Milwaukee Pug Fest

Who's going??
Anyone going the night before and staying at the hotel?
I'd love to hear what everyone else is planning!

I will be there. SEPRA will have a booth at the event. I am planning on coming in on Fri this year since we can set up on Sat afternoon. That will help make Sunday a little easier.

I'll be there!! Pug Rescue Network will have a booth. We're coming in Friday and staying at the hotel leaving Monday morning.

I wish I lived in the states - then, I could travel to all these events.

I'll be there working the NIPRA booth. Not sure yet if I'm going up the day before or not.

Has anyone been to this before? I'm told its the largest one in the US.
I'm trying to figure out a way to go but the husband is traveling, I'm trying to get him to come home a day early, he is going away for two weeks afterall, what's a day.

Donna, we've been a few times-it's HUGE! Tons of people and pugs, all kinds of booths, events, raffles, etc... Last year I even had a caricature done of all 3 of my pugs.
There's so much to look at, so many people to talk to, and lots of opportunities to spend $$$ and support rescue.
Like I told Karen, I'm not sure what my plans are yet, I'm sort of thinking of just taking Mac and going up the night before for the pizza party event, then staying at the hotel Saturday night. But it's all still up in the air-Jeff doesn't really enjoy these types of things so I usually bring my mom with me, but I haven't said anything about it to her yet-I might just go by myself.
If I can help you out in any way Donna-rides or anything like that, let me know.

We had a booth there last year. It was a ton of fun. We met alot of great rescue people that we have worked with via email and online so was nice putting a face with them. Also to see previous adopters and pugs is great. This year we won't be bringing any fosters though as the trip was really hard on them last yr and they were healthy young ones. Not sure what we are going to raffle off yet at our booth but last yr we did really well.

Renee wrote:I wish I lived in the states - then, I could travel to all these events.

I've often thought the same thing, Reneé. LOL

I don't know yet if I'm going this year. It's a great time and I always enjoy seeing everyone. Last year was a lot of fun with events at the hotel on Saturday. I will not be working at the HWB booth this year or at Pugfest in general, so I'm actually debating just driving down for the day on Sunday. I've never gotten to just enjoy the event before, so maybe this is the year that I get to go just to enjoy it! I do want to see everyone again, too.

Donna, if there's any chance you could make it, it'd be great to see you again. And, like Becky said, if you need anything - ride from hotel to event, etc. - don't hesitate to ask!

I'll keep you posted, yesterday tickets were under $200, today over $300. If I can find a decent price on one I will make it happen.

dieselsmom wrote:I've never gotten to just enjoy the event before, so maybe this is the year that I get to go just to enjoy it!

That's one thing that I really miss - I never get to go to these events and just hang out. And my pugs always have to stay at home because I'm too busy "working". Wah, wah, wah - I know - poor me! haha If you do decide to go Rachel, make sure you stop by & say "Hi"!

ack! When is it? hmmmmm might be tempted ....

Nan and BAGS wrote:ack! When is it? hmmmmm might be tempted ....

Sunday, May 15th.

I'm getting closer to coming, I booked my hotel room, just waiting to see if the husband is coming home a day earlier or I need to find someone to watch the pugs.

Donna wrote:I'm getting closer to coming, I booked my hotel room, just waiting to see if the husband is coming home a day earlier or I need to find someone to watch the pugs.

That's great, Donna! Looking forward to seeing you.

Tyson&LuLu'sMom wrote:

Donna wrote:I'm getting closer to coming, I booked my hotel room, just waiting to see if the husband is coming home a day earlier or I need to find someone to watch the pugs.

That's great, Donna! Looking forward to seeing you.

Me too, I can't wait. Very excited. I will help out Green Mountain while I'm there and be able to roam around so it's perfect.

