28th Annual Cubs Convention a success at new venue (recap and exclusive photos)

A couple of weeks ago, I attended my sixth consecutive Cubs Convention and I wanted to share my experience with everyone.

Although this was the 28th Annual Cubs Convention, this year was unique because of the new venue at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.  Personally, I welcomed the new location and thought the space was nicely laid out, even though at times there were bottlenecks when trying to get into the autograph/photograph ballroom.  I'm pretty sure this is something that will be remedied by the 2014 Convention.

Before the opening ceremonies started on Friday, January 18th, the two huge screens in the ballroom were set up to display people's tweets that included the #CubsCon hashtag.  Of course, I had to try it out and alas, it was pretty cool to see my tweet posted on the screens and then to have people around me say, "Hi, Karen!" as they recognized me from my Twitter profile picture.

My tweet posted on one of two screens at the 2013 Opening Ceremonies

When the players were introduced during the ceremony, they walked in from the back of the room and down the red carpet as they high fived and interacted with fans on their way to the stage in the front of the ballroom.  This was a nice touch - and mental note: Try to get a spot by the red carpet next year! 

Here are some photos I took during the Opening Ceremonies:

 

Here's a link to a video of highlights from the 2013 Opening Ceremonies from WGN-Radio.  There's always a warm, fuzzy feeling to see former players interact with current players and coaches and also when they look genuinely happy to be at the Convention with their teammates and fans.

On the second day of the Cubs Convention (Saturday, January 19th), I was able to get both autographs and photographs with many players.  One new thing this year for the photograph line was that fans received a free 4x6 photo of them with the player, which had "28th Annual Cubs Convention, January 18-20, 2013" printed at the bottom of the photo.

This was a noticeable improvement from former conventions, where you had to either give your camera to a Cubs staff member to take a pic of you, or if you wanted a professional photo, you had to pay $15 to get a cardboard photo jacket (which the player would also sign).  Something about having to pay $15 for the photo jacket and a photo that wasn't usually be best quality just bugged me.  Anyway, kudos to whoever thought of the complimentary photo idea.  And these photos were also very high quality, which was great!  The line also moved much faster with the new setup and there were no stairs to climb, which also saved time.

My photo with former Cub catcher Jody Davis, which I also got signed in an autograph line later

The Cubs also had preprinted backdrops at all of the autograph and photo stages/lines, which made for better looking photo ops.  Also new this year, there were two lines at every autograph stage.  Line 1 was usually for the current player signing and Line 2 was for the upcoming signing.  15 minutes or so before the player was due to sign, the Cubs staff would hand out a limited amount of vouchers good for "one autograph with XX player."  This way, fans had to remain in line and present this voucher in order to obtain an autograph.  This prevented line hoppers who were just there to get as many autographs as possible (mostly for resale purposes, I'm guessing.)

Autograph voucher for Jeff Samardzija

For some reason, the staff working the convention seemed a lot friendlier all the way around than in previous years.  I don't know if they had a more stringent screening process to determine which staffers would work the convention, or if they emphasized the importance of having a good attitude to the employees.  Either way, it made for an enjoyable weekend!

Here are some more photos I took over the Convention weekend:

Outfielder David DeJesus signing autographs

First baseman Anthony Rizzo signing autographs

Third baseman Ian Stewart at an autograph table

Outfielder Tony Campana signing autographs

We ran into Crane Kenney getting coffee in the Sheraton

Shortstop Starlin Castro signing autographs for fans

There were also numerous panels and presentations throughout the weekend, as well as vendors.  The Cubs museum display room was really enjoyable and it would be pretty exciting if they opened a Cubs museum near Wrigley Field (they were getting signatures to support this).  Here's a look at some of the displays in the "museum" room:

All in all, the 2013 Cubs Convention is now a fond memory.  Only 8 more days until Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Mesa!  Time to look ahead to Spring Training!  Let's get 'em in 2013!

List of Attendees announced for 28th Annual Cubs Convention

The 2013 Cubs Convention list of attendees has been officially announced by the team!  There will be over 75 special guests including current Cubs players and coaches, alumni and Minor League players in attendance for the 28th annual Cubs Convention. 

The festivities will take place this Friday, January 18th through Sunday, January 20th at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers at 301 East North Water Street in downtown Chicago, which is a new location this year.

According to the Cubs, there are still a limited amount of passes available for $60 each plus service fees at www.cubs.com/convention or by calling 1-800-THE-CUBS.

