Final POLL & **Official** Thread: 2011 National Storm Chase Convention

[Rob H]

That probably tells you something about how many truly active members there are and how many are actually storm chasers or people related to storm chasing.

It's a hard choice for me. I'd really love to go out there and listen to the talks and hang out with people, but I have a 'storm chasing allowance'. Driving by myself to Colorado, food, drinks, entertainment - it would probably add up to 2-3 chases I would have to miss out on. I like the storm chasing community, but when the choice comes down to 'convention or storm', I have to pick the storm every time. I'm guessing there will be way more than 21 ST users at the convention anyways.

 

[Greg Higgins]

Another thought for those that live in the North Texas area is that the annual TESSA conference is coming up in March, it's free, and a one day event (which means you don't get as many excellent speakers and presentations). I'm thinking that there are several such conferences around the alley with similar fare. ChaserCon is the "king" for the chaser world.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

this years turnout was a staggering 300+ chasers, more than ever, and that's NOT including any viewing the on-line streams.

Impressive turnnout and impressive speeches by all those who took "front row".

 

[Bill Hark]

I had a wonderful time at ChaserCon in Denver. Thanks to Roger, Tim and the sponsors for a great convention. I have posted some images on my website from the convention.
http://www.harkphoto.com/NSCC2011.html

Bill Hark

 

[Jason Foster]

About how much (ball park if you didn't actually track it) did you spend in total to travel to and experience the Chaser Conference. Don't include costs for any vendor items, just curious what folks tend to outlay just to attend.

I know I tended to spend around $1200 for travel, registration, lodging and food. Not included in that are extra costs like rental cars to drive into the mountains or snowmobiling there (although that cost was a wash because I got to see Tony L. go off the side of a mountain, survive, and not even have to pay for damages).

Broken down:
flight ~ $450 (DCA to DEN + luggage, but not incl. tips)
hotel ~ $100 x 3 (Fri. Sat. Sun)
Food ~ $ 15 x 9 (3 meals for Fri. Sat. Sun. Mon minus conf. dinner and plane/airport food)
Reg. ~ $100 (rounded 2011 figure)
Misc. ~ $215 (tipping, snacks, extra T-shirt (I always buy two conf. shirts), magazine to read on the plane, etc.

 

[Steve Miller]

Flight: $200 (Direct OKC to DIA and back, including a Jack & Coke)
Hotel: $120 (3 nights split two ways)
Food: $250 (Texas De Brazil is $85 of that)
Registration $100
Misc: $600 (Thursday bar night, various bought tabs for friends & business interests (includes tipping))
=$1,270.00

Turns out if you lived a little closer you could have A LOT more fun for the $!

 

[Patrick Martin]

Turns out if you lived a little closer you could have A LOT more fun for the $!

Indeed being local helps. To your point, my tally for the weekend was....

Registration = $100
Flight = $0
Hotel = $0 ( I slept in my own bed at my house and commuted to and fro)
Car = $0
Gas = $6 for 3 days of back and forth
Food = $25 (pizza before forecasting class Fri evening and lunch out at Panera Bread on Sat)
Drink = $6 (what can I say, having a cold takes the fun out of beer and I stuck with water for the most part)

 

[Mike Boik]

Or if you want to compare mine.... I went far over what I originally intended, but it was worth every penny and had a absolute blast with everyone.

Travel: 240.00
Hotel(split with a couple gents): 85.00
food 150.00(I bought a ton of crap)
misc: 400.00
Registration: 91.00
Total: $966

Don't ask me how far over I went. LOL