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BOGLEHEADS 8 ANNUAL REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:46 pm
by Mel Lindauer
Hello Everyone:

We are pleased to announce that our 2009 National Bogleheads Reunion (Bogleheads 8) will be held in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, with registration and reception starting at 3PM on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, and ending at noon on Friday, October 2, 2009. Airport to hotel transportation options will be provided to registrants.

Our special guest for Bogleheads 8 is our friend and mentor, Jack Bogle (health permitting). Jack plans to attend specifically to meet with his Bogleheads, so this is a unique and rare opportunity. Other investing authorities expected to attend are authors Bill Bernstein, Rick Ferri, Taylor Larimore, Michael LeBoeuf, Mel Lindauer, and Bill Schultheis. In addition to the Boglehead authors, our Q&A Panel of Experts is also expected to include Morningstar's Sue Stevens, Professor Ed Tower of Duke University, and our own Queen Laura.

We'll start with a wine and cheese reception on Wednesday afternoon. After breakfast on Thursday morning, we’ll meet with Jack Bogle for his personal presentation and Q&A. After lunch, there will be book signings and personal discussions with Jack and our authors and experts. Then on Thursday evening, we’ll enjoy our annual Bogleheads Banquet with Jack Bogle. Finally, we'll wrap up the reunion around noon on Friday after breakfast and a Q&A session with the Panel of Experts.

The registration fee for this meeting is US$190 per person. This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE since we must sign a contract with the hotel and guarantee them a minimum level of revenue. This non-refundable fee covers the wine and cheese reception on Wednesday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner banquet on Thursday, breakfast on Friday, and the meeting room rental and audio equipment that we need for the various functions.

Registration is now open. We have a limited number of spots, and the registration will be on a first-come basis. We suggest that you make your reservation early and send in your registration fee right away to ensure getting one of the available spots. Last year’s event sold out in a very short time, and many Bogleheads who wanted to attend had to be turned away. We need enough paid registrants in hand so we can sign the contract with the preferred hotel. Therefore, it’s important that we hear from you now.

To make your reservation for the meeting, please send an email with your Boglehead and/or Morningstar login name, your real name, and your contact information to Bogleheads8@yahoo.com ASAP. Gail Cox and Jon Fortman of the Dallas Chapter, who are the local coordinators for this event, will respond via email with details regarding where to send your non-refundable registration fee. Once your payment is received and the contract is signed, they will advise registered Bogleheads on the procedure for reserving a room at our preferred conference hotel at the discounted rate of $159 per night (versus the regular rate of $259-$349 per night). Once we’ve signed the contract, the hotel will hold a limited number of rooms for us at this special rate, so we suggest you make your reservations as soon as you receive the hotel booking information. Our block of hotel rooms sold out quickly last year, and those who registered later had to pay a higher rate.

We suggest that registrants not make their travel arrangements until we sign the contract with the hotel. (We'll post that information here on this thread.)

We look forward to another exciting event.

Mel, Taylor, Gail Cox & Jon Fortman

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:05 pm
by Rager1
Drat! We've got a wedding in New England that we have to go to during that timeframe. So, we will miss the Bogleheads 8 reunion.

Patti and I will miss seeing everyone, but we know it will be a great meeting. We'll hope to see everyone at Bogleheads 9.

Ed

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:19 pm
by White Coat Investor
The registration fee is mandatory, but we don't have to stay in the hotel, right?

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:24 pm
by simplesimon
EmergDoc wrote:The registration fee is mandatory, but we don't have to stay in the hotel, right?
Probably not but then you'd miss out on the slumber parties. :D

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:25 pm
by Mel Lindauer
EmergDoc wrote:The registration fee is mandatory, but we don't have to stay in the hotel, right?
That's correct. While it's more convenient to stay in the hotel where all the action takes place, it's certainly not mandatory. In fact, some of the locals may well be commuting on a daily basis.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:26 pm
by WhiteHorse64
EmergDoc,

That is correct [but we'll be offering a heck of a deal on the hotel!!].

Jon Fortman

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:49 pm
by Lee Saage
Any chance of getting Larry Swedroe to participate?

Lee

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:03 pm
by Mel Lindauer
leesaage wrote:Any chance of getting Larry Swedroe to participate?

Lee
Larry has attended in the past when his schedule permitted. However, he travels so much, he usually like to be home to take care of "the big rocks".

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:40 pm
by White Coat Investor
I just have family in town and I'd like to kill two birds with one stone.

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:45 pm
by fishnskiguy
I'm a coming'! Now I must talk DW into letting me pony up her portion for the meals and social stuff. I sure hope this thing doesn't sell out in the next two days.

Chris

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:53 pm
by VictoriaF
Dear Mel, Taylor, Gail Cox, and Jon Fortman,

Thank you very much for organizing this outstanding event.

