The IMSC runs two days of sessions typically from 8 am to 5 or even 6 pm (counting continental breakfast), with at least one evening networking session available. (PLUS a third day of video training) During the day there are often 2-3 sessions at a given time to choose from. So if you are not interested in learning about, say, casino shops, you might go to the self-employment tax session or the one on using disguises. I did not stop to count the total sessions at the last conference but it was a lot more than 8 sessions. There were a couple of sessions each day by company reps and the rest by experienced shoppers. The most useful MSC led sessions tended to be on things like "From the Editors' Point of View," "The Ins and Outs of Legal Nevada Shopping," "What New home Clients Want," and similar topics where specific industry expertise was really benficial, IMHO.

Shopper led sessions tended to deal with "nuts and bolts" of specific skills. These may include sessions on topics like, "Constructing a Watertight Backstory for Long Interactions," (essential for new home shops, assisted living, retirement communities, and other long interactions), "Managing Aliases, and Unique Follow-Up Information for Complex Shops," "Route Planning," "Disguises," "How to Survive Two Weeks on the Road for a Route," and other practical tips for shoppers who want to really develop their advanced skills. But, there are also a number of sessions aimed at beginners, since IMSC is sponsoring conference visits for beginners with a "No shopper Left Behind," program, embedded in each conference. So, for instance, One of my sessions will be about simple ways for beginners to sample and grow into many different, and increasingly better paid shops. So, both veteran shoppers and beginners will find ways to up their shopping game (and income).

Finally, I don't know about MSPA conferences, but IMSC speakers are usually there for all 3 days and will answer questions, and have been known to hold impromtu seminars in the halls after a session and in the bar until closing time. Oh, and also at lunch time and over breakfast.

Plus in 2016 there is a third FREE day of video training at IMSC conferences.

All of the examples of types of sessions are actually ones that I have observed at recent IMSC conferences, although not all are guaranteed to be at each conference. And, I am sure that I left out a lot, including topics like, "Have No Fear about Video," which is not video training, just aimed at demystifying video, and "Safety for Shoppers," and"New and Useful Gadgets," and, and, and.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/16/2016 03:41PM by walesmaven.

Wales - the conference is Sunday and Monday. Does that mean they'll be doing the video training classes on Tuesday? I just looked at the website and it mentions everyone will get the free class, but no mention of when the classes are being held. There is still little to no information available. Have you reserved your room?

I was at the MSPA CA and the next day were certification classes and that is the reason for the fee. I took the $25 MSPA writing certification for $25 which was worthwhile for me. The social evening was free at the MSPA. I read that IMSC is now charging $50 to attend the evening social, on top of the conference fee. The social is where you are connecting with the MSP owners and reps face to face.

@walesmaven wrote:

And, btw, none of the speakers or organizers of the IMSC conferences is paid or even has travel covered.

So who gets my and everyone else's fees? Just curious.

@ValG wrote:

Good point! I have already decided Indiana is the way to go. The only drawback is will it be warm enough to lay out by the pool in the middle of May in Indiana? I don't have any plans on shopping during the conference. I'm there to have fun, to learn, and to meet other shoppers. I still haven't determined if I want to drive or fly. With the cost of gas so low I would really love to take a road trip. Just not sure I want to do that by myself as it's over 1000 miles away.

Val what state are you in? Airfare would be the biggest expense for me, I think. I'm in MA. It would be easier and cheaper to split driving and gas.

The fees defer the cost of the conference meeting room and continental breakfasts.

Yes, I have made my hotel reservations.

As far as I know the video training will be on the third day, as usual.

There are plenty of other opportunities to talk with the MSC reps other than the paid evening reception. Almost all of them will be available all day on the first two days, at informal evening gatherings and some will stay through the third day. They will interact with shoppers at all breaks between sessions, and you can always ask someone to step out into the hallway to discuss something while a session is going on in the reserved rooms. The evening reception was split off from the main conference in order to contain basic conference costs, at the request of many shoppers. As Cubbie Cat and others can testify, I will "Talk Video For Wine" ((or even for iced tea) anywhere, any time. The same is true for most of the MSC reps, whether on the subject of video or something else.

Y'all, well worth buying Wales wine! Trust me.
Looking forward to buying more wine for Wales in LV, in November. Pinot, right?

I still have issues with the $50 evening reception fee at the IMSC and paying full price for the conference, especially after finding out hundreds of free tickets were handed out at the last few IMSC conferences.

Seriously, they gave out free tickets? Is there anyone out there that has a ticket and doesn't plan on using it?

I thought the $50 evening reception was just one night? Personally, I wasn't a fan of the receptions even when they were free. I brought my own wine down from my room instead of drinking the hotel swill and the crowd made it difficult for any worthwhile networking. Now the bar after was a whole other story

I believe it's one night and it used to be free. The problem with after the reception is that the MSP owners/rep leaves.... The shoppers break into small groups at that point. Obviously IMSC thinks there's value in charging $50 for the reception. I have been to three IMSC and two Shopperfest conferences thus far. Looking forward to VideoCon 16!!!

At my only IMSC, there were owners and reps in the bar after the reception broke up.

Lisa, I wish I had a chance to meet you, because you have an awesome reputation. The IMSC I went to in Atlanta, they kicked us out and closed the bar after the (free at the time) reception and everyone dispersed in different directions. I never saw a MSP rep even thought I was with a group that wen to dinner.

