Save the Date!

MomCon on a Budget (taken from MOPS International's website)

So you want to go to MomCon, but your piggy bank is on the light side. What you need is a plan, and the good news is you have plenty of time to budget for this amazing event!
Start now – while Convention tickets are on sale!

Step 1: Make a realistic expense list. Talk to your leadership team about pooling funds and sharing costs.

Step 2: Determine monthly savings to build your event fund. Starting now gives you more time to plan and more time to save.

Step 3: Cut back on expenses to add to your fund. Dining out one less time could add $25-$50 to your MOPS Convention fund each month!

Step 4: Talk to your church about sponsoring part of the cost. Can they match funds, or possibly cover event registration for your team?

Step 5: Fundraise! What can you and your travel partners make/bake/do to raise funds? Determine a realistic goal - $500, $1000, 50% of your event related costs – whatever the amount, set an achievable goal that will give your group a sense of accomplishment while helping to cover event costs.

We’ve done a lot of the budgeting homework for you! Below you’ll find the information you need to start planning for MOPS Convention:

The Event: MomCon 2013 tickets are just $199 through June 15. Register now to take advantage of early bird savings!

Accommodations: Based on quad occupancy at the Marriott or Crown Plaza hotels next to the KC Convention Center: $146-$156 (rate includes continental breakfast to-go)

Airfare: MOPS staffers found rates of $190-$240 per person round trip from different areas of the country into Kansas City. (Rates vary depending on airline, dates of travel, and dates of booking.)

Gas: Driving a minivan from Denver to Kansas City you’d need two tanks of gas (starting on empty) to get there – that’s a 9.5 hour drive. Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and many other cities are even closer. Wichita, Omaha and Des Moines are just three hours away. If you live within driving distance of Kansas City, getting to MomCon is really affordable!

Van Rental: If your team isn’t blessed to have a van at your disposal, rent one! Carrying 7+ passengers in a rented van is cheaper than driving two or three separate vehicles to the event. We found a deal at www.Hotwire.com for a seven-passenger minivan for $52 per day, unlimited mileage! (Check deals in your area – pricing varies by location, vehicle and dates.)

Eats: MOPS is hooking up with local food trucks in Kansas City to offer a variety of tasty fare right where you are. The Convention Center is within walking distance of the Power & Light District featuring everything from Chipotle to high end steak houses and all price points in between. At the Marriott or Crown Plaza, breakfast will be provided. Plan for $10-27 per meal for lunch & dinner, depending on your personal taste and budget.

Now it’s your turn! Grab a pen and a piece of paper and start crunching the numbers. With a little planning and teamwork, your leadership team can afford to go to MOPS Convention! We can’t wait to see you there.