If there is a choice of a hotel, I would prefer one served by an airport shuttle or bus. It does not seem to make sense renting a car, because all major happenings will be in the hotel itself.

Looking forward to seeing you in Dallas, if my request for registration is approved ;)

Victoria

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:08 pm
by Mel Lindauer
EmergDoc wrote:I just have family in town and I'd like to kill two birds with one stone.
Hi ED:

Sounds like a plan. And you'll save a few bucks by staying with the family. Very Boglehead-like.

Looking forward to seeing you there. It will be an event you won't soon forget.

Victoria

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:51 pm
by gailcox
Hi Victoria,

There is the super shuttle available as well as our train that can actually get you from the airport to downtown FW. (you start out on a bus that transports you to the train, and then the train zips you right into FW--maybe a couple blocks walking to the hotel from the train station.) We are trying to work out a discount from the shuttle services. You'll find out more when you send in your registration fee/registration form.

thanks--gail

Get together

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:23 am
by Dan-Fl
Hi All,
Great news, I hope to see you all in TEXAS.
Dan-Fl

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:08 am
by simplesimon
Is anybody born after 1980 going to this? :(

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:46 am
by Mel Lindauer
fishnskiguy wrote:I'm a coming'! Now I must talk DW into letting me pony up her portion for the meals and social stuff. I sure hope this thing doesn't sell out in the next two days.

Chris
Looking forward to seeing you again in Dallas, Chris.

Young Bogleheads

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:40 am
by Taylor Larimore
simplesimon wrote:Is anybody born after 1980 going to this? :(
We always have young investors. They probably have the most to gain. :D

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:41 am
by Super_Charlie
simplesimon wrote:Is anybody born after 1980 going to this? :(
I'm an '81er and I'm planning to attend.

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:10 am
by Mel Lindauer
VictoriaF wrote:Dear Mel, Taylor, Gail Cox, and Jon Fortman,

Thank you very much for organizing this outstanding event.

If there is a choice of a hotel, I would prefer one served by an airport shuttle or bus. It does not seem to make sense renting a car, because all major happenings will be in the hotel itself.

Looking forward to seeing you in Dallas, if my request for registration is approved ;)

Victoria
Hi Victoria:

So glad to hear that our "recording secretary" will be joining us again in Dallas. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:49 pm
by White Coat Investor
One last question, I know the "tickets" are non-refundable, but are they also non-transferrable? I'm slated to possibly be deployed this fall and I'm sure there are many of us that have trouble planning 8 months in advance.

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:02 pm
by Trifecta
Born in '83 and hoping to attend! I'm taking the CFP exam in July so this will be my present to myself for passing (hopefully).

transferable tickets?

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:56 pm
by Mel Lindauer
EmergDoc wrote:One last question, I know the "tickets" are non-refundable, but are they also non-transferable? I'm slated to possibly be deployed this fall and I'm sure there are many of us that have trouble planning 8 months in advance.
Hi ED:

While the registrations are not transferable, if we're sold out we'll certainly make every effort to get someone who's on the waiting list to replace you so that we can refund your registration fee, if you're deployed.

However, because we've signed contracts and committed to a minimum amount of expenditures at the hotel, we can't guarantee that anyone who cancels will get their money back. In the past, we have been able to return a portion of the fee back to those who canceled, once the event was over and we'd settled all the bills from the event.

Re: Get together

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:02 pm
by Mel Lindauer
Dan-Fl wrote:Hi All,
Great news, I hope to see you all in TEXAS.
Dan-Fl
Hi Dan:

Glad to hear you'll be joining us again. See you in Dallas.

We're on our way !

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:52 pm
by Taylor Larimore
Hi Bogleheads:

Pat and I put our check in the mail today.

We have been to six Boglehead Reunions. What we've learned easily paid for the trips.

The friendships we've made can't be measured in dollars. They are priceless.

The response has been great!

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:20 pm
by gailcox
Hi everyone---Just a quick note. If you plan on paying with a check, the amount is $190 pp. If you plan on using PayPal, it is $196, due to PayPal's service fee. This is now noted on the registration form.

The DFW Bogleheads are looking very forward to hosting Bogleheads 8! It is the highlight of my year, I know that! I have been to 6 and I have a great time at every event!

I always say this, but if you have never attended but are trying to decide whether to or not, don't be shy! Take the risk and come to Fort Worth! You will find the Bogleheads are the most generous and kind people. You will not regret it!

Thanks--Gail (one of the DFW Bogleheads)

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:53 am
by simplesimon
Just sent in my form and money.

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:58 am
by Mel Lindauer
simplesimon wrote:Just sent in my form and money.
Looking forward to seeing you in Dallas. Hopefully it will be an experience you won't forget.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:33 am
by Mel Lindauer
Things are moving right along nicely with reservations and reservation requests. Make sure you don't proscrastinate!

