I thought it was a great place and a great time. Grand Rapids is not far from Chicago and I have found a new weekened getaway spot for sure.
Club night killed it.
I thought the way the social area/ booth setup was crazy. Too close (right on top) of the expo. If someone was pouring in the expo it was hard to even get in the thing at times.
BNA9 was super fun. Kickball was a blast. With that being said, I still felt that Pro Night was missed and I am curious as to why it was left off the roster.
Brewery Vivant was my favorite place.
Cider Panels were the best and most informative. Mitch Steels botanicals and spices was a close 2nd.
Banquet Dinner was UNREAL! (If you like meat). The acoustics were so bad. Some simple drapes hanging from the rafters would help a lot. Hopefully the convention center learned from it.
The way they let us setup and breakdown club booths was so accomodating. Last years end of club nite fire drill was unfair and unexpected. Big change this year.
I didnt mind the BN winnning as a club in the beginning, but now that they are a Business first, IMO that makes them not a club. Time to explore a rule change there on what identifies you as a club.
I want to love the San Diego pick for next year, but I think it is WAY to soon to have it there again. I cant see how there isn't more cities that wouldnt line up to support this. A few that come to mind would be Dallas, Phoenix, Milliwaukee, Chicago, St Louis, Kansas City, San Francisco and New Orleans. I am curios as to why San Diego got so much attention again? I do understand how the selection process works, I just find it strange that no other clubs in those cities couldnt pull this off.
All in all another Uber successful NHC. Looking forward to 2015. Cheers.