Keeping in touch during ETE and a Contest

We are having two contests during ETE. One is designed to entice you to sign up for text messaging.

If you sign up for our text messaging, you will be eligible to win an ITunes gift card sponsored by Portico Systems. All you need to do is:

Register to receive text alerts for schedule updates and event information as it happens by sending a text message to 77950 with the message PHILLYETE JOIN

We are trying to see if this method is a good way to communicate with our attendees during the conference. Also, feedback will help PhindMe create a stronger product for future releases.

Also, during the conference, if you want the schedule on your phone you can:

• To receive a text message on-demand with a link to the conference schedule, send a text message to 77950 with the message PHILLYETE SCHEDULE

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Manning Books discount for ETE attendees

Thanks to the nice folks at Manning, you can receive 40% off anything at www.manning.com until 4/6/09. Use code "ete2009".

ToxTour and the Greening of Philly ETE

Over the last two years, we have tried to go a little more "green". Last year we experimented with using flash drives to eliminate printing our paper schedules. It worked out, but needed a bit of tweaking.

This year, we are working with our friends at PhindMe. Their technology allows us to send text messages to our attendees who sign up (don't forget - send PhillyETE to 77950). We also have a website that will work on smart phones using their conferencing tool, Everywhereigo. com. This will help us cut down on the use of paper (although we will have some printed schedules available) since our attendees will be able to see the website right on their web enabled device.

We have very good wifi, too. So if you have your laptop with you, you will be able to get online easily to check out your next session. But, don't use too much electricity!

Our biggest contribution is working with ToxTour. Christopher Swain is committed to ethically disposing electronics. He will be at ETE this year taking a collection (we will have alot from the Descontruction Zone the night before) of your laptops and other small electronics. It costs a $1 a pound and the proceeds go to the Tacony Watershed project. Check out toxtour.org. Also, Chris will be at Cedarbrook Middle School in Wyncote, PA on March 28th with a bigger truck if you have more junk.

Philly ETE - More tips - Restaurants

There are a lot of great restaurants in the Conshohocken area, some within a long walk of the hotel.

Right on Fayette Street, over the bridge, there are two casual eateries, Flanigan's Boathouse and the Great American Pub,which have a sports bar feel and burgers, etc. Right near them, is a great BYOB, Blackfish. This restaurant is a bit more upscale than the first two, but not stuffy with great seafood. A bit further up (I would drive) Fayette is the Fayette Street Grille, another good BYOB.

In the hotel is Shula's. It is ok for a hotel restuarant, but a bit pricey. Not too far if you don't want to stray, but not walk over the bridge is Stella Blu, Bella Luna and the Gypsy Saloon. They are all owned by the same people and have been in the area for a good amount of time. Stella Blu is the most expensive of the trio with Bella Luna being the least and most casual.

If you have a car, a short drive from the hotel is the Coyote Crossing featuring a beautiful courtyard and very good Mexican.

Anyone who wants to venture into Philadelphia and needs some recommendations, please stop by the registration desk at the conference. We'll try and help.

Tips for Philly ETE 4 - Parking and Transportation

What is nice about the Marriott is there is a parking lot attached to the hotel. It is $3 for the day when your ticket is validated.

If you are driving, please use a mapping software to get there. I am not the best at directions. It is pretty simple to get there from the PA Turnpike or 76. It does get backed up getting there in the morning, so please allow yourself some extra time to get there.

You can take the train. The R6 Norristown line drops you off at the Conshohoken station, where you can walk to the hotel. Go to septa.org or isepta.org (designed by Jason Tremblay and developed by Chris Conley and Randy Schmidt of umlatte.)

New feature on our website - Ask the author

Chariot, Manning and Philly ETE are hosting a Lunch and Gab with the Manning authors during lunch time on March 26th.

If you look on our website, on the left-hand corner, you will see a link to post questions which may be used during the Q&A session. You don't need to sign up to post the question and you can see what other attendees have posted.

Tips for Philly ETE 4 - Hotel

Over the next two weeks, I will be posting some tips and tricks for the conference: hotel, transportation and parking, restaurants, keeping in touch during the event, etc. Please send me any other suggestions about information you may want to see.

The Conshohocken Marriott (otherwise known as Philadelphia Marriott West) will only be holding the special pricing for our block of rooms through this Friday, March 13th. We also just found out, Wednesday, March 25th is quickly selling out. If you need a room for that night, do not wait! There are not alot of hotels that are close to this area, the closest ones are in Plymouth Meeting or King of Prussia.

The meeting space is great. We have the entire conference space for the two days. Unlike last year, the conference space is in one area, compact and not cramped. The food should be an upgrade, too.

I'll cover transportation and parking in the next post.