2005 HVAC-Talk Convention Details

[BC1]

When: August 26 - 28, 2005

Where: Baltimore Inner Harbor area

Who's Invited: HVAC enthusiasts, their spouses and generally anyone else who likes to have a good time.

Hosts/Planners: RoBoTeq, Diceman, and the other regulars at H-Talk.

Activities Planned:
- Crab Fest and Midnight Cruise on Saturday Night
- Drinking, talking, sharing, and fun for all ages!

Recommended Hotel:

Renaissance Harborplace Hotel
202 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD
800-535-1201
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=BWISH

There are plenty of other hotels nearby as well.

If you plan on attending, simply REPLY to this message.

[Edited by BC1 on 05-28-2005 at 11:00 AM]

[spotts]

That'd be 2 for Spotts. If Jado can't make it cause of babies....... Dad says he'll go.


Busy hotel, I'll try again later.

[Edited by spotts on 05-27-2005 at 05:06 PM]

[HVAC Pro]

Sounds like fun. A craf fest and fur for everyone? I'm liking it more and more!

[benncool]

Thats what my mother in law calls me---- "Fur head"

[benncool]

It is 6:30 AM on Saturday. I called the 800 # and the gentleman does not show a block of rooms under "H-Talk" or "HVAC-Talk" at Baltimore. But being that it is early I got the world wide reservation center. Is there a confirmation # or contact person at the hotel?

I will call Jack later. I'd call him now but it is like 3:30 in the morning in Colorado. He is probably up feeding the baby but I better wait anyway. :D.

[-80guru]

I am interested in attending.

[refrtech]

I'll be there !! :) Again Robo anything I can do to help just let me know.

[Diceman]

You should have no problem writing off this trip either.

[James 3528]

I see this thing gets planned in the full swing of the hot season.

[jrbenny]

They Yankees and Canucks are getting slow by then.

[James 3528]

Yep.

[RoBoTeq]

There is no good time of the year for everyone so we have to go with the best time for the region that the convention is being hosted in. May we have someone from the South host the 2006 convention?

I have just received the contract for the group block and have not yet submitted it. Our contacts name is Jim Keenan, so if you are making a reservation now, mention his name and have "H-Talk Convention" put on the reservation somewhere so we can change it over to the group block.

Please email me your real names if you are making reservations before the paperwork goes through. That way I can let Jim Keenan know whose reservations to trasfer.

[RoBoTeq]

Looking over this group contract I do not like the way it is set up. This contract is requiring a guarantee of payment for 15 rooms at $189 per night.

If you call the hotel direct you can get a regular rate of $199 per night on an individual basis. If you use a AAA membership you get 20% off which makes the room rate $159 per night, a savings of $80 for the weekend.

Even if you don't have AAA, you can get it for less then $80 and still come out ahead.

I have emailed Jim Keenan of my concerns but really think we are better off booking individual rooms at $199 plus AAA discount. Some of us may have other discounts available. Either way, the group rate with having to go through a contract seems to not be in our best interest.

I still think this is the best hotel to stay at for its central location to everything.

[James 3528]

Originally posted by RoBoTeq
There is no good time of the year for everyone so we have to go with the best time for the region that the convention is being hosted in. May we have someone from the South host the 2006 convention?



Certainly on a HV and >>>>>> AC forum,.... post Dog Days isn't that great a time. Late September would have been a great time unless the objective is to splinter this thing. Maybe you guys can just call it a Ghost Convention with your Casper looking pasty white legs.

[spotts]

you just shot up to Pittsburgh last year. Like were going to change everything for you just to not show again. It's a freaking weekend James. If you cant have one of those in the summer, you dont need a vacation, you need counciling and help with your biz!!!! LOL!

Friday nite, Saturday, and go home on Sunday. Hell your dogs wouldn't even notice you were gone in that short time.......

[RoBoTeq]

James has dogs?

[RoBoTeq]

We have several Marylanders on the forum who are familiar with the Inner Harbor. I think it would be best to have input from all of us so those not familiar with the area will have a more diverse opinion of what is best to do.

I would even like to meet with some of the other Marylanders just to walk the area one day to familiarize ourselves with all that is available and how accessable it all is.

