You misunderstand. I have all the cards for the various casinos in order to get lower rates on rooms when traveling. I can't remember the last time I set foot on the casino floor

@LisaSTL wrote:

I can't remember the last time I set foot on the casino floor

I can only speak for Vegas, but I assume it works the same way; everywhere; If you just step into the casino and gamble $1 on a machine with your member card inserted, the system flags you as a gambler and you get a "casino" rate, rather than just a member rate. It's definitely worth losing $1 and you may end up winning something too...

Right, that's where I got the card, Vegas. It just happens that the Indiana Horseshoe is affiliated with other casinos. I do like to gamble a little bit and generally I've been pretty lucky.

The conference in Vegas is more cost effective for me. I booked my hotel with a 24 hour cancellation rate in case I can't find a car pool partner to go with me. I live about 4 - 5 hours from Vegas and it costs much less to drive than to fly.

So, I have a couple months to talk someone into going with me. I hate driving long distances alone.

I'm not a big gambler, but I do have a free room for Sunday night, and Monday too if I wanted to stay that long. What's making me hesitate is the $200 registration fee for the conference. I'm more interested in meeting MSC owners and networking than in taking classes on video, although I'm sure they're great... as a non-IMSC member, I haven't heard about which MSCs will be there, other than Clear Evaluations. Can someone post a roster, or is that allowed?

Just a note to say if you are coming to my backyard (VideoCon 2016) be sure to say "hi" to me! I'll be there.

@deelitefullyme wrote:

So, I have a couple months to talk someone into going with me. I hate driving long distances alone.

I thought you said it was only 4-5 hours

To some people, 4-5 hours is a long distance to drive. I, if it's 7 or more, will fly. I too would rather have company if I have to drive more than 3 hours.

I know I was just yanking their chain.

Dang Yankee. Or Yanker.

Anything over 3 hrs and I prefer a partner. A few years back I was driving a 4 hour stretch and the highway was so boring, I got hypnotized by the lines in the road. I actually hit the car in front of me. In my mind, I was pressing down on the auto brake but in reality I did not. No one got hurt and the old station wagon I hit was already banged up. The owner felt bad for me and followed me over to a diner and made me drink some coffee. That morning I had just left too early and had no distractions to stay awake. Now, I rarely drive very far alone, especially early morning.

Found out later there is actually a term for being hypnotized by the highway lines. I don't remember the name for it now though.

Highway hypnosis. Happens to truckers and other distance drivers frequently.

@pinchers81 wrote:

I'm not a big gambler, but I do have a free room for Sunday night, and Monday too if I wanted to stay that long. What's making me hesitate is the $200 registration fee for the conference. I'm more interested in meeting MSC owners and networking than in taking classes on video, although I'm sure they're great... as a non-IMSC member, I haven't heard about which MSCs will be there, other than Clear Evaluations. Can someone post a roster, or is that allowed?

Here is the program which will help you to see some of the companies attending as they are also speakers.
Saturday, May 14th 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Optional network event- (Please see IMSC Online registration)

Sunday, May 15th
7:45 AM to 8:00 AM
Continental breakfast
8:00 AM (IMSC member check in and networking)
8:15 AM (Non IMSC member check in and networking)

8:30 AM
Please find your seats for today’s announcements

Conference Hall:
8:45 AM to 9:30 AM
Presenting Matt Jones- Victory is a Marathon!
Keynote Inspirational Speaker and three time Cancer Survivor

Conference Hall:
9:45 AM to 10:45 AM
Taking a Look at Secret Shopping from the Perspective of the Business Owner
Darren Dennington- Service with Style

10:55 AM to 11:55 AM
Conference Hall:
"Champagne Image on a Lite Beer Budget"
Melinda Brody

(Registration desk closed at 12:00 PM-please see IMSC table for assistance)

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Lunch: Please enjoy a quick lunch at one of the great restaurants onsite.

Prize giveaways- 1:05 PM

1:15 PM to 1:45 PM
Conference Hall:
Faith Perceptions Introduction

Conference Hall:
2:00 PM to 3:15
I don’t do Facebook! (Bring your phone)
Ann D. Android- Servanne iPhone
Create the account-phones
Privacy
Jobs and groups- add one friend

2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Breakout session: Tunica A:
Dan Thomas
Intro to Video Shopping

2:45 PM to 3:15 PM
Breakout Session: Tunica A:
Beginners' Guide to pumping up you MS talents and earnings- Cilla R.

