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2004 Annual
Conference and Expo
July 14-17, 2004
Sheraton Universal
Universal City, CaliforniaOn June 17, 2004, Events Coordinator Laura Billetdeaux held a chat about the 2004 Friends for Life conference to be held at the Sheraton Universal in Universal City, California.
Moderator (server) Thu Jun 17 08:00:00 PM EDT 2004
Our chat about the Friends for Life 2004 Conference starts at 9pm Eastern.
waz up everybody
Good evening! I'm here... let me know when you join the chat!
Our chat about Friends for Life 2004 Conference starts in 10 min in the 'LA2004' room.
hi anyone here?I m sonia from Brazil, I have a litle time to chat
Hi Sonia - I'm here. It usually takes awhile for a group of people to show up. There are 3 on right now... you, me and someone else who hasn't spoken up yet!
Is Ric done with school for the summer, or does he go to class all summer long? (some schools in the U.S. do this)
ok what time is in USA 20.57? here is 21.58
july in BRazil is not summer is cold ( not much) and he will rest until 2 august
Yes, 20.58
hi Laura :)
So, you will enjoy the heat in California. Right now it is beautiful in L.A. It could get up to 90 when we're there, though (I know, that's nothing for Brazil, eh?)
Hey Heather!
LA a big city, and the hotel is near the airport it takes how much time?
is the hotel near the ceter of the city ? hi Heather
LA is a huge city. The LA International airport is not near the center of the city, nor is it near the Sheraton Universal. It's about a 45 minute taxi or shuttle drive.
Sonia Cooper told about the insuflon waht do you know about is it easy to use
Time in the USA varies a lot, in California it is 3 hours earlier than the eastern US, 4 hours earlier than Brazil.
along the Hotel what we could see ? hi Barbie do you know brazil?have you heard about Brazil
Hi Sonia - The folks who have insuflon are not going to be at the conference, so I don't have any information to give you on that (although you can look on line). The exhibit hall is sold out, though... the first time this has ever happened. There will be so many tremendous things to look at and great people to talk to. The exhibit hall opens Weds at 6:00 and is open all day Thurs and most of the day Fri.
Hey Barbie
Sonia, the hotel (Sheraton Universal) is right next to Universal Studios (the theme park). You have to pay to get into Universal Studios, and we are all doing that on Saturday. City Walk is a really fun area with shops and restaurants - it is part of Universal Studios, but you don't have to pay to walk around or go in the places. That would be the best thing to do in down time.
hi all, sorry I am late!
Laura, I recall a trivia competition prior to the conference 2 years ago, anything like that happening this year?
Im mother Ricardo he is 14 and diabetes since 8
Tom Karlya from the DRI ran the trivia contest a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if he is going to do that this year - it's getting a little late!
Hey Lauren - How goes it in the world of volunteers? Do you still need help? Are the slots filling up or are there still big areas where we need assistance?
Sonia, I don't know much about Brazil. I have never been.
Laura, Burbank is the closest airport to Universal Studios isn't it? I wonder if they have flights to Brazil. Getting through LA can be difficult, it is so big and the traffic can be awful.
Ricardo is telling to look at his site http://www.sousurfista.blogger.com.br he did it , he is proud about ..
Hey Laura, I still have a LOT of slots to fill, but will be able to concentrate on filling them all next week when I am off. Still need moderators for most sessions
Sonia's tickets are already purchased through LAX. I also have to fly through LAX (from Detroit). Yes, it's a pain, but it's doable.
Laura- I don't have my quilt square done. Now that the kids and I are done with school, I'll have time to work on it, but is there any point this late in the game?
Lauren, can you desscribe to everyone what a moderator does? Lots of people will read the transcript of this chat tomorrow and might decide it's something they can do (it's very easy and straightforward...)
Yes, you may bring your quilt square to the conference, and as long as we have it in hand Weds morning when we are hanging the squares, we can include it. It won't be on the handout, but that's ok. At least it will be on display!
I won't be getting to the converence until Weds afternoon. Is it too late to send it to you?
Sonia, i looked at Ricardo's site. Looks good, but it is in a language i don't understand :) He likes surfing.
THE JOB OF A MODERATOR: A moderator puts on a way cool volunteer T-shirt, introduces our speaker with an introduction that we have written and will give to them at registration, so they have time to practice, and sits themself near the door in case a childcare runner needs a parent or the speaker needs something.
Barbie I don t know LA but I have heard about , it is so big and a huge traffic, In Rio de janeiro it is too dependes on the time you will have a huge traffic
If a childcare runner comes to a session, how does the moderator find the parent?
Hi, what did I miss??? You can stop talking about me now !! lol...
