BWE DC '16?

[JimHow]

Of course we don't usually make any final decisions until the fall, but I'm wondering how these dates look initially for a return to the capital:

Thursday, March 31, 2016
Friday, April 1, 2016
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Sunday, April 3, 2016

[DavidG]

Dates work for me. Should be possible to get the room at Charlie Palmer again if we're still interested. Are we due for a midwest or west coast convention?

[JimHow]

Yes, I'm shooting for California in 2017.
I think we've been doing DC every other year because we seem to have good attendance there and the Mid Atlantic chapter has the system down.

[robert goulet]

Tampa...beach and Berns!

[dstgolf]

We might make it work. I'm supposed to be in Austin April 7-10th for a meeting and could possibily route through DC. Would do it only if I can get someone to give up the Thurs/fri leading into that weekend which may be doable with enough lead time.

Danny

[JimHow]

As BD I hereby order you to make it happen, Danny, and bring that brother of yours along as well.
What do we usually shoot for in DC, David, a max of 40 attendees?

[DavidG]

Yes, 40 has been our max for the Alcove room at Charlie Palmer. The room can hold more but we start to lose the space for moving around and it changes the experience. Thus my recommendation for 40 max.

[Jay Winton]

mr vino humbly says somewhat later in the spring and the weather will be warmer. I do have a new place for a dinner in Georgetown if needed though I'm sure we can return to Bistro Francais. Georgetown suites (hotel we used last time) sends me deals all the time.

[JimHow]

This is the weekend we use every year Mr. Vino, during the cherry blossom peak weekend. What are you talking about?
I vote for going back to the French bistro in Georgeton for the Friday night dinner.

[JimHow]

It seems Berns prices are no longer cheap Bobby G.

[Comte Flaneur]

Yes, I'm shooting for California in 2017.
I think we've been doing DC every other year because we seem to have good attendance there and the Mid Atlantic chapter has the system down.

London 2020?

[DavidG]

I could probably get Peggy to come to London.

Qatar 2022?

[Comte Flaneur]

I could probably get Peggy to come to London.

Qatar 2022?

Obviously the next really big one is Bordeaux 2025... And who knows burgundy 2030?

[JimHow]

London is definitely a potential venue.
One of my goals for BWE in the year ahead is to increase activity on the site and I want to get a good convention in attendance-wise in 2016, and DC has been a good spot for us over the years.
But London would be a lot of fun for sure!

[Nicklasss]

I'm in for DC in 2016. DC is like my second home now.

Nic

[JimHow]

That's another reason why DC is so good, it's pretty accessible.

[robertgoulet]

Have not been to Berns in sometime but Orlando Bobby goes a few times per yr. He still seems to procure some reasonable bottles

[JimHow]

The BWE convention model is that people bring 2-3 bottles of really good stuff from their cellars, really rare stuff in some cases, for a small or no corkage fee per bottle. We usually are able to charge under $150 per person for the dinner. Based on some of the wines that people bring, I think the same dinner at Bern's would cost closer to $1000 per person!

[Tom In DC]

I don't think anyone goes to Berns to drink their own wine - the treasures in their basement are the attraction. And while those treasures might be damn cheap relative to market, they will probably still seem pricey compared to sunk cost from my basement, which is the usual approach to a BWE confab.

[RDD]

I like sourcing from our own cellars. We get to share the bottles we took the trouble to procure and take care of over the years.
Little known secret society of generosity.

[JimHow]

Amen Brother Dayton.

[AKR]

I am interested ... but I'm discovering how constricting school calendars are for travel.

[Nicklasss]

AKR, I'm surprised to learn that you went back to school!

Nic