Subject: [Harp-L] SPAH Hotel Trouble

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hi Emile:
 
A couple of days ago when I was told by the Hotel that they had to charge  
me full rate for 2 of the SPAH days since there were no more rooms, I knew  
enough to contact the Convention Director via email--since Val Redler  
Caltabellotta had run into the same problems with the GSHC Hotel during the New  
Jersey Conventions. All it took was a phone call from her then(as President 
of  GSHC) to request another block of rooms to be put on--something our 
Hotel  was supposed to do automatically but which caused a lot of concern among  
prospective attendees at the time. It was purely a logistical issue, as is 
this  one.
 
 
 
My current problem with the Renaissance was handled likewise and with  
alacrity. When I called back later in the day my room was now available for the  
full stay at the SPAH price, and the Marriott people couldn't have been  
nicer. But as Winslow's saying, this IS the time to book your room: for  some 
reason most people wait to make their reservations till this  point in June 
for August and since this year's is the Big 50th Anniversary,  I doubt 
there'll be a spare room available if you wait too much longer.
 
 
 
There is always someone willing to share to cut costs, though: I remember  
years when groups of 4 of the younger guys bunked together. They all had a 
blast  based on their videos and stories afterwards. The website is now set 
up for you  who need to do this - or send out emails to those of your 
friends. If you can  also ride-share to St. Louis that would take care of the bulk 
of your expenses:  the actual cost of the Convention is very affordable and 
includes ALL of the  entertainment, seminars (with perhaps one exclusion) 
and the Saturday Night  Banquet. Definitely worth every penny. I'm speaking 
purely as a SPAH member who  thinks a SPAH Convention should be on every 
harmonica player's 'must do' list,  even if you're travelling fairly frugally.
 
 
Looking forward to seeing both old and new friends there,
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 1
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:28:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Winslow  Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH Hotel  Trouble
To: Emile Damico <oatss_oatflakes@xxxxxxxxx>,  "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx"
<harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

A lot of people are  registering for the 2013 SPAH convention. We're having 
to increase the size of  the block of rooms set aside for SPAH members, so 
you should be able to register  soon.

Get your room reservations NOW if you're coming to the SPAH  convention. 
Eventually the hotel will run out of  rooms.

Winslow


Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies,  ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
Blues  Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert,  bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and  Performance


________________________________
From: Emile Damico  <oatss_oatflakes@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx"  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:49 AM
Subject:  [Harp-L] SPAH Hotel Trouble


Has anyone had trouble registering at the  hotel site.
I get the message no group rooms  available.


Thanks,

Emile

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