Early Plans For 2011 NFFC

[Greg Ambrosius]

Originally posted by Route C:
quote:Originally posted by Tom Kessenich:
quote:Originally posted by Route C:
Wow is Tom a true NFFC homer or what. 6 straight posts discussing Chicago location with nothing from Tom. 1 post about NY and Citifield and look who shows up. I felt like my New Yorkers were calling me Jeff. OK, maybe just Glenn.

Honestly, I trust all of you in Chicago to give us the best advice as to where you'd like to see us host the event. We'll do what we can but you guys know the Chicago area better than I do. [/QUOTE]Is it possible to get back to the Oakbrook Marriot. Obviously from the posts that is the choice of the Chicago masses. I don't know who will be in charge of Chicago but maybe you can sub-contract Rob. I guarantee he has what it takes to put it all together! [/QUOTE]We never tried to leave Oakbrook; it's just that the Marriott was filled over Labor Day weekend with a wedding. I'll inquire soon and hope the owners and players reach an agreement in time!!

[SS]

Oakbrook is pretty far from the airport if people are flying in. I didn't have a problem with the Rosemont Convention Center or McCormick Place maybe?

[batoj]

Arlington was a disappointment, the food was just bad. Sliced bread, cold cuts and cheese...that's it. Oh and some chips that we had to wait around for b/c there was just one bag. The bar opened right when our draft started...was this planned?
One good thing was that power outlets were available to everyone.

Maybe next year we can have it near the new Des Plaines casino. It should be up and running by June/July, that could be a hit although I heard there won't be any poker rooms.

[mikeybok]

I personally thought Arlington was great. Easy access, the food was edible. We had plenty of room, access to power outlets, some privacy. Easy room to mix with others before and after the draft. I am there to draft with my buddies and mix with others, I can give a rats ass that they ran out of olives on the food bar.

Personally, I feel we should eliminate the food and save dollars. It is better to eat at local Chicago specialties. But I am also aware sometimes the pricing of getting a location requires a commitment to food and drink. Anyone really think potato chips and cookies at Oakbrook were that much better than the chips and cookies at Arlington? The cold cut sandwiches were compared to nothing at Oakbrook. In my opinion the sandwiches were better than nothing? Right?

I really don't have a strong preference, although I prefer Arlington because of it's location. I had no idea so many were unhappy with Arlington. I didn't see a lot of difference in the 3 of the 4 draft locations. I didn't care for the location in 2009.

UYT

[Coltsfan]

Mike,

For me there were 3 drawbacks to Arlington.

1. The food was terrible. I went for a burger and they didn't even have ketchup. It was bad to start with but ketchup at least helps a bad burger.

2. The service was terrible.

3. This is just a personal preference. Since I travel, I really like to stay at the place of the draft so I can run back to the room between events. It's just a convenience thing.

Everything else was fine. The facility itself was very nice and the room worked out very well. We had plenty of room and privacy which was nice.


Wayne

[mikeybok]

Originally posted by Coltsfan:
Mike,

For me there were 3 drawbacks to Arlington.

1. The food was terrible. I went for a burger and they didn't even have ketchup. It was bad to start with but ketchup at least helps a bad burger.

2. The service was terrible.

3. This is just a personal preference. Since I travel, I really like to stay at the place of the draft so I can run back to the room between events. It's just a convenience thing.

Everything else was fine. The facility itself was very nice and the room worked out very well. We had plenty of room and privacy which was nice.


Wayne LOL ... I agree the service was pretty weak. It was like the bartender standing at the bar "refusing to selling drinks" until noon which oddly enough was when we had to be back at our drafts for the noon start.

Still, most of the service was related to the food, which was really not available the other years at the other locations.

The NFFC service has always been good at all the locations (which was more important than food servers anyway). Like I said ... dump the food if possible and lets go out to eat.

BTW ... if I had a room, I would agree with your third point.

[BillyWaz]

Originally posted by Very Ugly Yellow Tomatoes:
I personally thought Arlington was great. Easy access, the food was edible.

Personally, I feel we should eliminate the food and save dollars. It is better to eat at local Chicago specialties. Mike,

I agree it was edible, but when you are paying $50 for something I could throw out at my own house in less than 2 minutes, I have an issue with that. Add in the horrible customer service and it was the worst experience for me at a live draft.

I think you are forgetting that there was never a $50 charge for the cookies and pretzels. There is where the difference is in my eyes.

I am ALL FOR heading out for local specialties (Lou Malnati's anyone??? ) on our own or ordering it ourselves (like in 2009) at the draft venue.

[Route Collectors]

Originally posted by Coltsfan:
Mike,

For me there were 3 drawbacks to Arlington.

1. The food was terrible. I went for a burger and they didn't even have ketchup. It was bad to start with but ketchup at least helps a bad burger.

2. The service was terrible.

3. This is just a personal preference. Since I travel, I really like to stay at the place of the draft so I can run back to the room between events. It's just a convenience thing.

Everything else was fine. The facility itself was very nice and the room worked out very well. We had plenty of room and privacy which was nice.


Wayne Totally agree Wayne. Cater to those traveling in like any good host should. Staying at the same hotel we draft at is #1 on my list.

Getting our own food is my preference as well.

[SS]

Bato, that is a great point regarding the new Des Plaines casino which is right on the edge of Rosemont! Not sure if the casino will have a hotel attached to it but I know right next to it there are a few hotels including the Hilton Garden Inn. Greg and Tom, any possibility here for the Des Plaines casino as a possible site for baseball or football?

Also, I know Lou Malnatis caters and delivers

SS

[Ted's Cracked Head]

I think they should cater to the folks who travel in. Maybe a survey of the Chicago drafters would be helpful? What, where, when, what else would you like to do and where would you like to stay? Narrow it down to an area and I would be happy to try and find space for the group.

Arlington Racetrack was my idea and I thought it would have offered a more complete experience. I agree that the OTB dropped the ball big time last year. I was surprised at how bad they were at every level. The service was terrible and the food was embarrassing.

Wayne brings up a good point in that the folks traveling in would prefer a central location. One where the hotel and draft are one. That makes sense and those of us from the area should be happy to go anywhere to draft, whether it's downtown, back in Oakbrook or out by me near the boats in Joliet. There are numerous locations in the Chitown area to offer a first class event. I also remember having this discussion with Brian Owens and Chris Gillman after last years draft. Being in one location helps build camaraderie.

Suplemental events can be arranged if the needs and wishes of the group were known: Poker Tourney Thursday of Friday night? Golf? Cubs or Sox game? Ask and it can happen.

The NFL and Players Union better not screw this up.