Hello everyone!

 

I've been lurking awhile and this is my first post, after searching for the answer in the previous threads of course. Anyway I am only about 4 months into decorating and I love it and can see myself having a legal business someday! First I want to build up my talent and supplies. I also happen to live in Lexington where the ICES convention is being held in a month! Lucky me! But whoa its pricey!! My question to all of you is, if you have been to the convention, is it worth the $50 to get into the vendor room for a day? Will several vendors have their products on display/let me try them? Thanks for your feedback! 

Yes!!!  It is worth every penny.  There will be dozens and dozens of vendors with all the latest and greatest.  There are free demos at most of the larger vendors.  There are great buys to be had on some products, too.  Wish I were closer - ICES convention is Caker's Heaven.  Take as much money as your budget will allow.  Rent out a couple of kids or siblings for a week-end for extra funds if you have to..... 

Thanks for the feedback ibmoser!! Do you remember if most take credit cards? or should I just have all cash to spend? 

I have always used cash, don't know about credit cards.  If by any chance you can still sign up for the convention, even if it is costly, it is worth it, the demos, probably cost $8.00 each, are well worth it.  On Thursday night, at least last year and in other years when I attended, they have a vendors showcase, where the vendor are showing their newest product, a great time. Try to figure out what you would like to purchase while at the convention, by checking our the various vendors sites on line,  prices are frequently less then normal.  Take at least twice the amount of money you think  you want to spend, three times even better, because you are going to find so many things, you don't really need, but can't live without.

 

If you actually go to the convention, you will be able to meet other decorators, they have a first timers meeting, that will introduce you to other first timers, they will tell you about the convention, you will get a hospitality bag, when you sign in, or a ticket that you can exchange for the bag, with  some free samples, of different product, information about various products. Lots of goodies.

 

If you can't go to the convention, then yes the $50.00 is well spent, but there is no way you can really see everything in just one visit to the vendors room. 

Most will take credit cards, but cash always works.   Like KatieKake said, the convention is well worth the registration fee if it is within your budget.   Lots and lots of different techniques are presented in the paid demos, and you'll have access to the vendors before the one-day pass available to the public.   Have you visited the ICES convention web site?  Vendors are listed there along with the classes and demos.

 

http://icesconvention.org/Welcome.html

I will miss it this year for the first time in 14 yrs. I LOVE GOING TO ICES!!!! It is worth all the money it cost me.lol!!! I learn a little something new each time and take it home with me. Have a wonderful time if you go. Cash and credit. I don,t mind using either one.

I am driving up to KY for this year's ICES, but due to scheduling, I will only get to visit the vendor room on Sunday.  I went up for a day trip also 2 years ago and had a blast!  I spent all the cash I brought with me, and then pulled out the plastic.  They have some of the neatest stuff I have ever seen, and some super great deals on stuff you know and love.
 

Well it's official! You all have convinced me to go! I will only be able to do the one day pass though due to funds and I work during the other days! Now I am excited! Thank you so much for all of the feedback! 

AI hope to see you there, FioreCakes! I'll only be able to go on Sunday as well. I'm so excited that it's so close to us!

AI was hoping to go but we moved and it's too far now :'(

ACan't afford the whole convention (would've been my first). We are driving from Charleston to tour the vendor room.

I so want to go. Still, I keep trying to talk myself out of such a long drive with a 2 year old. Ha ha I refused to drive 8 hours to Disney with him but I'll trek him to Ky for ICES!!!

Btw...we did go to Disney. We used miles to buy plane tickets.

This will be my 5th ICES in the Vendor Room as the Grex Airbrush distributor.... and I can say that the Vendor Room has lots of ongoing booth demos by a wide variety of Professional Artists. Some have hand-on. Some have taste testing....  It's a great way to see new trends and ask questions.

A

Awesome!

Really wish is known about geez before I purchased mine. It works fine, & I don't use it very often, but I would have chosen differently.

AWorth every penny no matter what level you can afford! Attend all that you can. Can't wait to get there. There are vendors that do not take credit cards. I did find they would take a check though. Wouldn't miss it! I've only. Been decorating for a little over a year and the knowledge under one roof at ICES is priceless.

I wish it would come out west again.  All these places are so far from me.  I am in Idaho.  Went to Nashville with my husband to a conference a few weeks ago.  Took a couple of classes at Sweetwise.  Maybe some year.

A

2014 New Mexico 2015 Nebeaska

ANebraska

A

2014 New Mexico 2015 Nebeaska[/quote]

Uh, oh! I better go this year, then, since Lexington is just about 100 miles from me!

Anybody want to rent space in my kids' room? I will have 4 free beds, I'll just send them to grandmas! lol We'll carpool in my 7 passenger van, and I'll cook, that way, I can afford to go! ;-D

AAnna, you must meet me there!

A

Are you doing the 1 day thing? For $50? I just looked at the website and it says I could've saved like $120 if I registered 2 months ago, so I probably won't do the whole $315 thing.

Can you do a 1 day pass 2 days in a row? I really have no idea what is going on!

AYes! Not sure if just one day or two. Depends on how many cakes I sell.

Wahhh I want to go! I've never been. Guess I'll be waiting until next year. I really can't afford it. Oh well. It will be a nice little mommy vacay get away.

AAw, man, I wanna go!! Lexington and New Mexico are too far, but I'm eyeing 2015 in Omaha -- might just work!! Give us details if you go!!!

A

I'll totally meet you! I do have like 3-4 cakes that week, so there is no way I could sooner than Saturday. I may even have to borrow a car, and leave my van for hubby to deliver in.

AOur plan is to go Saturday. Sending you phone number in PM.

Ha ha it's on my website but seems weird to post here.

A

I sent mine in return, as well. Are you bringing your 2 year old? I saw that kids still have to have a ticket, even if they are "babes in arms"... I would hate to pay $50 for a toddler! I suppose that is to discourage people from bringing their kids ;-) I have 4, so I will most likely come alone, maybe bring the DH, if we can work it out.

AWhat?! Wow! We had planned on bringing him. He's never been left with a sitter. More importantly, he knows not to touch cake stuff and responds well to "no hands." The plan was to kind of switch of with him.

Ugh. Now have to rethink the whole thing.

AOk, just re-read the registration page. Where did you see this?