JLC Providence - Festool Connect 2013 - March 21st

[semenza]

So I am trying to reserve a room at the Westin. The online  method through the JLC site doesn't seem to work. So I called the Westin and talked to several people in several places and have been told that the only way to reserve a room for JLC is by call  the  "Housing Bureau" , a specific person too. This sounds completely out of wack and rediculous to me.  Did anyone else get this run around?

Seth

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

So I am trying to reserve a room at the Westin. The online  method through the JLC site doesn't seem to work. So I called the Westin and talked to several people in several places and have been told that the only way to reserve a room for JLC is by call  the  "Housing Bureau" , a specific person too. This sounds completely out of wack and rediculous to me.   Did anyone else get this run around?

Looks like there's no availability there on the 23rd which might be why you're having trouble online, assuming you were trying to book thru that date.

 

[Wooden Skye]

Shane

The confirmation was in my spam filter.

Seth,

I booked mine at the hotel across the street, cheaper and they actually had rooms available.  I only booked for Wednesday night, scheduling issue on my end, but I am working on staying longer.  Never been to a JLC so I am not sure what to expect or how valuable it will be.  If you want to stay at the westin, book the room for the first night or 2.  Once you are in the room, if you want to stay longer the hotel can't make you leave provided you pay, this is a law i found out about working for a hotel in college, plus they may have cancellations.

 

[Bob Marino]

Shane

The confirmation was in my spam filter.

Seth,

I booked mine at the hotel across the street, cheaper and they actually had rooms available.  I only booked for Wednesday night, scheduling issue on my end, but I am working on staying longer.  Never been to a JLC so I am not sure what to expect or how valuable it will be.  If you want to stay at the westin, book the room for the first night or 2.  Once you are in the room, if you want to stay longer the hotel can't make you leave provided you pay, this is a law i found out about working for a hotel in college, plus they may have cancellations.

Interesting. So the law states that if you have booked a room
for let's say, 2 nights ad you decide to stay a third or more nights,
They must honor that?
What about the other guy who booked the room earlier for those third and fourth nights?

Bob

 

[Wooden Skye]

Bob,

Yes, when I worked for a hotel in Omaha, around the college world series this would be an issue, teams that got hot their fans would need to stay longer.  The hotel will usually say your reservation is for only this time, but the people that know about this would argue and the hotel would relent.  Possession is 90% of the law, and your bill is current (cash) or have credit card. Usually the hotel would then react in 2 ways, hope for cancellation or early checkout or they need to find other accommodations for that guest.  I will say I don't know the laws in every state, but I have used this before after my time at the hotel.

 

[semenza]

So I am trying to reserve a room at the Westin. The online  method through the JLC site doesn't seem to work. So I called the Westin and talked to several people in several places and have been told that the only way to reserve a room for JLC is by call  the  "Housing Bureau" , a specific person too. This sounds completely out of wack and rediculous to me.   Did anyone else get this run around?

Looks like there's no availability there on the 23rd which might be why you're having trouble online, assuming you were trying to book thru that date.

Not the 23rd. but maybe because  I am trying to book 20th and 21st?

Seth

 

[Alan m]

thats an odd one.
so if i booked into the booked out hotel for the night before it was booked out they couldnt stop me staying for the previously booked (by someone else) night.
that sounds a bit fishy . i would be very mad if i booked a hotel and turned up and they said they wont honour it because of something like this. i would never use their hotal chain again

 

[Wooden Skye]

A lot of hotels over book their rooms as a matter of doing business, especially for conventions, because they know people will cancel or not show up.  The internet has reduced this to some extent, but people still use the phone to book.  Where i worked we would usually over book up to 10%, and that was one of the largest hotel chains in the US.  If they are overbooked and everyone shows up, the people that arrive latest are left without a room, and the hotel will normally work to find you a room. In the 3 years I worked there, we would overbook, and if my memory serves me right, I only had to find 2 guests rooms at another hotel. Life happens, and people don't show up.  Hotels make money by renting rooms, they have practices not always right or ethical to do whatever they can to have 100% occupancy.  Why do you think they now charge for not cancelling by a certain time?  The answer is because they could accommodate a guest wanting to stay, or someone that arrived at the last moment, but if they don't get word they could lose that potential rental.

 

[semenza]

OK, got it sorted.

