All,
While I have not been communicating with the TravellerCon staff since I broke off my relationship with them(Customer only), my efforts here are being misrepresented.
While Keith states:
...the firecode bomb was dropped on us late last night.
The full story is that the hotel has been out of contact for months. Not just to individual customers but to group and event sized customers. If you are talking money from customers yourself(who are also making reservations and taking vacation days to attend). It is your job to check on your subcontractors(in this instance, the hotel)
And while I did urge Keith to investigate this issue as much as two months ago, it was not as characterized:
Calling the hotel and screaming (Commander Truestar's sage advice) didn't help a week ago
In fact, I have not attempted to communicate with the Hotel since jsut before I traveled out of the country almost a month ago. So I do not know who screamed at the hotel or how Keith would have heard about such an event(Read the posts in his yahoo group which are explicit in his own words that he still has had no contact with the hotel or its employees)
Tunderchilde's posts in this thread prove that he had no idea as late as this morning. Look further back and you see posts from Megan, a staffer form the convention. So they do use this board despite the post below. So the truth may not be that there is no dedicated Convention forum more than it is evidence of "spinning the story" now that the word is out.
Yes, we are making an announcement on the various convention boards. COTI is not one of our main boards, due to the structure (no "Conventions" thread, just a general "Lone Star" thread.)
Yes, Commaner Truestar/Marc G. has a personal axe to grind and seems to be intentionally bent on creating hysteria. Certainly he lost no time rushing to report the bad news. I can't but believe that he is enjoying this immensly. Read between his lines.
Since I commented, I have been honest that this has been brewing for some MONTHS. I did not rush this information to this board to cause damage. I did so when it became apparent that no one was being told outside their yahoo group. Keith says in his own words, he knows what he is doing and we do not. Well, I may no longer be a customer of his but I know those who still intend to be.
As can be seen on this board, I have stated, "I am not telling you not to attend TravellerCon, I am only telling you to be careful".
I never claimed there was money being held back(as Keith suggests) and last year had some attendees flying in who may well have made those plans without providing Keith a minute by minute plan of their attendance.
The facts are:
- the hotel said they would be renovating through October 1st.
Which Keith was urged to investigate two months ago
- Last Thursday, we genuinely became worried and conveyed this to the participants.
Umm, even your own news group time stamps prove that did not start until Friday AM
I did not do so earlier because it's likely that some people would panic and the situation did not seem to warrant it.
The issue here is no a question of panic Keith, it is the simple fact you could have checked when it was advised. As late as two weeks ago you are on record as saying, the hotel will be open, don't worry.
- Saturday, we learned about the firecode violations. We were shocked - we thought they might be planning something really stupid, like opening after Columbus Day. Even to learn about the violations, a participant went into Lancaster, talked to a policeman outside the hotel (closed and marked "Unfit for Occupation") and then used his contacts as a city contracter to get the rest of the story (mainly the name and cell# of the owner).
Which you could have been proactive and investigated when you lost complete contact with the hotel. Yet, again, you are on record as stating it will be fine. The participant who determined the facts you state did not do so at your request. He did so on his own initiative, which is also stated in your news group.
The pivotal question is, when do you prepare to panic your participants? Do you panic because the hotel hasn't got back to you in mid-september, or do you take them at their word and believe they are doing what they claim?
The pivotal question is, "Once you start taking people's money, will you do the basic necessary work to protect yourself and your customers?". It has nothing to do with "creating a panic". A simple, "We continue to escalate our efforts to contact the hotel or its staff" along with a real effort to do so would have been better than you continued "The hotel is undergoing renovations. They will open in October. Stop whining"
In the end you can call me names all you want. Those who know me personally know the facts and even ThunderChilde's posts(as a person who does not know me except on this board) has to admit that, based on your data, he woke up this morning planning to attend your convention this coming friday.
As is important, avoid the claims by reading back on this very thread and seeing the facts. I take no glee in the loss of any convention. I do take pride in saving people from loosing money do to someone else's lack of management and planning.
If you want evidence then follow my adivice.
Re-read this thread.
Visit the yahoo group and see for yourself what has been posted there.
My words here are nothing nor are Keith's. Investigate the truth for yourselves.
I do not need to be right, but we all need to be protected when our money and time are being invested.
Marc
o: I just tried telephoning the hotel to book a room for TravellerCon 2009, and I got a recording saying that the hotel was closed for renovation! Has TravellerCon been cancelled for this year? Has TravellerCon been moved to a different hotel? Or is the hotel EXPECTED to be operating on the days scheduled for TravellerCon?