Send the quilt square directly to Brenda Hitchcock. As long as she gets it by July 1, you should be ok. I think they are shipping the quilt then.
SHHH everybody, she's here!
Do you think she saw what we said about her???
Hi Stacey.
Heather he loves surf it is in portuguese you can www.altavista .com and traslate
Hi Stacey
Sonia - You will be taking the Super Shuttle to the Sheraton Universal. You don't need to worry about the traffic. I recommend the Super Shuttle - it is reliable and runs frequently. You purchase the tickets right at the baggage area. Alternatively, you could take a taxi, but it might run you $50 or more, especially if you sit in traffic for a long time.
Laura, A couple of weeks ago I registered for some focus groups... and now I can't remember which ones.... and you've posted more ...and I don't wanna mis anything..
Hi Sonia, so glad you are coming back!
Hi lauren
Laura, how much is the super shuttle?
Hi Friends, Just came home from a vacation.....trying to catch up. I will be happy to be a moderator at one or two events. What ones do you need filled?
Laura - Thanks for updating the map of attendees' states. Still no one from Oregon?
The moderator interrupts the speaker to find the parent. It's fine. We do it all the time. This conference is about families and kids - if we can't interrupt to find a mom or dad, what good are we?
Nope, no one from Oregon, although now we have a family coming from Libya!
Hi all. I can't stay too long. I have to pick up Kathryn from babysitting. She's watching a family for whom Marissa sits. The oldest, now 7, I think, has diabetes and wears a pump. Dad's out of town so she asked if I could pick her up.
Hey Debbie - So why do you need a vacation? You live in Tahoe...
Lauren, $17 per person, $69 for a 7 pax van
Barbie- Ill be in Oregon, the weekend before the conference.. My MIL lives in Eugene...
The focus groups are filling up. Stacey, email me tonight and remind me to look up the 4 you signed up for... if you want to change, that's fine. Some are getting full.
Hi Debbie, most sessions are open, if you send me a list of your "must see" sessions, I will tell you if I need a moderator.... llanning@att.net
Thanks, Heather! I knew someone would have that info at their fingertips! Lauren, I know you are familiar with driving in L.A.... but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone - except maybe a NYC driver!
Thanks Laura
Laura, at the last chat, which you missed, Stacey volunteered to moderate EVERYTHING.
Lauren, I will review the sessions and email you over the weekend. Still unpacking and cleaning the house so I can find it...Dad and the boys were without me for 10 days!
Stacey - I live in California, but I was hoping that some of the Oregonians would make it to the conference.
Heather this price is LAX to the Hotel ?
Hey Laura, I used to drive a Limo in NYC.... LA is a piece of cake!
Sonia, yes that is what i was quoted
Let me take a moment to answer a few FAQ's for those who will be reading the transcript tomorrow:
1. Still room in childcare, but not a lot. Sign up now.
2. No registrations by mail after July 7; you'll need to register on site
3. Yes, the hotel block is full (actually the hotel was nice enough to add another 250 room nights at our reduced rate, but only until June 11, at which time they reverted back to their normal price structure). So, if you haven't reserved your room yet, please call the Sheraton to find out what the prices are. My guess is that the hotel will be entirely sold out by the time we arrive. This is good!
4. Focus Groups still have some room. If you are on site Weds, you should at least sign up for one. It's a way to get involved at a different level. And there are some great giveaways.
Thanks Brenda !!!
Laura, I miss youYes I need vacations, but Tahoe is not a bad home base! Mom's friend cancelled out on a cruise the week before sailing so my husband suggested I acompany her to N.Y. up the coast and all the way to Montreal. Fun time.
Laura - How about the banquet and Sat at Universal ???
Also, remember that if you drive your own car or have a rental vehicle, you have to park it somewhere... and that is pricey.
We're flying into burbank... Is there a shuttle from there??
how much to park at the sheraton?
Stacey, go to www.supershuttle.com and they have Burbank listed
Still about 75 spots left at the Banquet. Universal expanded our space for Saturday's dinner... we'll be spilling over into the Coke Soak area for outdoor seating. wonderful if it's a cool-ish day (as it's been the last week or so - in the 70's) - a bit warm otherwise. But it's shaded by umbrellas and will be evening, so we should be fine. Our entertainers will be outdoors as well as indoors, same food, etc.
Is there a fee to park your car at the Sheraton, beyond the hotel rate?
Laura - regarding item #3, June 11 is past so I assume the room prices have reverted to normal already?
Thanks Heather..
Hi Laura
Brenda- Have people been sending more quilts to you??
nice meeting you too Lauren
Correct. Room prices are now back to their rack rate. Someone emailed me to complain about that today. But, that's the contract. If we'd had rooms left over in the block, they would have reverted back to the hotel for sale on June 11, and hopefully the hotel would have been able to sell them. That's how group blocks work. One month out is generally the line in the sand.
