Contact

May 29, 2009 · 4 comments

Please feel free to contact me anytime by email, Twitter, or on my phone at (312) 961-5486.

In addition you may reach me by US Mail at:

Michael M. McCurry

515 S. Knight Ave.

Chicago, IL 60068

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Beatriz Garcia July 2, 2009 at 12:38 pm

Hello Mike,

From what I’ve read through Linked In and your Corner, you seem the right person to ask a tough question on hotel negotiated rates.

My company negotiated hotel rates 1 year prior to our conference in Berlin(before the crisis hit in Europe). At the time we thought the rates were good. Closer to the event, economic crisis in full swing, our members began to book their rooms at our rate but others booked rooms at the same hotel without mentioning our room block and received half price room rates. How could this have been avoided? Members who didn’t book prior to arriving booked the same day as the conference and received a lower rate.

I would appreciate any feedback
thanks
Beatriz

Michael M McCurry CMP July 2, 2009 at 3:02 pm

@Beatriz Garcia
Hi Beatriz,

Thanks for your question. This is a difficult economic situation and an awkward time for hotels, event planners and organizations. One solution to the problem you mentioned is adding what we refer to as a “rate protection clause” to your contract. Essentially this states the hotel can not offer a lower rate to other groups or individuals over your contracted dates unless they offer that rate to your attendees as well, regardless of distribution channels. (Internet, email blast, hotel booking sites like Expedia, etc.) If its discovered the hotel does introduce a lower rate then they must either provide it to your events attendees or take it off the market all together.

Secondly you should have an “audit” clause in your hotel contract giving you the right to compare your event’s registration list against a complete hotel in house reservation listing. If any rooms are discovered to be booked outside your block then you will subsequently get credit for them.

These two contract codicils will pave the way to protect your organization’s interests, but there is work that goes along with carrying them through, needless to say.

If you would like to discuss this further please let me know as I would be more than happy to have a telephone conversation with you.

Thanks for reaching out to me.. much appreciated!

Regards,

Mike McCurry

Raz Chorev April 7, 2010 at 1:50 am

Hi Mike

I’ve been following your tweets for a while, and read a few of your blog posts. I know you’re a Harley rider and enthusiasts. I’m contacting you here as a Man, a biker, AND event planner/manager:
We’re 3 motorcycle riders from Sydney Australia. We’re going to cross the US of A on motorcycles from LA to FL, in under 3 weeks, ending our ride at Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach, on the 14th of October 2010.
This is not a fun ride, but a ride to raise awareness about Male Depression, the silent killer, which kills 75 (!) American men EVERY DAY!
To create the awareness, we’re using traditional and social media, but we’re looking for your expertise in planning the multiple events , during our journey.

Will you help?

Raz Chorev
Rider4aCause.

Michael M McCurry CMP April 7, 2010 at 9:34 am: Hi Raz,

Thanks so much for taking time to write your message to me.

I visited the website you and your partners created for this event you will be doing later this year. I think it is absolutely wonderful!

Yes, I am a longtime Motorcycle enthusiast and of course, a veteran of the event management business.

I would be glad to have a conversation with you about your needs for this trip in the event planning area. If there is a way I can assist I will.

Let me know when you would like to make contact regarding this project!

Regards,

Mike McCurry
@michaelmccurry

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