Need Help convincing company to hold Feb conference in NO

[Jordan]

I'm only talking about 35 people, and I'm fine making the case from a dining and entertainment perspective. Anyone have an idea where we can get 30 or so rooms in a fun hotel (not looking for a sterile corporate place)? We usually hold it in Miami the first week of February. I'm trying to make the case for NOLA, and I have 3 strikes against me: 1) the Airfare is $100 per person cheaper in Miami (I hope I can offset that with hotel prices); 2) people are used to going to Miami -- old dogs; and 3) we have a few folks flying in from Israel (not the most convenient flight).

What's the weather like on Feb 3? Anything going on in the city that weekend? I'll push the community service aspect, the food and the entertainment. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

[McGregor]

What's the weather like on Feb 3?
Thanks.

Not sure on weather but that sounds like Mardi Gras time or close to it which could be a huge plus.

NO Mardi Gras dates > http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/mgdates.html

[denideadhead]

Hum what are you lookin for re: Hotel? the Astor Crowne Plaza on the corner of Bourbon and Canal is where we stayed during Fest this year and there were several corporate groups there and they have several meeting rooms? We got it cheap so I dont know what there group rates are?
The rooms were nice but there were mouse traps under the beds???

AND Air Tran has cheap flights to NOLA from NYC...

[bywterbro]

if you can fly out of islip airport there are some very cheap fares
on southwest airlines...there are shuttles from ny city and major ny airports
to islip...
similar weather to miami, maybe a little cooler...but close...
mardi gras will be a blast for your group...

[rosetree]

I'm only talking about 35 people, and I'm fine making the case from a dining and entertainment perspective. Anyone have an idea where we can get 30 or so rooms in a fun hotel (not looking for a sterile corporate place)? We usually hold it in Miami the first week of February. I'm trying to make the case for NOLA, and I have 3 strikes against me: 1) the Airfare is $100 per person cheaper in Miami (I hope I can offset that with hotel prices); 2) people are used to going to Miami -- old dogs; and 3) we have a few folks flying in from Israel (not the most convenient flight).

What's the weather like on Feb 3? Anything going on in the city that weekend? I'll push the community service aspect, the food and the entertainment. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

Anything going on in the city??? Anything going on in the city????!!!!???
Just the greatest free show on Earth!!!!
Saturday is Endymion...
Sunday is Bacchus....
I think that it's a no-brainer!!!;)

[festivalgirl]

Israelis at Mardi Gras ...... maybe that could be the secret to the peace process. Who could argue during MG!!

[papafrog]

yyr, and there are 2 jewish mardi gras krewes...
one is krewe de jieux....
they toss bagels...

[festbabe]

yyr, and there are 2 jewish mardi gras krewes...
one is krewe de jieux....
they toss bagels...

LOL!;)

[papafrog]

i believe they paint them gold ...the bagels that is...for mardi gras...
and green ...for st. pattys day.....

[McGregor]

Tell them Frenchmen Street is alot like South Beach...without the sand:rolleyes:

Hey, you got to do what you got to do!

[bywterbro]

actually there are $89 one way fares out of la guardia .....

[festivalgirl]

yyr, and there are 2 jewish mardi gras krewes...
one is krewe de jieux....
they toss bagels...

I know. I got one of their bumper stickers a JF but it fell out of my pocket :(.

My saddest Fest moment.

[festivalgirl]

Tell them the Saints are better than the Dolphins!!!

I do believe that is also Super Bowl Weekend.

[rosetree]

Tell them the Saints are better than the Dolphins!!!

I do believe that is also Super Bowl Weekend.

If it is Super Bowl weekend, then I would like to go to Phoenix and watch the Saints kick the Patriots' butts....;) :D

[festivalgirl]

If it is Super Bowl weekend, then I would like to go to Phoenix and watch the Saints kick the Patriots' butts....;) :D

I'd rather not see the Patsy's there at all!! :cool:

[McGregor]

I'd rather not see the Patsy's there at all!! :cool:

JETS JETS JETS? I love my Jets!

[mightyradgumbo]

I'd rather not see the Patsy's there at all!! :cool:

And I thought we was friends :p I say watching the game in NOLA is much more fun than seeing it live in the desert. Sorry all you AZ THs, you knows I luvs ya but it is New Orleans.
Jordan, see if the Frenchmen will give you a group rate. You can tell them that you promise not to commendeer the pool.

[windowman]

It is Super Bowl Sunday and Bacchus Sunday. If the Saints are playing, Bacchus will likely run Saturday night after Endymion, but the day parades will roll. You can expect a parade of people with black and gold body paint, and less, if da Saints make it to the promised land. It will be a freak show nonpareil. It will be a tough call as to where to be - Nawlins or AZ

[ohio]

Go for it Jordan! It will be tough finding any kind of deal aty a hotel during FG though...

