[SteveThePirate]

Well, it is from January 18-20. Here's the very unhelpful Cubs.com page
Cubs convention page

Anyone going?
Is there a Cubscast booth again this year?
Anything else?
_________________

[Herby]

I got a weekend pass as a Christmas gift... never been there before, and I really dont know what to expect, but I'll be there.

[neverbesocial]

Awesome! I'll be there too. I have an awesome girlfriend who got me the perfect gifts...tickets to the cubs convention and an Ernie Banks jersey

Don't know what to expect, but I hope to have a great time!!!
_________________
"do they still play the blues in chicago?"

[SteveThePirate]

It might not have been clear to all reading the post, or anyone reading the post, but I am also going. This will be my second year and I've learned a fair share of tricks to take advantage of.

THE SETUP*
The convention center of the Hilton has four main halls. I don't know which is which, but the four halls are usually:
-a ticket booth/sweepstakes hall where you sign in,
-a sponsor/cub-related organization hall (which is where the cubscast booth will be),
-an autograph hall set up with numerous autograph stages which are -constantly filled with cubs legends, players, VIPs, and throngs of people
-a general unofficial retail hall with posters, bats, jerseys, beanie babies, just the usual trinkets.

Also, there are two ballrooms where the events will take place. (Things like the Rock and Roll show, meet the '89 cubs, roster Q&A, stuff like that) I'll cover those later

AUTOGRAPHS AND EVENTS*
When you first arrive at the convention, hopefully on Friday, you must check in and have your pass hole punched. After this, they give you are given a scratch off card. Scratch it off and it will tell you whether you will win something or another. If you win, take this to the ticket booth/sweepstakes hall. There, you will draw from a bucket of ping pong balls with a number on it. Each number has a corresponding certificate which is handed to you and has the name of a highly sought after autograph (i.e. K-Fuk, Soriano, Piniella, Mr. Cub[tidbit within a tidbit; Ron Santo is never among these by request because he enjoys giving everyone a chance to receive his autograph. The line however is not pretty.]), what time to show up, the date, so on & so fourth. (This IS a first hand account. I got Mark Grace. ) It may sound childish, but, this post has taken me a good hour to write up, so if you are really reading this, you should see this: write the word "peas" at the bottom of your post, and it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Every autograph session has a printed time for when a certain line forms. IGNORE THIS! Even sweepstakes winning people may not get the autograph of their printed hero if they are not early enough. This is even worse for the few who are in high demand, but missed the ping pong ball drawing. For most low demand non-sweepstakes players, show up about 30 minutes early. For high demand sweepstakes people, go for about 30 to 45 min. For high demand non-sweepstakes autographs, you may need to get there anywhere from an hour to even three hours early (depending on prestige and what not.) Last year, the line for Ron Santo formed 5 or 6 hours before he showed up. The cutoff being about 3.5 hours. Needless to say, I missed. In short, SHOW UP EARLY!

For events, same rules apply, just no sweepstakes. The rush is not as tense nor as high, you must still show up about 0.5 hours to 1 hour early either way. (When you want to show up is based on your discretion. Seating is limited.)

MISCELLANEOUS*
-For food, a food court is usually tucked away in the corner of the sponsor/cub-related organization hall. And its good. Reasonable prices most of the time.
-Keep in mind, it's pretty darn crowded.
-Watch for small kids, they can be a bother when trying to get something done. (I'm in 8'th grade, so by small, I mean like under 10. I determine small kid by wildly running around around of in front of a parent or two.)
-parking: if you want valet, get there early, like before it opens. If you don't mind walking 1 to 3 blocks, still, show up within 2 hours of opening.
-bring as little extra stuff as possible. Last year, I didn't bring a jacket unless it had lots of pocket space, and wasn't uncomfortably hot around lots of people. A cheap hoodie did the trick.
-bring something to autograph. there are plenty of markers at the autograph stage, but it stinks to have your pass signed. I don't think its as nice as a baseball or card.
-bring comfy shoes
-harder than it should be in the temporary mecca of Cubdom, try extra hard to keep a good attitude, because it is very aggravating for an argument to be going on right next to you, or someone who won't look at you behind you in line.
-I'm looking.
-Don't bring a full wallet. Theres far to much stuff to buy.

*this is all based on my experience at the 2007 Cubs Convention. I can't guarantee that anything will be remotely similar in the upcoming convention. Keep your fingers crossed.

TTFN, ta ta for now.
_________________

[Herby]

great post, thanks steve.

[neverbesocial]

Wow, that sounds really interesting. Thanks for the head up SteveThePirate. I'm really excited and will be there super early


hahahaha , peas
_________________
"do they still play the blues in chicago?"

[SteveThePirate]

You sadden me Herby. That post was a labor of love.
I'll leave it to you to find out what I mean.
_________________

[Herby]

damnit my bad

[SteveThePirate]

still waiting...
(four little letters Herby!)
_________________

[CubscastLou]

Sheps and I are going to be covering the convention on Friday and Saturday, but unfortunately Cubscast will not have a booth in the exhibit hall this year. We wanted to try something a little different this year -- attend more sessions, try to get a few more player interviews, not be stuck behind a booth for 3 days, etc.

We love meeting listeners (including some of you last year) and we're going to try to come up with a couple times where we'll be hanging out in the hotel lobby or at a nearby bar (for those of you 21+) where we can meet up and say hi. I'm sure we'll see many of you around the convention.

We're looking forward to it! And I'm very shocked that no one has recommended the peas at the convention. They're top notch.
_________________
Lou
http://cubscast.com

[SteveThePirate]

If you remember, I was the one who was put into the position of VP of marketing by Sheps. I also remember that I was impersonated later by someone trying to voice their opinion on the fate of MLB Extra Innings.

EDIT: I found it. The first two comments are by, um, someone who isn't me. The third one is mine. Me being opinionally, if thats a word, and digitally impersonated by a mystery cubscast listener
My real opinion is it was a good financial move, but it doesn't exactly help, or hurt the show .
_________________

[Herby]

For the record I really hate peas.

[SteveThePirate]

WOO HOO!
_________________

[Nate]

Wow, that was my TESTIFY! on the Strode shirt. I had no idea. Here's my TESTIFY for the 2008 season:

"Since quitting my job, I can wear whatever Cubscast shirt I damn well please. Now while my wife brings in a steady paycheck, I can sit around in my Masochist shirt and concentrate on growing a beard before Opening Day."

I wish I could grow a beard.

edit: Oh! and PEAS. Great post.

[Maddux31Braves]

Let's hope Winning and 2008 can be like Peas and Carrots for the Cubs.


Did I stretch that too far?
_________________
Changed back for Lou

[SteveThePirate]

[CubscastLou]

Hope to see a few of you tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at 3:00. Sheps and I will be in the restaurant/bar area on the ground floor of the hotel, near the corner of Michigan Ave and Balbo.

Have a safe trip, anybody traveling to Chicago. It's so Farnsworth cold.
_________________
Lou
http://cubscast.com

[neverbesocial]

The Cubs Convention was great. It was everything I thought it would be and then some... I wish I would've been able to meet up with you guys but I was caught up standing in line for someone's autograph....those lines were ridiculous. I truly enjoyed the meetings and q and a's. Definitely worth the price of admission
_________________
"do they still play the blues in chicago?"

[Herby]

yeah I spent alot of time in the autograph lines... got some good ones too... I was planning on making it out to grab a drink at 3 on Saturday with the hosts, but Rich Hill was signing at 3:30 lol

[The Baseball Zealot]