To all:
Here's a little more information. This isn't a Q&A or a discussion, just a "The More You Know" and "An Open, Honest" moment.
Rates vary widely with throwing events. We've overgrown the "Ehh, lets just get a large room and smuggle in some Costco liquors" style as we've seen and if we're going to have an event at all, we're going to have to officially coordinate it with the venue. That's what it is as it's 2014 Jetcareers and not 2004 Jetcareers.
Late in the week events benefit people who are more 9-to-5 that can make it a long weekend or just an early friday. However, availability is tighter as well as hotel costs are higher.
Mid- and early-week events have better availability and hotel costs are lower.
OMG, Derg said hotel costs.
This is the way event planning works. You issue an RFP through the CVA (Convention and Visitors Authority) with basic budgetary information, how many rooms you need, the space of the venue you want, etc. Then interested hotels will download that information and offer you an "RFP"/Request for Proposal with the best they can do with your meeting requirements.
The RFP generally comes back with the minimum amount of rooms that need to be occupied in order to get the event space you want and also a food and beverage minimum.
OMG, Derg said "hotel rooms" again.
If the minimums aren't meant on moving enough hotel rooms, the venue space is no longer contingent on meeting your food and beverage minimum and you either have to (a) pay a percentage of the lost revenue from not booking the rooms or (b) pay a potentially exorbitant cost for the venue space.
Remember, 100% of this is financed out of my pocket and very partially from the banner ads that some of you block (the internet should be freeeee!/I'm a commie/server lease should come out of your pocket, bro) so I have a hugely vested interest in the event coming off as a success so I can at least attempt to break even.
My challenges:
a. Finding a time of the week where most of us that want to attend, can attend.
b. Making sure that time matches up with a time where people that match (a) can afford to attend and still have a great time and meet their expectations.
c. Costing the even so people that match (a) and (b) still find it a value and I can pay the costs
d. Making sure the event stays on budget and also presents a great value that will make it worthwhile.
e. They're offering us discounted hotel rates so I can get them sold. We're in negotiations with one of the larger Casino groups and it's going to include rates at not only the venue, but also some of the more "budget-minded" properties and also some of the more "luxury" properties.
Any room you book under our event code helps towards meeting our booking targets. And in the unlikely event that you find a room at any of our properties at a lower rate, the hotel will match that. If you stay somewhere else off the rate code to save $5 because you're a cheap bastard, you may be costing us hundreds depending on booking. Again, this is the real world of event planning.
Most other real world (read: Non Aviation) events charge an exorbitant price and a "take it or leave it" perspective. I don't want to roll like that because my goal is to budget "X" for the event and have "X" be the revenue from sales because it's solely about having a great time and making sure you guys get yourselves networked.
I, personally, bear 100% of the financial burden and responsibility for throwing the event so all you've got to do is vote.