Club Obi Wan

Greetings all!
I am planning on going to the WWAC Convention in March and was hoping that some of you who have
been in prior years could give me a little insight into an average cost.

I am most likely driving so what I am looking for is on average how much have you spent in previous years
(not including travel to and from or new whip/gear purchases).
Any insight would be great and would be an ease for my fiscally challenged mind. "How much do you need?" my wife keeps asking. "I'm not quite sure" is my reply.

Thanks in advance and can't wait to see you there!

Sincerely,
Fiscally adrift in Illinois

AKA - Canasta

PS ITG - Looking forward to hooking up with you in Texas on my way back from Vegas if all works out! Peace.

I hope to be going if I am not booked that week to perform. This year was the first I missed in 6 years but was fortunate to be performing with Joyce Rice, one of the greatest bullwhip artists who has ever lived. It made the pain of missing not so bad, plus I learned a few tricks from her.

Ahh, the expenses.... hotel room...figure about $65 a day... meals... we did our best to spread our dollars there. In the morning we'd go over to this little known coffee shop in the hotel (Tropicana) where they served a croissant and egg combo with coffee for 3 or 4 bucks. Almost everyone else went to the buffet breakfast. That's gonna cost around $15 a head.
At lunch we usually went to another restaurant in the hotel that was popular to many where we could use a coupon for a buy one get one free burger, so that saved us some. The coupon is won by going out in front of the hotel and doing the "free spin" on the one armed bandit and then going to the cashier to get coupons and tickets, etc. We've won tickets to the shows on that nice little free spin. Take advantage of that, plus they give you a new deck of cards. We must have 30 or 40 decks now over the years.
Gambling? That's your choice. I work too hard for my money to throw it in a machine or on a blackjack or craps table. If so, set yourself a budget to lose and then walk away.
Not much more than that to say. To get in the convention, I believe it's $125 or so. If your wife is a non-pariticipant you can get a discount. My wife goes that route every year. She goes and plays while I play whips on the convention floor.
There will be a few whip vendors there usually besides Mark Allen, but he does have a good supply of whips.... it seems hundreds.

Joe Strain has been there every year that I've gone. Mike Murphy went 2 years ago and is supposed to be returning. Peter Jack has gone a few times. Jim Hurlbutt, Jim Markell went 2 years ago, Paul Nolan has gone the last 2 years....ummm am I forgetting any other whipmakers? Umm...Drew Schraag went 2 years ago and Fiona Wilks goes every year or 2 now. There are a lot of good whipcrackers and lots of talent.

I drove out there from Houston about 5 years ago. Ughh....pretty scenic, but long and weary. Figuring your costs to drive: gas, hotels on the way and back and meals, plus your weariness and wear and tear on the car, it really makes more sense to fly. Shop around for cheap tickets.

Keep on cracking,
Robert Duke

Hey Canasta, I spoke with Sebastian last weekend and he thought Mike Murphy would be coming out the weekend before WWAC. He said he was wrong, but he was pretty sure Mike said it'd be the first weekend of March but that is when the WWAC is. I look forward to meeting you. Robert, are you and Debbie gonna be coming up to Dallas when Mike is here?

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:Mike said it'd be the first weekend of March but that is when the WWAC is.

The WWAC convention is during the week, not on the weekend. They changed that about 4 years ago as more people wanted to spend more time than just a weekend. So, it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That's March 1-4

The first weekend of March is..... drumroll please.... March 5, 6 & 7


Debi and will more than likely visit Dallas also to see Mike Murphy. If the creek don't rise and the Lord willing.

Sure ALL the good stuff happens out West !


Is there no hope for a schedule bound NJ Lawyer/Adventurer !


Ken

Hey Robert,
Thanks for the information. Very helpful. I am really looking forward to meeting you as well as other Indy fans. I am trying to go as frugle as I can and I am not a gambler at all. I'd love to go down with enough for a new whip or two but who knows. Just trying out some different ones will be a thrill.

ITG - I'm really hoping it all works out for Texas. It will depend on how homesick I am and how tired my bride is of being a single parent of three under 6. I'm really gettig exited abut the whole trip though. We could have a little "Indy" get together. I'll bring my gear.
Please tell Sebastian I am looking forward to meeting him. I should be talking with Mike here very soon. I'll also try to clear up what his plans are.

Anyone else with info would be great.

All the best!!
C

Robert covered it pretty well. $125 for the convention fee, $65 a night for a room, and meals are what you make of them. With a car, you can do a little shopping and have a bit more flexibility, but figure $20 a day for food, minimum. Part of your convention fee covers a banquet on the last day.

Last year, the convention ran up to dinner time, but then folks met back down in the convention hall to listen to KG and the Ranger, one of the guest acts. It was a show, sing-a-long, karaoke, whatever struck your fancy, and best of all, free (and it kept you off the casino floor). Later in the evening, many of us went to see one of the hotel lounge singers by the name of T. Fox. at the casino lounge. Figure in some beer money for that one.

Whatever you end up spending, its money well spent.