Reply With QuoteThe Schmucks the run the Avi are about as schizophrenic as they come. For the better part of a year they told us that they couldn't do anything for us after we had been there four years prior and effectively filled their hotel and emptied their bar the last two years. The statement from the Sales Manager was something to the effect of "we're too busy during the summer to justify reduced rates for group bookings". This was one of the contributing factors to the demise of the CBBB. Then a couple weeks before our usual August date, a woman calls from the Avi wanting to know if we were still going to be attending. Aparently they go through group sales managers like most folks do underwear. So when the guard changed again, the new sales manager probably looked at the previous year's booking trends and started calling around. I'm pretty sure this is how roostwear got the deal he did for his shindig up there. Whether the Avi knew it or not, they had come to realize sizeable repeat business from the CBBB, but after they f'd us around, they won't see another dime from me, or any of my friends as a result of their actions. River based businesses that aren't attentive to the needs of boaters don't get my $$ period. This is especially true when they never went out of their way to do anything for a group that brought in over 100 boats it's last year. Any idiot can do the math on how many people/rooms that equates to, and the subsequent spending in the bars and casino that they lost out on.
Good luck with your regatta, good luck with the Avi; but be careful. Odds are that there will be a different sales manager there between when you book and when you show up. Don't expect any concessions from them, and if they promise them to you, get it in writing as part of the booking agreement YOU will be on the hook for. That's right, if someone from your group starts acting like a jackoff, expect a phone call. Some bozo shows up on Thursday night and starts talking about how he has an arrangement to park his boat on the grass, expect a phone call. You're on the hook for the behavior of your guests, whether you personally know them or not.
And one more small little tidbit of information you might want to think about. All those jetskis running around in front of the hotel... if one of em runs into a boat that is at YOUR regatta, you'll be named in the subsequent lawsuit. The collision or subsequent lawsuit may never happen; but if it does are you prepared to pay for an attorney?
I'm not trying to piss in your wheaties (though I've done a good job of it), but these are all things that you need to be aware of and think about. Trust me, I like the idea of a classic boat get together, hence the Classic Boat Beach Bash. But after putting them on for a while, your eyes are opened to the risks you're taking. I would hate to see anyone get burned or suffer financial hardship because they were trying to put together a weekend of fun for fellow enthusiasts, and that's why we've stopped. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and good luck with your event.
Chris
