How many people really pay rack rates?
Sep 5th, 2002, 12:38 PM
#26
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OK Bonita, whatever you say. I get sick of argueing on this board, but I'm sure you know how all associations operate. Just in case you might be wrong, the Family Law group appoints a member to be responsible for picking the hotel, location and catering. They take turns.
So true X, I am demanding. Now go away and leave me alone. No - wait, go get me a drink, then go away and leave me alone!
So true X, I am demanding. Now go away and leave me alone. No - wait, go get me a drink, then go away and leave me alone!
Sep 5th, 2002, 01:14 PM
#30
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It's so refreshing to read posts from people that actually WORK in the biz. Too many people make assumptions about how the travel industry works and most of the time they are dead wrong.
Nina, you do sound demanding. Commissions have nothing to do with hotel rates. Hotels decide the price not travel agents. If you're looking for a property like a Hyatt or a Westin, then they will be competitive in rates. Do you work? Why not let your hubby's secretary have a break and YOU find those elusive great rates. I think XXX explained a great deal, it's never black and white.
Nina, you do sound demanding. Commissions have nothing to do with hotel rates. Hotels decide the price not travel agents. If you're looking for a property like a Hyatt or a Westin, then they will be competitive in rates. Do you work? Why not let your hubby's secretary have a break and YOU find those elusive great rates. I think XXX explained a great deal, it's never black and white.
Sep 5th, 2002, 01:48 PM
#32
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Nina, I do work strictly with associations. They are my clients. As I stated earlier, I am in group sales with a large hotel. In hotel speak, the meeting planner is the person planning the meeting whether he is an attorney, doctor or Indian Cheif appointed or not.
Sep 5th, 2002, 01:59 PM
#34
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Shoot - some of you people make me feel really good! We're on our way to a Bourbon St. room in New Orleans that was $285 a night when we originally made our reservations in January. After doing "homework" all year long, I got the rate down to $135 a night. We're now ready to go and my husband's b**t has unpuckered since the cost was so much more reasonable and we're planning on BUNCHES of fun!!
Sep 5th, 2002, 02:06 PM
#35
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Interestingly, the Matrimonial (misnomer as they are "divorce" atty's) Lawyers Assn of FL has had their annual meeting at my husband's hotel each year since we've been here. The "meeting planner" every year has been the same individual-the wife of one of the local "matrimonial" lawyers. She is the meeting planner in every sense, from pre con to arranging meeting space, planning food etc and gets the perks in the form of a nice suite with extra attention to every detail when the group arrives. Aside from this one time during the year, she's more into team tennis than anything else. So...Nina, bone up on how it's done, then go for it!
I do think, however, that your b-i-l distorted (what, an atty??) what actually occurred during his negotiations. I can't imagine a hotel anywhere turning down a booking of several hundred room nights, insisting on rack rate. That's just not going to happen...or if it did, you have a Director of Sales and a sales manager who are out looking for new positions!
I do think, however, that your b-i-l distorted (what, an atty??) what actually occurred during his negotiations. I can't imagine a hotel anywhere turning down a booking of several hundred room nights, insisting on rack rate. That's just not going to happen...or if it did, you have a Director of Sales and a sales manager who are out looking for new positions!
Sep 5th, 2002, 04:40 PM
#37
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I find it very interesting how Nina always seems to get a thread off track and focused on herself, but she is very good at pushing buttons and I have to admit this time mine has been pushed. I am a professional meeting planner with well over ten year’s experience with both associations and corporations. If Nina thinks its just about getting hotel rooms at a cheap rate she’s sadly misinformed. Along with negotiating for room rates, there are meeting rooms, audio/visual equipment, menus, VIP requests, etc., etc., etc.
There is also the aspect of actually planning and running the event, be it a small corporate retreat or a large conference. This can include staying up until 3:00 am photocopying a speakers notes to hand out to delegates the next day and then having to be cheerful when told that the venue hasn’t got enough staff to turn over the breakfast dining room for a general session that is scheduled to take place in two hours (really happened).
Having said that, I did once have a lawyer for a client and he was most outrageous in his demands of the venue, going so far as to not want a penalty for outright cancellation at the last minute. Basically, leave the job to the professionals.
There is also the aspect of actually planning and running the event, be it a small corporate retreat or a large conference. This can include staying up until 3:00 am photocopying a speakers notes to hand out to delegates the next day and then having to be cheerful when told that the venue hasn’t got enough staff to turn over the breakfast dining room for a general session that is scheduled to take place in two hours (really happened).
Having said that, I did once have a lawyer for a client and he was most outrageous in his demands of the venue, going so far as to not want a penalty for outright cancellation at the last minute. Basically, leave the job to the professionals.
Sep 6th, 2002, 05:24 AM
#38
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Wow! All the meanies were out last night!
First of all, Olive, glad you backed me up that "lay people" do in fact plan the meetings for groups like the matrimonial lawyers. Perhaps they would be better off hiring a professional, but frankly lots of them are so narcissistic they always think they can do everything better themselves.
Secondly, I do work - occasionally. I do IT consulting about 8 days per month. And why would I want to work for my husband's company? I look for low rates for personal travel for my family and vacations, not business travel so I'm not sure why I would want to give my husband's secretary a break. Should I do her typing too?
And Lenore, for the purpose of this thread, and forum, it is all about getting the cheapest rate. I don't think many of us need AV equipment or conference rooms for our personal travel. But then again, I could be wrong and I'm sure you'll let me lnow that I am.
And X, I'm very thirsty, have you forgotten about me?
First of all, Olive, glad you backed me up that "lay people" do in fact plan the meetings for groups like the matrimonial lawyers. Perhaps they would be better off hiring a professional, but frankly lots of them are so narcissistic they always think they can do everything better themselves.
Secondly, I do work - occasionally. I do IT consulting about 8 days per month. And why would I want to work for my husband's company? I look for low rates for personal travel for my family and vacations, not business travel so I'm not sure why I would want to give my husband's secretary a break. Should I do her typing too?
And Lenore, for the purpose of this thread, and forum, it is all about getting the cheapest rate. I don't think many of us need AV equipment or conference rooms for our personal travel. But then again, I could be wrong and I'm sure you'll let me lnow that I am.
And X, I'm very thirsty, have you forgotten about me?
Sep 6th, 2002, 06:06 AM
#40
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Good Call Lenore, Nina I suggest posting under other names, that way what you are trying to do with the threads is not so obvious.
I wish I could get the corprate rate my boss gets when not traveling midweek. I pay rack rates when nothing else is available and I want a certain hotel. I think you often get problems when you book the lowest possible rate in a hotel. I have experienced this, I usually select second to bottom rate.
I wish I could get the corprate rate my boss gets when not traveling midweek. I pay rack rates when nothing else is available and I want a certain hotel. I think you often get problems when you book the lowest possible rate in a hotel. I have experienced this, I usually select second to bottom rate.
