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07/01/2002
Trade Show Committee Update
Why You Should Stay at the Headquarters Hotel at NATE 2003
The Annual NATE Conference & Exposition is recognized as the most successful event in the telecommunications tower construction, service and maintenance industry. That is an exceptional accomplishment for such a young association. Nevertheless, the necessary coordination and planning require the commitment of the Trade Show Committee, the NATE staff, and everyone else involved with the event.
The Trade Show Committee recently reviewed the attendee and exhibitor survey results from NATE 2002, along with the combined results of surveys from all seven NATE shows. The exhibitor and attendee comments consistently verify the overall excellence of each show, as well as pointing out recommendations for improving future events.
Hotel accommodations are among the issues raised each year, with the comments ranging from the excellent properties chosen for the event to the sleeping room rates at the headquarters hotel.
While many attendees stay at the headquarters hotel, others choose to stay at surrounding hotels where rates are cheaper. I realize that we all are required to make decisions based on economics, but there are a number of important reasons why you should stay at the NATE headquarters hotel during the annual event. Let me start with a little background on how the venue for each NATE show is chosen.
When researching potential hotel sites for the annual NATE event, only those facilities that have the accommodations necessary to fulfill all of the annual NATE event meeting room and exhibit space requirements are considered. Once those facilities are found and have been carefully reviewed, selection is based on a number of factors, including those that offer inclusive facilities. NATE has always strived to select facilities that are rated as 4-Star properties in the meetings industry, and that are also generally located amidst a handful of restaurants and attractions. This convenience we hope eliminates additional travel expenses since all associated events are held in-house.
Once a facility has been selected, the number of sleeping rooms and room rates are negotiated as part of the event contract. The room rate is established by the hotel and is based on a number of factors including meeting room and exhibit space requirements, food and beverage functions, audio/visual requirements and the total number of sleeping rooms guaranteed for the duration of the event. In other words, the cost of the aforementioned facilities and services are directly affected by the number of sleeping rooms NATE will fill during the course of our event.
To the same extent, if a high percentage of our guaranteed sleeping rooms are not reached, NATE is liable for the reserved rooms that go unfilled. If this happens, not only will it cost NATE in penalties for not meeting our contractual obligation, it also reduces NATE’s capacity to negotiate viable rates for future shows because we must gauge that guaranteed number of rooms based on previous circumstances.
Therefore, when you stay at the headquarters hotel, you are helping NATE put on a better show both in the current year and in years to come, while saving the Association money on services and facilities. Knowing this, NATE encourages all NATE 2003 attendees to make your accommodations at the Adams Mark Hotel in Dallas.
Each year the annual event continues to improve as feedback is received from attendees and new ideas are incorporated. We are confident that NATE 2003 will exceed all expectations and we are looking forward to seeing you in Dallas!
Ron Romano is a member of the NATE Trade Show Committee and also serves on the NATE Board of Directors. He is the President and Owner of Installation Services, Inc. of Genoa, Illinois and can be reached at 815-784-5133 or rromano@installationservices.com
Ron Romano
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