URGENT!!

The Westin is filling FAST, and we need to get a good idea of how many more rooms we need to reserve.

This will allow us to ensure that we can get the rooms at the SPECIAL group rate, saving you money!

Please respond on this poll as soon as possible, so we can make certain we get enough rooms.

Thanks for your help!

AFTE 2014 Committee

I just called and tried to reserve a room, but they told me that The Westin is already filled. I'm not sure if there is an over flow hotel set up yet or not. Just letting everyone know

That's what we're working on is getting more rooms for the Westin, we just need to know how many more we need.  That's the purpose of the poll. 

We will be getting more rooms at the group rate.

Two of us from Indianapolis are trying to book the Westin Hotel as well but the website says full.  Please put Mike Putzek and Doug Boxler on the list of wanting to book the Westin if more rooms are added.  Coming in Sunday and leaving Saturday.

I was able to book today via the website with no issues (Sun-Sat). Maybe more rooms were allocated?

Yep we have up the number of rooms in our room block.  The Westin has plenty of rooms, but our original room block was obvious set a bit too low. :)  So all good now....just wondering if we should up it even more......

Do they still have rooms available at the Westin?  I tried the online booking through the link on the AFTE page and it appears the rooms are not available. 

There are 5 examiners from Michigan that were recently approved and all of us still need to make our travel arrangements. 

Could you advise if we can obtain lodging at the Westin, or if an overflow hotel has been arranged.

Thanks

Jon,


After receiving that message when trying to book online yesterday, I called. They were VERY helpful!!


I had to first reserve rooms outside of the AFTE block, my reservation was forwarded to the hotel event planner, and several hours later I received an updated confirmation with the AFTE pricing!


Very easy!

We sent warnings in January that the hotel group/government rate rooms were filling fast. We are doing our best to get everyone in at the group rate for those who didn't reserve a room when we advised. As you can imagine, it is a bit of a balancing act to determine the number of rooms to commit to as we don't want AFTE on the hook for any unsold.  The Westin has plenty of rooms, but we may not be able to get everyone the group rate.  Our advice is to reserve a room and we will attempt to shift it if other group reservations cancel. If you need to book a government rate room for your agency, there are other nearby hotels that may have government rates and we are looking into that.

Rick
2014 committee chair

We were able to add 50 more rooms at $189 a night at the Westin, slightly higher than the gov rate, but significantly less than retail. Get them while they last.
Rick

I am currently on the phone reserving a room.  They are not seeing the $189 rate.  Are all of those rooms already booked??? 

Try the website first. they were just opened today.

I just tried the website again and it says that there are no rooms available.

Give it a bit, it apparently takes a day or so to update on their computers. Our bad....this whole conference process is new ground.
Rick

Everything is taken care of.  Sorry for all the posts!

Hi all!


I spoke to the hotel yesterday, because the website showed no rooms available in the AFTE block...I was a bit tardy!


They helped me to reserve a room outside of the AFTE block, then my reservation was forwarded to a hotel event planner, and within hours the event planner had secured the AFTE rate for me!


It might be worth a try!


If that option is no longer available, my reservation is Sunday - Friday and I would really love a roommate, if someone would like to share a room and split the cost of the lower priced room, feel free to contact me!


Megan (female, 31,  :) )

Yes. The Westin has been most excellent with all things AFTE and dealing with two very excited type A's. However, there will be a point very soon when they will quit adding rooms to the group.

Also, we are not always on the forum, so if you have problems or questions with meeting related matters, email our online concierge at social.afte2014@gmail.com (social.afte2014@gmail.com)

Rick

Hello!
This hotel thing has been a challenge. There are still rooms left at the Westin for the $152/night except Thursday. If you are required to get that rate, we have secured a few rooms at the Sheraton for $152+taxes (the prevailing gov rate). The Sheraton is three blocks from the Westin.  To block your rooms contact the Sheraton at 1 (888)  627-7056 and ask for the Association of Firearm Tool mark Examiners (AFTE) room block.  If you rather stay at the Westin for Thursday there is still rooms available at the $189+taxes rate.  These can be booked by clicking here https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/AFTE2 (https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/AFTE2)