CKC Convention in Kansas City - Help!
 

Anyone going to the Kansas City CKC convention in October? I have never been and wanted to see if anyone had advice as to what classes to take. I am overwhelmed looking at their website with all the classes. I mainly do cards. Thanks for anyone's help that they can give me.

I'm going to be there, but I have never taken any classes... I'm not much help, am I? :)

Lori, It sounds like you have been before. Do you just go to see the vendors? Do you buy lots? Guess I should be saving up now....

Honestly, I haven't been in about 3 years. I enjoyed the make & takes and did a little shopping. I'd love to take some classes, but by the time I figure out exactly when I can be there - the classes are usually full. Have they posted a vendor list for KC yet?

Tracie,
I've never been to CKC - Kansas City, but I've been to CKC - Valley Forge. In the past I've taking several classes but each year I seem to take less and less. The past 2 years I didn't take any classes at all. I feel that the your work area is too small, your rushed and the stuff you make is OK. I personally would rather take the $ and spend it in the vendor faire and do a few make and takes there. HTH!
Marya

I have always been disappointed in the classes at CKC. I agree with Marya that you're rushed and the cost just doesn't seem worth what you end up getting. I'd save the money and SHOP!

Thanks everyone for the input. I didn't realize that the vendors had make and takes. May just do that instead of signing up for tons of classes. They did seem like they were very rushed.

Lori,

I think the vendors are listed here
CKC Kansas City Exhibitors | Scrap & Paper Corner

I've been to CKC at KC for the past five years or so...and I was most disappointed last year (2009). The classroom setup has been changed, and people are crammed into these tiny meeting rooms and jammed into the hallways going both ways. Seriously, if there had been a fire, who knows how many injuries there would have been!

I usually sign up for card classes and the classes put on by Technique Tuesday. In 2009, I signed up for two TT classes. After finally making my way to a seat in the fully-packed room, I realized that crafting space was virtually nonexistent, so I just sat there and watched. For the second class, I just handed my ticket to the girl at the door and picked up the kit.

This year, I decided to bypass the classes completely and buy an early-entrance ticket to the vendor faire. :)

I've gone for at least 4 years and plan to go again this year. I try to take classes that are for different or unique items or techniques rather than page layouts -- which I end up not using. In all the classes I've taken I've only been disappointed in one. I agree that some of the rooms can be rather crowded. This year I've signed up for 5 classes over 2 days leaving myself plenty of time to visit the vendor fair. I have a hotel reservation so I don't have to drive back and forth and will have someplace to go put my feet up.

I love everyone's input. I'm sure glad I posted this before signing up for classes hour after hour all day long. What was I thinking?? Kelly, if I remember right last year the convention was at a hotel on the north east side of Kansas City and this year it is at the KCI Expo Center. Wonder if the classrooms will be any bigger. Of course I didn't go last year but wanted to, so not really sure about the location.

I am going and taking 3 classes, (A year in Tags, Card Swap, & 2010 Latest & Greatest) spread over two days. I haven't been to a CKC before, but had a great time many years ago at a scrapbooking convention held at the KCI Expo center. I am also planning on spending the night and attending the Friday night crop. I attend to make it fun.

CKC-KC has been at the KCI Expo Center for the past several years. Two years ago, the classrooms were nowhere near as crowded, so last year's setup really surprised me. I honestly thought that if someone tripped and fell, there'd be no way to get that person up -- it was that crowded in the hallways.

Kelly - wasn't for sure on that being at the Expo so I'm really glad you said something. I will be very picky about what classes I take. I appreciate your input. I am definitely going to go on Friday and spend the night so I won't be pushed. Do you do many make and takes at the vendor booths?

I like to take lots of classes. The vendor fair has not been as big as previous years. Last year it was easy to get through quickly, IMHO. I pick classes where I can learn a technique and or just learn. I don't mind if they go fast and I don't finish, I can finish at the crop. Just look over the descriptions carefully and be very choosy how you spend your time and money.

How's this for planning a schedule with lots of time for shopping: my first class on Friday is at 8:30 and my next one is at 6:00 p.m.! I then have one at 7:30. On Saturday I have classes at 11:10 and 12:30. Obviously I left lots of time for shopping or just relaxing.

I agree that last year's vendor fair didn't seem as crowded as before. I haven't done many of the make & takes -- usually too lazy to stand in line! Since I have lots of time this year I may try to do some more.

Thanks, Tracie... looks like a fun list!

I have done make and takes at the vendor booths -- usually when I see an empty chair and need to sit down! :D

I went to the KC convention last year because it is about an hour away from where I live. I was very disappointed with the vendor fair. I only got a few things but most of it was stuff that I could either buy for cheaper at Michaels or wasn't good quality items. I haven't taken any classes and I was going to look through them to see what was being offered so hopefully that may spark my interest into going this year.

CKU
 

I went to the CKU in Louisville for the first time this year. I did not take classes. I volunteered. I worked in the bookstore. It was a blast! For working you get vochers to use in the bookstore and vendor fair passes. I wanted to go to Nashville but it was cancelled. I would recommend volunteering to anybody. There are lots of classes to volunteer at or the bookstore.

A number of you commented on the limited space in the class rooms at the conventions. Would you let the show promoters (eg Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbook Expo, etc) know that you would like more space? The people who teach the classes only get to specify how many people they are willing to teach. The show promoters make all the arrangements for the space and the teachers are stuck with people packed in too tight. The teachers have been asking for larger rooms for a long time but I think if the promotors hear it from enough actual customers it might help.

Well, I am slow to respond to this and wanted to add my 2 cents. I've been going for years and last year was the first one that I've attended the classes. If you are attending the classes:

1) print out the class description and take it with you. 2 of the classes didn't provide what was stated in the description and I was able to get my other "things" by having the description with me.

2) do NOT take back to back classes as other stated here. By the time you pack up, leave the room, get to the next room, you barely make it and you won't have time to visit the ladies room or grab a drink. Big mistake last year on my part - booked the day full of classes and I was exhausted and frazzled by the end of the day.

I think all of us from SCS should wear something that identifies us to each other. It would be fun to see others from here.

I went to CKC in St. Louis and I took several classes and they were ok. But I took a class that K & Co sponsored and wow did we hit the jackpot. First we made a double page spread and there was no scrimping on products. The class did not feel to rushed and then when it was over they gave us another set of papers and embellishments. We got about 50.00 in product. I am not affiliated with them in any way. If I were you I might take one class and save the rest of the $$ for the vendor fair. Save now because there is everything to buy!