A couple of months ago I wrote that I’ll be speaking at the frequent flyer and casino loyalty event, ZorkFest, this October. The event room block is almost full, and closes September 19th. Registration closes soon as well. I’ve been given a promo code for readers to take $55 off: lateearly88

• Friday, October 13 – Sunday, October 15 at Harrah’s Take Tahoe
  
• Points and miles and the intricacies of casino loyalty programs (the house doesn’t always win)
  
• Other speakers include gambling experts and travel writers such as Gilbert Ott (God Save the Points), Carissa Rawson (Upgraded Points), and Ben Komenkul (Ben’s Big Deal)

Here’s an interesting bit of trivia about the space where the event will be held,

We are holding ZorkFest in the iconic SUMMIT SUITE (I believe this was the duplex Star Suite, before being converted into an event space) at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe on the (private elevator) 16th floor with stunning views of Lake Tahoe!

Also some fun trivia: The Wild Tahoe Weekend Where Trump Allegedly Hosted Karen McDougal, Met Stormy Daniels

She says she was staying with Trump at a penthouse suite at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino which was a discreet distance from where the tournament was being held. McDougal says Trump invited her to that wild weekend at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in July 2006, the same weekend where he allegedly met adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The link has details on the schedule, pricing, room block, and optional activities like group gaming.

Would you believe you’ll learn lessons for customer service and dealing with large companies form the mistakes Frank Sinatra made in 1963 that cost him his Nevada casino license?

And did you know that sports betting and online casino apps can help you generate points and airline and hotel status at no or very low cost? Or ‘create’ MGM Platinum status?

The event includes a day of Frequent Traveler University on Sunday after the main sessions end; a program for companions who aren’t participating; a cocktail reception, dinner, and mixology program. I’m told that,

The cocktail reception and mingling is going to be really nice, this summit suite is awesome. Also, nothing before 10am in the morning (actually 11am on Friday and Saturday) – except optional extras like early morning craps.

Those of us on the points and miles beat I think will do a nice job helping you maximize your miles and travel experience. But I also think too many people miss out on the sweet spots of casino gaming programs, because they seem foreign the same way that miles and points can seem foreign to the uninitiated. Before event organizer Michael Trager told me 8 or more years ago that I shouldn’t put down my membership number when I’m playing the lowest stakes, it hadn’t occurred to me. You never want to fail to give your membership number, right? I had so much to learn then…

For avoidance of doubt, I have no financial interest in the event and I’m not being paid to speak. I haven’t done one of these consumer-focused events in awhile and I thought it would be fun. Hope to see some of you there.