[nfbwatlk] Conventions

[Mackenstadt, Gary]

Lisa, your point is well-taken.  I do not recall that we have been going to Vancouver that much.  I would suggest that you try negotiating a convention site sometime.  It will change your perspective.  It is my experience that people like to complain about where we meet, what we eat, and how much we pay.  However, people who have done the convention arrangements in the past do not complain.  Ask Ben, Noel or me.  I can really appreciate what you are saying, but it is tough to find options.  We are too small for consideration by a lot of hotels, and we are too big for other facilities.  Unfortunately, we all work and time is limited.  That is a problem.  I told Mike that I would check with two facilities last week.  I did and both were unacceptable.  One place in Olympia was 149 dollars for sleeping rooms.  We got them down to 92, and they would not budge any further, although at one time, they led me to believe that they would let us have the sleeping rooms at 80 dollars. One of the problems we are facing is kattering and the cost of meeting rooms.  The Governors House now has an exclussive kattering contract.  We are paying 300 dollars for the meeting room for Saturday and Sunday, and we had to be really creative to do that.  If we had taken the other hotel in Olympia, we would need to katter in the dinner.  One hotel in Everette wanted a thousand dollars one year ahead to hold the site.  We need suggestions on possible sites.  It is not enough to suggest a city like Lynwood.  If anyone has suggestions, let us know.  Think about transportation, and don't try to negotiate anything.  Please do not misinterpret what I am saying.  We need to discuss further.  By the way, I would point to everyone that the last time we met at the Governor's House, we paid 68 dollars for sleeping room.  There was another group hold meetings at the same time, and they were paying 89 dollars.  The biggest problem we face is that corporations are taking over the hotels, and contracting out is big problem''for example, the Governor's Hous
contracts out setting up the conference rooms.  I do want to encourage a lot of input, but please come up with some ideas too.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Owenblue2 at aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 9:25 AM
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: k7uij at panix.com; g.mackenstadt at verizon.net
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Conventions


Hello Gary, Mike & Listers:
 
I think having a convention in Vancouver again; gives those of us that live  
Very Far away the impression that we have no choice but to travel to very  far 
out of the way places for conventions. 
 
Room rates are not cheap anywhere. When you count transportation costs that  
can make a big difference. 
 
Also, going to Vancouver  almost every time is a hardship in  regards to 
time. Even with the Gray hound it takes a lot of time over the course  of two 
different trips. 
 
I understand that rates are much more expensive in Seattle but if we put at  
least 4 to a room that will offset the cost. 
 
I also wonder if we and our cconcerns are really being addressed when you  
continuely decide to hold conventions in either Vancouver Olympia or year in and 
 year out. I am not convinced that those of us who live in Seattle, Spokane   
or other areas are even heard when we state our concerns about not being able 
to  have conventions in these areas. 
 
Students face the most diffacult time getting to these far away places.  Time 
is very valuable and money is still another issue. Sacrifices must be made;  
but how can you sacrifice what you may or may not have? 
 
Well there I said it. Not a very popular thing to say; but I am sure I  speak 
for a lot of people. 
 
Hopefully I will see you in April.
 
Warmly & with Respect:
 
Lisa A. Owen
Treasurer Officer & Fund Raising Chair
The Northwest Chapter
NFB of WA
Secretary Officer 
NFB of WA Student Division 
 



**************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & 
Finance.      (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)