robert Posted December 29, 2007 Author Share Posted December 29, 2007 I Google Searched "Greater Columbus Convention Center" and found a hotels.com website showing the nearest locations. I'd rather NOT rent a car and just get something very close to the venue. Sound good? Here is a list: http://www.hotels.com/processSearch.do?destination=9b8e0ae9-b0dc-40a2-89be-cb19edb6057d%7Cd24d976b-5eb5-4980-bca1-fb06660e54d3%7CColumbus%2C+OH%2C+USA%7C1&paging=1&sortBy=PROXIMITY&newLandmarkDestID=4cb63e74-866b-4007-a23c-1b166e28aee6&PSRC=G21&displayAd=false&googlekw=greater_columbus_convention_center&gclid=CKLqhJepzJACFSFaagodkGo-Xw&js=1&zz=1198891034203 I can start phoning right away and try to get 3 rooms? 2-3 women in one room, and 3 men in each of 2 other rooms. Of course we could mix and match genders, etc. but I am looking for a room total and we'll sort it out before we get there or once we arrive. Since tens of thousands of people attend, I'm sure a lot of these are booked up so I'll hop on it soon. If we have to be further away, we could do that and rent a car or use buses, but from my experience, we'll end up with tons and tons of stuff we'll need to carry. Any preferences? With 2-4 of us staying in a room, we can get the price pretty low. Do we need a gym at the hotel or should we just walk or taxi to a proper gym? I'm leaning more toward going to a proper gym for real training, rather than using hotel dumbbells and cardio equipment. Feel free to share feedback and I'll see what I can come up with. I may have to use a credit card to hold payment so I may need to collect from some people or something like that. We'll sort it out soon. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaSiren Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 close is good (no parking worries), but I'm driving up. My truck seats 9, so if anyone wants to go anywhere else .... got it covered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted December 29, 2007 Author Share Posted December 29, 2007 Nice! Group training session......shotgun! I called it. No, seriously, I called it. Let's get more and more people from the forum to attend this thing. It's like the greatest fitness event around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted December 29, 2007 Author Share Posted December 29, 2007 Here is an updated list. Let's start making plans Let's get a list going: RobertxveganjoshxBroncoDaywalkerRaviSeaSirenTigressJoeC (from veganfitness) TylerM (from veganfitness)JP (from veganfitness)VeganEssentials (maybe) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigress Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I don't care what we do or where we stay so long as I can spend my time "admiring" the men with very large muscles I am easily pleased lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted December 29, 2007 Author Share Posted December 29, 2007 I'll be doing exactly the same thing! I admire all the huge dudes walking around, not just the athletes but the huge bodybuilding fans too. It's quite the spectacle! Cool, I'll try to start making some hotel arrangements and things like that. I think we'll need 3 rooms. When I stayed with SeaSiren in the past, we had 4 people in a 2-person room and it was fine (potter and I slept on the floor). Anyway, I really look forward to it! I love this event! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigress Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 I just posted this in the wrong section so am reposting here Here is a list of some of the competitors. There is also a british guy taking part called Troy Brown - check him out, he has a great physique. I will be supporting him because he is a fellow Brit Melvin Anthony Gustavo Badell Adorthus Cherry Toney Freeman Kai Greene Deshaun Grimez Phil Heath David Henry Dexter Jackson Johnnie Jackson Victor Martinez Desmond Miller Ronny Rockel Silvio Samuel Branch Warren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted December 31, 2007 Author Share Posted December 31, 2007 Cool, thanks for posting. Now, we need to figure out some hotel stuff. Should I just look into it and select one nearby and reserve a few rooms? Please give me your input. It's coming up in 7 weeks or so, and we need to make some plans soon. Thanks and I really look forward to seeing many of you again and some for the first time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravi Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I assume folks are planning to stay Thursday - Sunday (3 nights)? Let me know if you think you will be staying longer. Rob, as to your other questions:Car: I am fine renting a car if need be. Walking distance would be best, but I starting looking for rooms and most hotels near the convention center are sold out. I'll look some more tomorrow. Gym: I vote for finding a "real" gym . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted December 31, 2007 Author Share Posted December 31, 2007 Good stuff Ravi. I figured most would be sold out. Imagine.....150,000 fans (although I think it's more like 50,000 who walk through the expo each of the 3 days), plus all the exhibitors, 17,000 athletes, etc. I figured it would be a little hard to find a place nearby this late in the game, but I'll keep looking too Oh, as for renting a car, I know how to do it to get one for like $13 a day So that is an option. The key is to rent online at www.carrentals.com or www.hotwire.com or something like that and pick it up at the airport and return it to the airport, which would be convenient for us anyway. Thanks for looking into some of that stuff. We could just be accountable for ourselves and get one room, but I'd like to get us all together, so we just need to get a bit more feedback. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigress Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I'll go along with whatever the majority chooses, cos I'm easy like that ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted December 31, 2007 Author Share Posted December 31, 2007 Cool, I think Ravi and I will head up the plans and if we don't hear from others, we'll just assume they will find their own place. I think confirmed lately, we have: RavirobertTigressSeaSiren for staying in rooms. I think xveganjoshx is also going to be with us for sure. I'm sure we can squeeze others in if need be. For example, the time I shared a hotel with SeaSiren we had 4 of us in a room. I'd prefer 2 or 3, but if some people get stranded, we'll look out for them. OK, we'll sort it out this week, so there is still time, but I think Ravi and I will handle the hotel arrangements and rental car if need be and we'll provide updates. