Anyone been to Be All Chicago?

[Taylor Anne]

Every time I find a conference, it's always at a time I can't attend, or it's too far away. But, this time, the 2008 Be All Chicago (http://www.be-all.org/index.html) is a possibility: May 27-June 1, 2008.

I've never been outside my house en femme, so it could be an overwhelming thing. I guess you could say I'm a lazy crossdresser, but I think it would be cool to actually be out dressed en femme in a safe, secure place.

Has anyone ever been to this? What are the people like? Is it safe? What's it like to sit and listen dressed en femme? And, what about talking--I guess we just use our normal voice, right?

Oy vey, I'm such a hapless dweeb!

[SANDRA MICHELLE]

It is wonderful ands very safe. You will have the time of your life and everyone you meet will be friends for as long as you want them to be. I have been to this 3 years in a row and you can not go wrong fr the amount of things to do and the learning experiences. Hope to see you there this coming year.

[Sylvia H]

BeAll 2007 was my 1st time out. It was totally awesome!. Absolutely elating. There is so much to do and see. I think you will be quite surprised at how easy it will be to blend it. I plan on going to 2008. Hope to see you there.

xoxo
Sylvia H

[Joy Carter]

Been there in 07'. Was a grand time. Hope to be there in 08'.
You girls want to meet up, I think it would be fun.
I talked to allot of girls there, that never heard of CD.com.

[Kathleen Ann Trees]

I know I've seen the link on the things to do side, but I'd love to hear more from our family here. How many attend? Is anyone local that doesn't spend the night in the hotel? What DO the staff say at these?

Kathleen

[dancinginthedark]

I've been twice now. The staff is very courteous to everyone.

I felt a bit under dressed on the nite of the dance compared to some of the beautiful gowns [-]some[/-] most of the ladies were wearing. :eek: :D I got caught staring once and was a little embarrassed. LOL But like I explained to the young lady the dress was gorgeous.. a floor length satin in a creme color with some glittery little tear drop beading on it, long sleeved with the sleeves done in a lacy material so thin it looked like as delicate as a spider web that came to a point at the wrist and a slight train in back. The dress made a delicious rustling sound as she walked by on strapy heels with maybe a 5' heel and adorable beaded hand clutch. Oh you had to see it to appreciate it but she looked so beautiful and graceful.

Any way there were some S/O's there. I'm a wife and I was hanging in groups with friends old and new. Sometimes My best friend/sis and I would sneak outside for a breath of fresh air. Hubby didn't go this year so I went with my bestest friends. I didn't feel the least bit out of place being one of a few GG in a room full of TG folks since everyone is so accepting and friendly.

How many attended? No idea. I know the bar was generally packed and while full the room reserved for the dance had plenty of room to move around in. The vendors booths were busy and it is was more crowded in there but that may have been the time I went. I didn't do any seminars so no help there.

I'm not local so I stayed at Double Tree both times. I did meet others there who were locale and come for events and the dinner/dance. Some just come to the hotel bar where many are staying and just hang with friends. Others arrange to meet at local bars or restaurants to visit friends or meet up with folks they may know but only online.

Some ladies used a more femme voice others simply spoke softer. Others spoke in what I assumed was their normal voice. No one seemed to take much notice and until you asked I hadn't even considered how folks were talking. :strugglin
Guess that means that voice was NOT overly important but being out and about fully accepted was.

I think you'd have a great time.


dancin

PS~ for any of you who attended last year I was the red head dressed in black looking around for Joy and embarrassed myself leaning over trying to read name tags pinned to purses. I think some of the ladies thought I was checking out their back sides. lol

~

[Joy Carter]

I can tell you that it won't be at the Double Tree in 08'. And if I recall there were at least five hundred there. There were all kinds of girls there. Even a few GM's in drab.

All are welcome and you can stay on the hotel grounds, or go out and about if you wish. There are seminars, the bar, venors, the bar, meals if you wish to pay extra and the bar. They even had an open bar in a meeting room with snacks. It was open at selected times. I think it was all included in the reservation. The last evening there is a big dinner with entertainement.

I'd not worry about what you look like. (See My Picture) There were some that were.............OK I'll be nice. :rolleyes:
Just dress nice and enJOY the new found friends.

You truly won't be sorry. :D

[Roberta Lynn]

Hi Taylor Anne
B-All this year was the first time I had every gone out of the house dressed.
I had a great time. Here's a link to the thread I posted about my experience.
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60198

The best thing to do if it's your first time is to meet up with some of the girls here that are going to attend. I did with Joy and Teresa and couldn't ask for a couple of better big sisters to help me over my first time jitters.
Hope to see you there.

[KateSpade83]

Gee, I used to live in Chicago but never have been to one...

[rexy]

GIRLS THE BE-ALL HAS A WEB SITE THAT YOU CAN LOOK AT IT WILL HELP TO ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS. MYSELF I HAVE BEEN TO THE LAST TWO AND WILL CONTINUE TO GO AS LONG AS I CAN. LAST YEAR I WORKED IN HOSPITALITY SUITE IT WAS SO MUCH FUN !! (I WANT TO SAY HI TO YOU JOY WE MET AT THE HOSP. SUITE. ) GIRLS IF YOU ARE THINKING AT ALL ABOUT COMING YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY . HUGS :love: THE WEB SITE IS BE-ALL.ORG

[Taylor Anne]

Wonderful! I think it would be a blast if I can work it out. I'm really glad for so many commenting. I'm truly impressed with those who are courageous enough to go these events. Wow. Because of all the support, I'm feeling much more perky about it all.

[Taylor Anne]

Any way there were some S/O's there. I'm a wife and I was hanging in groups with friends old and new. Sometimes My best friend/sis and I would sneak outside for a breath of fresh air. Hubby didn't go this year so I went with my bestest friends. I didn't feel the least bit out of place being one of a few GG in a room full of TG folks since everyone is so accepting and friendly.
~

Thank you, Dancin'! That is so cool that you're supportive. I have a GG friend who's also very supportive, but she moved away a couple of years ago for a job. Your husband is very lucky to have your support!

I think it would be quite an experience for me, and I think Roberta and Joy have a very good idea about meeting there. It's still months away, and I still have to work out the schedule, but what a trip for a naive, sheltered girl like me!

[Taylor Anne]

Hi Taylor Anne
B-All this year was the first time I had every gone out of the house dressed.
I had a great time. Here's a link to the thread I posted about my experience.
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60198

The best thing to do if it's your first time is to meet up with some of the girls here that are going to attend. I did with Joy and Teresa and couldn't ask for a couple of better big sisters to help me over my first time jitters.
Hope to see you there.

Thanks, Roberta! And, to Teresa! Love reading the stories and seeing the pictures--what an inspiration!

[Billijo49504]

Sounds like fun, now that I'm retarded, Oppps! Retired. I might be able to go. If I can afford it.. It does sound like everyone had a great time...BJ