RubyConf India – Hospitality was anything but pleasant at The Lalit Goa

Post by aspleenic » Wed, Mar 26, 2014, 8:05 AM UTC

headius wrote: post #17

I was one of the speakers at this event and I have to say that the organizers really made a heroic effort to ensure we had a good event. Anyone not talking to the organizers did not even realize the stress they were under...they did an amazing job covering up the failures of the hotel. I am friends with many of the organizers, and the looks of pain on their faces when these problems came up really hit me hard. I appl…

Post by aspleenic » Wed, Mar 26, 2014, 8:14 AM UTC

gautamrege wrote: post #18

Aloha wrote: post #3

I've run events like this for over 10 years now, a couple pointers; * Negotiate payment terms that require a deposit, but for which the balance is paid after the event. * Always have a meeting with hotel management pre-event, review the contract, make sure everything is correct. * Double Check your BEO's as part of the setup process - again, verify to contract. * In the event of a dispute, have a copy of your counter…

@Aloha + The minimum room requirement amount (as per contract) was paid a week in advance to the hotel already. So, we held good on the contract terms - this was 28.4 Lakh INR! + The actuals, incidentals and additional costs (which were about 8.45L) would have been done via RTGS settlement after the event. However, Hotel refused to let us even check-out! After paying 28.4L, to be threatened for the balance is ridicul…

Post by quasi » Wed, Mar 26, 2014, 8:25 AM UTC

Post by gautamrege » Wed, Mar 26, 2014, 10:42 AM UTC

steveklabnik wrote: post #7

vishaltelangre wrote: post #4

My experience was amazing this year, good organization, good service, and luxurious facilities! This time it was far better than the previous year's conf held at Hyatt, Pune. But when I heard that organizers of conference faced so many issues because of management at LaLit, I really felt sad about whatever bad happened there. We should have other good options instead of such nasty hotels, IMO. Ruby community is with…

I didn't make it this year, but I really enjoyed RubyConf India last year. Everything went super smooth. So it sucks to hear it was so hard for them this year. :/

Post by gautamrege » Wed, Mar 26, 2014, 11:17 AM UTC

aspleenic wrote: post #23

gautamrege wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

@Aloha + The minimum room requirement amount (as per contract) was paid a week in advance to the hotel already. So, we held good on the contract terms - this was 28.4 Lakh INR! + The actuals, incidentals and additional costs (which were about 8.45L) would have been done via RTGS settlement after the event. However, Hotel refused to let us even check-out! After paying 28.4L, to be threatened for the balance is ridicul…

Dude - I can't believe they held your family and wouldn't let you leave! I was shocked at the way they treated Zak and I when we left, but never expected anything of this magnitude. At least you pulled off an amazing conf despite all the following bullshit.