There is a possibility that I won't even be a Marylander in August.

[James 3528]

The other problem is Maryland. Too close to New Jersey and the rest of those communist strong holds up there. One usually thinks of those little bumps in the road as the place New York City dumps their garbage.

[square2round]

Originally posted by RoBoTeq
May we have someone from the South host the 2006 convention?


I'll help in that. How about on the beach?

I'd love to come up this year. If I still lived in Pittsburgh, that wouldn't be a problem. I'm flying home three times, back to back to back next month and into July which is taking a nice chunk out of my savings. Although, my mouth is watering at the sound of Maryland crab cakes. :D

[RoBoTeq]

Beaches are good. We could have had this one at one of the many beaches in Maryland but those areas are tougher to get to.

Maryland is a great State for places to visit. From mountains to seashores to rolling hills Maryland has every geographical feature except natural lakes. It seems that when you have one of the largest estuary's running through the middle of your state being fed into by rapidly rising streams and rivers it is difficult for a natural lake to form. Not to worry though, Maryland has plenty of man made lakes from the multitude of dams built to hold back mountain stream runoff water.

I may not like the general politics that eminates from the Baltimore/DC corridor, but that is not depictive of the rest of Maryland. The vast farmlands and livestock areas of Maryland are dominated by fairly conservative people.

I suggest we make James the host of the 2006 convention and let him choose the date. I can get away for a weekend anytime of the year and I hear there are parts of Georgia that don't smell like swamp gas.

[James 3528]

Originally posted by spotts
you just shot up to Pittsburgh last year. Like were going to change everything for you just to not show again. It's a freaking weekend James. If you cant have one of those in the summer, you dont need a vacation, you need counciling and help with your biz!!!! LOL!

Friday nite, Saturday, and go home on Sunday. Hell your dogs wouldn't even notice you were gone in that short time.......

Dog days is a term for the part of summer that goes back to ancient astronomy. Duh.

[James 3528]

Originally posted by RoBoTeq
Beaches are good. We could have had this one at one of the many beaches in Maryland but those areas are tougher to get to.

Maryland is a great State for places to visit. From mountains to seashores to rolling hills Maryland has every geographical feature except natural lakes. It seems that when you have one of the largest estuary's running through the middle of your state being fed into by rapidly rising streams and rivers it is difficult for a natural lake to form. Not to worry though, Maryland has plenty of man made lakes from the multitude of dams built to hold back mountain stream runoff water.

I may not like the general politics that eminates from the Baltimore/DC corridor, but that is not depictive of the rest of Maryland. The vast farmlands and livestock areas of Maryland are dominated by fairly conservative people.

I suggest we make James the host of the 2006 convention and let him choose the date. I can get away for a weekend anytime of the year and I hear there are parts of Georgia that don't smell like swamp gas.

Swamp gas or garbage from New York and Dairy Cow poopoo. I'll take the swamp. :)

[Swampfox]

Originally posted by James 3528
Swamp gas or garbage from New York and Dairy Cow poopoo. I'll take the swamp. :)

Me too :D

How about Myrtle Beach for '06

[square2round]

Originally posted by swampfox
How about Myrtle Beach for '06

I haven't been to Myrtle since 2000. I was thinking either there or Hilton Head. :D

[James 3528]

Originally posted by swampfox
Originally posted by James 3528
Swamp gas or garbage from New York and Dairy Cow poopoo. I'll take the swamp. :)

Me too :D

How about Myrtle Beach for '06

What time would be the most inconvenient time for the Yankees? What's the height of the wood burning stove repair and thermocouple change out season?

[RoBoTeq]

Quityer*****in and do something constructive for a change. Maybe some left coasters or Northern exposures can get us East siders on a long haul in 2006.

[James 3528]

Originally posted by swampfox
Originally posted by James 3528
Swamp gas or garbage from New York and Dairy Cow poopoo. I'll take the swamp. :)

Me too :D

How about Myrtle Beach for '06

Swampy, I have the secret siege map of the Baltimore Inner Harbor and Renaissance Harborplace Hotel ready. The Confederate navy will deal with the Crab Fest and Midnight Cruise on Saturday Night and there won't be any drinking, talking, sharing, and fun for all ages! Share this with no one. I even bought a smart bomb from the French, the Confederate Airforce is gonna drop it.

