MACNA XIX - Sept 14 - 16 - Who's going?! (And what it is) - Page 3

Misled · #51 08/24/2007, 09:34 PM

Here is another place some of you may be interested in. I haven't been there lately but one of the zoo photogs is going to send me some pics soon to post here. Oh and BUMP!!!

http://www.pittsburghzoo.com/zoo.asp?SectionID=3

sreefs · #52 08/24/2007, 10:28 PM

I will be there, my first. I bought a ticket when they first came available, told the wife we are going to Pittsburgh Sept 14 to visit the kids (we have two at Pitt) I am so broke! Should be a good time any way.
Pat

NanoGurl · #53 08/25/2007, 12:35 AM

Marc,

You're such a tease. I am proud.

melev · #54 08/25/2007, 12:53 AM

Tease or no tease - it doesn't make a difference to me as long as you show up. I've been promoting MACNA every year since 2002 because it is such a blast. And once people go, they finally understand why it is so much fun and make plans not to miss the next one.

Steven Pro · #55 08/25/2007, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Conceyted
Jaime and I (Chris) will be flying from New Orleans to Pittsburgh early Friday morning to arrive around noon. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn suggested on the Macna site, as we were late to plan and didn't get in in time to get a Raddison room. This will be our second Macna. I can't wait! The only part I am worried about is not having a car and having to rely on the shuttles to and from Macna and the Airport.

Just a heads up, the shuttle to and from the airport is not free. It is a third party fee based service. Since parking is free at all the hotels and because you can generally get good car rental rates from the many companies that are out by the airport, it could very well be cheaper and more convenient to rent a car while you are here.

Conceyted · #56 08/25/2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steven Pro
Just a heads up, the shuttle to and from the airport is not free. It is a third party fee based service. Since parking is free at all the hotels and because you can generally get good car rental rates from the many companies that are out by the airport, it could very well be cheaper and more convenient to rent a car while you are here.

Yea, I figured as much on the shuttle to and from the airport. I guess I will check on rental cars.

Misled · #57 08/25/2007, 05:51 PM

BUMP

OK, for another place to visit, this is a pic of one of the few inclines left in the world. Called the Duquesne Incline it goes from the south side by Station Square to the top of Mount Washington. At the top there are overlooks for one of the best views of the city available.

Jeffrey Porter · #58 08/25/2007, 08:29 PM

I guess i'll be the only crazy person coming from Bermuda then.

melev · #59 08/25/2007, 10:48 PM

Jesse, I rode one of those when I was in Switzerland. It really is a neat experience. Only trouble for me is that no matter what neat things the city has to offer, I'm too busy hanging out at the conference to see anything more than daylight when glancing out some windows.

Misled · #60 08/25/2007, 11:19 PM

Yea Marc, I figured that. I know a few are bringing family, and some of the loungers don't have the attention span to stay in one place for too long!

melev · #61 08/25/2007, 11:35 PM

That's true. Some bring their wives, who go off to discover the sights.

hahnmeister · #62 08/26/2007, 12:58 AM

It trips me out that this is the 'big' conference in the US... considering the size of the industry here you would think it would be huge. Some of the lesser known conferences in Germany alone draw 2000 people easily.

melev · #63 08/26/2007, 01:39 AM

Maybe because they don't have to travel as far or for as much money, they can do it. The public transportation system is so much better in Europe.

While there are 1000s of hobbyists in the U.S., you don't find their desire to attend MACNA mainly because they don't understand what it is like - yet.

I've seen posts over the years about "if it was over near my area, I'd go." The fact is, unless it is within a few hours' drive, no matter where it is you have travel expenses and hotel accommodations to pay for. The experiences and the knowledge you come home with is well worth those expenses, imho.

And even those that are local don't necessarily grasp what a treasure they have nearby. Which is why threads like these are posted. Hopefully they'll see it and decide to give it a shot. For them, they only have to worry about the entry fee because they can drive home each evening. Which is exactly what I did when MACNA was here on Fort Worth in 2002. A LFS in Calfornia asked me if I was going, and I explained that I didn't see what the big deal was nor did I want to spend the $150 to attend. I figured I could get LR with that money.

Fortunately I decided to attend, and the rest is history. Everyone can be just like me.

hahnmeister · #64 08/26/2007, 02:00 AM

Many of the people attending these conferences in the EU are from all around the world... Japan through South America... makes you wonder.

melev · #65 08/26/2007, 02:04 AM

I've never been to one over there, so I really can't say. Heck, I can't figure out why more over here don't go.

vessxpress1 · #66 08/26/2007, 09:18 AM

Marc, you gotta quit bumping this thread! Why dilute the raffles any further?

Misled: We'll definately be checking out that incline. That is sweet! Is it open on Sundays? We won't be leaving until Monday morning and MACNA's over at 2 p.m. so we'll have plenty of time to get over there Sunday afternoon if they're open.

Misled · #67 08/26/2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vessxpress1
Misled: We'll definately be checking out that incline. That is sweet! Is it open on Sundays? We won't be leaving until Monday morning and MACNA's over at 2 p.m. so we'll have plenty of time to get over there Sunday afternoon if they're open.

If you want to make a trip out in the evening, it runs quite late. There's also a few clubs and sports bars in Station Square.

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Saturday: 5:30 a.m. through 12:45 a.m.

[05:30 through 00:45 Eastern Time]

Sundays and Major Holidays*: 7:00 a.m. through 12:45 a.m.
[07:00 through 00:45 Eastern Time]

Andrew · #68 08/26/2007, 10:25 AM

What's the hours of the trade show? What time do the doors open and close?

Misled · #69 08/26/2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew
What's the hours of the trade show? What time do the doors open and close?

Here's a link to the schedule from MACNA's website, by trade show I think it is whats in the Exhibition Hall.

http://www.macna2007.com/schedule.htm

But that's just my opinion. I've never been to one of these things!!!

sreefs · #70 08/26/2007, 12:51 PM

Jesse
I will say the view from top of Mount Washington is beautiful at night. The incline is really neat to see how it works and was made.

melev · #71 08/26/2007, 02:59 PM

They have a Mount Washington in Pennsylvania? That's funny - I never knew that. You'd think such a Mount would exist either in Washington D.C. or Washington state.

melev · #72 08/27/2007, 06:55 AM

ckuhndog77 · #73 08/27/2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by copps
I'll be making the drive from VA...

I'll be there as part of the copps entourage

Thanks Melev for starting this thread.

reefkoi · #74 08/27/2007, 09:55 AM

It seems like the last 6 months went quick but now it feels like its a long ways out! I'm getting restless here, maybe I need to go buy some coral today LOL
Chris

melev · #75 08/27/2007, 04:22 PM

Who else is going? I think this thread isn't getting enough attention from the masses.