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:27 pm
by normsie
no procrastination here!! my check is in the mail(via the snails)i could not miss this for anything.

look forward to seeing everyone and will attend the boglettes practise. do i need my cowboy hat?

hope to get my daughter there as well.

warmest regards from the cold north,
norma ann

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:35 pm
by Mel Lindauer
normsie wrote:no procrastination here!! my check is in the mail(via the snails)i could not miss this for anything.

look forward to seeing everyone and will attend the boglettes practise. do i need my cowboy hat?

hope to get my daughter there as well.

warmest regards from the cold north,
norma ann
Hi Normsie:

Glad to hear that you and your daughter will be joining us again. Always look forward to seeing you.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:13 pm
by nvboglehead
Normsie, we promise to never forget you again! Look forward to seeing you there.


Dale

bump to the top

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:56 am
by gailcox
FYI, the weather in the Dallas- Fort Worth area on September 30th averages to be a beautiful 73 degrees!

Can't wait to see everyone!

Gail Cox and the DFW Bogleheads

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:38 am
by Mel Lindauer
Hello Everyone:

I'm happy to report that in the first three days after the announcement, we've already filled more than one-third of the available spaces. Looks like we're going to have another early sellout, so if you're thinking of coming, I suggest you get your registration request in pronto.

Looking forward to seeing many of you in Dallas.

Bump to the top!

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:21 pm
by gailcox
We already have many first-timers as well as many "oldies but goodies" returning for the 8th Bogleheads reunion! We don't want anyone left out---make sure you request the registration from on Mel's announcement (above) and I will email it to you within a couple hours.

Thanks--

gail cox (DFW Boglehead)

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:19 pm
by mark500
How many people usually attend these things?

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:22 pm
by White Coat Investor
Mine will be in the mail in the morning. Hopefully I don't have to give my spot(s) to someone on the waitlist.

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:17 pm
by simplesimon
mark500 wrote:How many people usually attend these things?
The website says 150 is the max.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:34 am
by Mel Lindauer
simplesimon wrote:
mark500 wrote:How many people usually attend these things?
The website says 150 is the max.
Hi simplesimon:

Each year we set the limit a bit higher than the previous year. That's done in order to keep the event manageable and somewhat intimate.

Last year we set the max at 130 and sold out in a very short time, and ended up with a long waiting list. This year we decided to see if 150 would still be manageable. At some point, we're going to find that we've reached the maximum size that will still allow for qualify one-on-one time and at that point, we'll not expand the size of the event.

Don't forget that Jack and all the authors have to individually sign their books, and folks usually end up chatting with the authors and often want to have their pictures taken during the book signings. And, with all of his books, there's a physical limit on the time it takes a prolific author like Jack Bogle to be able to sign all of the books that Bogleheads bring to our events.

I'm sure we could probably get thousands if we promoted the event, but that's not what our reunions are all about. We want to retain the intimate and personal feeling we've had at previous events. That's why we tell folks to register promptly, so they don't get shut out, since we will not be expanding the number allowed to attend this event.

Hi Gail, Normsie, Mel, Taylor, Jon, and Dale,

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:39 pm
by Kathleen Ryan
Hi Gail, Normsie, Mel, Taylor, Jon, and Dale,

I can't wait to see you and Mr. Bogle again in September. The check is in the mail. Really! 8)

Hi Gail and Jon,

Thank you for hosting this for us in Dallas, and for all the preparation that that goes with it. I will be happy to volunteer in any capacity I'm needed.

Hi Normsie,

Yes, we will need our cowgirl hats for the next Boglettes appearance. It should be fun with the song Lily suggested. We'll keep it a secret though so we can surprise Mr. Bogle again with our song choice.

Hi Patti,

I'm sorry to hear you and Ed won't be able to attend DH VIII. Your song choice at DH VII was perfect, and your wonderful singing talents will be missed. I hope the other Boglettes will be able to attend. If not, we are always looking for new talent. ;^) What fun we had.

With best wishes to all,
Kathleen

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:42 pm
by gailcox
Kathleen! It will be great to see you in Fort Worth! Yes, we will need your skills at being the "door bouncer" as well as your dancing and singing talent!

It looks like we have about an even mix of first time attendees and those that have attended 1 thru 6 Boglehead reunions. I can't wait to see the "expert" speaker line up!

Gail

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:01 pm
by Mel Lindauer
nvboglehead wrote:Normsie, we promise to never forget you again! Look forward to seeing you there.


Dale
Hi Dale:

I missed your post initially. Glad to hear that you and John will be joining us again this year. Looking forward to seeing you both in Dallas.

