USFA considering forcing members to use THS

[hello?]

Starting on page 3 of the "Board of Directors Meeting" thread, there's been a discussion of a policy that the USFA is considering adopting -- which would force fencers to book their hotels through THS. If they don't, and fail to obtain a waiver (from THS), they would NOT BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE at that event, even if they registered for it. I am starting a new thread since I am surprised that more people are not commenting about this. An explanation that was posted goes as follows:

The program is called "Stay & Play". It's been used successfully by USA Volleyball for the past year or two.

The basic concept is that a tournament organizer (or NGB) guarantees that all (or nearly all, with some level of exceptions) participating athletes will stay in official hotels. This allows for greater negotiating leverage with the hotels and makes it more valuable to the hotels to be involved.

Some more of the supporting concepts:

* THS would have larger room blocks and considerably more hotel options available. Part of the idea is that instead of 2-4 functionally equivalent mid-level hotels, as we've had in the past, THS would include both up- and down-scale options. Members could request that specific properties be added to the THS approved list. If members find a property that they would prefer to any on the THS list, THS guarantees the ability to add that or an equivalent property at the same or a lower rate. If, for whatever reason, that isn't possible, waivers would be available.

* The increased overall block size and added leverage for guaranteed stays would result in lowered room rates for members and, at times, an increased rebate to US Fencing.

* For some cities the venue cost will drop with the Stay & Play program.

* A waiver system will be established to exempt athletes who live nearby, have family living nearby, etc. I don't believe the full list of exemptions has been determined, but lists I've seen include such things as using hotel points to book rooms, staying in an RV at WalMart, camping, owning a timeshare near the tournament city, etc.

USA Volleyball's experience this past season was an average reduction in room rates of $19.85. Preliminary negotiations for US Fencing have indicated this isn't unreasonable to expect for us as well. The current host hotel for NAC A is $129. The rate if we implement Stay & Play is $109.

As part of the program, all participating athletes will be required to either book at an official hotel through THS or receive a waiver.

[irishfolker]

Is this a way of dealing with the "NACs are getting too big" problem?

[edew]

Just what I was thinking...

[hello?]

I emailed about this to a couple of friends and heard this back from someone who was at the meeting. At least this does pose a benefit that seems considerable (and a better timeframe):

"For this year it will not be required and will stay that way until ths shows they are up to it. For summer nationals the omni was only going to block 250 rooms but with this program the will block 800."

[irishfolker]

So 550 more people will be forced to overpay for rooms?

[fencerX]

What is "Fence and Feed?"

That is a new policy that requires all NAC attendees (fencers, coaches, parents and event staff) to make their dining reservations through THS, the approved reservation service of USFencing.

Why is Fence and Feed being used this year?

The Fence and Feed policy has numerous beneficial affects, including:

* It provides USFencing through THS accurate tracking of all of the food and beverage business generated by the tournament.

This is very beneficial because it increases USFencing's negotiating position with each city bidding on the different tournaments, not only in the cost and availability of the venue but for decreasing or eliminating other costs related to running the event. That keeps the tournament on budget, without raising entry fees.

* It gives THS tremendous leverage in the negotiation of meal rates for both event staff and attendees. The effects in Miami after US Volleyball and announced their version of the program to the restaurant community included:

- The meal rates for the 6 restaurants previously contracted were able to be negotiated down by an average of $8.40 for dinner and and $3.24 for lunch

- The restaurants on the Official Restaurant List are selling direct to the public on average %15 higher than the tournament rate, based on the most recent calls to all restaurants made every two weeks by THS.

How do the restaurants get selected for the "Official Restaurant List?"

THS works with USFencing to ensure your restaurant dining options are healthy, reasonably priced and provide great incentives in the form of pricing power, kickback commissions or other incentives to both organizations.

[catwood1]

While I can see why people might think this is a good idea, it seems like a stunningly bad one. It absolutely screws over the fencers / families who have a particular hotel they like to stay in, or the ones that like to, ya know, just decide for themselves where to spend their $100 / night.

[Fioretto]

I don't see why this should be such a major issue for everyone. Other groups do this and it saves both individuals and their organizations a great deal of money. And from what I've read, waivers are available and do not appear to be a problem. So why not give it a chance to see how it works before jumping all over the USFA for trying to save everyone -- including the USFA --- a few bucks? Just a few weeks ago there were many people on here complaining that all of the THS rooms at the Gaylord were sold out. Wouldn't this prevent that?!! They said that THS would find and make available more rooms, a wider price range, etc.

