More info on today’s discussion about the Laurel

[Kate Fine]

Thank you for the suggestions to start this discussion prior to today’s business meeting.

Could I please ask that, if you are going to be at the meeting, that you hold your thoughts until then?

It seems very reasonable for those who are away and will not be able to attend to weigh in here. If you feel comfortable replying just to me, so it to not flood everyone’s inboxes, I will undertake to present your comments to the group.

Rate increase:

The Laurelhurst Club Manager Association, as far as we can find out; however, they have retained a professional management company, Bloom Hospitality. 

They are quoting our rate for October as $3500, which they present as being a deep discount from their “usual rate of $9000 for two days.”They are quoting our rate for October as $3500, which they present as being a deep discount from their “usual rate of $9000 for two days.“

It is not a locked in rate and is subject to future increases.

It does include use of the club on Saturday night, which I don’t know if we particularly need or want; although I guess a Social could be there.

It includes a great deal of help in set up and tear down, again, which we have not needed in the past. It is rather luxurious to have so much help.It includes a great deal of help in set up and tear down, again, which we have not needed in the past. It is rather luxurious to have so much help.

It does not include Friday night. I guess there’s still the potential for set up on Friday night if the club is not booked.

Unknown: I do not know if they would be open to lowering the rate if we categorically state we do not need or want the use of the club on Saturday night. I don’t know what they’re doing with the dance club in that event…Unknown: I do not know if they would be open to lowering the rate if we categorically state we do not need or want the use of the club on Saturday night. I don’t know what they’re doing with the dance club in that event…

Lastly, while I’ve been honored to serve as the venue liaison person for the last couple years. I need to step back from that 

Decisions needed:

In my view, we need to decide whether we are going to hold our convention in October at the Laurelhurst and just suck up the increase. Or are we going to Categorically decide on some other path forward?

Please give it some thought in the interim if you have time.

Looking forward to singing with y’all this afternoon.

[SCOTT KENNEDY]

Hello All,

 

I haven't been to a singing in almost three years, but I will offer my comments anyway.

Feel free to ignore them.

 

The new cost of the Laurelhurst seems a lot more than we should have to be paying. As I live in Salem I don't really know what venues cost in Portland. For that matter, I don't know what they go for in Salem or anywhere else. How much is the requested increase from the Bloom people?

 

Is there enough time to search for another place to sing before the October convention?

 

I wonder if singers will be willing to give more than ten or twenty dollars in the offering plate to finance the increased expense if POSH stays at the Laurelhurst Club? 

 

That's all folks.

 

Scott Kennedy

 

 

 

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