Hi everyone, the conference is now two days instead of three to allow everyone to get back to work, save on hotel costs, etc.. The video training will take place on the second day with Melinda Brody and Kathy Hart. There will be other sessions taking place for those who are not interested in video or do not need video training.

The optional networking event on the day before the conference was put in place due to requests from those coming in early and wanting to connect with others. The fee covers the cost of the room charge by the hotel since it is outside of the conference dates. It will also cover two drinks per person and appetizers. Only those who wait until the last minute to pay will pay full price for the conference. Shoppers in Las Vegas were offered a pre registration discount of 50% and there are discounted prices for our members and non members on our website.

In regards to the free tickets, the IMSC has a no shopper left behind program in place to ensure any shopper who wants to attend and receive education can do so. There are qualifications and you must speak to Pam and tell her about your situation. If you think you qualify, email us at info@imscinfo.com along with your phone number and Pam will call you.

With all the conferences going on everywhere these days, no doubt we will get to meet at some point and I look forward to it!

Servanne,
Thanks for setting the record straight about the video training at the May conference. My error.

Like Lisa and others, I have held many an evening conversation, in the bar, with MSC owners, managers, editors and schedulers. Oddly the NOVA conference was the one conference where that did not seem to happen, and was also the one where I met Cubbie and several other forum regulars. We held our own mini seminars in the bar there!

@Servanne wrote:

Hi everyone, the conference is now two days instead of three to allow everyone to get back to work, save on hotel costs, etc.. The video training will take place on the second day with Melinda Brody and Kathy Hart. There will be other sessions taking place for those who are not interested in video or do not need video training.

The optional networking event on the day before the conference was put in place due to requests from those coming in early and wanting to connect with others. The fee covers the cost of the room charge by the hotel since it is outside of the conference dates. It will also cover two drinks per person and appetizers. Only those who wait until the last minute to pay will pay full price for the conference. Shoppers in Las Vegas were offered a pre registration discount of 50% and there are discounted prices for our members and non members on our website.

In regards to the free tickets, the IMSC has a no shopper left behind program in place to ensure any shopper who wants to attend and receive education can do so. There are qualifications and you must speak to Pam and tell her about your situation. If you think you qualify, email us at info@imscinfo.com along with your phone number and Pam will call you.

To clarify, the fee for the networking event covers the cost of the room charge by the hotel for May 14? I am signed up for the conference for May 15 and 16. I was looking into booking my room, but since I am driving from NE Ohio, I thought I would come in on Saturday May 14 anyway. Are you saying that if I sign up for the networking event, I get Saturday night's acccommodations for free?

The room charge for the conference or meeting room where the mixer will take place along with the cost of the food and drinks.

Oh okay, that makes more sense.

It's really weird. When I click on the link on the IMSC website to reserve my room, it autofills the dates for the conference as 5/13 to 5/14 as being the "exact dates" for the conference.

So I started thinking about it and remembered that I am a Caesar's Total Rewards member. I had to search through my desk to find my Player's card but glad I remembered! I went to the website and found that the 15th and 16th were promo free nights for me but Saturday was $101. I had to do two separate reservations (via phone) to get it worked out, but basically I got 3 nights for $145 including taxes and fees!

What promo did you use? I just checked and the best rate for Saturday was $124 before the resort fees and taxes.

I went to this website:
[www.caesars.com]
I signed in as a Total Rewards Member and applied the code SEMI16. Based on my points acquired last time I went to one of their casinos, I qualified for 2 comped nights on Sunday and Monday (surcharges per night of $11 only) with $101 showing for Saturday night. When I clicked to do 3 nights online including Saturday, it wanted to charge me more (I think it was $124 for Saturday night and then $67 for Sunday and Monday). I ended up calling them and the guy I talked to on the phone was able to first reserve me the two comped nights and then add on the Saturday night for $101 by combining the reservations.

So you were able to use the IMSC code for 79.00 or did they charge you more on Saturday? For the exact dates, I just checked and you can change them with the drop down to the right, it is blue and next to the date

I didn't use any IMSC codes, I went directly to the casino website to book my room. I booked 3 nights for a total of $145 including taxes.

Did you use casino points or something? Trying to understand how you could reserve at about $45 a night. If I attempted to reserve without using the IMSC link it was more expensive.

Like I wrote in my first post, I logged in with my Total Rewards Membership. I only played at one of their casinos once for about 30 minutes ($40 or so) and didn't acquire any major points that I know of but enough to get offered a comp. However, when I logged in and looked, they offered me 2 free nights but the 3rd I had to pay for plus small fees for the free nights .

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/2016 12:43AM by JASFLALMT.

Duly chastised, JASFLALMT. Sorry, working on a report and didn't take the time to scroll through all the posts. You got a great deal. I'll be sure to gamble a bit while in IN; maybe I can get a deal for LV in November as a result.

I just went to the website and looked. It looks like just about anyone can join the Total Rewards program for free (other than people under 21 and Missouri residents). I did it in person but it looks like you can just do it online if you want. Maybe they will offer new members room comps or discounts because they want you to come gamble at the casino?

Missouri residents can't join online. We have to actually go to the casino. I assumed you had played a little more since your offer was so much better than mine.

Nope, just the one time. Weird that my offer was better if you played there a lot, though.