hotel for fudcon tempe 2011

[Robyn Bergeron]

On Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 5:22 PM, Paul W. Frields <stickster at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 05:56:17PM -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
>> On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 11:14:47AM -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
>> > On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 10:05:13AM -0400, seth vidal wrote:
>> > > On Thu, 2010-08-12 at 09:26 -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
>> > > > >
>> > > > > I can go through the group reseveration proposal process, if you'd like
>> > > > > but I'm worried I'll be nagging you for a lot more information.
>> > > >
>> > > > You're probably right -- after all, it's been a requirement for the
>> > > > person signing the actual contract to work this out.
>> > > >
>> > > > > it's right here:
>> > > > > http://www.marriott.com/meetings/group-travel/schedule-groupBooking.mi?marshaCode=phxte
>> > > > >
>> > > > > I can fill it out tomorrow after consulting a bit on what our
>> > > > > requirements are.
>> > > >
>> > > > Usually, rather than filling out the form, it's easier to simply phone
>> > > > the hotel directly and ask for the group coordinator.  More efficient
>> > > > and you can generally avoid getting highballed (on price) that way.
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > > Well, then here's all the contact information:
>> > >
>> > > * Phone:  1-480-966-2800
>> > >   * Fax:  1-480-829-8446
>> > >   * Sales:  1-480-966-2800 ext. 619
>> > >   * Sales fax:  1-480-829-8446
>> >
>> > I'm going to call them this afternoon Eastern time (their morning
>> > local time).  Thanks.
>>
>> I called the Courtyard this afternoon and had a very pleasant exchange
>> with John, one of the group sales coordinators.  Although their
>> published rate is still actually around $149, Seth provided some
>> online booking references for the $99 rate.  They are actually
>> provided as part of a "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" deal, meaning 3 nights works
>> out to an average rate of $99.  Since we are going to be using at
>> least 3 nights for just about everyone who's there, I'm pretty
>> confident about negotiating for it.
>>
>> I also found out they have plenty of space for a 50-room block, and
>> will not hold us to any kind of maximum attrition (meaning we don't
>> pay for rooms we don't use).  We'd be required of course to give those
>> rooms up out of the block after a specific deadline, meaning they go
>> back to the general room population for letting to whoever comes
>> along.  That's expected and perfectly acceptable.
>>
>> I'm having an email conversation as follow-up with the coordinator, so
>> please stay tuned -- I'll have more information soon.
>
> The Courtyard tells me the $99 rate is limited to a maximum of two
> rooms for the weekend as a special deal through hotels.com.  However,
> they're willing to extend us a rate of $129/night, which is still a
> pretty substantial savings in my opinion.
>
> I'm going to try to rake them over the coals a little more, but if
> that won't work, are there strident objections about going with this
> hotel?
>
> /me eyes Robyn, who spent quite a bit of time working on hotels
> already.  If she can feel good about this choice, then so can I.

I think this seems like a reasonable deal.  Are they aware that we're
looking at another hotel?

And - are they able / willing to give us any concessions like -
* offering up a room for hackspace
* OR - offering us maybe some upgrades from regular rooms to suites -
so we have some living space to go along with sleeping areas to hack
in / keep soda / eat pizza in?

If not - how much is a hackspace going to cost? I was pretty
comfortable with the Mission Palms not having a dedicated room - just
because it has a giant courtyard with TONS of seating, patio heaters,
fireplaces, and a really enormous lobby - plenty of spaces for people
to spread out and get together.  I'm not entirely sure what the
Courtyard tempe has - there are photos, but i haven't actually walked
around inside / outside to get a feel. It may be adequate as well.

-Robyn

>
>
> --
> Paul W. Frields                                http://paul.frields.org/
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