In regards to the early sell-off of chips made for conventions...I offer my two-bits: Having worked for a large hotel in Chicago for ten years, I know that contracts are signed for group bookings. I am assuming that everyone at the conventions books as a group (much better rates). If this is true, then it would be noteworthy to have the hotel include the opportunity to purchase X amount of convention chips in the contract. It being that the hotel the group is staying at issues the chips, I can assure you that they will make the chips available...perhaps, as a part of the package rate. If you do not book as a group, then disregard!