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!

Cody - Second the motion!! ;-) I like your thinking but sounds like your on the naughty list with Jeanette! >.<

See you soon my friend!

David,
Joe has the solution I think. While the Captains lounge is really nice, and would be a lot of fun a simple meeting roome with a no host bar a pupu's ( appetizers) would work just fine.

Think back to the A&E show in Long Beach two years ago. It was truly just that a meeting room with appetizers and no host bar. Everyone seemed to have a GREAT time.

Just my two cents.

I also vote Aye for Jeanette being second vice president to the commander in charge of the president of the catering/entertainment department chief of the organizational committee chair staff.

Do we have a day yet? I need to make reservations for Cirque de sol whatever "Love".

Thanks