SECRET MAP
http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvac1/8951_baltimoredowntown__7.GIF

[benncool]

Originally posted by square2round
Originally posted by swampfox
How about Myrtle Beach for '06

I haven't been to Myrtle since 2000. I was thinking either there or Hilton Head. :D

For 2006, I sort of volunteered to host that one up here in the Green Mountains. But that is not set in stone.

I'm like a dog. Put me in the car and I'll go anywhere and be happy. :D

[htinglky]

yea, lke AARP. damm

[James 3528]

Originally posted by benncool
Originally posted by square2round
Originally posted by swampfox
How about Myrtle Beach for '06

I haven't been to Myrtle since 2000. I was thinking either there or Hilton Head. :D

For 2006, I sort of volunteered to host that one up here in the Green Mountains. But that is not set in stone.

I'm like a dog. Put me in the car and I'll go anywhere and be happy. :D

Actually I would be up for that if it were around September. Always wanted to see the Bennigton Memorial Vibrator. Nothing like that in Baltimore.

[Swampfox]

LOL James, are there any swamps to disappear into after the ambush?

I might be able to make it to Baltimore since its only 8 hours drive, Vermont is a little far as airplanes and I dont get along, left coast is out of the question, either way one of these years Ill be glad to host one in Myrtle

[benncool]

Originally posted by swampfox
LOL James, are there any swamps to disappear into after the ambush?

I might be able to make it to Baltimore since its only 8 hours drive, Vermont is a little far as airplanes and I dont get along, left coast is out of the question, either way one of these years Ill be glad to host one in Myrtle

There is a section in Myrtle Beach that we call "Little Bennington" There are a whole bunch of Benningtonians that "flock" down there in the month of March. Of all the places that we could go to, Myrtle Beach just kind of has that laid-back feeling of Bennington. And it is a lot closer than Florida.

[James 3528]

Originally posted by benncool
Originally posted by swampfox
LOL James, are there any swamps to disappear into after the ambush?

I might be able to make it to Baltimore since its only 8 hours drive, Vermont is a little far as airplanes and I dont get along, left coast is out of the question, either way one of these years Ill be glad to host one in Myrtle

There is a section in Myrtle Beach that we call "Little Bennington" There are a whole bunch of Benningtonians that "flock" down there in the month of March. Of all the places that we could go to, Myrtle Beach just kind of has that laid-back feeling of Bennington. And it is a lot closer than Florida.

Does it feel that way because everyone has white legs and their socks pulled up to their knees?

[Diceman]

I thought 06 is in Bennington, after that maybe go south.
If it was in Savannah in October, James wouldn't show up anyway.

[Diceman]

Anyway,as far as the hotel bookings, last year was no great deal either, the prise they gave me was the same as the internet listing......whoopee........ that's why I just booked my own already, those places are all screwy and in August on a weekend, you ain't gonna get any great bargain at some of em.

[Diceman]

Also is you opt for the AAA discount, you get charged for the rooms right away and if you cancel you lose one nights stay and some other things. Check it out, read the rates and rules before you make the reservation. I think I am leaving mine as is for now at $199.
Unless Robo can twist the guys arm or something.

[epacertified]

DICEMAN
I am interested in this years Convention.
I live in NJ
I joined the talk site june 2004
How many attended last year and how many are you expecting this year?

[RoBoTeq]

Originally posted by benncool
For 2006, I sort of volunteered to host that one up here in the Green Mountains. But that is not set in stone.


Is now!

[RoBoTeq]

James; your map has the Convention Center being attacked. That will make for a neat light display for us at the hotel three blocks away.

[James 3528]

Originally posted by RoBoTeq
James; your map has the Convention Center being attacked. That will make for a neat light display for us at the hotel three blocks away.

Thank you. I will adjust the attack! You were in the Coast Guard, right?

[RoBoTeq]

Not exactly :D Just move your coordinates approximately three blocks due east and you'll get us all.

