Let's talk about traveling to the Championship.

[Madison]

I've had a bit of a time to look over the packages available through FIRST's new travel broker, The THS Company, and I'm a little concerned about the cost associated with traveling to this event.

At first glance it seems to me that the pricing for the packages, especially since they're divided into only two tiers, does not accurately reflect the cost of travel to this event -- even when considering the additional overhead that isn't always evident.

For my comparison, keep in mind a few things -- I'm booking from April 14 - 18 in the cheapest room available, with four adults per room. The number of adults per room doesn't seem to significantly affect the cost, if at all. The cost of meals provided by the package is $54/person (3 @ $8 ea., 3 @ $10 ea.). I'm guessing a number for additional overhead costs as $46 -- making the total additional cost on top of the room per person $100.

The Omni (through www.expedia.com)


Sleeps 4 per room.


Room cost: $266./night
Room taxes: $42.49/night
Room total: $1233.96
Incl. Meals: $54./ea.
Incl. Meals Total: $216.
Overhead: $46./ea.
Overhead Total: $186.
4 Person Total: $1635.96
Indiv. Total: $408.99
Package Price: $275.
Total Savings: $133.99


Embassy Suites (through www.expedia.com)


Sleeps 2 per room, it seems, though I've kept the rates at 4 people per room.
Breakfast is included in room rate, so I've deducted $24/ea. from Incl. Meals.
Room was available only for 04/14 - 04/15, so I'm using that rate for all four nights.


Room Cost: $164./night
Room Taxes: $27.78/night
Room Total: $767.12
Incl. Meals: $30./ea.
Incl. Meals Total: $120.
Overhead: $46./ea.
Overhead Total: $186.
4 Person Total: $1073.12
Indiv. Total: $268.28
Package Price: $275.
Total Savings: ($6.72)

Marriott Residence Inn Studio Suites (through www.marriott.com)


Assumed 16.5% Room Tax rate.
Breakfast is included in room rate, so I've deducted $24/ea. from Incl. Meals.


Room Cost: $139./night
Room Taxes: $22.94/night
Room Total: $647.76
Incl. Meals: $30./ea.
Incl. Meals Total: $120.
Overhead: $46./ea.
Overhead Total: $186.
4 Person Total: $953.76
Indiv. Total: $238.44
Package Price: $275.
Total Savings: ($36.56)

Westin Hotel Peachtree Plaza (through www.westin.com)


Assumed 16.5% Room Tax rate.


Room Cost: $209./night
Room Taxes: $34.49/night
Room Total: $973.96
Incl. Meals: $54./ea.
Incl. Meals Total: $216.
Overhead: $46./ea.
Overhead Total: $186.
4 Person Total: $1375.96
Indiv. Total: $343.99
Package Price: $275.
Total Savings: $68.99

Hampton Inn and Suites (through www.hamptoninn.com)


14% Room Tax as per www.hamptoninn.com
Priced for King Size room, of which there are 37 available.
Breakfast is included in room rate, so I've deducted $24/ea. from Incl. Meals.


Room Cost: $134./night
Room Taxes: $18.76/night
Room Total: $611.04
Incl. Meals: $30./ea.
Incl. Meals Total: $120.
Overhead: $46./ea.
Overhead Total: $186.
4 Person Total: $917.04
Indiv. Total: $229.26
Package Price: $275.
Total Savings: ($45.74)

(I'll update this more in the future. I don't have the patience to dig through another eight hotels right now.)

It seems like we can look at this in one of three ways:

The overhead cost of running the event (facility rental, staffing, pipe and drape, lighting, audio, video, etc.) is unevenly distributed among those attending.
The overhead cost is evenly distributed, with teams receiving highly varying room types, qualities, and other hotel amenities for the same price per person.
The overhead cost is far higher than I anticipated here -- though one of the above two points is still true, that might mean a net savings for everyone using a package rather than the potential for loss I've indicated above.

[A. Snodgrass]

What I would like to point out is that its very possible the price of the hotel rooms is based off the current corporate rates available at those particular hotels. Even taking current deals at particular hotels into consideration doesnt change that these package deals likely base their prices off of the price that the travel company was able to get for a block of rooms from the hotel, plus the cost that they were able to get for food. All considered, the prices that Im seeing are actually somewhat par to the course for this type of event. Considering other events that Ive looked at and the hotel package prices at those, the costs currently seem very reasonable for what is going on.

[Madison]

What I would like to point out is that its very possible the price of the hotel rooms is based off the current corporate rates available at those particular hotels.

When booking a room, you're charged the rate structure that is in place at the time of your stay, not when you book the reservation. Despite that, a cursory check of hotel room prices at some of the abovementioned hotels for similar dates in January shows that the rooms are cheaper than in April.

Even taking current deals at particular hotels into consideration doesnt change that these package deals likely base their prices off of the price that the travel company was able to get for a block of rooms from the hotel, plus the cost that they were able to get for food.

Of course. I included the price of food in my comparisons, as the company charged by FIRST with organizing these packages has indicated their value. What's more is that the room prices are certain to be cheaper than what I've indicated. That means the proportion of each $275 that goes toward hotel rooms, food and overhead is diminished should the prices of such things be lower than what I estimated. While I understand that the company involved would like to make a profit and I don't fault them for it, I'd like to be aware of what profit they were making.

Furthermore, that's of inconsequential importance, and something you didn't understand.


All considered, the prices that Im seeing are actually somewhat par to the course for this type of event. Considering other events that Ive looked at and the hotel package prices at those, the costs currently seem very reasonable for what is going on.

