Hey conference planners, have you seen this TV ad for Hotels.com? Does it bother any of you?
In case you didn't notice, it shows two office-types using the Internet to search for hotels to stay for a conference. Did you cringe at the thought like I did? Here's what pretty much went through my head....
No, please! Don't search online - we have already guaranteed rooms at the conference hotel for you! If you don't stay there then the organization will need to pay for the room (it's called attrition) and that will hurt us. This means we might have to increase membership dues and/or the cost of future conferences - in other words that costs gets passed along to you, the attendee.
Were you looking for a lower rate? Did you calculate in the cost of cab fare, rental car, gas, etc.? What about the hassle with traffic and finding your way around in another city? And by the way, the savvy meeting planner that worked on this contract guaranteed the lowest rate at the host hotel so you won't find a better deal there. Oh, and yes, she checks it twice weekly to be sure.
So please, Hotels.com, I beg you. Stick to vacationers and business travelers and leave our conference attendees alone!
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