CKU questions

[nicurn]

hey guys, have a few questions about cku. I'm thinking about the stamford one in oct 2005 since that is only like 4hrs from me. Anyhow, what does the $345 cover? Looking at the cku site, I'm guessing that the hotel rates are separate and seem to be around $99/night. Are these events usually thursday-saturday? If you are staying in a hotel, what is the dorm thing all about? And finally, when will they post info about the 2005 schedule? thanks, maggie

 

[RRBB]

Maggie,

The $345 for CKU includes 10 classes, a day of product demonstrations (aka Make-N-Takes), an informal crop the night before event registration, the Tailgate Party and Celebrity Crop, Campus Crop, Commencement and Commencement Crop (another informal crop), continental breakfast on the two days of classes, your school kit (cropper hopper case and canvas bag filled with scrapping supplies), goodie bags of scrapping supplies at both the tailgate party and campus crop. You usually walk away with all kinds of supplies from each of your classes, too. (Even the lecture classes tend to give you at least a little something.)

I know I've come home with at least $345 worth of stuff, if not more, between all the classes and goodie bags. And many of the make-n-takes are useful pieces that can go into scrapbooks (if not mini books themselves.)

You also may win stuff at the crops if they happen to pull your name. (It hasn't happened to me, but lots of other people won stuff ranging from xyron sticker makers to bags full of scrapping supplies to printers.) They also sell raffle tickets for Homeward Bound - CKU's pet charity - where you can win the same types of prizes or the grand prize of a weekend in Utah at a chalet for you and 9 others.

There are other ways to win prizes too, like if you participate in a dorm or decorate your door.

Transportation and accomodations are not included in the price of CKU. You also have to plan on meals and spending at scrapping stores if you decide to go to any of them. Oh yeah, if you're driving you more than likely have to plan on a daily parking fee at the hotel.

-----------

The CKU hotel rates for the two that I've attended were $99/nt and $109/nt. If I were you I'd book a room at the hotel as soon as they post the date/location. Boston booked up so quickly that many had to resort to any rate they could get. And then the hotel totally booked up and many had to stay at an overflow hotel. (I got lucky and found someone on the internet that had an open bed in her room that she was willing to share because I didn't decide until right before registration that I wanted to go.)

-----------

CKU officially runs from Thursday morning through Saturday night. A lot of people choose to get there on Wednesday so they don't miss a minute of activities once it starts on Thursday. Registration opens at 10:00 am and as soon as you get your packet you can go into the Product Demonstration. But the line for registration seems to start forming really early - some people feel they must be first I guess. But that's also a time that people start trading if they've chosen to participate in swaps. It's a great time to take care of that and also start meeting others.

CKU ends after commencement on Saturday. There is a commencement crop, but most people don't really do anything then but go out and party or start packing or just stick around and say goodbyes. You don't have to stay for commencement, so if you leave before picking up your diploma/certificate, CKU will send it to you.

-----------

You don't actually have to be staying in the hotel to participate in a dorm. It's just a group of 6-10 attendees that form a group, decide on a theme and come up with name for themselves. There are several dorm contests that can be entered - song/cheer, costume, flag, nametag, centerpiece - but you don't have to enter all (or even any) of them. Every dorm that is registered with CKU gets some extra goodies just for participating, and if your dorm wins any of the contest you get even more stuff to take home.

-----------

Sorry, I can't help with when they'll post info about 2005. I know there are lots of people that hope it's soon. But because Masters starts in just over 2 weeks, they may not get to it until after it's over - maybe around the 1st of September. (That's just a guess of course.)

I hope I've helped some,
Robin

 

[nicurn]

thanks robin, you rock! At least now I can explain to my dh why I must go. It sounds like a lot of fun. Maggie

 

[RRBB]

Yup, it is. (And sooooo much better - and different - than GASC.)

 

[aurora19]

Maggie - You Have to Go to CKU! It rocks! The CK conventions are great - but the classes at CKU are so much better - better projects, newer products/techniques to try and being surrounded by 600 other women who love your hobby as much as you do!

Since the CKU year runs August-July, Stamford will actually be for the 2005-2006 academic year so it will be all new classes from the current years classes. Take a look on the CK website at the current class offerings. They won't be the same as the ones at Stamford but will give you an idea of what you can choose from. There are also some teachers that you just have to take a class from because they are amazing!

If you go, you won't regret it!

 

[nicurn]

I'm going, I'm going, I'm going. just finished booking a room! will have to call back tomorrow for the official rate though. maggie