My experience with buffets in LV at dinner time is that it's hard to find more than a couple of tables next to each other. My guess is that it would not work out that well.

You might want to try calling the Marriot Suites, which is next door to where the Beach was. They have meeting rooms and hospitality suites, with catering. No idea of the costs though.

David,
I called my cousin a Vegas resident for 20+years. He said he would make some calls over the next couple of days. The criteria I gave him was 100+ people, on the monorail route, private room with hopefully a PA, a buffet preferred but ordering off the menu would work also. I told him $18-35.00.

I will call the visitors' center tomorrow if that is OK with you.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

David,
I"m wondering since it is now only 48 days away if it would not be prudent to book it. Find out what the cancellation policy is if they have one, but I am sure you know that time is running out.

Just my two cents. Want change?

If the room at Quarks is $350/hr (somebody here said that), with 100 people that is only $7 each for 2 hours, or for 50 people it's $14 each for 2 hours ($10.50 or $21 for 3 hours). If the food isn't too much, it might not be a bad deal.

You could also adjourn after a couple of hours to smaller groups at the bar so the room fee doesn't get too high as the crowd moves on.

I think the problem is going to be finding anything reasonably priced within close proximity of the convention center.

I'm sure there's some reasonable deals in Vegas, just not within a mile or so of the strip. I suspect that's why the beach is gone. Somebody else can make many times more money in the same spot.

Maybe they've got something at that Best Western or Residence Inn, or whatever it is that's just south of the Convention center parking lot?

IMO the food prices were not that high, I guess it's what you used to & you are in Vegas so their gonna get you one way or the other. For 3 hours & 50 people that is $21 per person to cover the room. If $50.00 per person
was in most price ranges, that would allow $29.00 for meal (doable) & limited drink. As long as the meal prices did not increase since we were using the Captian's Room. IMO we need more than 2 hours.

David - I know this has to be a frustrating situation - trying to find a place to keep cost reasonable and still have amenities that we need. Priority one in my mind is the having a good place to socialize - food of lack of it at the party- is not much of a consideration for us. Have you checked with the Hilton about a meeting room with just a cash bar setup and appetizers? I apologize for even asking if you have already done so.

Year before last Xenetech had a room meeting/social room with food (more than appetizers & very good) at the Hilton - I have no idea what it cost.
New Hermes - had a room at the Convention center that they used all day and late into the evening - they had snacks/ appetizers & drinks - could that be a possibility?

In my past life one of the things I had to do was locate and organize meetings rooms (most included meals) in small towns and cities in my area - it was always a pain in the behind. I applaud you for doing this and feel your pain.

Dave,

I have the "scoop" from Xenetech for you. I'll email you the details I have. Jessica Hoffpauir-Freeman (at Xenetech) has set this up the last few years and knows her way around the catering dept. at the Hilton!