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I'll be attending my first Rally this year (I'm in my 2nd year of membership) but I saw from last years Rally info that there was a "Mentor Sign Up" in addition to the one that occurs the Thursday upon arrival. What is that? Who are the mentors? And finally... what happens when you engage a mentor... like what sort of questions would I ask of someone I know nothing about?

There might be confusion here between one-on-one mentoring - your 15 minute session with a chosen mentor and the mentor lunches.

Mentor lunches are with purchased tickets in advance, bought on line. It's a large lunch affair (pretty good food!) whereby one mentor sits at every table and chats with the members at that table. Every 15 minutes or so, the mentors play musical chairs and sit at different tables. You get to meet screeners, industry experts, and other very knowledgeable folks. If it's your first rally especially, I recommend you attend ONE of these. I think it's around $30-$35. You have to eat anyway!

However, the one-on-one mentor sessions can only be signed up for in person at the rally registration desk - not on-line. That's why it's important to get on line early on Thursday (IF this is very important to you)... The earlier you register at the rally, the better your choice of mentor since the number of sessions for each mentor is limited. Popular folks like Jason Blume, for example, get snagged early on.

Taxi learned long ago that the one-on-one mentor sessions require in-person sign-up because if people signed up on-line in advance, there are too many problems with no shows and it ends up unfair to everyone.

HTH
Casey

The "waiting in line" for registration on Thursday is really WAY more fun than anyone can image that hasn't done it. On paper, the idea of waiting in line for 4 hours or more doesn't sound so good but the reality is that it's a 4 hour party/meet-n-greet/music-listening-session/new-friend-making type of affair. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

davewalton wrote:The "waiting in line" for registration on Thursday is really WAY more fun than anyone can image that hasn't done it. On paper, the idea of waiting in line for 4 hours or more doesn't sound so good but the reality is that it's a 4 hour party/meet-n-greet/music-listening-session/new-friend-making type of affair. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Yup! I believe that is where I met/chatted/conversed with Mr. Walton, Mr. Mazz, Mr. Adonis, Ms. Boss, Mr. Tino and many, many others. It's one of the best parts of the Rally, at least for me.

What Dave and Casey said! Kayle and I chattd for hours last year in line. The hotel got smart and now send a person up and down the line selling drinks in the afternoon. It's a great way to jumpstart the hang aspect of the Rally.

See you in line!

Casey H wrote:Mentor lunches are with purchased tickets in advance, bought on line. It's a large lunch affair (pretty good food!) whereby one mentor sits at every table and chats with the members at that table. Every 15 minutes or so, the mentors play musical chairs and sit at different tables. You get to meet screeners, industry experts, and other very knowledgeable folks. If it's your first rally especially, I recommend you attend ONE of these. I think it's around $30-$35. You have to eat anyway!
HTH
Casey

Do you know the link to purchase a Mentor Lunch Ticket?

comasj wrote:

Casey H wrote:Mentor lunches are with purchased tickets in advance, bought on line. It's a large lunch affair (pretty good food!) whereby one mentor sits at every table and chats with the members at that table. Every 15 minutes or so, the mentors play musical chairs and sit at different tables. You get to meet screeners, industry experts, and other very knowledgeable folks. If it's your first rally especially, I recommend you attend ONE of these. I think it's around $30-$35. You have to eat anyway!
HTH
Casey

Do you know the link to purchase a Mentor Lunch Ticket?

I don't think they are available yet. Taxi will communicate it when they are available so watch those Taxi emails.

Casey

The "mentor sign up" I asked about was the paid mentor lunches you described Casey. I was wondering if I missed them or if I didn't know the "secret society" to contact regarding this matter!!

davewalton wrote:The "waiting in line" for registration on Thursday is really WAY more fun than anyone can image that hasn't done it. On paper, the idea of waiting in line for 4 hours or more doesn't sound so good but the reality is that it's a 4 hour party/meet-n-greet/music-listening-session/new-friend-making type of affair. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

If it's a 4 hour waiting line, cattle call... when do people start this line??? And what time do "the doors open"???

AndyKotz wrote:

davewalton wrote:The "waiting in line" for registration on Thursday is really WAY more fun than anyone can image that hasn't done it. On paper, the idea of waiting in line for 4 hours or more doesn't sound so good but the reality is that it's a 4 hour party/meet-n-greet/music-listening-session/new-friend-making type of affair. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

If it's a 4 hour waiting line, cattle call... when do people start this line??? And what time do "the doors open"???

If I recall, the line can start as early as 12-1PM on Thursday. They usually open the registration desk for business around 5PM. But as Dave said, the line can be fun. There even are jam sessions right on line.

Casey