[dhvac]

he got his "smart bomb" from the french we are not in any kind of danger anyway :D

[small change]

Not a Baltimorian, or even a Marylander

I do get too Baltimore every year or so

The inner harbor has a pretty good mexican restaurant with a patio overlooking the harbor, also a couple of other restaurants....maybe a bbq all overlook the harbor. There is shopping in that bldg and also in the bldg next to it, where they also have a great variety of fast food restaurants, Phillips seafood there is a deli and others too numerous to mention. It is a great place to grab some food, go outside and people watch. The ESPN zone is over by Barnes and Noble in some old silos

There is a Harbor taxi that for one price you can ride all day and into the night. We usually ride it over to Fells Point. There is a great number of little shops and places to lift a few pints. One of those place would be Bertha's Mussels. It also has a great little Bar which would be perfect for you guys to hoist a few. You can also ride the Harbor Taxi to Fort McHenry.....Just make sure you get onto the correct one

[ct_hvac_tech]

I want to go but I'mn not sure I will be able to.

Maryland is only like a 6 hour drive from here, but not sure if I will be living here or not at the time. Having some family issues (Imagine that) and the next time they piss me off, I'm renting a uhaul and headed home.

However, if I am still here, I would like to attend.

[Diceman]

Originally posted by epacertified
DICEMAN
I am interested in this years Convention.
I live in NJ
I joined the talk site june 2004
How many attended last year and how many are you expecting this year?
We only had about 25 last year, total.
But it was the first one soooooooo, anyway, just follow this forum right here to see what goes this year.

[otto]

So does Baltimore have a "signature" sammich?????
http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvac1/8371_32.jpg

[square2round]

Just a guess, but I'd have to say some kind of crabcake sandwich. Although it wouldn't compare to a Primanti Bros.

[refrtech]

http://www.joegrossberg.com/archives/001379.html
This place is great . Has anyone ever seen the bumper sticker "Eat Berthas Mussels" ? That is the place !! They also have some of the best crabcake sandwich's on the East Coast.

[otto]

I'm in. Wifey's coming too. Room is reserved.

[Edited by otto on 05-30-2005 at 05:11 PM]

[RoBoTeq]

All right Otto. I'm glad she didn't mind my hanging up on her :D Or is she coming to kick my butt for hanging up on her?

Baltimore signature foods don't really include a sandwich that I can think of. Maryland fried chicken, Maryland crab soup, cream of crab soup, crab cakes, which can be eaten in a sandwich but most just eat them with crackers.

Maybe you could consider the soft crab sandwich a Baltimore sandwich. Most people cannot get up the nerve to eat them. Just picture a sandwich with eight legs sticking out all over.

[otto]

Originally posted by RoBoTeq
Just picture a sandwich with eight legs sticking out all over.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[otto]

My favorite is a sammich with 2 legs, but that's another story.......

[RoBoTeq]

Originally posted by otto
My favorite is a sammich with 2 legs, but that's another story.......

That is called a furburger and is quite popular here in Maryland. Can be quite sloppy to eat so are usually eaten in private.

[John(Chicago)]

I say "party a James house",.. he's got a new patio,.. and that neat tiki bar too.... BYOB... bring your own *****es

[RoBoTeq]

You'd have to BYOB, plus get one drunk enough to stay with James.

[spotts]

any of you got yer plane tix yet? How far is it to the hotel from the airport? Who's your major airline? I took a "Harbor View" room @229. Can't wait.

[Edited by spotts on 06-13-2005 at 05:16 PM]

[spotts]

Originally posted by benncool
It is 6:30 AM on Saturday. I called the 800 # and the gentleman does not show a block of rooms under "H-Talk" or "HVAC-Talk" at Baltimore. But being that it is early I got the world wide reservation center. Is there a confirmation # or contact person at the hotel?

I will call Jack later. I'd call him now but it is like 3:30 in the morning in Colorado. He is probably up feeding the baby but I better wait anyway. :D.


They never heard of us today neither Jerry. Oh well, I just booked it. I can cancel up to 4:00 on the 26th. I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET THE CRABS!

[refrtech]

Originally posted by spotts
Originally posted by benncool
It is 6:30 AM on Saturday. I called the 800 # and the gentleman does not show a block of rooms under "H-Talk" or "HVAC-Talk" at Baltimore. But being that it is early I got the world wide reservation center. Is there a confirmation # or contact person at the hotel?

