of the morning.

For what it is worth, if one follows the demographics - a convention should be held somewhere between the centers of population. The big four are New York, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. The last dozen or so have been within a days drive between two of these cities. So places like Ohio have been a good central location with proven results.

I submit, without duplicating a location where you have used recently - both Louisville and Pittsburgh are great pics. Louisville is Mike Butler's backyard and he has that awesome move in video with the Land Lording on Auto-Pilot course. Landlords can be afraid to lead and teach. This video says what you want to. Louisville is also in the south while also being close to the north. If they can house the Kentucky Derby, then 300 landlords should be easy to absorb.

The other part of the demographics chase would lead me to Pittsburgh. It is common knowledge that Florida has the most senior citizens than any other state. Pa is number two on that list for having the most senior citizens. When I am at any convention, I tend to notice lots of people with gray hair. (Of course I get jealous, where these folks actual have hair). Pittsburgh, like Cleveland have went out of their way to reinvent themselves into a medical and technology community. Cleveland and Columbus are only about two hours away. Buffalo (Nick Sidoti) would be about three hours. Philadelphia (is the second most densely populated city in America) is about 4.5 hours away while NYC is 5 hours. Chicago is about eight hours away so it is a central location.

Both locations are awesome cash flow locations.

I submitted KC or St. Louis for a few reasons. I believe the convention has been held in both of these before. (I know St. Louis because I've been to 2 there. Not 100% on KC, but heard it had in the past.) I believe the flights will be relatively inexpensive for those traveling by air as they are centrally located and have major airports. The convention is basically where I spend my time from Thurs AM to Sat at closing. However, both of these spots also have "touristy" things to do should folks extend their stay on either side of the convention (Legends in KC or the Arch in St. Louis as just one example).

While I have no problem with using the same location as the last two I have been looking at places that are similar in size and still located around a bigger airport.

The latest look was at Ft. Wayne's courtyard at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Looks as it it has what is needed. Cheap taxi ride from the airport for those flying in. Although it is only a little over an hour from my home base we would stay at the hotel so as not to miss anything.

Again I am still fine with using the last place. We know it works. They did better last year than the year before so maybe this year will be even better.

I thought one of the ideas was to embrace change?

Alcoa, TN has the Magee Tyson Airport and there are lots of hotel options. Also close to the Great Smokey Mountains home of Dolly Parton.

Here are some hotels should you choose to check it out.

www.expedia.com/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-02-23&endDate=2025-02-24&selected=48775779&adults=2&MDPCID=us.META.BHA.HOTEL-CORESEARCH-propertypromotionad-desktop.HOTEL&mdpdtl=HTL.48775779.20250223.20250224.DDT.46.USD.105.210000.EN.USD.2.604795700.&mctc=10&rateplanid=284281017&mpm=24&mpn=231623353&mpo=EC&mpp=1&msclkid=8b024806fce0112d1dfb2f788b82e715®ionId=5985&destination=Tru%20by%20Hilton%20Alcoa%20Knoxville%20Airport&isInvalidatedDate=false&theme=&userIntent=&semdtl=&useRewards=false&sort=RECOMMENDED

I am assuming you kind of want it in the middle of the country.

All these places are direct flights from Charlotte so that would be my suggestions

Chicago, lousiville, lexington, nasheville, st louis, pittsburgh, indianapolis, cleveland, chattanooga, panama city beach.

Direct from RDU

nashville, chicago, pittsburgh, st louis, cincinnati, cleveland columbus, indianapolis, loiusville

Personally I would rather not give any of my money to Chicago.