Chicago '10: Back to where it all began....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:42 pm

Chicago BWEers Rick and Jon have been exploring venues for the Saturday night convention.
Am I correct, Rick, that we have a potential venue picked out?
This convention will mark the ten-year anniversary of BWE, and the return to the city of the most significant event in the history of BWE: Chicago '01, our first convention in February 2001. It was the first time that BWEers travelled from various locations to meet in a central location for wine, food and camaraderie, and we haven't stopped since!
The dates for Chicago '10 are March 25-28, with the main convention dinner on saturday, March 27th.
I don't think we have picked any particular theme for Saturday night, maybe it should just be a potpourri of Bordeaux, like it was that first convention in Chicago nine years ago, when the 1989 Lynch Bages shocked the world by defeating the '89 Pichon Baron and other famous wines in a blind tasting.
My 3L of 1989 Lynch Bages will be in attendance to mark the occasion.
Be sure to put the event in your calendar book.
Will Whuzzup__ make an appearance? JScott? CabFan? Some of the oldtime BWEers from the original event?
We are monitoring the hotel situation as it appears a very large convention of cosmetologists will be descending upon the Windy City that weekend for their own convention....

JonB · Post by **JonB** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:13 pm

An event of historic proportions.

You weren't joking about the beauty convention:

http://www.americasbeautyshow.com/HOME/ ... fault.aspx

They have good group hotel rates at the W.

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:23 am

Jon:

Please let me know what you know about group rates at the W as I am currently exploring hotel options and want to be able to suggest something in the next few weeks. You can email me at hms7 @ cornell.edu

hm$

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:57 pm

Howard,

I wouldn't recommend the W's in Chicago for a weekend visit. One is smack in the middle of the business district and come Saturday everything within blocks is closed. Not even a coffee shop is open.We made this mistake a few years back. Hotel itself was great and very happeng during the week especially with the GQ conventioneers staying in the hotel.The place was dead come Saturday morning along with the outside becoming a ghost town!The other W is on the lakeshore and again beautiful but away from any conveniences and a long walk up to Michigan Ave.

Danny

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:00 am

Jim/Jon

I talked to my partner about the venue we have mentioned........if it works out it should be very nice and the initial price sounded doable

Bob will set up a lunch/dinner/wine for us soon after the new year so we can walk around and see the rooms and discuss the event with the staff to make sure we are a good fit

Jon - I am hoping you will join us and Jim you can fly in to

Rick

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:34 pm

Count me in!

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:45 pm

Rick,

I certainly would like to be a part of that visit if I can make it.

Jon

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:03 pm

Lucie and I are in, of course. No way we'll let MichaelP, let alone the BD, get one up on us.

stefan

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:15 pm

Let's see, who from the original Chicago '01 BWEers will be there?

Stefan
Lucie
Jon
Paula
Rick
Jim
MichaelP

Who else....?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:46 pm

I wasn't there for the first one, but I'll be there for this one!

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 11:21 pm

Count me in too!

JonB · Post by **JonB** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:14 am

I'm "all in" as well.

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:07 pm

of course we're in. I assume the president of Hart Davis Hart is throwing BWE an elaborate wine tasting and reception?

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:38 pm

I wasn't there for 2001 either but made it to Chicago 2004. I will be there for Chicago 2010 - already have the dates blocked off on my calendar.

Chris Bublitz

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:24 am

off to a good start........a good time will be in store all

rick

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:02 am

Definitely planning on going. Didn't go to '01 but started in '02...

SF Ed

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:12 pm

I'm planning to be there also. in 2001, it was really a special event. Meeting wine lovers from all over North America made it an incredible weekend. Going back to Chicago too will be fun, as it is a superb city. hope that all the ''original'' 01 BWEers will be there.

Nic

sdr · Post by **sdr** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 6:37 pm

I'm in for 2010 (x2).

~stuart

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:57 am

Here is the list todate...please update where I have names incomplete or you need to add guests

Blanquito
SF Ed
Jim H
Jon N and Paula
Jon B
Danny and Danielle
David G
Rick and Kathy plus 6
Bill and Jan
Howard
Jay and Peggy
Stu and Kathy
Chris B
Nic
Michael P
Tom and Gail

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:03 pm

I am on the list 2x. Please add Lisa.

hm$

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:08 pm

Rick,

Danielle is already checking out the hotel location and where she's going to shop. I guess that means that she's coming too. Add her to the list SVP.

