International YorkieTalk Meet-up 2008

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

Yes - I talked to Three Dog Bakery's Plaza location early on about being a vendor, and they directed me to their corporate office. When the people at their corporate office never called me back, I decided to put it on hold until we had everything else set-up so I had more to tell them when calling again, and that's when I took over hotel duties and haven't had any time since. I will try to give them a call after the holidays and see if we can get anything worked out.

Also, I know we were discussing a stroller at one point when I was trying to get some of the local museums and such to allow us in with our babies, and I was hoping I'd have better luck by telling them we'd ensure everyone had a bag or stroller. Well...since we're not going that route anymore, the strollers and bags will just be a personal choice...if you want them for shopping for instance.

I don't know if this will help at all...but our local Three Dog Bakeries are locally owned and operated, and it's a "license" as opposed to a franchise. Our locations in town sponsor all kinds of events, in their store and throughout the community, they partner with other local businesses to put on things like "Dine With your Dog" night at a fondue restaurant, and they have booths at pet fairs, farmers' markets, and other community events. You might try calling and asking for the owner's contact info-maybe the person that you talked to first was a newer employee and didn't know? I know the owner of our locations, so if you would like, I can call her and get her to chat with the owner of the KC location to try and get them lined up for our meetup!

[flgurl69]

Originally Posted by daisy mae06

Lisa I Believe you . I just think The Hotel IS trying to help out. (Their Bank account )
I checked With The hotel and Guess what..

But mention YT and the price goes up
I know it is not your doing.. It does upset me.
I still plan on being there.. But I will find another hotel to stay at.
even if I have to Drive a bit thats ok Because I will be Driving down. It is only about 3 hrs to drive from here

That was why I had asked in an earlier post about booking my flight and hotel room through another site. I also checked the hotel site and saw that price.

[Jenn218]

Originally Posted by Tiger's Mom

I think it would be nice if one of our very own YT vendors sell doggie treats instead . . . I know we've got so many on here

Yes, I do too...I hope some of them can come and will set up...but it is always good to have other options too!

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by Suzy

I don't know if this will help at all...but our local Three Dog Bakeries are locally owned and operated, and it's a "license" as opposed to a franchise. Our locations in town sponsor all kinds of events, in their store and throughout the community, they partner with other local businesses to put on things like "Dine With your Dog" night at a fondue restaurant, and they have booths at pet fairs, farmers' markets, and other community events. You might try calling and asking for the owner's contact info-maybe the person that you talked to first was a newer employee and didn't know? I know the owner of our locations, so if you would like, I can call her and get her to chat with the owner of the KC location to try and get them lined up for our meetup!

How about if we see if we get enough YT vendors to fill the tables (25 tables max), but if not, I think it would be great to have Three Dog Bakery there. I know personally, even if they're there, it wouldn't stop me from shopping at the YT vendors' tables as well , but if our fellow YT vendors can fill up those tables, then YAY! We'll keep an eye on the vendor sign-ups, and I'll let you know if we'll have plenty of extra space for Three Dog Bakery to join us. It would probably help to have the owner of your locations chat with the KC owner, as they did not make it sound like it was up to them at all, but that it was something that had to be booked through corporate. Like you said...maybe they were confused . Thanks for offering! We'll let you know!

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by flgurl69

That was why I had asked in an earlier post about booking my flight and hotel room through another site. I also checked the hotel site and saw that price.

I asked the hotel about the price difference you guys are finding other places (frankly, I am ticked off because he told me we were getting a discounted rate, and I'm not happy to hear that isn't the case), and he told me "Web rates change in most cases daily and will be going to the range of $169.00 and up. Your group rate will not change. Your rate is guaranteed." I'm so sorry. He won't lower the price for us anymore because he insists we are already receiving a $30+ discount each night. All I can say is for those of you who are finding cheaper rates, if you'd like to go ahead and book your hotel on your own, just make sure you have it noted in your reservation that you are traveling with a dog, so they don't turn you away at check-in for already having too many dogs in the hotel at the time. I can't guarantee how that will work out for you if you don't book through the group, but I certainly understand money is a concern (I am flying in myself, staying at the hotel, etc., so I feel your pain), and I will leave that up to you if you'd like to try booking it on your own. Or, as he said, the $139 rate is guaranteed and you will DEFINITELY be allowed to bring your dogs if you prefer to book through the group. I'm sorry I don't have more answers for you in this case. Maybe he wasn't expecting us to get started booking rooms this early when they are still showing up "cheaper" online than they do for our group rate.