I, for one, am looking foward to at least giving this a try!

[irishfolker]

Some of us don't like to be told where we can eat. Or have to deal with a bureaucracy to eat where we want.

Sending people to a limited number of restaurants = Overcrowded restaurants

[teacup]

It is great if the USFA can make more money and possibly lower hotel rates for everyone. Unfortunately, due to the nature of fencing with people travelling and competing individually, there are too many variables for a system, which forces people to stay at selected hotels in order to compete, to work for everyone. While waivers will be great, not sure if all of the various configurations of accommodations can or will be able to be included. Waiver verification may be an onerous additional task for the already overworked office staff.

(Perhaps the USFA could add a note on the website encouraging fencers to book using THS. I know some parents of new young fencers that didn't realize THS even existed or that the USFA received any financial benefits from fencers booking with them.)

[peet]

I don't see why this should be such a major issue for everyone. Other groups do this and it saves both individuals and their organizations a great deal of money. And from what I've read, waivers are available and do not appear to be a problem. So why not give it a chance to see how it works before jumping all over the USFA for trying to save everyone -- including the USFA --- a few bucks?

Because many fencers have had absolutely abysmal experiences with THS, and so will not be happy to be forced to deal with them. They have often screwed up even the basics of fencer housing, so what confidence should we have that they can get this "waiver" thing right?

-p

[hello?]

I don't see why this should be such a major issue for everyone. Other groups do this and it saves both individuals and their organizations a great deal of money. And from what I've read, waivers are available and do not appear to be a problem. So why not give it a chance to see how it works before jumping all over the USFA for trying to save everyone -- including the USFA --- a few bucks? Just a few weeks ago there were many people on here complaining that all of the THS rooms at the Gaylord were sold out. Wouldn't this prevent that?!! They said that THS would find and make available more rooms, a wider price range, etc.

I, for one, am looking foward to at least giving this a try!

I think the reason it might work better for other groups is that they tend to travel as teams, whereas USFA is mostly individuals with their families. It won't affect me negatively but I do know of many people who either book packages of flight/hotel (THS could not compete) or who crash at friends' hotel rooms because otherwise they simply can't afford it....I also don't know how THS would go around checking whether you do indeed have relatives in the area or not...A letter from your aunt?

[LordShout]

Not to mention that those of us that are poor college kids like to save money. 5 people in a 50 dollar a night room might not be comfortable but its a lot cheaper than anything THS is likely to get us.

[teacup]

Do large groups such as university college "teams" use THS now?

[noodle]

if THS weren't so abysmally terrible at pretty much everything, i could get behind an idea like this.

if they provided better customer service, a better website, prices that are actually competitive, and alternative hotels that aren't all 4 star $100+/night, this might be a good plan.

[wahrman]

And how many hoops will have to be jumped through to get this waiver and how long will it take?

so what confidence should we have that they can get this "waiver" thing right?

-p

[teacup]

There are many people that don't decide where they are staying until very close to the event, and certainly after THS has already returned their room block. Will waivers be granted up to the last minute? Will waivers be given if THS doesn't have any rooms at someone's first choice?

[DLEE]

If you look at the THS website it appears they are wired into youth sports things like Elite soccer. You would think that most large organizations handle their own housing needs. I assume when the AMA or the ABA or whoever has a convention they make their own deals.

[Phrogger]

Speaking as someone who's had to use the government's centralized travel booking system, this is likely to bring more problems than it solves.

For one, I forsee the only benefits will be a few dollars' discount for those who can already afford to pay for the expensive host hotel rooms. And it may occur that the negotiated rate may still run higher than a hotel's advertised specials, preventing people from taking advantage of those deals.

The people at the very bottom of the financial pyramid are the most likely to suffer here.

[wahrman]

Another good point. I sometimes (yeah kinda dumb I know) don't know where I'm staying until I get there. Someone always has an extra bed in their room.

There are many people that don't decide where they are staying until very close to the event, and certainly after THS has already returned their room block. Will waivers be granted up to the last minute? Will waivers be given if THS doesn't have any rooms at someone's first choice?