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted January 6, 2008 Author Share Posted January 6, 2008 We are making hotel reservations ASAP. We have confirmed the following attendees: robertRavixveganjoshxSeaSirenTigress If we don't get anymore confirmed people, 2 hotels rooms should do it. I assume some of the VF members are going for sure too, and I'd love to coordinate with them as well, so I'll keep trying and we'll get details sorted out ASAP. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravi Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Hey everyone, Rob and I are trying to lock down on plans for the Arnold event! This is gonna rock Right now, here is the plan. Please reply on this thread if you have any questions or concerns. Also, if you weren't planning to attend, but have changed your mind, let us know ASAP! - Booking hotel for 3 nights (thursday night through sat night)- Plenty of hotels are available 6-10 miles outside of the city (everything downtown is booked and would be crazy expensive anyway)- We plan to book 2 rooms, that could accommodate 4-6 people (planning on 5 right now)- We will rent a car. With SeaSiren bringing her car as well, that will give us more than enough transportation. Here is a hotel that looks good. Nothing fancy, but they have kitchenette's and free passes to a World Gym : http://travel.travelocity.com/hotel/HotelDetail.do?propertyId=55321&startIndex=25&showMap=0&sortOrder=ascPrice&sortAlpha=-1&tab=features&travelPackageId=&hotelQKey=7107704625795861670&resetReview=true&SEQ=1199649335221062008&hotelQKey=7107704625795861670 Let me know what y'all think. We'll book stuff soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted January 6, 2008 Author Share Posted January 6, 2008 Thanks Ravi! Is this the same hotel you mentioned on the phone? Just wanted to make sure it was the right link. I thought you said Comfort Suits or Comfort Inn and this gave me a link to Best Western. I just want to make sure I get my gym membership!!!! Also, Some of you may end up staying through Sunday night as well and leave on Monday. If that is the case, a few of us can extend a room for the night. I have a feeling I'll stay until Monday. P.S. I've been before, but back then there were only 70,000 people, now they say 150,000 will be there. It is insane even with 70,000 so beware! Also, Please leave extra room in your luggage! You will literally get hundreds of dollars worth of free stuff Everything from t-shirts to products, to magazines, water bottles, plus the stuff you may buy. Leave plenty of extra room! Bring training clothes. Let's train each night and take advantage of the atmosphere of being around each other, all together, at a major fitness event! See you soon. Ravi and I will make plans tonight. I have all of your phone numbers so I'll be in touch soon. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravi Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Yeah...this was the hotel I mentioned on the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravi Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 OK, I booked 1 suite at the above hotel (Best Western Suites - Columbus East). It is 15 miles from the Convention Center (Expo site). We'll be there 4 nights (2/28-3/3). If others on the forum are coming to the show....would be cool to stay in the same hotel to make trips to the gym/dinner/carpooling trips better. I called them and they said they have quite a few vacancies (so far). Let me or Rob know if you have questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted January 7, 2008 Author Share Posted January 7, 2008 Thanks Ravi! Great work. This will be awesome! xveganjoshx is in town and we watched a Ronnie Coleman video to get pumped See you soon. SeaSiren and Tigress, we look forward to seeing both of you too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share Posted January 12, 2008 This is going to be AWESOME! We have made plans and arrangements to stay at a hotel and we'll also have gym passes and a rental car. As far as I know, the VF guys won't be coming after all. I was looking forward to meeting them. No worries though, because xveganjoshx, Ravi, and I will carry the flag of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness at this event and I think SeaSiren and Tigress will be there as well. Has anyone else decided to come? PM me or Ravi, as we're making arrangements (most of the work done by Ravi, if not nearly all of it). I'll supply the t-shirts, hats, tank tops, head bands, whatever I got. It should be super fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Yeah Buddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Only a month away now! We booked our flight weeks ago and we're really ro rock baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wooooooohooooooo! Anyone else going to be there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 Less than a week away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANYONE ELSE GOING? 150,000 fitness people, you know I'm going to be in da house! This will be an awesome time because I'll be there with some of my favorite people. Yeah buddy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xveganjoshx Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I get in Saturday at 2 pm. Do you think that's too late? I hope not. I wanted to get in Friday at 2 pm but I have a test that day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 Should be fine dude. You'll get all Saturday afternoon and evening and all day on Sunday. I know most of it is on Sat, but Ravi and I aren't leaving until Monday so you can hang out with us on Sat and Sun and train and have fun, etc. So if you can still swing it, bring it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 We're here! Ravi, SeaSiren and R.C. kickin it at the hotel! We chatted with xveganjoshx earlier as well. Awesome times! Yeah buddy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganEssentials Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Wish I could have made it - life got too hectic and threw off all my plans, but hope everyone has a great time there! PS - if anyone checks out the strongman comp, post about it here and make me jealous! Bonus points if anyone can get their photo taken with Zydrunas Savickas (who will probably win his 4th or 5th Hummer this year) Benedikt Magnusson or Derek Poundstone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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