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

I asked the hotel about the price difference you guys are finding other places (frankly, I am ticked off because he told me we were getting a discounted rate, and I'm not happy to hear that isn't the case), and he told me "Web rates change in most cases daily and will be going to the range of $169.00 and up. Your group rate will not change. Your rate is guaranteed." I'm so sorry. He won't lower the price for us anymore because he insists we are already receiving a $30+ discount each night. All I can say is for those of you who are finding cheaper rates, if you'd like to go ahead and book your hotel on your own, just make sure you have it noted in your reservation that you are traveling with a dog, so they don't turn you away at check-in for already having too many dogs in the hotel at the time. I can't guarantee how that will work out for you if you don't book through the group, but I certainly understand money is a concern (I am flying in myself, staying at the hotel, etc., so I feel your pain), and I will leave that up to you if you'd like to try booking it on your own. Or, as he said, the $139 rate is guaranteed and you will DEFINITELY be allowed to bring your dogs if you prefer to book through the group. I'm sorry I don't have more answers for you in this case. Maybe he wasn't expecting us to get started booking rooms this early when they are still showing up "cheaper" online than they do for our group rate.

It is kind of risky to book online if they can't guarantee the dogs' can stay with the online rates...they told me we had to be on a certain floor of the hotel when I called and made the reservation. If you go this route, you may want to call the hotel a day or two after you make your reservation and make sure they have you down for having pets in the room.

Also, when I called the hotel for a reservation, the gal thought it was funny that I was calling for a June reservation already, and kind of giggled when I told her it was the "International Yorkietalk Meetup"...but I know it's weird-I never thought I'd belong to a forum like this, and be so involved and interested in what everyone has going on with them and their yorkies, let alone attend a meetup with everyone, so I understand why she was a bit surprised Just wanted to share my experience so everyone else was prepared if they raise an eyebrow atcha over the phone.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

I asked the hotel about the price difference you guys are finding other places (frankly, I am ticked off because he told me we were getting a discounted rate, and I'm not happy to hear that isn't the case), and he told me "Web rates change in most cases daily and will be going to the range of $169.00 and up. Your group rate will not change. Your rate is guaranteed." I'm so sorry. He won't lower the price for us anymore because he insists we are already receiving a $30+ discount each night. All I can say is for those of you who are finding cheaper rates, if you'd like to go ahead and book your hotel on your own, just make sure you have it noted in your reservation that you are traveling with a dog, so they don't turn you away at check-in for already having too many dogs in the hotel at the time. I can't guarantee how that will work out for you if you don't book through the group, but I certainly understand money is a concern (I am flying in myself, staying at the hotel, etc., so I feel your pain), and I will leave that up to you if you'd like to try booking it on your own. Or, as he said, the $139 rate is guaranteed and you will DEFINITELY be allowed to bring your dogs if you prefer to book through the group. I'm sorry I don't have more answers for you in this case. Maybe he wasn't expecting us to get started booking rooms this early when they are still showing up "cheaper" online than they do for our group rate.

That is very interesting. I wonder then, if someone books through a website, and gets the cheaper rate, if it affects the inventory of rooms your contact is holding. I would think it would leave more of those rooms open.

[Layla's Mom]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I think when Gayla booked our room, the guy told her $25 of the $50 would be refundable. On our confirmation e-mail it said the same thing.

I am going along with what ever it was they told Lisa-Sukoshi's Mom because she is the one who took the time and has work her butt off getting this done for us. She has been nice enough to do all of this for us. We all need to be thanking her big time for her hard work!!!! She has taking time out of her busy life to do this for us. We should be grateful that we have someone that kind to do this for us. I will pay a $50.00 pet deposit and do not expect $25.00 to be refunded to me. This was the understanding they made with Lisa and we should stand by her Not be giving her a hard time.
Thank you Lisa for your hard work on this YT Meet-up!!!!!!!

[Rusty's Momma]

i am excited.....
I hope that when I am able to do my registration (end of December) I am able to get the dinner one... gotta wait to close on another house dangit!!!
I gotta figure out if I wanna ask my sis to go with me... probably... she will love it...

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Layla's Mom

I am going along with what ever it was they told Lisa-Sukoshi's Mom because she is the one who took the time and has work her butt off getting this done for us. She has been nice enough to do all of this for us. We all need to be thanking her big time for her hard work!!!! She has taking time out of her busy life to do this for us. We should be grateful that we have someone that kind to do this for us. I will pay a $50.00 pet deposit and do not expect $25.00 to be refunded to me. This was the understanding they made with Lisa and we should stand by her Not be giving her a hard time.
Thank you Lisa for your hard work on this YT Meet-up!!!!!!!

I would be afraid to book outside of the group just because I'd be terrified that they'd turn our pets away when we get there. I believe this hotel normally only allows so many pets at a time and I'm certain they normally wouldn't allow more than 2 dogs per hotel room in a normal situation (definitely not 7). And really a $20 difference isn't really that much...especially if you are splitting it between 2-3 people. I'd rather just play it safe and book with the group since it's all worked out and we can have all our pets. I'm not expecting to get anything refunded to me either but I did see on the confirmation that we should get $25 back. If so, great, if not..oh well.

