I can't wait to see all of you.
I have brought home corals on the plane as luggage. I packed it very well, and after TSA inspected it, I had my box placed in a rubbermaid tote bin (they use those for soft bags usually) to help avoid luggage bashing into my box. It arrived in perfect condition. Having a box with styrofoam insulation is ideal. You may be able to get one from one of the vendors (free or for a fee), but if you are worried you can always bring one with you. When I went to Boston, this is how I got my many frags home safely. When I went to Washington DC, I used a Seachem salt bucket to house my corals and didn't have to worry about possible leaks. And when I went to New York earlier this year, I brought home a few frags carefully packed in my suitcase. Some were in water, others with a damp papertowel. I still have all of them doing well, months later.
Vendors do sell corals throughout the conference, while others won't sell until Sunday. Those that sell earlier will keep your corals in the back section of the tank in the 'sold' section. You can just pick them up when it is time for you to leave.
Check-out for the hotel is always at noon, but each hotel I've stayed at has had a security room where I could put my luggage and new goodies until my flight leaves that evening.
Rich, I'll be looking for you at the conference and the bar. So be sure you have your namebadge with your username visible. It'll be nice to meet you finally.
Andrew - I made the request. It is up to the moderators if they want to pin it. At least for now, as we reply we keep bumping this thread and that keeps it pretty visible.