Danny

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:47 pm

Shopping in Chicago? You are in big trouble, Danny-boy...

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:07 pm

Please add Gail and me.

Thanks!

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:43 pm

Thanks for the updates

Here is the latest list as of 1/1
...please continue to update where I have names incomplete or you need to add guests

Blanquito
SF Ed
Jim H
Jon N and Paula
Jon B
Danny and Danielle
David G
Rick and Kathy plus 6
Bill and Jan
Howard & Lisa
Jay and Peggy
Stu and Kathy
Chris B
Nic
Michael P
Tom and Gail
Tim

31 total .......I know there are probably a couple above that need to be corrected - let me know

tim · Post by **tim** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 6:29 am

I'm in!

Tim

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:14 am

Sounds like it is going to be an epic event.
Chicago is a BWE kind of town.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:35 pm

I think the theme for Chicago '10 should be a celebration of all regions of Bordeaux. Bring whatever you want to celebrate the ten-year anniversary, from whatever region.

I'm going to bring my 3L of 1989 Lynch Bages to pour with dinner at the Saturday night event!

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:39 pm

Too bad I don't have a 3L of the Purple Baron to re-challenge that whipper snapper Lynch!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:45 pm

Looking forward to seeing you there, Michael, sorry I couldn't get together with you in NYC. It's been a crazy couple of weeks.
We'll raise a nice glass or two of fine aged northern Medocs in the Windy City!

aimeedogdogdog · Post by **aimeedogdogdog** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:24 am

We are coming too.

Blanquito
SF Ed
Jim H
Jon N and Paula
Jon B
Danny and Danielle
David G
Rick and Kathy plus 6
Bill and Jan
Howard & Lisa
Jay and Peggy
Stu and Kathy
Chris B
Nic
Michael P
Tom and Gail
Tim
Chris and Werner

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:56 pm

Looks like we're going to have a nice crowd for the historic return of BWE to the site of the epic Chicago '01 convention that started it all....

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:37 pm

Got my flights booked today. Its a long way from Dubai.....

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:38 pm

Is there anyone I can ship my wine to in Chicago?

I'll be in SF for one day 17 Feb and can pull a few bottles from my cellar for the big weekend.

Thanks!

Daytonnc · Post by **Daytonnc** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:47 pm

Please add Rob and I to the list! Thanks. Susan

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:14 pm

Michael,

Rick and I will figure out something for a pre-convention shipping destination and will post info here on the site. Since you will have to ship yours pretty early (Feb. 17), perhaps you and I can just work something for your shipment.

Jon

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:38 pm

Theme. Theme. Theme. Theme. Theme!

?

hm$

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:16 pm

I suggested a theme, HMS.

It's the same theme as Chicago '01.

Bring Bordeaux.

I'm not for limiting our Bordeaux enjoyment.

I thought our least great convention was Chicago '04 when we limited ourselves to Latour, La Tour, etc.

That was stupid.

Want a theme?

How about, at a Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts convention, we all bring, um, from our respective cellars, a nice....

Bordeaux....

Just like the way we used to do it....

But that's just my opinion.

If the theme is Pauillac, why should we say to somebody, nah, we don't want you to bring your Petrus or Cheval Blanc... ???

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:00 pm

Blanquito
SF Ed
Jim H
Jon N and Paula
Jon B
Danny and Danielle
David G
Rick and Kathy plus 6
Bill and Jan
Howard & Lisa
Jay and Peggy
Stu and Kathy
Chris B
Nic
Michael P
Tom and Gail
Tim
Chris and Werner
Rob & Sue D

That brings us up to at least 35 right now, this is going to be a major event, make sure you reserve you place early!

Jon and Rick, what is the latest on the Saturday night venue? Are we still thinking about limiting it to 40 attendees?

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:02 pm

JimHow wrote:I suggested a theme, HMS.

It's the same theme as Chicago '01.

Bring Bordeaux.

Sorry, I missed it. That's why you are the most wise, Benevolent Dictator.

hm$

hm$ · Post by **hm$** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:05 pm

Treasurer. Treasurer. Treasurer. Treasurer. Treasurer!

hm$