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by Layla's Mom

I am going along with what ever it was they told Lisa-Sukoshi's Mom because she is the one who took the time and has work her butt off getting this done for us. She has been nice enough to do all of this for us. We all need to be thanking her big time for her hard work!!!! She has taking time out of her busy life to do this for us. We should be grateful that we have someone that kind to do this for us. I will pay a $50.00 pet deposit and do not expect $25.00 to be refunded to me. This was the understanding they made with Lisa and we should stand by her Not be giving her a hard time.
Thank you Lisa for your hard work on this YT Meet-up!!!!!!!

I am Sorry if you feel I am Giving Lisa a Hard Time... That is Not What I am Doing at all ... I Just don't want people to get taken advantage of!!
the 139.00 for the room is a Great deal as I said before .
She has done so much and I Do Thank her for everything.

I have 1 Problem and that is the Pet deposit w/o refund / I know they are within there rights to charge it... But I FEEL it is Wrong. and I will state that.
So Lisa If I upset you I am VERY sorry Hun I never ment to.
You are doing a Fabulous job

[yougetthesmiles]

Originally Posted by daisy mae06

I am Sorry if you feel I am Giving Lisa a Hard Time... That is Not What I am Doing at all ... I Just don't want people to get taken advantage of!!
the 139.00 for the room is a Great deal as I said before .
She has done so much and I Do Thank her for everything.

I have 1 Problem and that is the Pet deposit w/o refund / I know they are within there rights to charge it... But I FEEL it is Wrong. and I will state that.
So Lisa If I upset you I am VERY sorry Hun I never ment to.
You are doing a Fabulous job

I agree with you Lori, I don;t think it;s right for the hotel to raise the rates for pets. Now I have to decide which one I have to leave at home, how sad is that!

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

That is very interesting. I wonder then, if someone books through a website, and gets the cheaper rate, if it affects the inventory of rooms your contact is holding. I would think it would leave more of those rooms open.

It would leave more of our rooms open for the time being, but the hotel will be monitoring our inventory of rooms internally, and adding/subtracting rooms as necessary, depending on how many reservations we're getting. Therefore, at first it would leave more of our rooms "available", but after they see we are not receiving as many reservations as anticipated, they will eventually lower that inventory and release it back to the public for the full rate (which should be $169+ by that time). As long as our people have rooms though (and can bring their babies), that's all that matters.

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by Layla's Mom

I am going along with what ever it was they told Lisa-Sukoshi's Mom because she is the one who took the time and has work her butt off getting this done for us. She has been nice enough to do all of this for us. We all need to be thanking her big time for her hard work!!!! She has taking time out of her busy life to do this for us. We should be grateful that we have someone that kind to do this for us. I will pay a $50.00 pet deposit and do not expect $25.00 to be refunded to me. This was the understanding they made with Lisa and we should stand by her Not be giving her a hard time.
Thank you Lisa for your hard work on this YT Meet-up!!!!!!!

Thank you Gayla! I agree you shouldn't count on getting the $25 back since I specifically asked about that before signing our contract with the hotel, and he told me our fee would be non-refundable, but HEY...we can always hope that they forget that part . A little surprise money back at check-out would be great! But don't hold your breath.

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by daisy mae06

I am Sorry if you feel I am Giving Lisa a Hard Time... That is Not What I am Doing at all ... I Just don't want people to get taken advantage of!!
the 139.00 for the room is a Great deal as I said before .
She has done so much and I Do Thank her for everything.

I have 1 Problem and that is the Pet deposit w/o refund / I know they are within there rights to charge it... But I FEEL it is Wrong. and I will state that.
So Lisa If I upset you I am VERY sorry Hun I never ment to.
You are doing a Fabulous job

I am not upset with you guys. I agree the pet fee is frustrating. I was just as upset as you when he wouldn't work with me on that. However, I do see his point of needing to do additional sanitation and such since there will be SO MANY dogs there and since they will be allowing dogs in rooms they maybe wouldn't normally allow dogs in (the pet fee also covers cleaning of the ballroom if any of our babies should have an accident in there, or anywhere else in the hotel for that matter), so I see where he's coming from that he doesn't know our dogs and for all he knows they'll be peeing/marking everywhere and they'll have a HUGE clean-up bill on their hands afterwards - he needs to make sure they're covered for that. However, I ALSO see our side of how wonderful our babies are, that they won't possibly have an accident, and that the pet fee is simply ridiculous! Unfortunately, we don't know which way the meet-up will go, so the hotel is going with the CYA motto. Not everyone is a dog lover, and these businessmen checking in for their convention the following Sunday/Monday may not want dog hair on their bedspread or the smell of urine in the hallways (who would really??). That's how the hotel is looking at it. I really don't think it's a way to rip us off, but rather, a way to ensure their hotel is clean and welcoming for the next group of people to check-in. They've never had this many dogs in their hotel at once before, so they're really not sure what to expect (and neither am I...although I know it will be SO MUCH FUN )!!!!