Laura, Donnie wants to volenteer with IDYA at the conference, Do they need more help? Who should he contact?
Yes, there is a parking fee. I don't have the $$ at hand. I'll post it to the mailing list tomorrow when I hear back from them. Just sent them a query.
Hey Mary! Are Kara and Richie getting excited?
Donnie needs to contact Elizabeth Vanover. Does he have her email?
Stacey, we have received 3 quilts in the past two weeks. I'd love to get more, but I think the enthusiasm we had two years ago was short-lived. I still have about 60 of those "I plan to make a quilt for Pasadena" sheets for which I have not received quilts. I may never, but it's not a big deal.
They can't wait. I keep telling Richie to e-mail Sam. They are even starting to talk about Orlando next year.
He is not home, what is Eliizabeths email?
For kids who are in the 10-12 year range who want to help, we need help in the kids sessions and we also need childcare runners. I will email more details to the list soon
Brenda a session on how to make the quilts at the conference!
have anyone notice this:we all could talk each other using http://www.skype.com/
(when you don 't have chat)it is like ICQ you must have a microphone and it as a call phone;...it is for all of the world
Elizabeth Vanover is in charge of the IDYA staffing of the teen area (IDYA table by registration - they will be giving out info about IDYA and also they'll have a snow cone machine there, so I expect it will be busy!). Eliz's email is Elizabeth_V0088@hotmail.com (those are zeros)
Sonia, we deliberately have an online chat once a month before the conference so that we can post the transcript online for those who can't actually make it to the evening chat (lots of people can't). It's also a venue for me to be able to answer specific questions in a group format.
Debbie, we usually bring those blank squares and people can use fabric markers to write on them. That's about the best I can do. I'm not much of a seamstress!
Debbie - I was just thinking about that when your post appeared. We could use iron-on stuff and fabric pens. Not as meaty as most of the sessions, but might be good for people whose brains are too full for more info.
Hey, how comwe I got booted out....
We have some very cool people participating this year... Gary Hall, Jr will be back, fresh from his Olympic time trials. Kris Freeman (Olympic skier)... Zippora Karz... Hamish and Angus... and two pilots with type 1 diabetes, Douglas Cairns and Michael Hunter. Also, Nichole Johnson will be with us. These are all great role models for the kids... and I'm sure many of them will spend time dropping by child care so that the youngest kiddos don't miss out on the visits!
ok Billetdeaux, good
Brenda/Barbie, that might be a great kids session for a future conference!
shhhh, stop talking about stacey she found her way back!
Ialso got booted out
Jees is very excited to meet Gary Hall. he wants to show him how well and fast he swims ...lol...
Brenda - Maybe you should just pack up the extra quilt squares that Jeff's mom made, and bring those as first-come, first served... people can make their child's/family's quilt square right then and there...
hi paula! nice to see you again!
Lauren... I'm hiding the margaritas from you !!!
I got booted out, too. Oh well. That's progress, right? Brenda, tell Jeff his new system is burping at us.
Hey PJ!
He;s not right here or I'd tell him.
Hi Lauren cant wait till the conference.
Stacey has margaritas? I'll be looking for her!
Ok, sending myself an e-mail to pack the quilts! Well, I'm always losing the notes I write myself.
Just look by the pool... You can't miss me !!!
That really is a good idea for a kids session. I'll work on it for next year. Maybe get a sponsor for all those squares. The $$ adds up when you sew hundreds.
Brenda, sign me up for a square from grandmas stash. It will motivate me to get rolling on our square.
I must to sleep IN Brazil is 22.47 PM .tomorow I Must wake up early ( 5;30AM) have a good night and a good chat
Uh oh... I'd better be nice to Stacey
The Sheraton Universal is very 'contained.' Not spread out like the Coronado. One pool. One pool area (yes there is a bar outdoors and indoors). We'll have glucose tabs poolside. This hotel reminded Lauren and me of the Sheraton Safari (the place where we had our first gathering in 2000). Very family-friendly.
I don't think I can make next year's conference, but I'd love to help out with a quilt/fabric session next time it's in California.
Debbie - Just bring a big iron-on photo of donnie from Italy. They do those at Kinkos and other places... you bring the photo, they create the iron-on. Get the quilt square from Brenda... iron Donnie onto it... decorate with permanent markers. Best to do this before the margaritas...
I need to sign off to pick up Kathryn. Marissa's babysitting, too, a new family. They have a 5 yr. old on MDI, dx'd 6 mos. ago. Marissa now sits for 4 families who have kids with D. BYE See you in L.A.
