FT University returns to NYC area April 27th-29th!

Folks,

After the huge success of the inaugural FT University in NYC last April, the FT University is coming back again this year with a brand new format!

This year you can enjoy:

-- Complimentary cocktail party on Friday night sponsored by milepoint.com

-- On Saturday you will be able to learn from the best in the biz from exclusive speakers you won't be able to hear anywhere else, including the miles guru himself, Randy Petersen and popular blogger Gary Leff! You'll also meet the credit card Guru and super blogger The Points Guy Brian Kelly.

-- On Sunday, interact with the largest frequent flyer and hotel programs in the world, including Mileage Plus, AAdvantage, SPG and Hyatt Gold Passport

-- The introduction of the best credit card learning program "Credit Card Lions Den". The credit card programs will present their most popular cards in front of everyone, then watch the worlds biggest experts on travel credit cards bloggers critique the credit cards and make the right recommendation for you! On the panel you will find Brian Kelly (The Points Guy) Gary Leff (View from the wing) and Randy Petersen.

-- Complimentary, exclusive access to the 23rd Freddie Awards on April 26th will be raffled off for those attending. That's right! 15 spots to this years prestigious awards will be drawn on March 1st, the only thing you have to do, is sign up for the FT University before this day. The Freddies is not open to the public, this will be one of very few chances to get access!

Get ready for a weekend of fun -- and for an unbeatable price!

Registration opens February 15th at 4PM Mountain time. I will post a link to the reservation site here on milepoint.

Thank you all for your support -- and welcome!

ETA:

Registration Link

Where: Sheraton Meadowlands

When: Saturday, April 28th and Sunday April 29th with a cocktail reception on Friday the 27th.

What's Included: General session and lunch on both Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm.

Price: $99

Rooms: $129 a night, single or double occupancy


Friday Schedule

6PM Registration opens at the second level
630PM Welcome cocktail reception starts at the 2nd level sponsored by Milepoint.

Saturday Schedule:

9:00am - 915am: Welcome, Tommy Danielsen
9:15am - 10:30am:
Resolved: that Delta Skymiles Offer Superior Value. A
Debate Between Brian Kelly (Affirmative) and Gary Leff (Negative)

Alternate session: Introduction to miles & points -
how to get started, Daraius Dubash
10:30am - 10:45am: Break
10:45am - 12:15pm:
Award Booking: Getting the Most for Your Miles, Gary Leff
(Brian Kelly and Steve Belkin comment)

Alternate Session: Family Travel Made Easy,
tips from Mommy Points
12:15pm - 1:15pm: Lunch
1:15pm - 2:45pm: Credit Card: How the Banks Want to Send You Around the World in Business Class for Free, Seth Miller, Daraius Dubash and Mommy Points

Alternate Session: The End of Elite Status?
Why You Shouldn't Care About Loyalty, Steve Belkin
2:45pm - 3:00pm: Break
3:00pm - 4:30pm: Mileage Confidential: Our Experts Each Share and Discuss
Tips That You Won't Find on the Forums (and that you agree not to post),
Steve/Gary/Daraius/Seth

4:30pm - 4:45pm: Concluding Remarks, Randy Petersen




Sunday Program (subject to change)

9AM-945AM Randy Petersen --What the industry is doing and they don't want you to know

945-10AM Break

10AM United Airline's Carlos Faxas meets the Frequent Flyers -- The fun of merging two large frequent flyer programs. Q&A. Moderated by Randy Petersen and Gary Leff

1130AM Lunch

1PM-330PM The Ultimate Credit Card Showdown
(break 230-245PM)
Gary Leff, mommypoints, Steve Belkin, Deals We Like, Tommy Danielsen, Daraius Dubash and Seth Miller pitch their favourite credit cards.

Moderated by Randy Petersen

United Explorer vs. BA Visa (Mommy Points vs Gary)

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Starwood American Express (Deals We Like vs
Steve)

Ink Bold vs. Alaska Visa (Daraius vs Gary)

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold vs. Capital One (Steve vs Tommy)

American Express Platinum vs. Ritz Carlton (Deals We Like vs Tommy)

Fidelity Amex 2% Cashback vs. Citi AA Mastercard (Seth vs Tommy)

At the end of the session, the Frequent Traveler University picks the most awesome credit card in the galaxy 2012.

What about the Credit Card Snake Pit or Shark Cove?

Just like back in Uni, I look forward to the binge drinking more than the classes!

See ya there.

That's a better description, but it was tough enough getting them to show up under the current name

Sign me up!!! I'm in!

Totally in for this one! Right in my back yard

I'm in.

I'm PSYCHED!

So not to be cliche' or anything, but Tommy has informed me that I'm required to share never before publicly disclosed tricks at this event. It'll be off-the-record, so you'll have to be there to hear it, but apparently nothing is off-limits in my talk... (Gee, thanks Tommy )

Oh noes! It is on the same date as the Austin Food & Wine Festival!

I am interested, but do not know if will be able to attend yet.

Where was this held last year? Any idea where it'll be held this year?

The event was at the Sheraton LaGuardia last year.

I am hoping to attend again, lots of fun!

12 minutes from my house.

Is this event similar to the Chicago Seminars?

Wish could be there - unfortunately already have a hawaii trip lined for that weekend.

Do most NY locals stay at the hotel or just commute? I assume there is a registration fee, separate from any group rate at the hotel...

Sent from my iPhone using milepoint

I commuted from the UES, which was not bad. IF I were to do it again, I would definitely consider the overnight stay. IIRC, the group rate was a good price.

The registration fee was not much and very much worth it!

Had a great time last year - commuted in from NJ for Saturday session - see you all there again!!

I might have to look into this. I'm already in NYC the first weekend of March for the big DO there. But April is usually easy enough to get off from work for the weekend too. Thinks about it seriously. But first, I have to survive this MegaDO

I'm JEALOUS of all you're "DO-ing"

Ya, this seems to be a big year for the DO's so far I hope I have some money left before I am done. heheh

I'm on the UES too.

Alright! I'm packed and ready to go.

You don't want to be in NYC now. Its snowing.

Can't wait for the details. NYC is only about a two hour drive for me, so hopefully I will be able to work this into the schedule.

Aren't you ALWAYS packed and ready to go?

PS I want the "nook"