I agree. $18.50 is a lot for a box lunch. I had no idea that the hotel was tacking on service charges onto everything :eek:. I, too, would rather sink extra into the raffle tickets, especially since it goes into the pot as pure $$$ towards the total. There are so many items:thumbup:, we all need more just to get a ticket in the bag for each item we want :p, LOL!

:thumbup::thumbup:COME ON EVERYONE! BUY MORE RAFFLE TICKETS!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

Thanks for reminding me!!! I'll be turning 42!!:eek::eek:

I will definitely buy more raffle tickets!! I don't drink alcohol but I'll buy some sodas for you!! Whatever we can do to help, just let us know!! Lisa, we all appreciate all the hard work and time you have put into this meetup!!

Lisa, you are seriously an angel for doing all the dirty work to get this together. I think we are all clear on how hard it has been for you, and what a wonderful, precise, job you have done. Down to the penny, wow! So I hope that you can not worry too much about it. Many of us plan to spend at least $20 more when we get there, be it for drinks, raffle tickets (I guarantee when I see the sundresses made by crb, I'm gonna drop another 20 bucks on raffle tickets! :D) or however we use our money. So I hope you can relax and just look forward to your trip and know that it will all work out in the end. It is going to be a great time and worth every penny, and it wouldn't be anywhere near as cool if you hadn't put your hard work into it. THANKS!!!

i agree raffle tickets are the way to go:)

Yes...it is very frustrating. I knew there were service charges tacked onto all the food (they made that clear in advance), but I've been going back and forth with the hotel the last few days to get everything correct on our BEO (Banquet Event Order), and I'm seeing now that they even tack service fees and tax to things like the vendor space, ballroom, and microphone. AND...what really frustrates me is that they add on the service fee, and then they tax the total of the service fee + the subtotal, which means even the service fee is taxable. I thought this was illegal, and I asked the hotel about it, but they said that is their policy. Since then, I've done a lot of reading about allowable taxation of service fees, and apparently it's allowable if it's a mandatory service fee :thumbdown. If it's truly optional (like a "tip"), then it is NOT taxable. RIDICULOUS!

Anyway...now that I've said all that about the hotel...I just read my e-mail, and they are going to work with us :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:. First of all, they are going to leave the microphone in the ballroom for Sunday, so we can use it during breakfast Sunday morning if we need to at NO CHARGE! Also, she's looked at where we're at currently with our food expense, and she said she's not going to hold us to our minimum agreement :angel2dl:. She said, "Just try to encourage guests to hit the bar!! Still, you wont be held to a minimum there." So...thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Without being held to the minimums, it looks like we're back in the positive, and we'll still be able to make a donation to a Yorkie rescue :happyboun!!!! This is GREAT news!

Speaking of Yorkie rescues...one of the questions on the evaluation form I've created (yes...I have an evaluation form that I'd appreciate you filling out after the meet-up so that we have some feedback regarding the meet-up in case we opt to have another one in the future) is regarding what Yorkie rescue you'd like to see our profits donated to. If you don't already have a favorite charity, please do some research before the meet so we can find a great organization to help out with our money! I'm so pleased we'll be able to make a donation after all :thumbup:!!!

I just wanted to thank everyone for your full support on this. I won't lie and say it's not a lot of work or disappointing we're not having a larger turnout, but I'm so thankful for those who are going, and we're going to have a GREAT time! It makes it so much easier to do something like this when you know the people you're working so hard for appreciate it! You've been so generous with your raffle and goodie bag donations, and so understanding to help us "pull through" and make a profit for the Yorkie rescue! You're the best! My husband tells me I'm doing more than I should :rolleyes:, but I know you'll enjoy the details. I can't wait!

Oh, thank heavens!!!! I didn't want this looming over anybody's head, and now it won't be!!! Guess our prayers got answered, didn't they? But don't worry, I'll still "support" them by getting a couple drinks...after all, let's remember, they didn't HAVE to do this for us!


I also agree that's crazy how many "fees and taxes" there are on such things :eek:

But yay!!! I'm so excited this is going to work out! Thanks again, Lisa! You rock!!!!

I haven't gotten far back to find out what was just resolved . . . but I just want to thank LISA for making this a reality :) . . .I know we will all have a blast and find that the weekend is NOT enough to get-together . . .

Evaluation Form
 

Speaking of Yorkie rescues...one of the questions on the evaluation form I've created (yes...I have an evaluation form that I'd appreciate you filling out after the meet-up so that we have some feedback regarding the meet-up in case we opt to have another one in the future) is regarding what Yorkie rescue you'd like to see our profits donated to. If you don't already have a favorite charity, please do some research before the meet so we can find a great organization to help out with our money! I'm so pleased we'll be able to make a donation after all !!!


I think an evaluation of this 1st Meet-Up is an excellent idea. How will we know what people liked/disliked if we don't ask and I think it will make it easier for the next meet up committee. You see, I'm thinking positively that there will be sooo many people who will wish they had come to KC that they will already be planning and saving for the next meet-up:D!!!!!

I don't want to give hubby too much work so I will just take cash or check :) . . .prices will be much lower than my website :)

WONDERFUL NEWS re: hotel and the minimum!!! :thumbup:

Lisa,

You're the only one who could do this, and do it with such finesse! :thumbup: Thank you for the countless hours (days, weeks, months :rolleyes: LOL) you have put into this.

I'm getting really excited now. It's only a FEW DAYS AWAY!

OMG...:eek:

WHAT AM I GONNA WEAR???!!! :eek::eek::eek:

:p:cool:

Teri, at my age I am trying to see if I can get past it without celebrating . . . :) shhhhhhhhhh

You're right...they absolutely could've held us to our minimums! So THANK YOU to Holiday Inn for that! I guess my frantic e-mail last night worked (I was freaking out a bit :eek:...or a LOT :rolleyes:), and it may be in our favor too that the guy I was working with got promoted to General Manager, so now I'm working with a new gal, and she's aiming to please :rolleyes:. We'll have to make sure the hotel knows how much we appreciate them! We also need to remember they're the only hotel on the Plaza who would even allow us to stay with all our dogs (and I called them ALL)!!! That alone deserves a round of thanks!

don't worry i will bring some . .they are the easiest to pack so definitely . . .