Might be able to do a small thing again at Black Wolf. Maybe? Not sure of dates. That's not what this is about.
This is about the realities of hotels.
If we can get 60+ none of this is a problem, but when we have the numbers the last few years (a little north of 30) it's tough to get anywhere with hotels.
I worked one wild option. If only the venue allowed outside food it would have been spectacular. Aloft Cleveland. Downtown. Brand new. All of it. KIller space. Bars. Outside lounge space a number of floors up the building. With the unfortunate nut that the attached restaurant controls the meeting space on weekends and will not allow ANY outside food or drink - it must be catered through them. Oh sure, you can have the space for free if you drop $$$$ on food. Which, almost would be doable. Except of course for the hours they aren't open. And they were very explicit in the consequences of breaking that rule. It could and would get ugly. Shame that. They probably make their bank on weddings though. I wonder if they will have one booked the first weekend of October...
So it goes.
I checked a few other venues but Marvin has been the one on the ball pushing and prodding and poking places and things.
Summer for hotels is pretty much out at this point. That said, Marvin has presented this.
Days Inn Richfield
http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/ohio/richfield/days-inn-and-suites-richfield/photos-video?partner_id=&hotel_id=32657&campaign_code=&propId=DI32657&checkout_date&brand_id=DI&children=0&corporate_id=&ratePlan=&teens=0&affiliate_id=&iata=&rate_code=&adults=1&checkin_date&rooms=1
Former Holiday Inn Holidome. That means pool(s), mini golf, arcade, etc. It also means it's a bit on the old side. Reviews could be better. Call them scattershot. Marvin has been there, he can chime in.
First weekend of October. This may be bad, it may be good and the new normal (summers can be tricky with weddings and the like)
The entire ballroom space. All of Thrs, Fri, Sat, Sun. Not Thrs late afternoon to Sunday noon. The whole time.
Free reign for food AND drink! All of it. As long as someone doesn't go off their nut. Marvin made assurances. The location isn't great for going out for five minutes and coming back with food. Plans would probably need to be made for food runs or at the least let everyone know when someone is going and people can piggy back on the order, etc. Always delivery too - I can see places making delivery area exceptions for a large enough order.
Now comes the hard part.
It's not 2005, 2006, 2007 any more. It's been a long time. Inflation and so on...
$4000.
Let's do some math!
30 people @ $75 a head. $2250. If attendance is the same as the last few years it's a no go.
If some people donate to kick us up to around $3000 GC can eat a grand alright-ish. I'm just reluctant to have those funds go to cover a party with so few people attending.
60 people? $4500, the venue is covered. Teeshirts, free snacks, etc.
80 and now you've got a grand ole' time.
It's a $1000 deposit to hold the space. If the numbers are too low months from now I've got no problem letting that deposit go. Beats the alternative.
But this is all on you guys.
Thursday October 1st through Sunday October 4th. Negotiated room rate of $80/night plus whatever street/block/neighborhood/city/county/state/made-up taxes and fees.
Chime in. Marvin will have some more to add. I'll let this ride a day or two and then send a bulk email if it's worth it and then we can see where we really stand.
PS to Marvin: Could it instead be Friday, Saturday, Sunday?