[denideadhead]

JETS JETS JETS? I love my Jets!
would that be J.... E... T ...S Jets Jets Jets?

[Amyloves...]

If they're adventurous and interested, Mardi Gras should be the selling point on its own. I'm thinking it may kill your idea on hotel room costs though. Please keep us posted. And Jordan...thank you thank you thank you. I don't care if it's only 35 people, you warmed my heart!

And the Saints in the Super Bowl on Bacchus Sunday....freaking Xanadu!

[swag]

Hotel costs, flight availability, crowds - Mardi Gras may be a big negative because of those things. And while much of the year, New Orleans mught be a nice and funner alternative to Miami, over Bacchus weekend, I'm thinking it might be a bit overwhelming for "old dog" newbies.

If New Orleans won't fly, and Miami's been done, I'd look into San Antonio. Decent February weather, popular with conventions, Riverwalk area is fun, and folks (especially from overseas) seem to eat up that "Texas culture".

[festivalgirl]

And I thought we was friends :p I say watching the game in NOLA is much more fun than seeing it live in the desert. Sorry all you AZ THs, you knows I luvs ya but it is New Orleans.
Jordan, see if the Frenchmen will give you a group rate. You can tell them that you promise not to commendeer the pool.

Ooops, sorry 'bout that. :o I'm an NFC girl, myself. No chance of the Giants in February.

YYR, on NOLA vs. Phoenix!! ;)

[rosetree]

Ooops, sorry 'bout that. :o I'm an NFC girl, myself. No chance of the Giants in February.

YYR, on NOLA vs. Phoenix!! ;)

I don't think that it will be Phoenix from the AFC , but the game will be played there and the Saints WILL go marching in!!!:p :D

[dank_bass]

I'd rather not see the Patsy's there at all!! :cool:

No Worries ... Baltimore will take care of the Pats before they get there :)

[Jordan]

What if we do it just after Mardi Gras (Wed, Thurs, Fri) or even the next week (Mon, Tues, Wed)? Is the city collectively hung over, or there a few sparks still flying? I bet hotel rates and flights are doable.

[jtd7]

. . . and 3) we have a few folks flying in from Israel (not the most convenient flight) . . . .
Why not tell them they'd be doing a mitzvah by holding the conference in NOLA?

[rosetree]

What if we do it just after Mardi Gras (Wed, Thurs, Fri) or even the next week (Mon, Tues, Wed)? Is the city collectively hung over, or there a few sparks still flying? I bet hotel rates and flights are doable.

Ash Wednesday is a pretty mellow day....Other than that, New Orleans is pretty much New Orleans after MG. Excellent food, entertainment, art, what more can you ask for??!! (and y'all will be doing your own part by contributing to the local economy) ....I'm sure that the hotel and plane rates drop considerably after Fat Tuesday...as I said before, for me, it would be a no brainer!;) :D

[Belle]

Back around 2000 or so, my hubbies then company had a conference in New Orleans. It worked out so well. They did their thing during the day, the spouses went shopping and touring, then at night we all had a group dinner on the company at many different restaurants and then we were on our own. We stayed at the New Orleans Marriott. The rooms, the conference facilities and service was outstanding.

It was a great choice by the company. Everyone did what they wanted to do. New Orleans has so much to offer to so many different tastes.

I agree with Mark, it should be a no brainer. It was the best conference we ever attended ANYWHERE!

[Jordan]

That's why I'm doing it -- not just that I love spending time in New Orleans, but to spend our money in a place that still needs it.

[rosetree]

That's why I'm doing it -- not just that I love spending time in New Orleans, but to spend our money in a place that still needs it.

I knew that Jordan! ...and thank you for trying!
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q98/rosetreeglass/clap-1.gif

[denideadhead]

What if we do it just after Mardi Gras (Wed, Thurs, Fri) or even the next week (Mon, Tues, Wed)? Is the city collectively hung over, or there a few sparks still flying? I bet hotel rates and flights are doable.

BRILLIANT!!!! I think if your dates are flexible it should be more than doable...and some preliminary research says so too. I have my fingers and toes crossed for you...and yes indeed you are so good of heart for thinkin of NOLA..... but knowing you I can't imagine where else you would think to go. ;)

[mightyradgumbo]

No Worries ... Baltimore will take care of the Pats before they get there :)

Yeah, just like those Orioles, Dan hehehe

Jordan, I agree with most on pricing during MG that it prolly ain't doable if you are looking to cut cost but maybe, just maybe, you can sell them on having fun during non-work hours and helping out a struggling city's economy. Sell it as a philanthropic trip.

