[Lnc-business] Informal Poll LNC December Meeting

[Daniel Hayes]

I just got off the phone with Robert and he assures me he has been back and forth with the Riverside over a dozen times and beaten them down as best he possibly can.  The Hilton is actually coming in at slightly below national averages for a Convention Hotel.  The Hampton is cheaper because…its essentially a motel(albeit a very nice motel) so they have no F&B Mins and give “free breakfast”.  TISTAAFBBDEITBSG. There is such thing as a free breakfast but don’t expect it to be so good.  The Riverside has waived their room fee for us in lieu of our committing to $2000 Min for Food and Beverage.
There is a benefit to doing the food at the possible convention hotel as well. You get to try them out and see if they can deliver. Considering that I am saving on the meeting being here in my town and not getting a room, I will pledge $300 towards the F&B if we hold the meeting at the Hilton.  I have wavered back and forth, but ultimately, holding the meeting at the Riverside will be more efficient on many levels.
Robert mentions that the Riverside is on the line for the Streetcar(We DESIRE you not call it a trolley) :D but really NOLA is so ideal for conventions etc as its a walking city. You can get to everything just by walking.  The Riverside is easy walking distance to the Quarter and across the street from the Casino. The Hampton’s one of the most distant hotels that is still in the city. Expect a need to take a cab from there to anything.
Additionally Robert, has educated my newly minted self that before we hold a convention in a Hotel we will almost definitely hold an LNC meeting there. So if we didn’t stay at the Riverside now but decided to hold a convention back here in NOLA in the future we would stay at the proposed hotel to work out any kinks. At that point having signed a contract the hotel knows they have you and make no concessions for he meeting and the LNC would pay through the nose. So having a better idea of process and TANSTAAFL considered… I think the clear choice should be the Riverside.. It will save us more money in the long run and enhance the efficiency of the stay of the LNC members.
The main point of the meeting is to consider the city for a convention. Let’s really consider it. If we get it nailed down as a upcoming convention site it saves us money.  Participation will be elevated because of NOLA’s status as a premier destination and the fact that 2 of our largest affiliates Texas and Florida are within easy driving distance. Increased participation means increased revenue generated by the convention which means a greater Return on Investment.
Also, I am expecting a possible larger bit of public attendance for our LNC meeting as we have many robust affiliates in the area so, the Riverside could certainly accommodate that as well.

When making considerations for our members, cost is not the ultimate decision. Value is what we should strive for and in the grand scheme of things I have now become convinced though my conversations with Robert that the Hilton Riverside is the better value and I believe that so greatly I am willing to personally dedicate $300 to the F&B minimums for the Hilton Riverside. 

Daniel Hayes
LNC Region 7 Alternate Representative

Daniel Hayes
On Jul 30, 2014, at 9:43 AM, Scott L. <scott73 at earthlink.net> wrote:

>  
>  
> Can't Robert call the Hilton and try to get a few more concessions on the AV cost, or the food and beverage minimum, to make it easier to choose the Hilton?  You get a much better feel for a Hotel as a potential Convention site if you actually get to stay there overnight.
>  
>    Scott Lieberman
>  
>  
>  
>  
> "Thanks Daniel for sending these options out to the LNC.  My personal preference is the later weekend and the Hampton Inn, due to the
> significant savings to the members (on travel and room cost) and the LNC (on meeting space and breakfast).  I'm happy to do a tour of the
> Hilton Riverside as a potential convention venue while we're there.
>  
> If there is a strong preference for the earlier weekend or the more expensive hotel, I would defer to the rest of the LNC.
>  
>    Nick"
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