From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Philcon hotel rates
Date: Fri,  5 Jun 2009 18:55:19 -0400 (EDT)
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

I am disappointed to see that Philcon's hotel room rates are actually
up since last year.  They are $125, $145, $165, and $325 for a single,
double, quad, and suite, respectively.  Last year they were $119,
$139, $159, and $325.

This despite a severe and worsening recession (I'm not going to use
the D-word).

According to
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS10291+24-Mar-2009+PRN20090324

  The average price of a hotel room around the world fell by 12% last
  year, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index.

  . . .

  Prices in North America fell by the greatest extent, down 12% in Q4
  2008 compared to the year before.  Prices for hotel rooms in Europe
  fared little better, dropping 10% during the same period.  In the
  Caribbean and Latin America they fell by 7%, while in Asia, hotel
  prices held up slightly better falling just 2%.

Balticon's room rate was $130 last year.  It's increased to $132.00
this year.

Ravencon's room rate was $99 last year.  It's increased to $104
this year.

Capclave's room rate is unchanged since last year, $119.

All four cons are at the same hotel this year as last year.

The latter three cons may have negotiated and locked in their rates
before the recession worsened, but Philcon only announced their
rates this week.

Does anyone have any idea what accounts for this increase?  Is fandom
likely to be priced out of being able to hold conventions?

I will attend Philcon this year, but don't plan to buy a membership
for next year until I see next year's room rates.  My next three cons
will be Philcon, Balticon, and Conterpoint.  I'm not yet committed to
attending anything after that.