Question...
Is the $100 registration fee like, a room deposit? Or is it a group room reservation fee?
The room deposit is the first night deposit of $214. The registration fee is a separate fee for the convention only. The $100 covers the things you listed below the meeting rooms.
IE who are we paying that fee to? To American Airlines, to the hotel, to a travel agent, and is it like a deposit or a fee (is it credited towards the flight/room/travel or do you get it back)?
The fee is being paid to the travel agency and it is a fee for the convention only. Meaning that if you do not stay at the Embassy, you will need to pay the $100 registration fee for the convention. It won't be returned (unless we can get sponsorship to cover everything and we are currently working on that).
Is this Embassy Suites thing a discounted group travel rate or is it just a standard rate...I too would like to know if there is another hotel option or if this is a group rate.
This is the host hotel for the convention. You may stay anywhere but those staying upstairs (in the Embassy) will be given priority registration for the convention. There is a flag raised on the rate so I will be contacting the coordinator tomorrow to make sure we are receiving the best possible. I know that we had a hard time booking what we do have in Vegas and the Embassy was not at all the first choice. We wouldn't agree to pay a retainer up front (at the time of booking) so this is what we were offered. Because we don't have a history of doing something like this and Vegas is, of course, a popular spot especially in the summer, they didn't want to risk booking to us and we default. Anywho, I will check on what kind of rate we have tomorrow.
And... is American Airlines mandatory for the package, or is it just recommended?
Its not mandatory for the package.
YOUR REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES:
w Mane Source Convention T-Shirt
w Mane Source Convention Bag
w Lunch on Friday and Saturday
w Welcome Social Event on Thursday
w (Complimentary Full Service Breakfast provided by Embassy Suites Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
w (Complimentary Cocktail Reception nightly)
^^^ I am wondering if the registration fee applies to people who aren't staying at Embassy Suites and if the breakfast and cocktail receptions aren't already complimentary.
Thanks for pointing this one out. I hadn't thought about it before. The registration fee applies to all who attend the convention, whether staying at the Embassy or not. The complimentary breakfast and cocktail party is for all guests lodging at the Embassy. I need to look into this because the times that I have stayed at the ES, you had to show your room key to get the breakfast. I'll have to check to see if that can be extended to convention registrants who aren't staying at the hotel. Thanks for brining my attention to this.
Sorry for all the questions. I'm cheap-ish (for most things) and like to know what I'm paying for.
Well, hopefully you may find comfort in knowing that up to six can stay in a double bed suite which will bring your nightly rate down to $36/night.
I hope I've answered your questions thoroughly, if not, just let me know.