Scheduled to attend are:

Current players
Scott Baker, Darwin Barney, Michael Bowden, Shawn Camp, Tony Campana, Welington Castillo, Starlin Castro, Steve Clevenger, David DeJesus, Scott Feldman, Matt Garza, Brett Jackson, Edwin Jackson, Carlos Marmol, Dioner Navarro, Brooks Raley, Anthony Rizzo, Chris Rusin, James Russell, Jeff Samardzija, Dave Sappelt, Nate Schierholtz, Alfonso Soriano, Ian Stewart, Josh Vitters and Travis Wood.

Minor League players
Javier Baez, Dallas Beeler, Jae-Hoon Ha, Marcus Hatley, Barret Loux, Trey McNutt, Hector Rondon, Zach Rosscup, Nick Struck, Matt Szczur, Logan Watkins, Robert Whitenack and Tony Zych.

Cubs alumni
Ernie Banks, Glenn Beckert, Jose Cardenal, Jody Davis, Bobby Dernier, Jeff Fassero, Randy Hundley, Fergie Jenkins, Jay Johnstone, Jon Lieber, Gary Matthews, Keith Moreland, Dave Otto, Milt Pappas, Scott Sanderson, Lee Smith, Tim Stoddard, Rick Sutcliffe, Steve Trout, Todd Walker, Billy Williams and Kerry Wood.

For more information on the Cubs Convention schedule of events, please see this link for my previous blog post.

Hope to see some of you at the Sheraton this weekend.  Let me know in a comment if you're planning on attending!

Cubs announce schedule of events for 28th Annual Cubs Convention January 18-20th, 2013

 
The 2013 Cubs Convention schedule has been officially announced by the team!  There will be over 75 special guests including current Cubs players and coaches, alumni and Minor League players in attendance for the 28th annual Cubs Convention.  The festivities will take place Friday, January 18th through Sunday, January 20th at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers at 301 East North Water Street in downtown Chicago, which is a new location this year.

According to the Cubs, there are still a limited amount of passes available for $60 each at www.cubs.com/convention or by calling 1-800-THE-CUBS.

The Opening Ceremony is on Friday, January 18th at 5pm and will feature player and alumni introductions on a red carpet runway that will provide special VIP access to children 16-and-under. Following the Opening Ceremony, guests can find some of their favorite Cubs throughout the hotel for the Autograph Hunt Game.  The evening will conclude with Cubs Bingo led by Wayne Messmer, as well as live radio broadcasts of WGN Sports Night.

Saturday’s program will include the return of Cubs Jeopardy, which will pit alumni pitchers Milt Pappas, Scott Sanderson, Lee Smith and Rick Sutcliffe against alumni position players Jose Cardenal, Jody Davis, Randy Hundley and Todd Walker.  Cubs Family Feud will make its Cubs Convention debut Saturday afternoon, as Cubs alumni Bobby Dernier, Jon Lieber, Gary Matthews and Billy Williams take on current Cubs Michael Bowden, Shawn Camp, Brett Jackson and Ian Stewart.

Fans can meet many of the club’s offseason acquisitions at a “Meet the New Cubs” session featuring pitchers Scott Baker, Scott Feldman, Edwin Jackson, catcher Dioner Navarro and outfielder Nate Schierholtz, hosted by new television analyst Jim Deshaies and play-by-play broadcaster Len Kasper.

Additional Saturday sessions include:

