Mid-May Update

[Kristie]

Just a short update to let you know where we're at with everything.

October 21-23 is the weekend and I have 27 registrants confirmed as of today...

hotel rates are pretty high that weekend, but compared to the weekends surrounding, they're not that different, so some of you may want to *find a buddy* to bunk with to save some scratch...if your EVEN *thinking* of coming, at least book your reservation now before rates start going up even further!!!!! most hotel reservations can be cancelled 72-48 hrs in advance.

and we've finally narrowed down the location.

-> Plan on the MGM Grand Casino being "the" place where NJC 2005 will take place. Got a room with a VIEW (ie: Patio overlooking the strip)

That's all I have for now...

[Doug Taylor]

Let's just say that it's going to be a little more Vegas this year than it was last year

Like the lady said, get your rooms ASAP because considering every third fricken TV show has a Las Vegas theme, the hotels are cashing in on the publicity.

[JEP]

MGM Grand Basic Rates:
Oct. 1 $200.00 Oct. 16 $170.00
Oct. 2 $150.00 Oct. 17 $170.00
Oct. 3 $150.00 Oct. 18 $170.00
Oct. 4 $160.00 Oct. 19 $150.00
Oct. 5 $160.00 Oct. 20 $150.00
Oct. 6 $160.00 Oct. 21 $210.00
Oct. 7 $220.00 Oct. 22 $220.00
Oct. 8 $260.00 Oct. 23 $140.00
Oct. 9 $170.00 Oct. 24 $160.00
Oct. 10 $150.00 Oct. 25 $170.00
Oct. 11 $160.00 Oct. 26 $170.00
Oct. 12 $160.00 Oct. 27 $140.00
Oct. 13 $160.00 Oct. 28 $180.00
Oct. 14 $200.00 Oct. 29 $200.00
Oct. 15 $220.00 Oct. 30 $170.00
Oct. 31 $200.00

[kellwolf]

Um, dang. Any chance on a possible group rate? Us poor, starving CFIs don't have that much pennies in the couch cushions.

[Doug Taylor]

There's really no advantage to staying at the MGM, just that the event is being held at MGM. It's actually more economical and higher quality (!) than what we used last year. Cool-factor 10-plus!

The big sticker with the group rates was that we needed at least 30 rooms reserved last year to guarantee the rate, but even after a few months of poking and prodding people to reserve at last year's hotel, I think we eventually confirmed 17 rooms and had to do a lot of tapdancing with to keep the negotiated rate on the meeting space.

The name of the game is really negotiations - if I can call a hotel and say, "I need 30-plus rooms firm", we could probably start working a rate down, but behind the scenes, the whole group rate thing was a three month nightmare. It pretty much turned into "$120 for Hawthorn? Well, there's $85/night at ABC Inn so we're going to go there instead."

But we really don't have any leverage unless we're going to reserve, at absolute bare minimum, 25 to 30 firm rooms before negotiations even start.

Certainly, in lieu of a group rate or even a recommended hotel for the event, Non Rev Central's hotel search engine is your friend!

But not that we won't be able to look at group rates, but it really depends more on how many rooms we're actually going to need over and above the amount of participants.

[kellwolf]

Yeah, I REALLY like that end of the strip, too. Then again so do most people, hence the reason it's a bit more expensive. Excalibur is right across the street, though. They tend to have some pretty good rates most of the time.

[Doug Taylor]

Excalibur is very cool.

Kind of like an airline terminal at times, but nice low limit tables.

[gurisudenko]

Someone help me! I don't know where to stay! Can anyone suggest a hotel with good rates that's not a huge walk away?

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
Someone help me! I don't know where to stay! Can anyone suggest a hotel with good rates that's not a huge walk away?

[/ QUOTE ]

Haven't you been paying attantion to any of these threads?

I know a few good places with hourly rates. Good, downtown locations.....albeit on the north side of the strip.

[I_Money]

[ QUOTE ]
Someone help me! I don't know where to stay!

[/ QUOTE ]

May I suggest with me??

[Dazzler]

[ QUOTE ]
Someone help me! I don't know where to stay! Can anyone suggest a hotel with good rates that's not a huge walk away?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm telling ya, it's all about the Sahara or the Stratosphere.

IF I go, then I will stay at one of those 2.
Thing is I just got back from Vegas last weekend (stayed at the Sahara), and I will be back in November (company is paying for me to stay at the Mirage ), so can I really go a third time in the same year???

Just don't stay with Iain - you can't trust those Englishmen!

[Kristie]

the problem is that even when i asked for group rates, they were $100+ for a group of 30 rooms or more...

the more rooms you reserved, the lower the room cost would be.

so even for 30 rooms, we're not going to get a really decent room rate. If we had over 200 or so, it might be better.

[Dazzler]

[ QUOTE ]
If we had over 200 or so, it might be better.

[/ QUOTE ]

So, reserve 200 and if there are any rooms left over then I'm sure Doug would be willing to foot the bill with the mega bucks he earns

[gurisudenko]

[ QUOTE ]

Haven't you been paying attantion to any of these threads?


[/ QUOTE ]

*Picks nose*

[Kristie]

ya right

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
the problem is that even when i asked for group rates, they were $100+ for a group of 30 rooms or more...

the more rooms you reserved, the lower the room cost would be.

so even for 30 rooms, we're not going to get a really decent room rate. If we had over 200 or so, it might be better.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let's face it. The shindig is much like airline flying..........for those that can afford it, no Southwest Airlines or JetBlue here.....

[Kristie]

not unless you want to stay off strip and/or in a motel 6 or something like that.

it seems to me like bunking together is a good option too

[gurisudenko]

That's it I'm gonna have about ten people in a room at the MGM. Heck yes.

[kellwolf]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm telling ya, it's all about the Sahara or the Stratosphere.

[/ QUOTE ]

Down side is both of those are more than "a huge walk away" from MGM.

[Bumblebee]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm telling ya, it's all about the Sahara or the Stratosphere.

[/ QUOTE ]

Down side is both of those are more than "a huge walk away" from MGM.

[/ QUOTE ]

The monorail (if it's working) does run from the north end near the Stratosphere to the MGM.

[Kristie]

yup, it's working! it costs about $3 per ride... and it's a bit slow, but it definately DOES cut down the walk time!! with drink in hand, it should work fine! hahaha

[Captain_Bob]

[ QUOTE ]
The monorail (if it's working) does run from the north end near the Stratosphere to the MGM.

[/ QUOTE ] Monorail?? !!?? Did somebody say Monorail?!?

What'd I say...

Monorail !!

WooHoo! Doh!



*(need speakers to enjoy it!)*

[kellwolf]

Sadly, that was the first thing that went through my mind when I saw the words "monorail."

Since it's made by Bombardier, does that make it an RJ?

[Doug Taylor]

you forgot the "because if it is, I'm so logging it!"

[kellwolf]

Is it under 12,500 lbs?