[CQ-Contest] Room Reservations for Dayton 2020 at the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Dayton

[Yuri]

I think with such high popularity of Contest Dinner, maybe it's about time to think about relocating it to some other place? With over 500 people, there is hardly some space left and it's really hard to walk in that tiny space between the table (considering that majority of Contesters are pretty old). 
And since I always seem to sit near wall in the recent years, last year I paid attention to the sign on the wall which states that maximum number of people allowed in that facility is 280 people (or so). Not even close to 500.
And I agree with W1VE on the food.

Maybe it's time to start thinking about relocating closer to Xenia?

Yuri  VE3DZ

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tim Duffy
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2019 11:44 AM
To: w1ve at yccc.org
Cc: 'CQ-Contest'
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Room Reservations for Dayton 2020 at the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Dayton

Hello Gerry,

Please refer to my original posting. 
This isn't about any great deals for Tim and crew - it is about what is possible for this coming May.
I have been working on this "project" since June 1 and have made several trips back to Dayton between then and now.
I fully understand your comments and I am very aware of all of these issues.
Changing venues for a group our size (over 500) takes 18 months - minimum.
The annual Saturday night Contest dinner will not be serving prime rib in
2020 (first time in 28 years!). It should be better.

73
Tim K3LR

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Gerry Hull
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2019 10:45 AM
Cc: CQ-Contest
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Room Reservations for Dayton 2020 at the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Dayton

My biggest issue with the Crowne Plaza is that it is a total dump.   The
food is terrible, the facilities down-trodden.
The rooms are "OK", but, as a frequent IHG traveler, this Crowne Plaza is nowhere near the quality of other cities.

I do understand it is probably a great deal for Tim and crew, which is
certainly a factor.   I for one would entertain paying more if we could
find better facilities.

Yes, there are nicer hotels to stay at, but all the action for a contester
is central to the Crowne.    If the owner won't invest in the property, why
should we continue to?

YMMV, IMHO, etc.

73, Gerry W1VE


On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 4:13 PM Tim Duffy <k3lr at k3lr.com> wrote:

> UPDATE: After the 2019 Crowne Plaza experience I conducted a  thorough 
> review of all available facilities in the Dayton/Xenia area including 
> several site visits. I also met with key stake holders and they assure 
> me that the security issues with the Crowne have been dealt with. 
> Local authorities have given assurances that there will be 
> improvements during our stay for 2020. The adjoining parking garage 
> work will be completed in time for our arrival. Therefore contester 
> activities will stay at the Crowne
for
> 2020.
>
> *** Contest University USA 2020 *** will be held in Dayton - all day - 
> at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
>
> 2020 RESERVATIONS at the Crowne Plaza Dayton open on Monday, September 
> 16,
> 2019 at 9 AM EDT. This is the Contest University room block. The 2020 
> rate is $149.00 per night (same for single or double) plus tax.
>
> If you stayed at the Crowne Plaza this past May (Dayton 2019) and you 
> filled out a 2020 Crowne Plaza hotel reservation form (left under your 
> door on check-out day) and then dropped it off at the Crowne Plaza 
> registration desk, then you should have or will get an email 
> confirmation (with a confirmation number) from the Crowne Plaza for 
> your 2020 Dayton reservation.
>
> If you would like to make a reservation for Dayton 2020 - the 
> remaining Crowne Plaza rooms will be available for reservations 
> starting Monday, September 16, 2019 at 9:00 AM EDT (eastern USA time).
>
> The GROUP CODE must be used to get in this room block. GROUP CODE is 
> CON
>
> The 2020 Dayton Hamvention week dates are:
> Wednesday May 13, 2020 CTU registration Thursday May 14, 2020 Contest 
> University 2020 Friday May 15, 2020 Hamvention and 31st Annual Top 
> Band Dinner Saturday May 16, 2020 Hamvention and 28th Annual Contest 
> Dinner Sunday May 17, 2020 Hamvention
>
> The quickest way to get in the 2020 Crowne Plaza contest room block is 
> via the website below. Starting Monday, September 16, 2019 at 9:00 AM 
> eastern daylight time (1300 GMT) go to:
>
> http://contesthotel.com
>
> You must use the Contest Group Code CON when you make your reservation.
> This special Group Code will not work if you try to use it before 9:00 
> AM EDT on September 16, 2019. Your reservation can only be made 
> starting
after
> 9:00 AM EDT on Monday, September 16, 2019 and only with the CON Group
Code.
>
> You may also call the reservation line - use the special CON Group 
> Code - after 9:00 AM EDT on September 16, 2019. 1-800-689-5586 or 937-229-9853.
>
> As the phones get jammed - your BEST bet is to use the website.
>
> I expect the Crowne Plaza hotel will sell out very very quickly - so
please
> plan your reservation submission accordingly.
>
> WEB sites for 2020 Contesting events at Dayton:
>
> http://contestsupersuite.com
> http://contestuniversity.com
> http://contestdinner.com
> http://topbanddinner.com
>
> Hope to see you in Dayton 2020!
> 73,
> Tim K3LR
>