Vegas Hotel Rates?

[BillyWaz]

Originally posted by Renman:
But I would MUCH prefer drafting at South Point (they have a great bowling center for the record) or The Orleans, or Sams Town if it meant more reasonable room rates and less expense to the NFFC/fanball that results in better prize funds for the people who are funding the entire operation with entry fees.

Am I nuts? In a word.....yes.

The NFFC (or any other high stakes event is not going to move to a venue where it costs less for them to operate and pass the savings on to the customer.

Do you think any contest is going to say, "hey, prices are lowered by $100 an entry AND we are keeping the prizes the same AND no events fees this year!"

Whatever the price point is now for all high stakes events, they are AT BEST going to stay the same, and most likely get a small increase each year.

That is just inflation 101.

[Tom Kessenich]

Originally posted by Renman:

I, in the past, have talked about the logic of getting the draft out of midtown Manhattan (where a cheeseburger is $16 at Applebees) and moving it to some other setting in the Tri-state area at half the price. Two things to remember here:

1. Finding a place that can host our event isn't easy. And regardless of where we go, there will be fees of some kind associated. Some hotels and convention centers aren't as accommodating as others.

2. New York has been the No. 1 city in terms of NFFC signups three times in its history. So moving out of New York is a very risky proposition. It's possible there will come a time when the cost of doing business there forces us to make that type of move but at the present time I'm not sure (and I'm not speaking for Greg or Ryan here) that moving out of a city that has been so strong is the move we should be making.

But obviously we have to continue to be as creative as possible. That's one of the reasons we've expanded to eight cities this year - to give people even more options than they've had before.

[renman]

Billy,

Though cynical, you may be right. But I can guarantee that over time, these high stakes events will survive or fade based on how many people leave with a good taste in their mouths. If only a select few make their money back each year eventually people stop investing this kind of money.

I have said this before, but the high stakes "mega buck" bowling world of the early 90's was booming with support and was VERY SIMILAR to the high stakes fantasy sports community now. Competitors would travel into Vegas from around the country to invest $2000-$5000 to compete in high stakes events. Slowly, over time, the bowlers started realizing only a small percentage of players were even breaking even. For years they were lured by the hugh 6 figure 1st prize. It fizzled out.

I don't want this to fizzle out.

[RedRyder]

Originally posted by Renman:
Jules,

I have talked about the same point for years. I think people competing in high stakes fantasy events (baseball or football) are hard core fantasy sports enthusiasts who are there for the SPORT DRAFT EXPERIENCE. I am way more interested in the rush of entertainment I get in the 4th round as the player I am targeting is falling to me than I am in the trendy bar I can hang out in afterwards in midtown or on the Vegas strip.

I, in the past, have talked about the logic of getting the draft out of midtown Manhattan (where a cheeseburger is $16 at Applebees) and moving it to some other setting in the Tri-state area at half the price. In theory, this should result in better prize funds because less money has to be sucked away by the expense of where the event is conducted (unless I am wrong and the NYC Sheridan charges the same as anywhere else to host). It would result in expenses cut significantly by NFFC competitors who get robbed on hotels and parking. If someone wants to go sight seeing in NYC they can do it on their own after the draft. If they want to get robbed for $20 trendy drinks they can do it after the draft.

The same goes for Las Vegas. Maybe I am a bad example given the fact I have been to Vegas 45 times in the last 15 years so I am not in awe of the strip or anything that goes on there. But I would MUCH prefer drafting at South Point (they have a great bowling center for the record) or The Orleans, or Sams Town if it meant more reasonable room rates and less expense to the NFFC/fanball that results in better prize funds for the people who are funding the entire operation with entry fees.

Am I nuts? You are not nuts and neither am I. However we might be in the minority.

I'm sure there is a fine line between "growing the event" and giving the majority of paying customers what they want. In the WCFF, not everyone was happy with South Point (it has a movie theatre too!).

I've suggested it before and so have others, I wish the NFFC would send out a formal questionnaire to all past participants...it's easy and a great marketing tool (in that one can see what one's customer base values).

[renman]

Jules,

I could not agree more. I am not in any way saying the NFFC is doing a bad job. You would be hard pressed to find ANYONE more "pro-NFFC" than me.

I am just saying that I believe high stakes fantasy football (or baseball) players are there for the actual fantasy drafting event. You can over spend for downtown NYC or the Vegas Strip anytime.

You only get one chance per year to get together with 100's of other hard core fantasy sports enthusiasts to have a professional draft and season long competition. To me, streamlining expenses so we can fatten up the rewards for the people who fund the entire thing would be a smart thing to do.

[RedRyder]

Originally posted by BillyWaz:
[. [/qb]There is always Chicago, Jules!

You could be near trackside for about 1/2 the cost. [/QB][/quote]

I love the idea of Chicago and it could come into play...

[renman]

Originally posted by Tom Kessenich:
quote:Originally posted by Renman:

I, in the past, have talked about the logic of getting the draft out of midtown Manhattan (where a cheeseburger is $16 at Applebees) and moving it to some other setting in the Tri-state area at half the price. Two things to remember here:

1. Finding a place that can host our event isn't easy. And regardless of where we go, there will be fees of some kind associated. Some hotels and convention centers aren't as accommodating as others.

2. New York has been the No. 1 city in terms of NFFC signups three times in its history. So moving out of New York is a very risky proposition. It's possible there will come a time when the cost of doing business there forces us to make that type of move but at the present time I'm not sure (and I'm not speaking for Greg or Ryan here) that moving out of a city that has been so strong is the move we should be making.

But obviously we have to continue to be as creative as possible. That's one of the reasons we've expanded to eight cities this year - to give people even more options than they've had before. [/QUOTE]Tom,

I understand what you are saying. But I believe the strong support for signups in NYC have more to do with the dense population of fantasy sports players per square mile and less to do with mid-town Manhatten. If you had the same event in a convention room across the river (5-10 miles away) near the Meadowlands and Giants Stadium you would get the same number of guys, and likely pay a significantly lower fee for the venue.

They are not coming to NYC for the privilage of $35 parking fees and the scent of urine in the streets as you walk the blocks to the hotel. They live in the tri state area, they love fantasy football, they love the NFFC product and they draft where you host the draft because you guys do a great job. I am sure they would have no problem doing the draft at a $10 parking fee, $7 burgers, and better prize funds or perks because the venue is 40% less expensive.

Just an opinion.

[kjduke]

Originally posted by RedRyder:

I've suggested it before and so have others, I wish the NFFC would send out a formal questionnaire to all past participants...it's easy and a great marketing tool (in that one can see what one's customer base values). Good idea Jules. The Bellagio was cool and rates were good for baseball, but a smaller hotel with reasonable rates would be better for me so long as the rooms are clean and the food is decent.

[pizzatyme]

Hello all. I wanted to pass along this link for fatwallet.com There are tons of links on there for reduced rooms/ incentives.

Give it a looksee...

Hotel codes for discounts...

[cdavault]

considering the standard price of the Mandarin Oriental i get really good rates there. about half of the room. However it is just as much as the rates NFFC is offering. 220 a night for an executive room. i got a really good rate in their cityscape suite so I am going to be reenacting the hangover haha.


Originally posted by Just Russ:
Hello all. I wanted to pass along this link for fatwallet.com There are tons of links on there for reduced rooms/ incentives.

Give it a looksee...

Hotel codes for discounts...