Special Committee Meeting to Discuss 2025 Hotel Arrangements

July 1, 2024, 3:05 p.m.

Present via Teams. Wanda Feldstein, Colton Knight, Kurt Ponchak, Randall Crosby, Natasha Ginarte, David Stevens, Phil Hubbard, Jose Quintanilla, Randy Shuster, Sead Bekric, Orlando Ramirez, Antonio Gonzalez, Jim Warth, Mitzi Bowen, Mary Ellen Harding, Bill Findley, Alan Risk, Andrea Mendez, Maureen Fink, and John Ahler.

At the prior committee meeting it was decided to book the Rosen Centre arriving August 21, 2025, for the next seminar. It was with hope NABM could sponsor the event since we cannot legally commit to the $20,000 fee the hotel charges for food/service. NABM has declined our offer. The only other option is to book Rosen Plaza for the same dates. It was commented that NABM can still assist with speakers and hosting a banquet, but they will not commit to a Mini Blast. Motion to hold the Biennial Seminar at the Rosen Plaza starting August 21, 2025 – Sead; Seconded – Ponchak. Phil asked why we are not looking into other hotel options. Some answers include the lack of time to shop around, the mandatory inclusion of food/service in hotel contracts, the states’ inability to pay above a certain rate a night per room, etc. Crosby suggested we start looking at hotels now for the 2027 seminar to avoid these future limitations. Knight and Hubbard expressed concern about the lack of service Rosen Plaza gave during the last seminar. It was pointed out all hotels are conceivably experiencing the same service issues after the pandemic. Feldsteen pointed out we should not obligate ourselves in paying $20,000 to Rosen Centre over one bad experience at the Plaza. Hubbard states he had three vendors complain to him with one that will not attend seminar if Rosen Plaza is chosen. After initially shopping for a hotel, the Plaza gave us the best rate. Mark Turner joined the meeting and has decided to allow his alternate, Ginarte, to vote in his place. Feldsteen – yes, Knight – yes, Ginarte – yes, Shuster – either muted or disconnected, Stevens – yes, Hubbard – no, Warth – yes, Bekric – yes, Ramirez – yes, Gonzales – yes, Ponchak – yes, Crosby – yes. Motion passed 10 to 1.

Meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

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