You're going to have to provide more details than that. Can it be anywhere in the world, or are you focused on New England? Anywhere in New England? Are you looking for Holiday Inn quality or Four Seasons quality. How are people going to get to where you're going? Driving? Flying?
Crazy request -- but would anyone have any leads on a place (or a couple of places) that could accomodate ~100 people the weekend of September 28-30.
Yes -- I know the timing in absolutely nuts, but that's the reality that we're dealing with here (business school retreat).
Please let me know!
-W
Western mass has a lot of camp sites - better pack a lot of tents.
__________________
- www.BespokeWorldwide.com: Bespoke travel packages, award travel bookings, and helping clients get the most out of their money, frequent-flyer miles, and loyalty program points.
Crazy request -- but would anyone have any leads on a place (or a couple of places) that could accomodate ~100 people the weekend of September 28-30.
Yes -- I know the timing in absolutely nuts, but that's the reality that we're dealing with here (business school retreat).
Please let me know!
-W
Talk about last minute. How did you get the job of doing such a huge task?
What are you looking for? A hotel/spa for a weekend of luxury for 100? A hotel with ballrooms to rent for breakout sessions? A national park with lots of activities (hiking, riding, cycling) with a nearby big hotel? A campground?
__________________ Analise
It is high. It is far. It is GONE!!! "We play today; we win today. Das it."
....and does 100 people mean 100 rooms? How much conference/meeting space needed?
As a Marriott-centric person, my suggestion would be to find one of those many places where Marriott clusters 3 or 4 hotels in one parking lot.......such as a Fairfield, Courtyard, SpringHill and ResInn all next to each other......maybe among the 3-4 hotels in the same corp. umbrella there would be enough rooms and meeting spaces.....
Location: Box Three Five Oh, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 1,102
A bunch of the nicer ski resorts (Loon, Mount Washington, etc) have the facilities you need and the prices are still good since it isn't ski season yet.
Might be 3 1/2 hours to the ones I listed, but I'm sure there are closer ones.
At this stage, I would call one of the national chains and ask them to do the legwork for you. If you call Marriott or somesuch conf. svcs and give them your parameters, you will eliminate hours and hours on the phone.
Given that you also need to arrange 100 rooms + meeting rooms + catering + parking + whatever else, you want some place which can take the laboring oar quickly.
Also, because you are so close in, expect to be required to make payment via wire transfer on the business day you book and have the contract ready to sign.
Since this is more of a retreat than a full conference -- we've zoomed in on some hotels, and some clusters of large houses that accomodate groups like us. Fortunately we do NOT need 100 rooms (people will end up sharing).
Amazingly enough -- this is proving entirely possible to throw together.
Thanks for the advice so far -- we've got a few options we're choosing between.
You may also want to consider the Alton Jones Whispering Pines facility... I use it occasionally for team events... a great facility and the staff is outstanding.
Programs: American Airlines, Continental, United, Southwest, BA, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors, Hyatt
Posts: 226
Cvent is a online search tool that will allow you to search properties and special event venues throughout the world and narrow down your search by price, size, location from the airport, etc. You can also submit RFPs through them, but I don't know if you need to register to do so.
Amtrak Station is about 2 miles away, but only serviced 2X daily; By Air, around 2 hours from BOS, an hour from BDL, although I'd allow an hour and a half from BDL if you happen to catch traffic or construction delays.
...and they even have a Business School (Isenburg School of Management) as part of the U.
There is also the Colonial Inn (Hotel) in Gardner, although it's been a long time, so I have no idea of current conditions, but in the past, we used it a lot. It's more useful if you want to be away from city distractions.
Analise