Bye, Brenda. Looking forward to meeting you in LA
I think this will be a great venue for socializing... I love the layout of this hotel... I think this will be one of the best
And who's gonna iron all the squares???
Laura, Are the Finch's coming to the conference?
bye brenda!
I think so too.
Julia and Deb Slaby are our ironing mavens!
Ok - just heard back from the Sheraton (wow, that was fast) - parking rates:
DAILY: Self Parking $8.00 Valet $12.00
OVERNIGHT Self Parking $12.00 Valet $17.00
Debbie - Interested perhaps in Brendan coming? He has been the MRP (Most Requested Person) at the conference. Yes, the Finch's are coming. Cheryl wasn't positive Brendan could come for the entire time. They live locally, so they'll drive in each day.
Thanks Laura!
Laura, the "ARTIST" in me really is more creative after the margaritas. By the way where and when , should I bring the salt and limes?
and I'll bring some chocolate too !!!
Lauren - did you get another person to help me with the moderators???
Debbie - Well, do the ironing first anyway!
I'll bring an empty glass :)
Not yet, but I am off of work next week, I will find someone. I have been insanely busy lately
Chocolate AND margaritas? Is such decadence allowed?
me too !!
Heather- No empty glasses ... they HAVE to be full !!
not only is it allowed, it's encouraged
gotta go get Jess to bed .. CYA soon !!!
For those of you coming early... we have nearly 160 rooms reserved on Tuesday night, which means that lots of folks will be there around the pool on Tuesday and Weds. Nearly 60 families on Monday night. This was a surprise to me - a very pleasant one. I love when families hang out early. It's a great time for the kids to get to know each other.
Laura O.K. you are right about the ironing. What day are we margaritaing? Re: the Finches, just miss them and havn't had time to correspond with the whole family.
We are margaritaing every day!!!
i like that word!
Ok... someone bring iced tea with lemon. I don't 'do alcohol' during the conference, but I do like to have a drink by the pool! So... someone please bring a pitcher. Lemon and equal. Lots of ice.
One more note... There isn't anything formal planned for Friday night. I think the teens will probably want to do something as a group (i.e., go to City Walk to hang out and have dinner). If you have a teen - plan for this. They will be fine - we'll make sure some adults go along, and City Walk is serviced by the shuttle from the hotel. Just a word to prepare you. (You are welcome, of course, to go along...that is, if your teens allow it; mine don't)
ok, i apologize ahead of time for going off topic..... but i am looking at this banner and have had no time for the parents list.... has anyone tried the new Inset infusion set?
Actually, it's not off-topic! The Unomedical focus group will have the kids looking at the new Inset and getting feedback from them. (that's just one of their topics). Also, Unomedical will have a booth and will be showing it, as will Animas. I saw this set when it was under development, and I really liked it - so did Sam.
Anyway... it's 10:00 and you are granted permission to go off-topic. The chat is officially 'closed' and the room will stay open for a bit for those who wish to continue talking. Thanks, Everyone! G'night!
Laura, Is there anything else you will need for the conference? As I will be driving to L.A I will be glad to help you out.
sorry, making dinner... doubt its available in Canada
Between volunteering (or working) and attending sessions, when is there time to try out all this intriguing new stuff?
So if the teens go to CIty Walk, what do the parents who are left behind do? Party by the pool?
Debbie - Actually, if you will have a vehicle on site, we might ask you to help with transporting people/things as needed. I'm not going to have a vehicle at all, nor is Jeff, although his brother lives nearby. So, anyone who can help with driving as needed would be appreciated.
Go out to dinner. You can go to City Walk, too. There's a wonderful jazz/piano bar. Some fabulous places to eat. I like getting a table outside and people-watching while I have dinner.
I try to sneak into the exhibit hall while everyone is in sessions... i can see everything that way in 30 minutes! becoming a pro at this
YOu bet, I will be in a Suburban, seats eight.
The City Walk is great... and it is really walking distance from the hotel.
Laura - dinner outside sounds lovely. BTW, I'll have a pickup parked at the hotel, if you need stuff moved.
The pickup seats 5 passengers.
Yes, but don't follow Lauren. She goes through ravines and things (when there is an easy bridge across).
LOL! Where is your sense of adventure, Laura???
going to eat dinner, cya'll in a month :)
bye everyone! I need to put kiddos to bed. Can't wait to be margaritaing by the pool with you all!
Sense of adventure? Hmmm... I'll try the cannoli...
I'm heading off as well. Please email me privately if you have questions: Laura.Billetdeaux@childrenwithdiabetes.com
I'm off to dinner (California time). Can't wait to see everyone.
See you all in July
This room will close in five minutes. Please move to a new room.
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Last Updated: martes octubre 07, 2008 16:17:41
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