Chicago show 2021 as seen on OGR

[E7]

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/mar ... in-chicago

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Yes, I got a note from an associate last week about a very similar message on posted on Facebook.

Getting the rooms set early may prove a challenge....

[DaveJfr0]

Only been once, and would like to go back, but don't think its going to happen for me for another year or two. I give the new team kudo's for taking this on and wish them the best, but I think this one requirement alone is a really steep wall to climb:

The effects of Covid-19 have created some minor challenges as we move forward. The minor inconvenience necessary to overcome these challenges is that our usual block of rooms at the March “O” Scale Meet rate has been split into 2 blocks. In order to secure the same 20,000 sq ft of ballroom space, the first block must be RESERVED and PAID FOR by July 25th (less than 30 days from now) and carries a NO CANCELLATION policy. Once the first block is fully reserved, rooms from the second block will be offered with standard terms allowing payment upon check out and standard cancellation terms.

Who knows if they'll even be allowed to have the event in March 2021. Gotta hope a vaccine is in place AND distributed to the masses by then.

Also interesting IMHO that the hotel thinks they're in a position that they can still make these kinds of demands considering this virus and potential economic crisis we've already started to enter.

[big bad jim]

The booked and paid for room requirement does sound onerous, but I don't think the conditions are presented properly in that OGR post. Or at least not completely. The wording on the flyer PDF says the "no cancellation" policy is in effect if the show is a go. Which is a lot different than what the OGR post suggests. It also states that non-refundable reservations in the first block will begin to revert to refundable status as more rooms are booked in the second block. It's clearly an attempt to guarantee a certain number of room bookings for the hotel.

I do agree that it's curious how the hotel has this kind of leverage under the current circumstances. But I've also heard that options for other venues are limited, and theoretically the hotel leaves a lot of money on the table by hosting our show, so maybe we don't have any leverage either.

I would normally plan on attending, and I normally stay onsite at the Westin. So I'm not so opposed to booking the room now. The trap is if the show goes on as scheduled, but I'm not yet comfortable with attending due to Covid concerns. Good faith says I can get my refund, but I don't count on good faith too much around here lately.

Jim

[Rufus T. Firefly]

The booked and paid for room requirement does sound onerous, but I don't think the conditions are presented properly in that OGR post. Or at least not completely. The wording on the flyer PDF says the "no cancellation" policy is in effect if the show is a go. Which is a lot different than what the OGR post suggests. It also states that non-refundable reservations in the first block will begin to revert to refundable status as more rooms are booked in the second block. It's clearly an attempt to guarantee a certain number of room bookings for the hotel.

There are what appear to be contradictions within the postings being made by the organizer that really need to be resolved. I'd think that very few folks make their plans this far in advance for this meet; doubt many even start to make plans until a few days prior to the rate increase on tables. Registration price up from $20 to $30 dollars; usually that sort of increase results in a bit of hand wringing.

I do agree that it's curious how the hotel has this kind of leverage under the current circumstances. But I've also heard that options for other venues are limited, and theoretically the hotel leaves a lot of money on the table by hosting our show, so maybe we don't have any leverage either.

Hotel really holds all the cards; new management team on this show so there's an unknown for the hotel that is already facing all sorts of unknowns and what are probably serious losses since March.

I would normally plan on attending, and I normally stay onsite at the Westin. So I'm not so opposed to booking the room now. The trap is if the show goes on as scheduled, but I'm not yet comfortable with attending do to Covid concerns. Good faith says I can get my refund, but I don't count on good faith too much around here lately.

I planned on attending this year staying there and it did not happen; looking at the insanity that was O'Hare the Sun of the meet validated my decision to stay home in 2020. If I go in 2021, it's on my wallet so I kind of doubt it will happen for me.

[DaveJfr0]

The booked and paid for room requirement does sound onerous, but I don't think the conditions are presented properly in that OGR post. Or at least not completely. The wording on the flyer PDF says the "no cancellation" policy is in effect if the show is a go. Which is a lot different than what the OGR post suggests. It also states that non-refundable reservations in the first block will begin to revert to refundable status as more rooms are booked in the second block. It's clearly an attempt to guarantee a certain number of room bookings for the hotel.

There are what appear to be contradictions within the postings being made by the organizer that really need to be resolved. I'd think that very few folks make their plans this far in advance for this meet; doubt many even start to make plans until a few days prior to the rate increase on tables. Registration price up from $20 to $30 dollars; usually that sort of increase results in a bit of hand wringing.

I do agree that it's curious how the hotel has this kind of leverage under the current circumstances. But I've also heard that options for other venues are limited, and theoretically the hotel leaves a lot of money on the table by hosting our show, so maybe we don't have any leverage either.

Hotel really holds all the cards; new management team on this show so there's an unknown for the hotel that is already facing all sorts of unknowns and what are probably serious losses since March.

I would normally plan on attending, and I normally stay onsite at the Westin. So I'm not so opposed to booking the room now. The trap is if the show goes on as scheduled, but I'm not yet comfortable with attending do to Covid concerns. Good faith says I can get my refund, but I don't count on good faith too much around here lately.

I planned on attending this year staying there and it did not happen; looking at the insanity that was O'Hare the Sun of the meet validated my decision to stay home in 2020. If I go in 2021, it's on my wallet so I kind of doubt it will happen for me.

Yep. I usually don't commit to things over a month out unless seriously required. Usually the York TCA show is the only exception to that rule for me.

Whens the last time the show saw a price increase? I get the majority of attendees are probably on a fixed budget, but $10 really isn't a whole lot when you're into this hobby. There really aren't many shows dedicated to 2R O, so you gotta take what you can get, while you can get it, if within reasonable travel distance.

I'm sure the Hotel, like many places, is hurting, but I can't imagine demand for their space being all that high until vaccinations, etc. have a confirmed timeline. Like Jim, I'm not necessarily going to go anywhere where there is guaranteed to be a lot of people, no social distancing, (perhaps no masks), etc until things brighten up. My place of employment currently has a September timeframe for reopening the office, but I tell you, I don't know anyone who is gonna risk their health taking the subway to work until they can be sure they can't get this virus. I most likely will push to WFH until at least 2021, unless of course vaccines are proven and everywhere, which I doubt.

I was in an airport literally the week before NY went on lockdown and it was a ghost town. It was a pleasurable experience for me, but I can't fathom how many millions the airlines and airports have lost. Hopefully they all find a way to make it until life returns to some sort of normalcy, without a govt bailout.

2020 - the year when life went on hold, and train projects were revisited [and hopefully completed], lol.