When is it a good idea to use a third party to book rooms? Should the third party also select cities? What constitutes a “reasonable” total amount of up-charge per room?

In my opinion, the answers are sometimes, never, and nothing above $5-10.

There can be circumstances when the CVB or the event simply does not have the capability to book rooms. At these times a reputable housing service can be of significant assistance. Be sure, however, to check the amount of experience with sports events. The type, kind, and location of each property in relation to the competition sites are of the highest importance to a successful sports event.

Many third party services have just discovered sports events. Only a very few have been at it for around ten years, and I know of only one that started in sports.

I cannot imagine an acceptable set of circumstances allowing the housing service to select sites…unless the event owner just does not want to do the work (they are content to find out what the quality of the competition sites and housing arrangements are on arrival!) or, worse, they would rather get a guaranteed payout per room above and beyond all other factors.

“We are only in this for the kids!” Sure.

There is no place in our industry for event owners who do not care enough about their participants to vet the details versus other choices. There is also no place for host organizations who simply want a commission on each room above all other factors.

“Stay to play” should not be used to cover for these practices.

We should give more thought to team registration fees. Why not include any up-charges in that fee? Anything else becomes an additional tax on participants…the very folks we work so hard to get to town.

How about you? What do you think?

-Don