They (Westin / Omni) are wide open on the 20th. Basically because there are not enough rooms blocked at the JLC rate for the 20th.  So I was able to book the 21st through the JLC site. I did this with the previso that I call X person (at the Westin) directly to extend  with the JLC rate for the 20th. This will take place well enough in advance of the event to allow me to cancel and go elsewhere if needed.

Seems kinda nutty not to have enough rooms at the JLC rate the night before the event?  : I am sure plenty are booking elsewhere because of that and probably is why the Westin is wide open that night  ???

Yeah, I know I had to jump through some hoops and it costs more , but I prefer to have easy access to my room basically in the same building.

Seth

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Those of you who attended Connect last year, or those who are attending for the first time this year... anything you'd like to see in particular. Any recommendations to improve the experience from last year? What did you like the most?

 

[JPF Woodworking]

I know that Festool likes to use these forums to showcase their new products which is great but I would like to see more demonstrations of actual projects similar to their Festool classes. I would especially like to see the Festool system as it pertains to cabinet construction. I haven't gone over to the MFT (yet) but again, a demonstration of the Festool system "in-action" would be better than product demonstration IMHO. But I am grateful any which way you decide to go. Thanks for the opportunity!

JPF

 

[Theshipstore]

Shane    I will have to agree on more demo's of different tools and accessories. I will say Sledge did an awesome pair of demo's with the Domino 500 and with the parallel guide.

I think things like this, things that are normally shown in the classes would be a great way to go.

I realize showcasing the newest tools is also important, but more time on demos would be great.

By the way maybe getting the onscreen video to work would be great too.  [wink]

Can't wait to be there again, and finally shaking your hand

Sal

 

[Bob Marino]

I know that Festool likes to use these forums to showcase their new products which is great but I would like to see more demonstrations of actual projects similar to their Festool classes. I would especially like to see the Festool system as it pertains to cabinet construction. I haven't gone over to the MFT (yet) but again, a demonstration of the Festool system "in-action" would be better than product demonstration IMHO. But I am grateful any which way you decide to go. Thanks for the opportunity!

JPF

I'm not speaking for Festool here, so I am only guessing that it may be a logistical thing.

Up until a couple of years ago, these demos at RI were for dealers only. They would show and demonstrate the new tools and answer any and all questions about any tool - new or old - or technique needed to use those tools. The demos had anywhere from 15 - 5o dealers attending, so that allowed a certain amount of flexibility from the Festool trainers. I'm pretty sure sure there will be at least a hundred, more probably a few hundred people attending this Connect demo and it would be a pretty tough job logistically to effectivley demonstrate a specific project - ala the Festool classes at the Connect venue.

Besides, if history is to be repeated, there will be such demos at the Festool booth at the actual show.

Bob

 

[Theshipstore]

Bob  You are right there were plenty of demo's going on at the Festool Booth during the JLC show, I should have included that in my post.
If last year connect is the barometer to gauge by it will be crowded for sure

Sal

 

[Scott B.]

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[scared]

 

[vwdave]

If the event is going to be similar to last year I hope Festool invests in a better camera and projector setup. It was very difficult for people to see what was going on and having the screen constantly going off made it frustrating.

I would like it if we could break up into smaller groups and spend a certain amount of time at specific demos, this would allow for better viewing of the demo and the ability to ask questions.

Whatever happens at the event I'm sure will be great, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, checking out the new tools and the swag bag.

Dave

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Thanks for the feedback so far, guys.

First, the camera and projector ran into some technical issues last year. The, ahem, technical guy didn't make it to the show.  [embarassed] But, there are already plans in place to have a better situation with that this year. So, check.

More demos and smaller groups, check. Already on the list. I don't want to spoil the surprise of everything we have planned, but this is on our radar.

Sal, it'll definitely be good to meet you and everyone else since I missed the event last year. I've really enjoyed the JLC show in Providence and I was bummed not to make it for the first annual Connect last year since I had been involved in its planning.

Shane

 

[Scott B.]

Painters allowed in or what?  [unsure]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Painters allowed in or what?  [unsure]

PDCA not enough fun for ya? [tongue]

Any painters that dig tools are welcome. But to keep expectations realistic, demos will be woodworking oriented.

 

[Scott B.]

Painters allowed in or what?  [unsure]

PDCA not enough fun for ya? [tongue]

Any painters that dig tools are welcome. But to keep expectations realistic, demos will be woodworking oriented.

A fakir can be modified to pass security. We'll be alright.

Painters need to know about the wood side, just as much as the wood side needs to know about finishing. Too many of us stray into the overlap to have it any other way.

Looking forward to it.