First Pitch Arizona
How will I be kept updated on all symposium details prior to the event?
All attendees are placed on an e-mailing list. Beginning in August, regular e-mailings will be sent out with important details, changes and opportunities to help shape the program. Typically, expect to receive about 4-6 e-mails up until the week before the event. If you have not received an e-update within two weeks of your registration, contact us at arizona@firstpitchforums.com immediately.
What is the scheduling of the symposium?
The seminar sessions generally run from about 8:00 am to 12 noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are also afternoon sessions on Friday and Saturday. Ballgames are slated for Friday afternoon and evening, and Saturday evening.
When should I plan on arriving?
Probably best to try to get to Phoenix some time on Thursday afternoon, as there is a welcome reception at 6 pm that serves as a nice ice-breaker.
Do I need to rent a car?
It's up to you. There is a free shuttle that you can take from Sky Harbor Airport to the DoubleTree Guest Suites. There are always more than enough attendees renting cars so that you could catch a ride with someone to the games. It really all depends upon how much flexibility you want to have.
Do you provide any discounts on airfare or car rental?
We do not. All travel arrangements are the responsibility of each attendee.
Can I bring my spouse/significant other?
You can certainly bring them, and we will have a limited number of additional ballgame tickets available. However, they will be unable to attend the seminar sessions as space is usually at a premium.
Is there a way to find other attendees who might be willing to share a hotel room to save some money?
We don't have anything formal set up, but feel free to drop us a note at arizona@firstpitchforums.com and we'll try to connect folks looking for roommates. Best to make your reservations, and if we can find you a connection, you can always cancel your reservation.
What's the weather like in Phoenix that time of year?
November temperatures in Phoenix can run in the high 70s/low 80s; evenings can get chilly (low 60s). Rain is rare in Phoenix and we have lost only three games to weather over the past 16 years. Dress is casual. Note that the DoubleTree Guest Suites does have a heated swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and fitness center.
Should I bring my team rosters?
Absolutely. There should be ample time for you to get some feedback on your teams from the speakers, as well as from fellow attendees. There is also always at least one session devoted specifically to roster analyses.
How is this year's symposium different from previous years?
As always, the program is designed around the feedback we receive in each year's attendee surveys. As such, we've brought back some of our most popular seminar sessions and tried to focus on the topics requested most often. While there is some similarity in the time-sensitive topics each year, we work hard to make the overall program as fresh as possible, and there are many attendees that participate every year.
Can I blog and/or tweet from the conference?
Yes, you may send your audience general details and occasional excerpts from the program sessions. However, transmitting large portions of information learned at the event is prohibited. This is a paid program and distributing too much information devalues the event for future audiences. There will also be several sessions where proprietary information may be shared by baseball personnel; you will be informed that blogging and tweeting will be prohibited at those sessions. Attendees who are found to be transmitting excessive amounts of information may be barred from future events.
I am a baseballhq.com GOLD4 member and already receive the Baseball Forecaster and Minor League Baseball Analyst in my membership. Will I receive any credit for these?
GOLD4 Members that attend the symposium will have the cost of any books credited to their annual fee when the charges are run in October.
What is your cancellation policy?
We will provide a full refund for any registrations cancelled prior to October 7, 2011. From October 8-21, we will provide a refund of 50% of your registration fee. Due to the up-front costs we incur, we cannot offer any refunds for registrations cancelled after October 21, 2011.
If I can't make it to the Symposium at the last minute, can I still receive all the freebies and handout materials?
Certainly, but we ask that you contact us as soon as possible to make sure we reserve a set of speaker handouts. Any extras of these are typically discarded at the conclusion of the weekend. Please contact us no later than the Wednesday prior to the event weekend.
Be prepared to be enlightened, challenged and overwhelmed. This event brings out the highest caliber of fantasy leaguers and we have put together a highly interactive, hands-on program. You will meet perennial champions in national competitions who are eager to share their secrets. Our speakers are experts in their fields, but often serve as no more than facilitators for the discussions that will take place. Guaranteed you will come out of First Pitch Arizona with a more solid foundation than when you arrived, and you will have had an incredible time that will not be easily forgotten.