I will call Jack later. I'd call him now but it is like 3:30 in the morning in Colorado. He is probably up feeding the baby but I better wait anyway. :D.


They never heard of us today neither Jerry. Oh well, I just booked it. I can cancel up to 4:00 on the 26th. I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET THE CRABS! I will be picking up shaun66 @ 8:00am on Friday. You are more than welcome to a ride as well as anyone else.

[Stamas]

Pick me up at Harborsides.

[Stamas]

Originally posted by otto
So does Baltimore have a "signature" sammich?????
http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvac1/8371_32.jpg

My wife just made me one for my lunch tomorrow with leftover softcrabs from dinner tonite.
I should unwrap it & take a pic.
Not exactly a Baltimore signiture sub, but definely my wife version of an Eastern Shore favorite!

BC1. Made the reservation at that hotel so I guess you can count me in.

[refrtech]

Originally posted by Stamas
Originally posted by otto
So does Baltimore have a "signature" sammich?????
http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvac1/8371_32.jpg

My wife just made me one for my lunch tomorrow with leftover softcrabs from dinner tonite.
I should unwrap it & take a pic.
Not exactly a Baltimore signiture sub, but definely my wife version of an Eastern Shore favorite!

BC1. Made the reservation at that hotel so I guess you can count me in. I would love to see the faces of guys seeing a softshell crab sandwich for the first time !! It is great to see "non-Marylanders" faces the first time they see the legs hangin out of the bread. :)

[spotts]

and ya eat the bones?

[Diceman]

I love good softshell crabs, get em a few times a year.
One restaurant I did work for, got em in fresh, kinda creepy seeing them in his walk in, still moving, till they hit the grill I mean..........:D

[spotts]

Originally posted by refrtech



They never heard of us today neither Jerry. Oh well, I just booked it. I can cancel up to 4:00 on the 26th. I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET THE CRABS! [/B]

I will be picking up shaun66 @ 8:00am on Friday. You are more than welcome to a ride as well as anyone else. [/B][/QUOTE]


Can do! What airline?????? I'm going to cheap tix.com and do a quick look.



Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmm. We'll see. I have to board a plane @ 11:50 PM Thursday in Denver to get there @ 8:35 Fri. $820.00 for the both of us. Owwww-eeeeee!
Airport is BWI. Is that the best choice?

[Edited by spotts on 06-14-2005 at 12:09 PM]

[Stamas]

I'll try & schedule so I can help with the airport duties.

[refrtech]

Is there a certain block of rooms for us yet ? I am making reservations now but want to make sure I am near the rest of the nut cases . :)

[RoBoTeq]

Originally posted by refrtech
Is there a certain block of rooms for us yet ? I am making reservations now but want to make sure I am near the rest of the nut cases . :)

I gave up on blocking the rooms. You can get a much better deal on your own. Also, the hotel wanted me to be responsible for paying for any rooms that were not booked or used...yea right! Hell, there are some here that would not show up just to screw me over :D

[Diceman]

Originally posted by refrtech
Is there a certain block of rooms for us yet ? I am making reservations now but want to make sure I am near the rest of the nut cases . :)
Speak for yourself...

[refrtech]

I was Dice :) !! The room is reserved now :)

[Diceman]

I have a hot tub and full bar in my room, plus free massages and a continental breakfast.

[Carnak]

Tell Robo to put on the kabooki make up before he gives you that back rub.

[RoBoTeq]

Originally posted by Carnak
Tell Robo to put on the kabooki make up before he gives you that back rub.

How could you even finish typing that without puking on your keyboard thinking about it? Oh well; "If the moneys there, we don't care".

[DeltaT]

Since you guys are going to be in my old neighborhood I have a small request. I know you are going there for fun mainly but I sure wish that we all could head in a more business like direction with having a few small serious meetings or sessions about such things as proper pricing of service, gross profit, customer relationships (not the kind most of your guys are thinking this very moment), licensing and laws regulating us, and any other subjects that comes to mind.

Besides, the IRS requires 4.5 hours per day of business before you can write this trip off as business anyway.

