Will the cost of suitable venues hasten the demise of ftf events?

[Ganjulama]

I seem to remember that the Middleburg Heights location gave Mark the meeting room for free as long as enough rooms were booked.

I can't remember when Mark quit running ASLOK, but wasn't it close to 20 years ago? And few smaller regional tournament could get that deal even then. I'd be shocked if ASLOK could get that deal today unless room rates were so high most players would not book at the venue. And if you don't fill the contractually agreed number of rooms, you are on the hook for the room. When I was tentatively looking for another venue ~7 years ago game rooms were $1000 PER DAY in Raleigh, NC.

 

[Wayne]

I seem to remember that the Middleburg Heights location gave Mark the meeting room for free as long as enough rooms were booked.

Like I supposed above, I think this is the right way to go: dangle the carrot of lots of rooms sold in an off-season for the hotel, and they likely will give up the meeting space for free?

[IDK but suspect a "charitable cause" nod helps too -- because MMP gives some to the WWII Foundation for their Winter Offensive event -- I'm =speculating= that lets the hotel assign a charitable deduction too for their normal but foregone meeting hall rent (donation at FMV of a venue for a charity event)? Likely so (in the USA, anyway -- can't speak for how other tax districts operate). This hint is =not= professional tax advice, but might be a sweetener for a hesitant hotelier?]

 

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Only 12 rooms, but if they were all booked for a tourney, perhaps the owners would agree to make the dining room the games room.

 

[Actionjick]

I can't remember when Mark quit running ASLOK, but wasn't it close to 20 years ago? And few smaller regional tournament could get that deal even then. I'd be shocked if ASLOK could get that deal today unless room rates were so high most players would not book at the venue. And if you don't fill the contractually agreed number of rooms, you are on the hook for the room. When I was tentatively looking for another venue ~7 years ago game rooms were $1000 PER DAY in Raleigh, NC.

Mark had Oktoberfest foisted on him in '95 and ran ASLOk from '96 for nine years.

 

[Actionjick]

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Only 12 rooms, but if they were all booked for a tourney, perhaps the owners would agree to make the dining room the games room.

We used the dining room and kitchen at the Brookpark Quality Inn but their restaurant was shut down.

 

[Vinnie]

From my limited viewpoint having only attended ASLOK once and UK tournaments, I prefer the set up of the UK ones, but they are much smaller.
There we take overa small, slightly out of the way hotel, eat and dring together much more so that appeared to be the case at ASLOK.
I think, because we take over the hotel right at the end and before the start of the season, we get a decent deal.
Pete and Simon are only chargeing 15-20 quid for teh weekend, which is too low for the work they put in.
I'd consider the cost of seeing a decent film at the cinema per day to be a reasonable charge. This would increase costs of entry substantially but I think it is justified.
Placing the tournament at a smaller venue, as long as there are food options nearby is viable. If I'm flhying in then the taxi cost is factored into my ability to attend. If I'm driving then proximinty to an airport is irrelevant. Most tournaments will have players willing to provide transport.

 

[hongkongwargamer]

Time to consider exotic locations nearby?

 

[Neal]

I've used VFW halls for motorcycle gatherings. It's been a while though (many years). The price seemed very fair, and some of them will even provide a buffet style meal in the fee.

 

[Zakopious]

Northern Ohio Wargaming Society rents the Sheffield Lake Community Center for 3 days in a row for NOWSCON.

 

[Stewart]

Community centers are cheap...
Maybe have a designated driver for those that can't stay sober for the drive a couple of blocks.

 

[rtroha]

I've used VFW halls for motorcycle gatherings. It's been a while though (many years). The price seemed very fair, and some of them will even provide a buffet style meal in the fee.

Huh, Nice. As a matter of fact there is a Ramada almost next door to an American Legion hall. Only one restaurant within walking distance. Only two miles from the Cleveland airport.

 

[DVexile]

• TWCBNoGS had a huge impact on F2F tournaments and we are still dealing with the repercussions.

I’m not clever enough to figure out that abbreviation and Google turned up nothing. But apparently whatever it is, is very important. A little help?

 

[Michael R]

F2F = face-to-face

 

[von Marwitz]

I’m not clever enough to figure out that abbreviation and Google turned up nothing. But apparently whatever it is, is very important. A little help?

F2F = face-to-face

F2F, F4F...

Sometimes those internet searches are like a Wildcatrd

And sometimes, they seem to haunt you like a Phantom.

von Marwitz

 

[Wayne]

Sure, but what is "TWCBNoGS" ?

Something about Corona is my guess, but IDK.

 

[RandyT0001]

Sure, but what is "TWCBNoGS" ?

Something about Corona is my guess, but IDK.

That Which Cannot Be Named on GameSquad.
Either me or COVID, probably COVID.

 

[DVexile]

That Which Cannot Be Named on GameSquad.
Either me or COVID, probably COVID.

Lol! Got it, thanks!

Yes, I’ve got to expect that has still impacted a lot of FtF tournaments and still will take time to sort out. Quite possibly will never go back to exactly as before for many people. I know after being forced to eat at home for months that I now eat out a very small fraction of the time compared to “before” simply because I’ve discovered I actually prefer eating at home more. Quite possibly some folks have discovered they actually prefer VASL tournaments after being forced to try them.

And related to the OP it has also greatly affected hotels and such, so that might also be impacting pricing for events due to the shake ups in the hospitality industry.

 

[Ganjulama]

COVID

We can type that now?

 

[RandyT0001]

We can type that now?

Yes, always has been as long as it relates to gaming / tournaments.

 

[Futbol]

come to Museum fest in Michigan, cozy and just a small (or large) donation to the museum for hosting. See PJ Norton for details.