Just my own opinions here:

Would it be acceptable to reserve the HS only for Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon?

Yes.

If the choice is full dinner or no food, however, are we okay with going no food?

More than okay.

I think a more important question than how many people have been at each one is how many hotel rooms did we end up booking? I don't know offhand if the number of people sleeping along has been balanced by the number of people squeezing 4 to a room or not.

I think that ND is getting there early as well, though I don't know when exactly. It might be worth emailing him to ask. It can't hurt to have several of us there ahead of time in any case, right?

Since I'm using my credit card to reserve the space and therefore have to sign the contract, I'm planning on getting in on Thursday night just in case. I'll be staying at the hotel the whole time, obviously.

I know (though I've now touched base with -t, Heather, and ND in email, so I know all is well between us) that anyone bouncing into a planning thread like this has the potential to step on toes and cause feelings of resentment, especially when it will only be my 2nd annual F2F. I hesitated to volunteer for that reason. However, I do have the time off right now, and I wanted to be helpful given that I know how incredibly busy the three organizers are. I hope that everyone sees the spirit intended in this and doesn't think I'm trying to take over.

You folks have done all the hard work; I'm really just here now as the loose-end-tier.

My apologies, Jen.

No apology necessary, though thanks for offering anyway; I was not offended. 'Twas a neutral "whatev, just a thought," meant to signify that I was not particularly invested, no snippiness intended.

Agree that number of rooms booked compared to number of people who attended is a good standard to use to get a decent minimum number of rooms reserved.

Kristin, we should do lunch or dinner or something when we're all there early to get a break from planning and preparing. The hotel is really close to the shop where my friend works, so I could easily hitch a ride with her and wander down the street.

Are there any extras that need to be brought/stored/shipped?

Heather, sounds like a plan!

Thanks Jen-I'm just being careful.

Extras...I'll have to see. Right now I'm just in contact hotel and firm up details mode.

The number of rooms used in LA and DC are somewhere in this thread or the one before it. I recall the post, but am not so good at the threadsuck right now.

Here's what was in the IFB:

2004:

Friday: 19 rooms (12 blocked) Saturday: 23 rooms (15 blocked) Sunday: 7 rooms (5 blocked)

About 70 people attended the Saturday dance.

2003:

Approximately 20 rooms were taken, most doubles with people sharing rooms. ~5 stayed in the Annabelle Hotel ($110/night), and the rest in the Safari Inn ($85/night).

Approximately 60 people attended the Saturday night dance.

Great. I'll give this a day to breathe to let people chime in on the other issues, and then I'll call tomorrow.

I'm frustrated that the IFB, which has a attachment with detailed info about all the prior F2F, and on which I spent time writing with the intent that it gets linked in this thread, has not been linked. I don't know to host an attachment like that, so, am emailing it to the Admins and asking that someone attach it in this thread.

JC, when it shows up, I'm just going to forward it to ND, since he's 2005 point person. You could send it straight to him, if you read this before you hit "send".