Get ready to be spoiled

Blogs United Treasurer, Jay Hughes, and I just finished several meetings and tours with the Marriott and Christopher Newport University in Newport News. Needless to say, I'm very impressed with how pampered we're going to be at this year's conference.

On Friday evening, registration starts at 4 p.m. and lasts through happy hour, ending at 8 p.m. After registration, live bands will be playing outside on the lake (cool fountain in the middle). There will also be hospitality suites beginning about 9 p.m. upstairs. All the rooms at the Marriott will be blocked together for your convenience. They have also extended their group rate for us one more week -- a steal in Hampton Roads for $99. Register your room today!

On Saturday, the festivities begin at CNU at 8 a.m. with registration which lasts until 9 a.m. During that hour, you can enjoy breakfast.

We will be spending the entire day in the Grand Ballroom, where there will be wireless internet access and web-based email is available (Outlook, etc. cannot be used).

Let me just say, the Grand Ballroom is SWEET! This room costs $1400 per day, and CNU is providing it to us for free. Wait 'til you see this place. I can't do it justice in words. All I can say is "awesome." Paul Trible, former Senator and current CNU president has really outdone himself here.

During the day, we're going to hear from Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Don Luzzatto of the Virginian-Pilot, Del. Brian Moran, Jack Holt of DoD, and several other guests. We're going to cover everything from anonymous blogging and commenting to how to program your sidebar; how to work with the mainstream media to how to produce a decent podcast.

We'll take a short break after the conference and then we're in for a treat when we have cocktails and hors d'ourves then dinner. Guest speaking is Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and friends.

Following dinner and a decadent dessert, everyone is again invited back to the Marriott for more "hospitality."

This conference has the makings of something very special. To those that have registered, you are in for a treat. To those who haven't: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

FYI: This conference is for anyone interested in the new media...not just bloggers.