• “Ricketts Family Forum,” featuring Tom, Laura, Pete and Todd Ricketts speaking with Len Kasper and fans about their experience as team owners over the past three years.
• “Meet Cubs Baseball Management,” featuring President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Executive Vice President/General Manager Jed Hoyer, Assistant General Manager Randy Bush, Assistant General Manager Shiraz Rehman and Manager Dale Sveum speaking about the club’s recent moves and what lies ahead for the 2013 season.
• “From Draft Day to the Big Leagues,” featuring Cubs Minor League prospects Dallas Beeler, Matt Szczur, Robert Whitenack and Tony Zych discussing what it’s like to get drafted by the Chicago Cubs and advance through the Minor Leagues.
• “Dale Sveum and the Coaching Staff,” featuring the Cubs Manager, Bench Coach Jamie Quirk, Hitting Coach James Rowson, Assistant Hitting Coach Rob Deer, Bullpen Coach Lester Strode, First Base Coach Dave McKay and Third Base Coach David Bell speaking with Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies about what’s in store during the staff’s second year.
• “For Kids Only Press Conference, presented by Advocate Health Care,” featuring a unique Q-and-A session where only kids can ask the questions to Darwin Barney, David DeJesus, Brooks Raley, Anthony Rizzo and Chris Rusin.
• “Renew Wrigley Field,” featuring Cubs executives discussing ideas to preserve and renew iconic Wrigley Field based on input from Cubs fans, Season Ticket Holders and the community.
• “Not for Women Only,” making its return to the Convention, featuring Scott Baker, Scott Feldman, Matt Garza, James Russell and Travis Wood discussing their personal sides and lives off the field.
• “WGN Radio’s Sports Central,” a live broadcast with WGN Radio’s Jim Memolo and Glen Kozlowski featuring segments with David DeJesus and Matt Garza; Darwin Barney and Jeff Samardzija; Tony Campana and Starlin Castro; and Brett Jackson, Edwin Jackson and Anthony Rizzo.

Sunday’s program features two panel sessions to close out the Convention:

• “Down on the Farm,” featuring Senior Vice President of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod, Director of Pro Scouting Joe Bohringer and Director of Player Development Brandon Hyde joined by Chris Rusin and Josh Vitters giving a breakdown of the Cubs Minor League teams from Iowa down to Mesa.
• “Stat Sundays,” with broadcasters Jim Deshaies, Len Kasper and WGN’s Bob Vorwald offering insight into the statistics they analyze and feature during Stats Sundays throughout the season.

In addition to the sessions highlighted above, the Convention includes many new and returning activities throughout the weekend for fans:

• Rookie of the Year Movie Night, presented by Cubs Kids Club, makes its Cubs Convention program debut, allowing fans to eat popcorn and relax with family and friends Saturday evening while watching the popular film, Rookie of the Year.
• Chicago Cubs Sock Hop is a Saturday fan favorite that keeps attendees dancing until midnight.
• Walgreens Field is a new miniature turf diamond that gives kids a fun place to practice batting, play pick-up wiffle ball games or participate in professional instructional clinics as part of the Baseball Interactive Zone. Cubs players and coaches will pair up with Illinois Baseball Academy instructors to conduct a series of training opportunities for fans of all ages throughout the weekend.
• Comcast SportsNet Chicago is giving fans the chance to test their play-by-play broadcasting skills in a custom-built Fantasy Broadcasting Booth. Guests will call a pre-recorded play in the booth, then download a recorded copy of their work for keeps.
• MLB Network’s Strike Zone allows fans to test their arm speed and win prizes at an inflatable speed pitch.
• MLB.com’s "Bucks on the Pond" trivia game combines contestants’ knowledge with Major League Baseball game play to determine who will win some big league bucks.
•The Sony PlayStation Gaming Zone gives attendees a chance to take a break from the action to play MLB 12 The Show at one of several Sony PS3 kiosks.
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center returns with an area dedicated for families to exercise their creativity with the small building blocks.
• The Blue Bunny Bucket Toss gives kids a chance to win ice cream prizes in a fun bucket toss game.
• American Girl’s Activity Area features activities inspired by American Girl dolls and the chance to win a new doll and book.
• The Chicago Sun-Times Photo Kiosk lets fans have their picture taken for the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times with customizable headlines that make for a memorable souvenir.
Fans can learn about or contribute to the history of the Cubs franchise in collaboration with team archivists. Historical pieces of memorabilia will be on hand for viewing, and guests can receive professional tips on how to preserve their own valuable keepsakes. Attendees are invited to share their personal stories with a video crew that may be used in future promotions or publications. The team is also accepting founding donations to the Chicago Cubs Archives, with accepted donations to be officially recognized by the team. Assets will not be appraised for monetary value or purchase. The Cubs are seeking the following items from years past:

• Photographs
• Uniforms and equipment, such as jerseys, gloves, bats and balls
• Ballpark and grounds materials, such as seating charts, packaging and employee uniforms
• Signage, such as banners and flags
• Recognitions, honors and awards
• Game day and event tickets or parking passes
• Commemorative objects and promotions, such as bobbleheads, pennants, hats and shirts

A wide variety of Cubs memorabilia will also be available for sale or auction from Cubs Authentics, Chicago Cubs Charities and a selection of third party vendors.  This will be my 4th Convention in a row and I hope to see some of you there!