As an IT wife, sometimes I get to tag along to conferences and events in the computer and technology world. For me, they’re getaways; for my husband, they’re some work, some play.
For a few years now, I’ve been hanging out at the Millennium Micro (MM) conference in Laval, Quebec, where I may attend seminars on marketing or something else of interest, but usually I people-watch, read my book, and take a swim or two. Sometimes alone, sometimes with other IT wives, and sometimes actually with my husband.
The MM conference is usually held at the Sheraton Laval Hotel and Conference Centre (Sheraton Laval et Centre de congrès). The rooms are spacious and nice, the food is good (and included as part of the conference), and while the conference takes over the hotel’s full meeting and ballroom space, there’s still room to sit quietly while sessions are running.
For those wondering, my husband owns and operates a Kingston-based business called Fusix. They say they’re an IT business – and they are – but they also provide network and sound system support and installation, mount and install TVs and monitors, and map wiring plans for new builds or renos, among other things. In fact, they just finished rewiring a local library branch that had been under renovation for two years. I heard that it was down to the wire (pun intended!), but everyone was very happy with the work they did, and the branch was ready to open as planned!
Millennium Micro is essentially a buying group with small business supports. The conference brings together IT professionals specializing in retail, educational, and commercial applications, and offers educational and informational sessions. There’s also a huge trade show with fun prizes and a gala on the last evening.
Back to my tag-along travel notes…
The first year I went to the MM conference, there were fluffy robes in the room. That was my first time ever staying in a hotel with that level of “extras”. Being a short but curvy woman, the robe barely fit, but that didn’t stop me from wearing it to lounge occasionally! (There aren’t always robes in the room, and I forever wonder why there was one that first year.)
For those who travel often and stay at Marriott Hotels (which this Sheraton is part of), there’s a frequent-stay tier that gives you access to a fun side room with breakfast and always-available snacks. Again, that first year we qualified for that with our stays (maybe the robe was part of this promo?) and it was lovely being able to go sit in an even quieter area to read and maybe snack on nuts or similar after breakfast is cleared away. Another feature of this room was a wine dispenser that offered maybe 5 or 6 options, for a fee. I didn’t use it, but it was tempting!
Needing extra food wasn’t really a problem during the conference, though. They offer morning and afternoon snacks, as well as a full buffet lunch. There are also dinners provided (besides the gala), which are quite similar to the lunches. The food quality is very good, and there are a lot of options to choose from. The restaurant, which may be closed to outside diners during the conference, is called La Piazza, and is usually open to the public.
Another amenity at the hotel is a spa. Every year I threaten to go, and then I don’t. Having a little pool and hot tub time is enough to refresh me most of the time, and I’m never a fan of spending mucho dinero. In fact, I’ve only been for a spa treatment once (I’m not counting manis, pedis or waxing in here – each of which I have done at least once), and it was lovely and relaxing, and so good for my skin, but also pricey. There’s just something about the mostly nakedness and tactile sensations that I just don’t enjoy enough to spend the money. But, I’ve heard good things about this spa, so there may come a time I indulge.
The conference is in late September, which is a great time for travelling. However, the hotel is not located close to anything worth walking to (besides a mall) for those who like to stretch their legs without calling a taxi or figuring out the bus system.
I’ve only recently started going to these, as my kids are now both teenagers and can be home alone for a weekend. Of course we alert our nearby family and make sure there’s food (that they may not eat) and essentials to see them through the two night we won’t be home. There’s something very freeing in knowing your kids are responsible enough to leave alone for short-ish periods of time!
In fact, last year I also tagged along to an international conference in Amsterdam – but that’s a story for another article.
I’m already booked for this September’s MM conference, and for another international conference in the fall. Stay tuned for updates and follow my Facebook page Jess Foley Writer, where I mainly share photos and shorter thoughts!
Do you tag along with your spouse to events or conferences? I’d love to hear about how you fill your time while your significant other is learning or working. Leave me a comment below!
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