but there is a tendency for people to go out to dinner before the party or to have a late lunch

Yep, that's what I was thinking. I think food is a great idea (because who doesn't love finger food, plus there will definitely be attendees who can't afford to eat out all weekend), but if it's a choice between an open bar and tons of leftovers, I think the bar would be a better use of our funds.

Are you hotel-ing or sofa-surfing?

Well, cheaper is better on my salary. I'm hoping to have saved a tad by then, but a sofa or a roomie would help if there are still those available.

I'm unlikely to book immediately, so I hit "undecided" on the poll for my attendance purposes.

Also, yay food, yay open bar, yay gorgeous gorgeous swag, yay Buffista parties.

Speaking of roomies, I have space in my room. I currently have a king reserved, but will change that to a double. Would love a roomie.

Also in favor of open bar.

Can I vote for BBQ Chez Grabien?

And I've been terribly remiss--what's the cover for prom?

Bev, I think the cover for Prom is going to depend on how we handle the bar, right?

The full hotel expense - food, drink, and hospitality suite - will come out to $2500 total, plus appropriate appliable tax. The ballroom thing is comped if we meet $1500 total food and beverages at prom, which isn't likely to be an issue with, rough guess, between 55 and 65 people showing up. The other $1000 is the use of the two-bedroom hospitality suite, from Thursday afternoon through Monday noon.

Ah. Okay, thanks.

I'll even make 'em stock something uber-dry and bubbly for me,

Can you make them stock enough for me too? Please?

So if we take the $2500 and assume around 60 people that ends up meaning that we need to average around $42 a person.

we need to average around $42 a person.

Excellent number!

Juliana, we're going to PayPal you... upthread you mentioned creating another account... ?