NAMM reservations. OUCH.

[WolfeMacleod]

Ahhh who else forgot to make their NAMM show reservations yesterday when housing opened?
I did. Dangit.

So I made them today. Logged into my NAMM account using the stupid Passkey site they've got set up for hotels.
WOW. All booked. Mostly booked, at least. A couple hotels had a few days open, other days booked.
We're there for nine days.

Only one hotel had the entire nine days open. The Disney Grand. OUCH. mybutthurts.

Normally I stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel. Wasn't even listed under the NAMM hotels. Wonder why?

[Rick Lee]

I have a meeting at NAMM in Carlsbad week after next. I'll be sure to put in for my media badge then.

[GWN7]

A fellow rep decided to save some money at the SHOT show in Vegas one year and booked a room at a motel in North Vegas. He got a great rate. He showed up 2 hrs late at the booth looking like he hadn't slept that night. Turns out he didn't, some guy went and got shot dead outside against his motel room door. The cops kept him up all night asking questions. Next show he booked early and at the closest name brand hotel to the venue.

[imcarthur]

I got the call from our pro manager Wednesday. I went quickly online Tuesday night & got us our block at Homewood Suites on Harbor - walkable - for $169 per. We book outside of housing.

Ian

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

I got the call from our pro manager Wednesday. I went quickly online Tuesday night & got us our block at Homewood Suites on Harbor - walkable - for $169 per. We book outside of housing.

Ian

Ian, why booking outside housing? I always found Namm rates to be better than outside rates.

[imcarthur]

Because we always leave it too late & by the time housing opens, all of their allocations disappear. By IMMEDIATELY jumping to Hilton.com, I can always find rooms that the hotel hasn't committed to the NAMM block. They always hold rooms back. A few $s means nothing cause we HAVE to be there. And I did it from a hotel in Miami . . .

Maybe next year, I'll plan earlier. But I just finished booking CES in January & Cedia next September etc etc. And 3 weeks ago we booked SFO for AES this month. We have an endless cycle of shows.

Ian

[Gogar]

You guys have to book your own hotels for NAMM? Man, that must be a PITA.

[slodave]

Bwahahaha! Will you guys be this coming show?

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by slodave

Bwahahaha! Will you guys be this coming show?

Originally Posted by Gogar

You guys have to book your own hotels for NAMM? Man, that must be a PITA.

Dave, looks like the Migs may not be coming down this year.
Gogar, you going? There needs to be a Pelican dinner this time.

[slodave]

So does that mean I am?

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by slodave

So does that mean I am?

Gotta see what our badge allotment is like this year. Cross your fingers

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Gogar

You guys have to book your own hotels for NAMM? Man, that must be a PITA.

Exactly...I don't book my own hotel for any show, or corporate function....

[imcarthur]

Good luck. The comp budgets have been compressed.

I booked 7 rooms. Mine will be the designated bar room. We will be having a pizza & wine night so PM me. Probably Thursday or Saturday, because Friday we're doing the TEC Awards since we're nominated for Focal's SM9. And don't forget to vote for us if you can.

Ian

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Good luck. The comp budgets have been compressed.

I booked 7 rooms. Mine will be the designated bar room. We will be having a pizza & wine night so PM me. Probably Thursday or Saturday, because Friday we're doing the TEC Awards since we're nominated for Focal's SM9. And don't forget to vote for us if you can.

Ian

Shoot for Thursday. Sat is booked for dinner at Cima at Pacific Palms resort. Great buffet, but pricey.

[imcarthur]

Well . . .

My rooms disappeared. I called Friday to name the rooms & the hotel gave me a . . . can't find your res . . . all our res #s start with an 8 . . . we will call you back . . .

I freaked. Did I get scammed? Am I that stupid? So I called Hilton res & booked the closest possible. Doubletree on City Dr. 10 minutes by car. The original hotel called back & they had found the res - it was a hotel group res - but they had cancelled 2 rooms & assigned the others to other people. They would get back to me.

This morning, I called Hilton res for confirmation numbers on the backup rooms (which they DIDN'T email to me despite my request) & I told the agent that I was spitting mad & I wanted to talk to the supervisor of the supervisor. In fact, I even suggested that I would dig up Conrad & complain personally to him. (Homewood is a Hilton property & I know the family no longer owns them but I was a wee bit incensed). Despite my reluctance to take it further, he insisted that I talk to a customer service rep. Well, she was what I would call a pacifier. She calmly but FIRMLY took the details & assured me that I would hear back within 72 hours & that she valued my business blah, blah, blah.

Ian

[slodave]

Anyone have the floor space to put me up for a night? I'm planning on driving down for at least three of the 4 days, which means I have to drive back hoke too. Looking at 3 hour round trip totals - may skip Sunday, unless you guys are still around and not busy.