Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 21:58:46 -0500
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
From: Samuel Lubell <lubell at boo.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: I have reservations
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

At 12:22 PM 11/13/2003 -0400, Walter wrote:
>Hello Gentle Neighbors,
>
>Against my much better judgement, I have reserved a room for
>both nights of Capclave.
>
>It strikes me, that before I could urge other WSFAns to use
>me as their exemplar, that I should like to see published
>the conditions governing the room block guarantee (deadlines,
>numbers, and penalties).  We should understand precisely the
>catastrophe we are trying to avert.

Please don't share these numbers with non-wsfans

Okay.  We have locked in 55 king/double and 5 suites for 11/21 and 11/22.

We will get the quorum room for free with 120% pickup (otherwise $150 a day)
We get the Chesapeake room for free with 80% pickup (otherwise $750 day)
Anapolis is $300 waived with 100% pickup
Severern is $300 waived with 120% pickup

In addition there is a performance fee if we're below 85%
75% or more - 10% of anticipated additional gross sleeping room revenue
50-74% - 25% of anticipated gross sleeping room revenue.

>These details have never been clear to me, and I'll bet I'm
>not the only one.  At Friday's WSFA, it appeared there was
>disagreement even within the committee about the contract.

There is no disagreement within the committee.  At the meeting, Elspeth
raised questions but she's not on the committee because she was busy with
World Fantasy.

>If this were cleared up and made public, together with the
>latest booking report, other WSFAns would be in a better
>position to decide whether to reserve a room for a con to
>which they would ordinarily commute.

I'll check with Peggy Rae on numbers and get back to you about a booking
report.

>I hope that Sam will respond by saying that the room block
>is full, the hotel is turning away customers, you're
>probably going to have sleep in a stable (er, parking
>garage), and nuthin' to worry about, folks.

Unfortunately, for several days the hotel was telling people the block was
full when it wasn't.  This puts us in a bad position.  It would be *very*
helpful if WSFAns took rooms and encouraged their friends to do so.

>If not, an
>explanation on this list would probably promote a better
>response from WSFA members.
>
>desperately write checks, after cleaning up the vomit).  So
>my advice is, Sam, humiliate yourself, if you want people to
>reserve rooms.

I'm down on my knees.  I'm asking you please

Brother, can you spare a room?