Before Vegas 2005 we kicked around the idea of trying to find a block of rooms in Vegas for 2006. Are there any thoughts of doing that and if so are there any recommendations. I will say that I hate the idea of spending big bucks on a hotel room. I know that last year some people got great deals including rooms for under 50.00 at the Hilton. As air fares continue to rise hotel/motel rates may go down. Anybody have any ideas how we check this out when we don't know how many rooms we need?

Dee

PS When does David start the list? It looks like Peter & Kathy should be at the top. Rodney, are you coming?

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

As gambling revenues continue to drop in Vegas, they are finding it necessary to increase room and resturant charges. Gotta pay for multi million dollar castles somehow.

It may very well be wise to start doing some shopping for a block of rooms but I think it important to watch how far from the convention center one gets. Ground transportation and parking continues to rise also.

Vegas is rapidly losing it's appeal as a cheap vacation! :-( 

Doug

I have never been to the Las Vegas show, and am definitely going this next year. I received an email from bestfares.com about their specials, and they had a lot of vegas fares on sale. I could fly roundtrip from Memphis (Or Little Rock.. can't remember which one now) for around 200.00. I had to travel by May of 2006.

I personally thought this was a good rate, and was wondering.. does everyone start planning for this now???

Thanks! Dixie

Looks like we may be coming over on a deal with a bunch of other Aussies ( organized by the Aust. distributor of Epilog ). Its from that point on that we will be on our own..we have to see how that pans out.

Thanks guys for keeping us in mind ! :-) 

Peter and Kathy

Dixie,
Our local newspaper is full of stories about airfares rising as the cost of oil rises. I would jump on those fares. Last year I was able to put together our trip including hotel for 6 nights (off the strip), airfare and a car rental for under 900.00. If you are planning to rent a car check with your business or personal car insurance or credit card company to see if they cover the collision insurance the car rental companies try to push on you. It can more than double the cost of a car rental. We did a Payless deal, without the collision insurance, but with unlimited mileage for about 100.00. It was a mid size car and fine for the 2 of us.

Geez I'm already getting excited and it is still 9 months away.

Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Dee..

I'm excited about going as well.. i've never been to Vegas, and the only awards show I"ve been to was in Orlando, FL about 8 years ago.

I will definitely book my tickets today.. hopefully I'll be able to find a motel out there that's not too expensive!!

Dixie

My (soon-to-be) hubby and I are definitely planning on Vegas for 2006. I've missed the last two shows but we're coming to this one. We already started planning because we want to do the Canyon and catch a good show while we're there so we'd definitely be interested in a block of rooms if someone is going to look into it.

I can't wait!

Lisa,

I hate to admit it, but I have missed the last four shows. I will be pulling out all the stops to make it this year, or should I say next year. I look forward to meeting you and everyone else. They may have to but me in a straight jacket, I'll be so darn excited.

This was the first year that we've been able to make it. To say that it was rewarding would be an understatement.

We're already looking for the best deals on airfare and a hotel room. We stayed in the Hilton last year, and we HOPE to get to stay there again.

It was a great opportunity for my wife and I to get away from the responsibilities of everyday life, and to take something of a working vacation. I think we're going to stay 4 days and 3 nights this time (adding a day & night to what we did last time).

Excited? Yewbetcha!!!!

Cody,

The first and only time I went was one month before I opened my business. I took in every seminar my time allowed. I may have qualified for the Certified Recognition Specialist (CRS) in one showing. :-) 

One side story. I found out a month later, after that first show, that my brother-in-law and I were staying in the Hilton the same week. A bit disappointing, it would have been great to get together.

I will be coming in this time with unbelievable confidence and an organized plan for what I want to accomplish. The top of that list will be meeting all of the folks here.

I tried calling tripreservations.com to get prices on rooms at Arizona Charles East where Harv & I have stayed and David stayed last year. Right now they are quoting $26.00 a night (that is not a typo) with a 1.99 energy charge. The hotel is about a 15 minute drive from the convention center. It is nothing fancy but we have always found it to be clean and the staff accommodating.

It is too early to get a quote for when we will all be there but I thought we might want to take a poll to see what people would want if we were to try to get a block of rooms. Some of the questions I thought about are

1. Do you want to stay on the strip?
2. If off the strip how far are you willing to travel?
3. What is the top price you are willing to pay?
4. Do you have any special needs like handicap accessible?
5. Does the hotel have to have a casino?
6. Does the hotel have to have room service?

Can anyone add any questions?

Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

David,

In years past you are correct but actually NASCAR wasn't the same week this year, I believe it was the next weekend. NASCAR comes to Vegas the weekend of March 10-12 in 2006 with the ARA Show March 1-4th.

Not a gear head, bald head maybe, just not a gear head.

Dave

For any one looking for the "Cheep" stay try looking in Henderson.
You may find rooms at the Fiesta, or the Station casino for under 40.00 a night. The Silverton workes as well. The down side is you need a car.
Keep this in mind if some bone head puts the show on NasCar weekend again.

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