Conference Hall:
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
ShopMetrics- It is all about the Shopper!

No Breakout Session

Conference Hall:
4:45 PM to 5:30 PM
Shopper Panel- Route planning tips from three veteran shoppers
Acaysha D., Patricia T. Lori B.

Conference Hall:
5:45 PM to 6:30
For all companies and experienced shoppers:
“Huddle” Strategies for improving our industry.
Moderated by Astrid R.- A Closer Look


Monday, May 16th
7:15 AM to 7:30 AM
Continental breakfast
Registration check in

7:30 AM to 7:45 AM
Networking with Sponsors

7:45 AM
Please find your seats for today’s announcements

8:00 AM to 8:15 AM
Conference Hall:
What you think you know might be wrong
IMSC President and Vice President

8:20 AM to 8:50 AM
Conference Hall:
National Shopper Survey Results
Janet Fitzgerald Sipe- Service Connections, Inc.

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Note- 1 hour break for lunch at 12:00 PM)
Conference Hall:
Under Cover Video Training
The Dynamic Duo- Kathy Hart from Clear Evaluations and Melinda Brody from Melinda Brody and Company
Video training break down:
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM: New Homes- Melinda Brody
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM: Role Playing- Kathy Hart, Dan T.
11:30 AM to 11:55 AM: Equipment overview- GreyHawk Video Solutions
1:15 PM to 3:00 PM: Video Shopping Basics-Kathy Hart

9:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Conference Hall:
Video training continued

Breakout session: Tunica A:
Part 1:
Tax Tips for Mystery Shoppers- Matthew T.

Breakout session: Tunica B:
Learn how to park a car!
Scott from Servimer

9:45 AM to 10:15 AM
Conference Hall:
Video training continued

9:45 AM to 10:15 AM
Breakout session: Tunica A:
Part 2:
Tax Tips for Mystery Shoppers- Matthew T.

9:45 AM to 10:15 AM
Breakout session: Tunica B:
Operational Integrity and catching it on video
Scott from Servimer

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Conference Hall:
Video training continued

Breakout session: Tunica A:
Part 1:
Audits- Learn hands on how to do audits!
Carey Medina- GFK North America

Breakout session: Tunica B:
“How to be that Mystery shopper that every shop company wants”
Chantee Brown- Impact Marketing

11:15 AM to 11:55
Conference Hall:
Video training continued

Breakout session: Tunica A:
Part 2:
Audits- Learn hands on how to do audits!
Carey Medina- GFK North America

Breakout session: Tunica B:
Apartment shopping
The Shadow Agency team

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Lunch: Please enjoy a quick lunch at one of the great restaurants onsite.
(Registration desk closed at 12:00 PM-please see IMSC table for assistance)

Prize giveaways- 1:05 PM

1:15 PM to 1:45 PM
Conference Hall:
Video training continued

Breakout session: Tunica A:
Part 3:
Audits- Learn hands on how to do audits!
Carey Medina- GFK North America

Breakout session: Tunica B:
1:15 PM to 1:45 PM
Be prepared, don’t get busted
Betsy J.

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Conference Hall:
Video training continued

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Breakout session: Tunica A:
Technology
Kimberley B.

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Breakout session: Tunica B:
Who am I today? Managing aliases and unique follow-up information for those high paid shops!
Cilla R.

3:15 PM to 4:00 PM
Conference Hall: Company session
Sales is Marathon!
Keynote: Matt Jones

3:15 PM to 4:00 PM
Breakout session: Tunica A:
I am shopping a church!
Faith Perceptions

3:15 PM to 4:00 PM
Breakout session: Tunica B:
I'm the Kind of Person who.... Getting into the right mindset for each shop
Liz G.

4:15 PM to 5:00
Conference Hall:
Talon Video- Get the Power!
For all shoppers and companies!
Jonathan Przybyl- Creator and owner

5:15 PM to 6:00 PM
Conference Hall:
Safety Training
Yvette S.

Thank you! That's very helpful!

Also, it has been my experience that there always are folks from other MSCs who are not presenting, but are there to interact with shoppers. I would be very surprised if that was not the case this time.

You are correct Walesmaven, we do in fact have companies attending who are not speaking due to a full program.