I can do something for Durham/Chapel Hill, maybe working with amyth. Can someone email me the RFP? Just poking around, I think we have very competitive hotel facilities. The downside of here is the rental car issue; i.e. people would need them.

That's be awesome brenda and flea. Thank you.

Debetesse has the RFP. I'll have her email it to you.

Can someone Nilly me links for previous years' city pimping?

I started doing some checking for Atlanta, but then I was attacked by work. I'll have more time next week.

I know I'm not the Boston pimpage person, but I thought I'd pass along the three bids I've already gotten from hotels outside the city:

1. RED ROOF INN SAUGUS
Built in 2003. 117 beautifully decorated guest rooms with morning coffee served daily,All interior corridors,elevator access to each floor, with wifi internet access, and conveniently located on Route 1 just 6 miles from Logan Airport and only 9 miles from Boston, Ma. Kings size or 2 double beds One complimentary room per 15 rooms booked per night. One hospitality suite available at a minmal fee, included. The Best is that you don't have to pay to have a catered affair, we have Kowloon's next door with the best Chinese food in the area and the greatest dance music and entertainment in the area.!! all for your enjoyment and pleasure. $94.99/night

2. HILTON GARDEN INN BOSTON BURLINGTON
The Hilton GArden Inn Boston Burlington has recent completed a multi-million dollar renovation. The entire hoteel is new. Our spacious guestrooms are perfect for corporate clients, as well as, tour groups and familiy travelers. B $99/night

3. RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT
A FREE full hot breakfast buffet is included in the price. All guests will be in one bedroom suites that have a seperate bedroom & livingroom areas and a fully equipped kitchen. WE do not have any double beds-only a queen sized bed in the bedroom and a pullout couch in the livingroom. Plenty of FREE parking and we are off of Rt. 95/128 and Rt 1 $119/night

Not that any of those are in the right place or anything, necessarily, but just throwing it up here FYI.

Free wireless Internet is an important requriement for hotels.

I'm not seriously pimping any of them, Tom. I was just putting the info out there in case anyone wants to run with it.

Free wireless Internet is an important requriement for hotels.

For whatever it's worth, this was one of the single biggest stumbling blocks I encountered when looking for NYC hotels. Agreeing to be without internet access for three days would open up our options considerably.

I don't think y'all are gonna want to be in Saugus. Really.

Although rt. 1 (and KOWLOON!) do have their ironic charms.... I would, um. Not recommend.

Burlington: Mall land. Huge mall, strip malls, busy roads connecting them, and they are correct to say it's right off 128.

Where's the residence Inn?

I'm not trying to squash anything, just adding my reactions/ POV.

Saugus and Burlington are not really all about the proximity to public transportation, either.

Just wanted to stress again that I'm not trying to challenge the info that Kristin came up with to start us off with... I know you aren't seriously pimping anything, Kristin. And I know that I'm not being productive in any way except adding negativity...