Is Cakecamp Worth It?

Decorating By kentuckyjode Updated 12 Jun 2009 , 6:42am by Rylan

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kentuckyjode Posted 11 Apr 2009 , 9:49pm
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I am going to ICES Convention this year and am also considering going to Cake Camp in Vegas....those of you who have been to Cake Camp or both..is one better than the other? Thanks for any input!!

22 replies
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BlakesCakes Posted 11 Apr 2009 , 11:58pm
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I've been to both. Each is it's own "animal".

Cake Camp is geared toward hands on classes. Demos are few and far between. Classes are generally very inexpensive for the talent presenting them and time they take. The vendor room, up until now, has been fairly small, but carries a nice selection of products. The banquet and business meetings are very nice and not very intense.

ICES Convention is geared toward incredibly inexpensive demos with a few hands on classes (new just last year). It also incorporates a lot of sharing via the cake room show that has hundreds of member cakes displayed (no judging). The breakfast meeting is the business meeting for ICES and it's large and intense. Members sometimes ditch it, but they shouldn't. It's their organization and if they don't go to the meeting, they shouldn't complain later about the way ICES is run. The vendor room is huge and you'll probably find any "toy" you'd ever want or need.

I enjoy them both in their own right. I'll be out of town during Cake Camp this year and I'm pretty bummed about it. I'll be at ICES, though, and I'm looking forward to it.

I'm happiest in hands on classes, so I get my greatest joy at Cake Camp--and, of course, it costs more, too, but I also learn a lot at ICES, the shopping can't be beat, and the cake room show is amazing .

HTH
Rae

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vonnie99 Posted 13 Apr 2009 , 11:12am
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I went to Cake Camp for the first time last year and absolutely loved it!!! I thought the prices were great considering the caliber of the instructors and since I was flying in from MA, I also loved that most of the classes provided the supplies. I hope to have another chance to go to cake camp in the future - sadly I can't justify the cost this year since I need to have my house sided...

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psurrette Posted 13 Apr 2009 , 11:39am
post #4 of 23

Hey vonnie where in ma are you from?

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vonnie99 Posted 13 Apr 2009 , 11:46am
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I'm in Springfield - I actually met you at the Big E cake competition last year!

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Rylan Posted 13 Apr 2009 , 12:00pm
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This year will be my first year at cake camp an I personally believe it's worth it to go. I live in Las Vegas, so I have the advantage on saving more cash. No plane tickets, no hotel fees and most of all, I don't have to worry about bringing my stuff to the plane.

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cricket0616 Posted 13 Apr 2009 , 3:26pm
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I am new to the site and looking for ways to improve my skills. I have not heard of Cake Camp before. Can someone fill me in? Is it for the general public? Where is it, etc? Thanks!

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BlakesCakes Posted 13 Apr 2009 , 5:41pm
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You need to be a member of the California Cake Club in order to attend ($20/yr.) It's held in Las Vegas at the Riviera Hotel.

You can find it all at:

cakecamp.com

Rae

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dolcebaci Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 2:43pm
post #9 of 23

I am planning on attending both ICES and Cake Camp this year..for the first time both.
I will be flying in from Toronto to Las Vegas so not quite sure how I am going to take an pieces home icon_surprised.gif

I can hardly wait...anyone else from Canada going to be down there?

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coffeecake Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 3:31pm
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I have not been to an ICES convention yet - but absolutely LOVE cake camp. I enjoy the hands on classes. The class sizes are all limited so you have a fair amount of individualized attention from the instructor. I take some classes that require you to bring items, however, try to take the classes where the instructors provide all materials. There are a large variety of classes, directed at a wide range of skills. I highly recommend attending if you can afford it.

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Madiken Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 3:41pm
post #11 of 23

I've been thinking about cake camp too. I'm from Canada as well dolcebaci! I was wondering if you have to be at a certain skill level to attend or are there classes for beginners?

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Penanera Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 3:51pm
post #12 of 23

This will be my 4th Cake Camp and it is great. Like everyone has said, the teachers are incredible. Where else can you take an 8 hour class with Collette Peters for just a couple of hundred dollars? Or Browen Weber or Nicholas Lodge or Toba Garrett?

I have never been to ICES (next year cause I live in San Diego!) but hear that Cake Camp has so many more hands-on experiences. My only suggestion is not to wait too long to decide cause once they open registration the big name teacher's classes fill up pretty fast (Another benefit, classes average about 25-30 people, small classes, more attention).

Also, it is smart to stay at the Riv. While it is definitely not the most luxurious hotel on the strip, it is really nice to be able to run up to your room between classses and grab your next supplies or anything you might have forgotten. The classes are pretty tight time wise and you would never be able to get to another hotel and back in between.

Hope to see everyone there!

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rottieluvr2000 Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 5:11pm
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I went to Cake Camp for the first time last year and LOVED IT. But I can't afford it this year. Between the registration and the cost of the hotel I would be broke before I could even sign up for a class.

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PuffCake Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 5:32pm
post #14 of 23

Is cake camp always in Las Vegas or does it change cities every year?

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dolcebaci Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 6:05pm
post #15 of 23

Skills...I never think of it as I need a certian skill. I take classes to develople my skills.
I have been teaching now for 7 years and as I tell all my students we all have to start from some place! icon_lol.gif

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Penanera Posted 29 Apr 2009 , 10:58pm
post #16 of 23

It has been in Las Vegas for the last few years and I don't think there are any plans to move it.

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PuffCake Posted 30 Apr 2009 , 12:01am
post #17 of 23

Is it only once per year and is it always in September? I haven't been able to find this info on their website. Thanks.

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Rylan Posted 11 Jun 2009 , 7:43am
post #18 of 23

I decided not to go anymore =[

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tinygoose Posted 11 Jun 2009 , 7:55am
post #19 of 23

Ooh, I wish I could go. I thought I'd be able to this year, but the economy is soo bad (hubby in Real Estate). Maybe next year. I think it would be so fun.

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mbt4955 Posted 11 Jun 2009 , 12:31pm
post #20 of 23

I read somewhere that there will not be a Cake Camp next year. The next one will be in 2011. This might be wrong, but I think it used to be held every other year.

RylanTy ... do you mind sharing why you won't be going anymore? It will be pretty expensive for me to go and I will have to deal with getting supplies there and getting finished items home, so I'm really struggling with my decision. I would love to have some input. Thanks. icon_smile.gif

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BlakesCakes Posted 11 Jun 2009 , 11:14pm
post #21 of 23

No Cake Camp next year--2010-- because CA is hosting the ICES Convention in San Diego--just too much work for members of both organizations to host 2 such big events.

Camp has become so successful that I believe that it will continue to be a yearly event.

The Las Vegas venue is so reasonable when it comes to costs for classrooms and food, that at the moment, no place else seems to be able to compete with it. Participants and their families can also find so much to do there, that the location meets lots of needs.

Rae

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quilting2011 Posted 12 Jun 2009 , 2:35am
post #22 of 23

I am planning to go. Just looking at the instructors. They are great.

I like to take Jet blue from NY to Las Vegas.

I look for classes that the supplies are provided. I like to travel light when I travel.

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Rylan Posted 12 Jun 2009 , 6:42am
post #23 of 23

Martha- I decided not to go because I could no longer afford to get there. I will still go to the vendor area so I can check things out. I hope to see you there.

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