[ozzie]

That's why I'm doing it -- not just that I love spending time in New Orleans, but to spend our money in a place that still needs it.

Sounds like it might all come together Jordan. Goodonya!

[Jordan]

OK,

The guy who makes the decisions was intrigued. We (a group of 30-35 people) are moving the dates to Mon, Tues, Wed -- Feb 11th, 12th & 13th (the week after Mardi Gras) -- In order to seal the deal, I need the following:

Hotel recommendation with conference room
general weather for that time of year
a few restaurant recommendations for 2 nights (perhaps jaquimos for one)
some crossed fingers


Maybe I can talk some people into getting there early and doing a volunteer project during the day on Sunday.

Let the ideas flow please

[NYMAMA]

OK,

The guy who makes the decisions was intrigued. We (a group of 30-35 people) are moving the dates to Mon, Tues, Wed -- Feb 11th, 12th & 13th (the week after Mardi Gras) -- In order to seal the deal, I need the following:

Hotel recommendation with conference room
general weather for that time of year
a few restaurant recommendations for 2 nights (perhaps jaquimos for one)
some crossed fingers


Maybe I can talk some people into getting there early and doing a volunteer project during the day on Sunday.

Let the ideas flow please
I recomend for resturants..K Pauls or Comanders Palace

Oh and I will come along as a taste tester if needed

[bywterbro]

OK,

The guy who makes the decisions was intrigued. We (a group of 30-35 people) are moving the dates to Mon, Tues, Wed -- Feb 11th, 12th & 13th (the week after Mardi Gras) -- In order to seal the deal, I need the following:

Hotel recommendation with conference room
general weather for that time of year
a few restaurant recommendations for 2 nights (perhaps jaquimos for one)
some crossed fingers


Maybe I can talk some people into getting there early and doing a volunteer project during the day on Sunday.

Let the ideas flow please

dry, cool.......highs mid to upper 60s to low 70s....
nites in the upper 40s to low 50s.....this is just a general idea...
highest temp for feb. 11 is 83....


http://intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?location=USLA0338

what type of food...what price range....
the new orleans convention bureau will send you a free zagatt guide...
its excellent and highly recommended.....
the nite you go to jockamos, if you want to make it an evening,
all in that area you could hit rock n bowl early...and then maple leaf late,
and then breakfast at camellia grill....

[NOLA]

The Hilton Riverside has loads of meeting rooms and is a pretty nice location near the river, casino, walking distance to the Quarter, shopping at Canal Place and RiverWalk, and a few restaurants nearby of varying quality and prices. Mothers is nearby for cheap/good breakfasts and lunches, August is nearby for some of the finest dining in the city.

The Marriott and Sheraton on Canal St. also have lots of meeting space, and are similarly well situated for sights, food, shopping, etc.

The city is really trying to attract corporate meetings like you are talking about (since the huge conventions take so long to plan, they are slower to come back). I don't know if anyone at the Convention and Visitors Bureau would be willing to help with ideas, but it might be worth a call or email

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/

Good luck, and thanks for pushing this idea - every little bit helps the city's recovery!

[mightyradgumbo]

Jordan
I would second Nola's recommendations for Conference rooms and restaurants so I will offer crossed fingers for the acceptance of the destination. :D

[festivalgirl]

I'm not sure if this even matters, but what business are you in?

[Jordan]

I work for a smallish software company that sells software (particularly foreign exchange, prime brokerage) to very large banks, hedge funds and investment managers.

[RevDon]

I'm only talking about 35 people, and I'm fine making the case from a dining and entertainment perspective. Anyone have an idea where we can get 30 or so rooms in a fun hotel (not looking for a sterile corporate place)? We usually hold it in Miami the first week of February. I'm trying to make the case for NOLA, and I have 3 strikes against me: 1) the Airfare is $100 per person cheaper in Miami (I hope I can offset that with hotel prices); 2) people are used to going to Miami -- old dogs; and 3) we have a few folks flying in from Israel (not the most convenient flight).

What's the weather like on Feb 3? Anything going on in the city that weekend? I'll push the community service aspect, the food and the entertainment. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

The best place to go is the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/index.cfm

[festivalgirl]

I work for a smallish software company that sells software (particularly foreign exchange, prime brokerage) to very large banks, hedge funds and investment managers.

I was curious if there was a way to tie your business into the recovery process. I'm big on the barter system myself.

[festivalgirl]

"New: Save on Group Hotel Stays at Priceline"

"This special service is available exclusively on priceline.com or at our new group website www.findgroupdeals.com"

Just got this in a Priceline email. Hope it helps.