One more thing...where you will be walking, the inner harbor, use to be famous for what? Robo probably will be the only one that will know this. And I have a feeling you will be depressed when you find out the previous occupants were forced to move out when the harbor was "improved." You would hae a more exciting time if they were still there.

See the submarine and go to Fort McHenry too if you get a chance. And there is a drop dead seafood restaurant right around the corner from the water front..but I can't think of the name. Maybe later. Have fun.

[refrtech]

Hey Delta would you happen to be refering to the pigs that thy used to run through the streets ? I know that is how "Pigtown" got it's name.

[Diceman]

I haven't spent 4.5 hours in a meeting in my entire life, I sure as hell ain't gonna start now.......:D

[DeltaT]

Originally posted by Diceman
I haven't spent 4.5 hours in a meeting in my entire life, I sure as hell ain't gonna start now.......:D

Yea, sure, right! Like you haven't sat down with a couple or more cool ones for 4.5 hours talking your stuff during the last HVAC convention and talked about how great your installation are! That's a meeting! ;)

[DeltaT]

Originally posted by refrtech
Hey Delta would you happen to be refering to the pigs that thy used to run through the streets ? I know that is how "Pigtown" got it's name.

Have not heard that in quite a while. Pigtown was there waaaaaay before Baltimore was actually a city. Since Phila started out as our nations capital the Baltimore harbor was just about as north as a ship could get so a lot of stuff, including pigs, were shipped there. That entire area up to the Eastern Shore to DC and Richmond was pretty much farm land not all that long ago as time goes.

For history buffs, the inner harbor was where Francis Scott Key wrote The Star Bangled Banner(SP) while Fort McHenry was under attack. He thought for sure the fort would never last the night through and when the sun came up the fort was still intact and fighting back. Read the words of the song and you will see how he mentions the sun coming up and the Flag (Star Bangled Banner) still flying.

There is a lot of history in that area. And for crabs, a real crab feast Southern Maryland style, I would head for the Rod & Rheel Club near Annapolis.

But that is not what the inner harbor was all about during the 40's, 50's, 60's & 70's. I'll tell you that you will notice a very large police station there which might give you a hint.

[RoBoTeq]

We have already discussed the infamous Baltimore Block. There are still some clubs there and the Hustler Club has opened there recently to try to bring The Block back to life.

In it's heyday The Block was visited by sailors from around the world who docked in the Inner Harbor. Back then though, you did not want to be wandering around the docks where the Inner Harbor is now.

Allied Chemical plants on the Harbor was so bad that instead of cleaning the area up they just poured a concrete "cap" over the site to seal in the bad stuff. The morgue was right on the water at a spot where bodies dumped into the Bay and Harbor would eventually was up.

Until about 30 years ago this area was pretty seedy. Now it is a tourist Mecca with some interesting history surrounding it.

[spotts]

Originally posted by DeltaT
Originally posted by Diceman
I haven't spent 4.5 hours in a meeting in my entire life, I sure as hell ain't gonna start now.......:D

Yea, sure, right! Like you haven't sat down with a couple or more cool ones for 4.5 hours talking your stuff during the last HVAC convention and talked about how great your installation are! That's a meeting! ;)

I'm sure the 4.5 hour police will be there to watch us. Wait- we just did have a 4.5 hour meeting! [you should see how slow I type and read.....]


We actually hardly talked HVAC at all. I liked that.

[Diceman]

Good thing ya rememeenememememgered it...........:D
Ease up on the booze till August.......OK??

[edrock]

wifey and I will be there,sounds fun.

[spotts]

in Pitts was a crazy idea. She had a blast! It's like a vacation where you actually have folks to hang out with. Way better than a Hotel in Cabo for a weekend, vacationing with strangers. We are really looking forward to C2.

[Diceman]

My wifey poo thought I was crazy to have a bunch of guys I knew only from the net over to our house....but it worked out rather well.......she still thinks I am crazy regardless......:D

[benncool]

Originally posted by Diceman
......she still thinks I am crazy regardless......:D

Your darling wife Claire and us guys have a lot in common in that frame of thought. :D

[Diceman]

Be good or I'll bring some flouride and put it in your beer.:D

[spotts]

this year? Whatta Country!