Austin, Texas Mega Do 2 - April 19 - 22, 2012

This is a huge step down, but there is a La Quinta within walking distance from the Domain, if you want to pinch some pennies. It does have some pretty mediocre reviews though. Just a thought, if you were serious about "anywhere else"

La Quinta Inn & Suites Austin Mopac North
11901 North Mopac Expwy, Austin, TX 78759
http://m.google.com/u/m/d5T4i8

There are lots of hotels nearby; it's the decent rate thing you're going to struggle with. The closest option is the Westin but it's pretty pricey. The Aloft also has inventory at their regular rate when I looked earlier today. There's a Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, and Springhill Suites across the freeway from the Domain, but you'll need to manage your own transportation to/from the Aloft if you plan to ride the bus.

I got in too late for the Aloft and decided to double bunk it with another
FTMMer. I figure I can get my Starwood stays another time.

Good news on the waitlist front: We now have confirmed space for up to 40 people for the dinner at Perry's. For now, I've committed to 25 as we have nearly that many with those who have already registered and those who are on the waitlist.

I will begin processing the waitlist after Thanksgiving and, if any spots are left, I'll open up some inventory on the website.

Just wondering what the Lake Travis party boats are like.

Significantly less flashy, much more open air.

Can anyone guess what Movie this is from? That's our Party Barge

Anacondas 2

What do I win?

Texas Mega Do folks - I'm planning on giving up my group reservation for on room from Thursday 19-APR-2012 to 22-APR-2012. We opted to stay at another hotel.

Last I read the hotel was booked up, so if one of you wants to try to grab the room when I cancel the reservation please reply to this post and I'll set up a time in the evening to cancel the reservation. (I don't know if the room will show as available when I cancel, but it might.)

Also as a FYI my wife just won a bid a midsize rental car from Priceline (Hertz) for a $18 bid + $3 Priceline promotional cash. That was her first bid so even lower costs might be achieved..

I'll probably release my rooms late tonight EST ~ 10 PM unless someone asks for me to coordinate the release with them.

12/9 12:27 PM, its sort of a pain to cancel the reservation, but someone at the hotel is emailing group sales to cancel my reservation. So the room is to open it will be sometime today.

Thanks, Randy! Looking it up turned up Austin Food Carts app, not that we'll be hungry ....

Also available as an Android App. Pleasantly surprised to see New York City listings on the Texas BBQ Monthly Finder!

Good find.

I have clients, friends, associates, colleagues, (including Earvin "Magic" Johnson), who are part owners/investors in the W Austin, the Aloft Austin and Westin Austin at the Domain. I would like to work with the organizer of the 2013 annual event to make it a MilePoint event or we can start our own MilePoint Austin DO. We would like to offer discount airline codes and discount room rates, including entire hotel buyout. I am a member of TOBB also. Thank you.

That would be cool, although it is a bi-annual event!

Just got back from a short weekend in Austin, must go back now. How full is this DO?

Check out the website from the first post. If you click on Events you can see how many spots are available. Most events are full but there are waitlists.

I live in Austin and I would love to join the events as much as possible
I will ask a dumb question but can anyone tell me what the event is about?

ummm I am resisting the urge to flame - this is a long weekend of overdosing on the best bbq a human can devour in a 3 day period ... oh and to enjoy the company of some of the finest people from around the world.

The organizers have sampled tons of BBQ over many hours of research to bring you this treat!

Welcome to Milepoint duc1986d.
Food, (new and old) friends and fun!

Thank you guys, I will be there and I would love to make new friends

Welcome, duc1986d! We look forward to your participation wherever space is still available.

As for what the event is all about...well, that's explained fairly well on the event web site (see the link to it in the first post of this thread), but after reading that, if you have any other questions, just give us a holla!

This is coming courtesy of my wife, Susan, who received an email form Citibank announcing that the weekend after we are in Austin (April 27-29) is the Austin Food and Wine Festival.

CitiPrivatePass (AA cards) is promoting access to the Austin Food and Wine Festival with tickets going on sale on January 20th 10am EST. From what I can see CitiPrivatePass doesn’t give you discounts on the $250 “weekender” and $850 VIP tastings – but they are actively promoting it.
See:
http://www.citiprivatepass.com/landing/austin_food_wine.html
or
http://www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com/

Join top-shelf talent from Texas and across the nation for a weekend of up-close and personal, hands-on experiences at the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival, presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine. From tacos and tequila to grilling and grapes, enjoy the laid-back flavors only the "Live Music Capital of the World" can offer.

Personally I’d keep an eye out on the deal sites like GroupOn etc… Given the price point I am guessing that they will be selling discounted tickets closer to the event.

A few updates for everyone as we move closer to April:

Firstly, Blue Bell has informed us that they will not honor our agreement to do a group tour. We've thankfully replaced that event with a tour of the Austin Beerworks brewery here in Austin. I figure exchanging ice cream for beer is not necessarily a bad way to go. We've shuffled the timing a little bit as a result, and we'll be leaving a little later from the hotel so everyone can get a few extra minutes of rest. We also plan on having a local taco truck available for breakfast tacos that morning; bring cash for this.

Since we're not going out east of Austin, we're also changing the lunch location to Black's BBQ in Lockhart. We should have enough time for everyone to grab a bite here but plan on making a to go order if we're running late. Shiner is still in, as is City Market for dinner that night. This allows us to keep the bus costs in line with what we've previously established and locked in.

Additionally, for those that paid for the Blue Bell tour, that money will be put toward the ABW tour and will come with an ABW logo pint glass for you to keep. Swag is good. There are a few other miscellaneous notes, but all the gory details are available at the website, http://www.ausmegado.com. Let us know if anyone has questions or needs additional information.