The prices are perfectly reasonable, all things considered. I don't disagree. What I do not understand, however, is why there is such varied quality accomodations available to teams paying the same rates. If we're to stay at the Hampton Inn, for example, I don't expect to pay the same rate as people staying at the Omni. Yet, by this package pricing structure, that's what is taking place. Or, conversely, one could argue that we're each paying the appropriate rate for our hotel room, but that teams staying at the Omni are paying less, per person, to cover the overhead cost of running the event than people staying at the Hampton Inn.

The price itself is of less concern than the varied services we'd each be receiving for that price. That's all I'm saying.

[KathieK]

I expected that the package rates for hotels which include breakfast as a normal amenity, would be less than the rates for the hotels which do not offer a breakfast.

And the rates do not include any transportation to and from the venues, nor does it include an activity other than a team social on one night. I thought they might include a trip to the nearby Six Flags. No details about the team social - when or where it might be. And how do we get back to the hotels afterwards in a safe manner?

[Mike Martus]

What teams would like is a detail on the rate structure so that they can see if staying at the package hotel is a good thing for their team.

I am sure if a team has transportation ( their bus ) they can save $$ by staying a distance away. Food at events is usually high as we seen last year. $3.50 for a bottled coke is absurd.

The real question is what is the team party going to be like. If it is just a food event then there is not much draw for teams ( if on Sat. after event ) as they will be tired and ready to relax in their hotel pool.

I think each team will need to do the math to see how they can best conserve team resources and still get the flavor of the FIRST event.

[Madison]

Just a head's up -- THS has just added package information for 5 and 6 night stays to their FIRST Championship website, as well as two new Tier A hotels.

(http://www.thsweb.com/tg_frameset-dynamic2.cfm?tournamentID=1493)

I'll continue doing comparisons for the remaining hotels soon.

[KathieK]

[QUOTE=M. Krass]Just a head's up -- THS has just added package information for 5 and 6 night stays to their FIRST Championship website, as well as two new Tier A hotels. [QUOTE]

Last week I called THS and asked about a 5th night stay and was quoted a price for the rooms which was subsequently posted on the web site. Now it has been replaced with the new quotes, which will cost our team members overall $100+ more than what was quoted to us last week. It's not a huge amount, but still, why the change?

[Anne Shade]

The hotels are all walking distance and there will be security to make sure everyone get to and from hotels safely. From most of these hotels you can see the Georgia Dome complex. This was a concern with the hotels and getting transportation. The dome often hosts youth event with these hotels and travel to and from is not an issue. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions I will try to answer as best I can.

[Will Hanashiro]

this is sorta off topic... but does anybody know what sort of entertainment we're gonna have at the nationals this year? are they gonna reserve the six flags again???

[KathieK]

I asked THS about that and they didn't have any answers for me... As far as I know, there will only be one event on Saturday night - the Team Social - and I haven't seen any info yet on what that social will be. And it's still unclear if you can purchase tickets to that separately from the hotel package. (We have a family who will be staying with relatives in Atlanta and not with the team in the hotel).

We have reserved rooms in the Embassy Suites Hotel, which normally come with a breakfast, so it's my understanding that we will not be receiving FIRST Currency for breakfast at the venue. I have e-mailed THS to clarify why we are paying the same price for the package as people staying in the more expensive Omni hotel, who will be getting $24 worth of breakfast currency. I also asked if the "reasonable rates" for food that FIRST has asked for, will be available for purchase with regular dollars, or only available with FIRST Currency.

[Wetzel]

I asked THS about that and they didn't have any answers for me... As far as I know, there will only be one event on Saturday night - the Team Social - and I haven't seen any info yet on what that social will be. And it's still unclear if you can purchase tickets to that separately from the hotel package. (We have a family who will be staying with relatives in Atlanta and not with the team in the hotel).

We have reserved rooms in the Embassy Suites Hotel, which normally come with a breakfast, so it's my understanding that we will not be receiving FIRST Currency for breakfast at the venue. I have e-mailed THS to clarify why we are paying the same price for the package as people staying in the more expensive Omni hotel, who will be getting $24 worth of breakfast currency. I also asked if the "reasonable rates" for food that FIRST has asked for, will be available for purchase with regular dollars, or only available with FIRST Currency.

To give you the historic answer, how it's been in the past, it would be yes and no. I recall a few years ago when other teams could pay a event fee and attend the party, but I believe that last year in Houston this was not the case.
For the food, I never paid US cash for it, but I do seem to recall price lists at the 2000 nationals.

So I really can't give you a good answer, other then FIRST has gone both ways on the party.

Wetzel

[Madison]

To give you the historic answer, how it's been in the past, it would be yes and no. I recall a few years ago when other teams could pay a event fee and attend the party, but I believe that last year in Houston this was not the case.
For the food, I never paid US cash for it, but I do seem to recall price lists at the 2000 nationals.

So I really can't give you a good answer, other then FIRST has gone both ways on the party.

Wetzel

Houston's "official" policy was that tickets to the team parties at Astroworld could not be purchased outside of the package. However, on Friday afternoon, FIRST began distributing wrist bands that allowed access to the park for a discounted admission price ($15-20 or so) to be payed at the gate.

Six Flags over Georgia is a bit outside downtown Atlanta along I-20. They will have opened for the season by the time our event takes place, but I wonder if it's a bit too far away to host the team social. It'd certainly mean makes buses available to everyone attending the event to take them to and from the park.