Re: Hi Gail, Normsie, Mel, Taylor, Jon, and Dale,

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:32 am
by Mel Lindauer
Kathleen Ryan wrote:Hi Gail, Normsie, Mel, Taylor, Jon, and Dale,

I can't wait to see you and Mr. Bogle again in September. The check is in the mail. Really! 8)

Hi Gail and Jon,

Thank you for hosting this for us in Dallas, and for all the preparation that that goes with it. I will be happy to volunteer in any capacity I'm needed.

Hi Normsie,

Yes, we will need our cowgirl hats for the next Boglettes appearance. It should be fun with the song Lily suggested. We'll keep it a secret though so we can surprise Mr. Bogle again with our song choice.

Hi Patti,

I'm sorry to hear you and Ed won't be able to attend DH VIII. Your song choice at DH VII was perfect, and your wonderful singing talents will be missed. I hope the other Boglettes will be able to attend. If not, we are always looking for new talent. ;^) What fun we had.

With best wishes to all,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen:

It's always good to see your name on the registration list. Looking forward to seeing you and the Boglettes in Dallas again.

Don't know if you and the other Boglettes know it, but a picture of the Boglettes with Jack Bogle in San Diego appeared in Art Carey's story on Jack Bogle in the Philadelphi Inquirer. So your Boglettes are famous beyond San Diego and Las Vegas!

See you in Dallas!

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:07 am
by sleepy
'81 signing in. I'll be attending this year.

I too am taking my CFP exam in July. Hopefully Trifecta and I will both have something to celebrate.

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:44 pm
by Mel Lindauer
sleepy wrote:'81 signing in. I'll be attending this year.

I too am taking my CFP exam in July. Hopefully Trifecta and I will both have something to celebrate.
Looking forward to seeing you in Dallas, sleepy. Good luck in your CFP exam!

Hi Mel,

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:54 pm
by Kathleen Ryan
Dear Mel,

What a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words letting me know that you think it is good to see my name on the registration list. I wouldn't miss it for anything!

You also wrote,
"Looking forward to seeing you and the Boglettes in Dallas again." And we are looking forward to seeing you too!

Thank you also for letting us know that the Boglettes are "famous beyond San Diego and Las Vegas!" It must be the wonderful company we keep with you, Taylor, Mr. Bogle, and our panel of experts. :^)

To date, I know that so far Patti R. and LynnC, won't be be able to join us in the Boglettes line up this year and will be missed very much.

I believe that Gail, Normsie, and I will be there for sure, and hopefully also your sweet wife Marlene L, and Taylor's lovely wife Pat L. , and Sherrie, Debbie, Elke L., and Linda G. will be there again. I hope also that Lily, Rose L. , and Victoria will join us this year too!

Lily suggested a song that I believe we'd all like to sing to Mr. Bogle, and will try our best to keep it a surprise until then. It should be lots of fun again.

I can't wait to see you in Dallas.

With best wishes to you,
Kathleen[/i]

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:41 am
by gailcox
Well, if LynnC and Patti R. can't make it, then we just might have to have try-outs for their spots that will be empty! Do we have any singers and dancers out there! (that can dance with a boa!) All are welcome!


See you in DFW! gail

Hi Gail

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:31 am
by Kathleen Ryan
Hi Gail,

Looking forward to seeing you again, and reprising my "bouncer" skills, though I'm afraid I can't hold a candle to Ann Brennan and Normsie in this department.

You certainly will be busy at DV III as both our hostess and as a singing and dancing Boglette. Do you think we'll all be able to "pull off the look" of boas and cowgirl hats? 8)

With best wishes to you,
Kathleen

Re: Hi Gail

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:54 am
by Mel Lindauer
Kathleen Ryan wrote:Hi Gail,

Looking forward to seeing you again, and reprising my "bouncer" skills, though I'm afraid I can't hold a candle to Ann Brennan and Normsie in this department.

You certainly will be busy at DV III as both our hostess and as a singing and dancing Boglette. Do you think we'll all be able to "pull off the look" of boas and cowgirl hats? 8)

With best wishes to you,
Kathleen
Speaking of Ann Brennan, have you (or anyone) heard from her lately?

Re: Ann Brennan

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:46 pm
by Kathleen Ryan
Hi Mel,

No, I haven't heard from Ann in a long time.

It is always such a cute, incongruent image when I remember how petite and charming Ann is, but very "taking care of business" in her bouncer duties at some of our earliest reunions, namely DH II.

With best wishes to you,
Kathleen

Re: Ann Brennan

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:45 am
by Mel Lindauer
Kathleen Ryan wrote:Hi Mel,

No, I haven't heard from Ann in a long time.

It is always such a cute, incongruent image when I remember how petite and charming Ann is, but very "taking care of business" in her bouncer duties at some of our earliest reunions, namely DH II.

With best wishes to you,
Kathleen
Yeah, Kathleen, Ann sure was an excellent "bouncer", especially considering her miniature size.