CKU vs. CK Convention vs. SDV

[Soccer Princess]

I am convinced I need to attend one of these next year (okay maybe more than one, if I have the time and $$$). Please tell me your pros/cons and experiences from all of these to help me decide! I am going to have to travel some for either of them. There is CKU in Chicago, a CK Convention in Nashville and a SDV in Indianapolis. Any thoughts on these to help my decision or just give me info are greatly appreciated!

 

[Spinning]

Well I can't truly comment (but that doesn't stop me! LOL)...I have only been to a CK convention. (Valley Forge) I enjoyed it but found I like going to weekend crops more. For the money I spent on the classes I could have spent going to an over night crop!
Would I do it again? Of course! LOL! So guess that doesn't help...but would I spend the money for a CKC where I had to purchase a hotel room..NOPE! The classes were nice but felt more like bigger make and takes! I really love the weekend crops the best!
But if something came near to my home I would go! But then if something came and a lot of my friends were going (Real life and internet friends...chances are if I could swing it I would)
So I guess my post is useless!

 

[GC&S]

I also went to the CK convention at Valley Forge. While I enjoyed it, I didn't get much out of the classes that I took (and I took 8). I think you get more technique based teaching at CKU. The classes at the convention are only an hour, so by the time they get stuff passed out and instructions, class is almost over. Two classes we were basically given a kit with instructions and told we would have to finish it on our own. The shopping was good but they didn't have much that I couldn't already get where I live. I will go back, but take less classes and probably do more make and takes at the vendor fair.

 

[KKB]

I have been to 4 CKUs in Provo (would be 5 but a family vaca interfered last year).
Am heading to San Jose next year, and possibly Chicago.
You will NOT be disappointed (unless your standards are extraordinarily high!)
Make your hotel ressies NOW at the Oak Brook Marriott--talk to Julie. Hopefully they aren't sold out. It is the last weekend of March/first of April Thurs-Sat. Tell Juile you are with Creating Keepsakes.
Happy scrapping!
Kris

 

[onedisneylover]

ok, i can comment....

i have been to 5 ckus...3 of which i had to fly to...3 of which are 2 1/2 hoursa away, so i could drive to those. let me just tell you ball park at a cku including everything including hotel stay will run you about $1000....and that is if you don't have to fly!!!

it is $345 for tuition..., depending on how many roomies you have, $150 approx for the room...could be more or less depending on the hotel...some have resort tax that they tack on in addition to the normal room taxes...parking which could be up to $15 a day!!!, then food money (i still spent about $70 a day even eating breakfast and lunch in the room...but that was at the gaylord)...

then if you want to go shopping at all the stores around cku. then add more!!!

it is well worth the money...i think, or i wouldn't have gone 5 times!!!

but on the other hand, it is loud, crowded, be prepared to wait in lines, there are some not so nice scrappers out there.

i would go to a cku over a convention...just like that atmosphere better.

 

[scrapcreator]

I've attended 2 CKUs in Provo: one "regular" and one Album (just got back a week ago). I've had a blast each time and each one was a little different. I would highly recommend the CKU album. I roomed with a friend (split room cost, well worth it), we ate simple (brought breakfast bars & fruit as well as snacks, grabbed a sandwich at lunch), shopped with coupons whenever possible and came home with a TON of freebies as well as finished album pages.

Would I do album again? You bet!

Jeanne

 

[onedisneylover]

scrapcreator,

i want to take the album one so bad....whose class track did you take???

i can't wait to find out where they will be next year. a bunch of us are planning to go to atlanta, and keeping my fingers crossed that it is an album one.

 

[aurora19]

I've done 2 of each and here is my take:

SDV: Main focus is 24 hour a day non-stop cropping with a couple of shops set up in the crop room and some classes

CK-Conventions: Main Focus is Shopping with many classes (that are really new product focuses) and a couple of lame crops

CKU: The focus is the classes. There is some shopping at local LSS via shuttles and the crops are more parties/time to finish your class projects.

Do I like them all - YES!
Will I keep spending my $$ on them - probably - though maybe not the SDVs for me - just 'cuz I NEVER get anything done there - to busy chatting!

Just decide what it is that you want to do and then choose the event that best fits!