While I'd love to go (at least once), Minnesota is a tad far! Haven't been to Minneapolis since 2000 ('twas in May that time and the weather was wonderful!). Loved wandering up and down Nicolette Mall hitting the coffee shops and restaurants (and, yes, even Caribou Coffee had decent machines and at least 1 barista who knew what he was doing! Had more than one good espresso that trip!). IF it was in DC or Charlotte I'd probably figure out a way to get there...

Psyd wrote: The SCAA sets the prices and gets most of the money for most of the events, so they are in a position (and whether they will or not is entirely up to them, and your negotiating skills)

Correction: After doing so actual research (doh!) I've discovered that you can get up to $385 off the price of admission (exactly the price of getting into the thing, if you register early enough) with enough volunteer hours, and that they let you tick off where and how you'd like to volunteer. 'When', I assume, is associated with 'what.
This Page explains it far better than I could.

Psyd wrote:The absolute best way to see the conference as an amateur is to volunteer.

Chris, were I already in Minneapolis . . . well then, of course, it's a different issue entirely. But I'd still have to fly out there, pay for a hotel, probably a rental car, etc., etc., etc.

Were the SCAA conference held in Berkeley, or someplace close by, I would certainly be willing to volunteer -- schedule permitting -- or pay for admission. But the point of my post was that -- Minneapolis? No way. It's not worth the trip to me, as an amateur. Were I in the trade, however, it would be a different story.

zin1953 wrote: But the point of my post was that -- Minneapolis? No way. It's not worth the trip to me, as an amateur.

Ah, right. Yes it's worth it, if the travel and accommodations aren't that cumbersome, no if it'll break the bank.
That's why they move 'em around though, it'll be in your neck of the woods soon enough! And if it isn't, the XXRBC sure will.

If I was in driving distance (few hours) I would go, if for no other reason than the experience. The chance to see so much stuff at one time and get to touchy feely all the equipment is a once in lifetime shot. One day I hope they have it in relatively close proximity to Ohio so I can go. I would not mind trying my hand at the sensory test as well. Right now gas is the killer. By the time I drove up there, stayed for a day or two and drove back, I would have spent several hundred dollars in fuel alone. I could get a year's worth of coffee for what the two day trip would cost me.

Now if we ever have a HB coffee-fest, that would be another story.

zin1953 wrote:Were the SCAA conference held in Berkeley, or someplace close by, I would certainly be willing to volunteer -- schedule permitting -- or pay for admission. But the point of my post was that -- Minneapolis? No way. It's not worth the trip to me, as an amateur. Were I in the trade, however, it would be a different story.

Some of the early Conferences were held in San Francisco and Berkeley. A particularly notorious one at the Claremont Hotel involved some controversial political theater. But, the thinking in recent years, since the Conferences have become so large, is to avoid the highest-priced cities to encourage more people to come.

So the current schedule is:
2009 Atlanta
2010 Anaheim
2011 Houston (recently changed from Pittsburgh)

Plan accordingly.

Darn. I knew of the Pittsburg show and was looking forward to going, now that is down the knock box.

The 2008 Western Regional Barista Competition was in Berkeley . . . and I had to go to Dallas! (blech!) Hopefully I'll be around during the Anaheim conference.

Worth it if it's in driving distance in my opinion.

I plan to be there. The idea of seeing all the possibilities of liquid coffee preparation boggles my mind. At least a couple friends are competing for the Championship. Putting faces to you folks that I know from here on H-B and other sites is more than worth the trip in itself. I am fortunate to live within a hundred miles and plan to be there during most of the show except for time enjoying some of the great food the Cities are famous for. PM me if you wish to meet at the show PM me and I'll pass on my cell number.
'Till then!
Richard / espressme
P.S. Thanks Matt!