Donna! Are you for sure going? YEA!
We should see how many are going - maybe I can get Ms. Martha to get her cute butt on over there! Nan

Btw here is the info - who is staying over?
The 7th Annual Milwaukee Pug Fest
Sunday – May 15, 2011 10am – 4pm (Doors open at 9:45am)

Milwaukee County Indoor Sports Complex
6000 West Ryan Road (Hwy. 100) (I-94 Exit 322) Franklin, WI 53132

Tickets: Adults - $8.00 Children Under 10 - $3.00
(Proceeds benefit Pug Rescue)

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Comfort Suites Milwaukee Airport (Pug Friendly!)
6362 South 13th Street
Oak Creek, WI 53154
We have again made arrangements for a bloc of rooms at the Comfort Suites Hotel. Reservations can now be made for the 2011 Milwaukee Pug Fest. The rate is $79.00/night and includes up to two pets. Each additional pet is $5.00/day.

There are 2 ways to make reservations:
Call the hotel direct (414) 570-1111 & request a room out of the "Milwaukee Pug Fest" Block or
email reservation requests to hvick@wiscohotels.com and Heather will get back to you to handle your reservations.
On Saturday, May 14th, we will be hosting activities for hotel guests. We will have more information in the near future which will include activities and Pizza party.

ADVANCED TICKETS
Purchase your advanced tickets for Milwaukee Pug Fest between now and May 1, 2011. Save $2.00 per ticket for Adults and $1.00 per ticket for children under 10 yrs. of age. Click here to download the form. Instructions are on the form. We accept Mastercard and Visa. milwaukeepugfest@yahoo.com .

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Schedule of activities will be coming shortly!!!

Two things!
1) I just called and they said that the cheap-o rate is not applicable anymore? I have sent an email to Heather.
2) Being a virgin Pug Fest go-er I dont want to be a vendor but I want to donate to the silent auction - one of my needle felted puggies. I have contacted the correct person - but for those who have gone in the past - have they ever accepted something from a non-vendor at the fest?

SO EXCITED! Now I am off to bug Martha... :)

Donna, I do hope that you are able to make it - it'd be great to see you again.

I am pretty sure that I'm going to drive down just for the day on Sunday. Probably will come pugless and just enjoy the day getting to experience the event without having to work and without having to wrangle pugs.

I'm sure I will. If hubby won't come home early ( he is being a bit of a pill) I will find someone to stay over. My main concern with that is my foster chloe is scared to death of strangers but I'm sure she will be fine for the night.
I did book my room at the hotel for Sat and Sun night.
I am super excited about it.

PugLady3 wrote:

dieselsmom wrote:I've never gotten to just enjoy the event before, so maybe this is the year that I get to go just to enjoy it!

That's one thing that I really miss - I never get to go to these events and just hang out. And my pugs always have to stay at home because I'm too busy "working". Wah, wah, wah - I know - poor me! haha If you do decide to go Rachel, make sure you stop by & say "Hi"!

Brenda - you need to come down for DFW's Pug-o-ween event. Then you can enjoy it!!!

I think a couple of our volunteers (Sandy and Amber) are planning to go up to Pugfest. If you see them in DFW shirts, say hi!

Nan and BAGS wrote:1) I just called and they said that the cheap-o rate is not applicable anymore? I have sent an email to Heather.

That may be because they can only reserve so many rooms on their "block" and they're all taken. It's not a huge hotel to begin with (only 138 rooms) and I know that there's a already TON of people staying there from out of town. I think that there's over 100 people confirmed for the pizza party portion on Saturday night alone.

TxAllieGrl wrote:I think a couple of our volunteers (Sandy and Amber) are planning to go up to Pugfest. If you see them in DFW shirts, say hi!

My blue DFW tie-dyed t-shirt that I got there last year is one of my all time favorites! It's the "No pug left behind" one with the pug in a wheelchair on the back. I get tons of compliments on it.

PugLady3 wrote:

My blue DFW tie-dyed t-shirt that I got there last year is one of my all time favorites! It's the "No pug left behind" one with the pug in a wheelchair on the back. I get tons of compliments on it.

What?? You were here last year and I missed you?!?!

The pug in the wheelchair is Puddin Pop - she's been adopted!! She was the cutest little thing.

How ;do I RSVP to the pizza party?!