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Re: Above market hotel room rates

2010-03-24 09:53:42
Phil,
        I've been booking lower non-ietf rates at most IETFs for quite some
time now.  I don't remember when I started, but it certainly was after
AMS took over.  If the problem is really as you suggest, that rates go
down from the time of contract signing to when the meeting is actually
held, then this can be easily addressed in the contract.  If one had
checked rates at the time this hotel was announced, you would have found
like I did that the adjacent weeks had much lower rates than this week.
 This was the context for my question to Ray in Hiroshima. Clearly those
who are negotiating on our behalf could be doing a better job on
pricing.  If they can't get obtain better prices, what's the point of
having a IETF/group rate?  We should all just book individually.

I don't think anyone, including myself, need someone to "cry to", but I
do want an IAD/secretariat that works to the benefit of the IETF.  I
can't speak for anyone but myself, I come to the IETF to work.  I really
don't come to the IETF for the nearby attractions or the right brownies.
 In order to do our work, I think we need a reasonable and safe meeting
environment (which includes no construction, a past problem that the
secretariat thankfully ensures no longer occurs), a meeting location
that is easily accessible, and costs that are contained (because if
they're not, my and many others ability to attend will be limited.)

Perhaps I'm misinformed or being unreasonable, but I expect that it is
the IAD/secretariat's job to deliver these.

Lou

On 3/23/2010 8:19 PM, pjnesser(_at_)gmail(_dot_)com wrote:
Well I am not in the secretariat but I expect it is something along the lines 
of: 

The ietf reserves the hotel a year or more in advance and signs a contract 
for a block or rooms at rate X which is a discount on what the hotel expects 
room rates to be in the future.  Then a year goes by and the economy dictates 
what the actual room rates are at the time of the conference.  Usually its a 
lot more.  Occasionally its not.  Anyone making reservations should always 
ask what rate is available at the time.  Of the standard rate is less then 
book that.  People need to be responsible for themselves and not cry to the 
secretariat to manage their lives for them.  I paid for my own way when I 
went to meetings and you can be sure I asked when making reservations.

Phil
------Original Message------
From: Lou Berger
Sender: ietf-bounces(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
To: Samuel Weiler
Cc: ietf(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
Subject: Re: Above market hotel room rates
Sent: Mar 23, 2010 7:36 PM

I asked Ray about this problem in Hiroshima, his response was something
along the lines of "conference rates are different and more complicated
from regular hotel rates".  I have to say, I really think the community
deserves a detailed response on this topic from the secretariat...

Lou

On 3/23/2010 6:44 PM, Samuel Weiler wrote:
Once again, we appear to be meeting in a hotel that's offering lower rates 
to 
the general public than they're offering to us.

As of right now, the "Best Available Rate" at the Anaheim Hilton for 
tonight, 
23 March 2010, is $119.  The senior rate is $113.  That's from hilton.com. 
With a 2 day cancellation policy.

The same rate is also available for a three night stay, leaving on Friday.

-- Sam
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