OFFICIAL - Hotel/Site Selection

[JohnT]

The third hotel is the Days Inn in Timonium. I haven't been able to get in touch with their corporate sales guy since I've gotten back in Knoxville, but their basic room rates are cheaper than the other two.

However... take a look at it. It's kind of dumpy, with threadbare carpeting in the meeting room(s), and the voices of the staff are just dripping with apathy. "Yeah... Let me GO see if he's here! Wait a minute", as the phone is dropped onto the counter.

[ZargonX]

On the good news front, the Light Rail is actually getting close to being up and running again, and should definitely be available for use come Summer.

[ZargonX]

And John, if you want me to go scout out any of these places in person, let me know. They are all literally within 5 minutes of me, so it's no problem.

[JohnT]

My wife and I are likely coming up this next weekend (Thanksgiving)... we'll be glad to meet you!

[Immortal Wombat]

Originally posted by JohnT
However... take a look at it. It's kind of dumpy, with threadbare carpeting in the meeting room(s), and the voices of the staff are just dripping with apathy. "Yeah... Let me GO see if he's here! Wait a minute", as the phone is dropped onto the counter.

If it has the prices to match, it's alllll good.

[JohnT]

I just got in touch with Embassy Suites – they have everything available that we need for the last weekend in July!

The Sales manager is sending me a new RFP, with banquet pricing – I’ll look at it and send it around to the other committee members. Hopefully we can make a decision and get started on negotiating the contract by the end of the week.

[JohnT]

One thing about ES - they do not have wireless internet in the rooms, just ethernet connections.

[Zopperoni]

I like wired better. It's more reliable and generally, has faster throughput

I'm looking forward to seeing the new proposal.

[JohnT]

Clueless n00b question 48: "Wired" means only one hookup per room, right? (rephrased: are there ways for roomies to simultaneously share the same connection)?

[Zopperoni]

I would assume that there are two ports. I mean, each suite at the Embassy has two TVs and two phones, so an extra port shouldn't be that much trouble

[Shogun Gunner]

I've stayed at that Embassy Suites Hotel. It's pretty nice

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by JohnT
I just got in touch with Embassy Suites � they have everything available that we need for the last weekend in July!

The Sales manager is sending me a new RFP, with banquet pricing � I�ll look at it and send it around to the other committee members. Hopefully we can make a decision and get started on negotiating the contract by the end of the week.

Last weekend in July is very good .

As for wired connections, ethernet splitters aren't that expensive .

[Imran Siddiqui]

Uh oh... just went to the Embassy Suites site, and for the last weekend in July, it seems all the rooms are booked (I tried and it said no rooms available).

That means gotta drive to the convention!

[Chieftess]

Originally posted by Trip
Uhhh... I wouldn't rely on the Light Rail... It's been down for, what is it now, a year? No end of that in sight.

Though there are "Light Rail Shuttle Buses" which essentially take the same route, it's not quite as convenient as the actual Light Rail.

They're *STILL* not finished with the Light Rail up there? Wow...

Anyway, I don't think I'm gonna be coming to an Apolyton gathering and see a bunch of people I don't know.

(sorry Trip - you scare certain people)

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Uh oh... just went to the Embassy Suites site, and for the last weekend in July, it seems all the rooms are booked (I tried and it said no rooms available).

That means gotta drive to the convention!

A couple of reasons that might be:

1. Since we have an RFP scheduled for a large number of rooms, they might have "blocked" the hotel off for a few days.

2. They're not capable of taking basic reservations this far out. (this is an easy test - just choose a different date).

3. Their website is messed up.

4. They've really ****ed up this time.

Btw, after analysis there really is no price difference between ES and Marriott, so it will come down to KrazyHorse's and my judgment this upcoming weekend.