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Also, Raleigh (and I say this both with affection and from experience) acts a bit big for its britches. The standard rates for downtown (non-crap) hotels is... not cheap. Rack rate for both the Sheraton and the Marriott is nigh 'round $300 for a single. There are inexpensive options in walking distance (e.g., Clarion), but they come with the concomitant cheap hotel caveats. On Mon, Jul 1, 2013 at 9:30 AM, Gary McGath <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > On 7/1/13 8:00 AM, BWS Johnson wrote: > > Salvete! > > > > > > > >> But please don't expect the conference itself to select the venue and > >> complete conference package based on the sole requirement to keep room > >> rates down. > > > > I never suggested any such thing. I kindly suggested that someone > might wish to see if the hotel would come down on its price. I stated the > fact that for that market during those dates, its cost is above its > competitors. One of my colleagues noted that government rates for that > locality are substantially lower, too. > > As someone that has organised, or had a role in putting together > many conferences, I well realise that room rates are not the only factor. I > understand the dynamics in play in terms of meeting room space, proximity > to attractions, et cetera. > > However, I felt that it would be a good idea to act when I perceived > that we were getting a raw deal. There's enough warning here that it would > allow for a change for everyone's benefit. Many times I've been able to > secure a better rate for my organisation simply by bringing in data and > asking for a better deal than the boilerplate. > > From my own experience, I can confirm it's a waste of time to ask a > hotel to come down on the rate after the contract is signed and the rate > announced. All it can do is damage the relationship between the > organizing group and the hotel. > > > -- > Gary McGath, Professional Software Developer > http://www.garymcgath.com >