In some convention/large group bookings the group conference manager (with the group) coordinates with the hotel conference manager to assign rooms. Not always the case, depends on the group contract. Certainly is true for suites & largest rooms. Add in other guests of the hotel, and I can see how this could happen, especially if the hotel is sold out.

Thanks for the feedback
 

The feedback prompted by my question was very interesting (and informative). A couple people asked what I was looking for. I guess the answer is that since I checked in at 3:00 pm and was assigned THE farthest room from the meeting area, they'd give me a better room even though the property was full. I say that NOT expecting that they'd kick someone out of an occupied room, but rather that there HAD to be some rooms assigned to people arriving after 3:00 that had not been occupied yet. In other words, if someone needs to be in a room a time zone away from the meeting area, it shouldn't be a gold level guest.

I'll drop a quick note to the manager as suggested. Thank you!