IMNA advising hotels to charge 6 day minimums?

Triathlon Forum
1

I just signed up for IMCDA. The hotel I reserved (Flamingo) is forcing athletes to stay a minimum of 6 days. Can you believe that? I could see 3, maybe even 4. But 6???

This is nothing more than athlete gouging. Some folks on the 141mile forum are saying this is because IMNA advises the hotels to do this and to add a surcharge to the rooms so that they can kick back money to the local chamber of commerce.

This will be my 3rd IMNA event and I’ve been to IMC too. None of those cities: Provo, Oceanside, or Penticton forced me into any minimums as far as I can remember. And certainly not 6 days.

I’m sure the folks at the Flamingo are nice people and they certainly have a good location, within walking distance of the swim start. They only have 14 rooms so they understand the law of supply and demand fairly well. I guess I should too. Sooner or later the breaking point will come…

  • Mike
2

I just signed up for CDA also and made reservations at the CDA resort hotel (the host hotel) and they didn’t make us stay for 6 days. The rooms at the resort are kind of expensive, so maybe thats why.

3

Actually Penticton hotels have taken this approach as well…not sure how many days the minimum is, but it’s at least 4
.

4

While I don’t agree with it, it certainly makes sense from a business point of view. I was at Tupper Lake last weekend, and I booked a hotel in Saranac for 4 nights, and the guy gave me a discount. All the places in Tupper Lake(well, there are only about 4) that told me they were booked months in advance when I was booking in April were stupid. They all had vacancies Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, but not Friday night.

Consequently, they were turning away people like me who wanted to stay more than just the night before the race. They were throwing away a lot of money, and given that we are talking about Tupper Lake, I’m sure those places were not booked up the weeks before of after the race.

From an athlete’s perspective I agree with you, that is an unfair, monopolistic business practice. From the hotelier’s perspective, it’s just good business. You want to keep your guests as long as possible, and let’s face it, you have to stay somewhere close by for an Ironman event. In this case, we are a captive audience, so we can’t just go somewhere else.

As for IMNA, their main function is to make money under the auspice of growing the sport of triathlon. If this weren’t the case, you wouldn’t see Ironman bicycles, Ironman wetsuits, Ironman goggles, Ironman sunscreen…and Oh! wait, I just found out this week, Ironman wheels, and Ironman tires, and I’m sure that Ironman series IronGu is on the way

I’m not necessarily knocking them for this, but it’s simple economics. If they don’t make money, they go out of business. You can’t even call your race an ironman race unless it’s run/endorsed by them. I’m not even sure if I can legally use the word ironman in a sentence without paying.

It’s all about business. I wouldn’t be surprised if the amount of money that IMNA gets for holding events in specific towns is based partially on how much revenue it generates for the local businesses.

5

There is a place named the"Garden Motel".Its about a mile outside of town(Opposite way from the Flamingo,about a 1/4 mile after you go under 95). The rooms are bigger,have kitchennettes.Its an old building but clean.Do not even need 5 nights and the rate has not been set yet. She said it would be beween 75 and 85. New Managers just took over. (208)664-2743.The mgr name is Hope Brensinger. If you call tell her Ken Cotrell who made resevations while there sent you.

6

I think it was Irnclam who made the point in previous posts that races in NZ, Auz and even Europe are often a cheaper all inclusive option than IMNA races - and you get to expand your horizons by visiting another country - I live in Vancouver and it is cheaper for me to do NZ than Lake Placid for example…

7

I just got off the phone with the Garden Motel. The new owner who is out of town has not set anything yet. The mgr said she will call me within the week for exact rates.But will NOT be asking for 6 nights.I will keep you posted.I guess the took over from an elderly couple about a week before IMCDA.(by the way the room I saw had two queens and was clean).

8

To be fair, this has nothing to do with IMNA and does not apply to all hotels/motels in any of the host cities. There are many places in CDA and Penticton that do not have any minimums. I suspect that their locations will not be promoted on the Chamber website as they don’t participate in the funding of the event. As always in a free world, you are not required to participate in an IMNA event. I personally think they are great and worth every penny.

9

Not having done any of these races, nor ever visiting that I can recall, I ask is there not any chain hotels ie Marriotts or Hiltons? (personal favorites since I travel for work and have about 40 or so nights between them this year alone.) I don’t think they could get away with charging a 6 night stay. It sounds as though someone is looking to turn a quick buck due to the lack of hotel rooms. Report them to the BBB for bending you over and complain to the CoM. Good luck.

10

IMNA is a very well oiled machine.

When they go into a community (or choose them for an event) there is quite a bit of give and take. IMNA offers lots of demographic information about how ‘you’ the triathlete can afford the premium rate. They offer a lot of support to the community, the local athletic corp, tourist bereau and the chamber about how to maximize the economic opportunity of an event like this.

In exchange, they get the support of all of these groups and their political prowess. This gets them a league of volunteers, new sod in the parks, streets and hiways blocked off, sometimes new asphalt and a bunch of other stuff that make their events higher quality.

As an athlete, you get the closest thing to a ‘rock star’ status that I have ever seen. They put on events that are beyond athlete and family friendly, they are totally in tune with what make Ironman a significant ‘lifetime’ achievement for many of us.

Personally, I hate the way they control housing and I hate what it costs ME. In the end though, I think it is a fair trade for the quality of the event. Not everyone can afford it, but there are corners you can cut. Your housing was expensive… but how much did you spend at the merchendise tent for hats, fleece and waterbottles that you could not get anywhere else?

In IMCDA, many folks went on vacations and rented their houses. We rented one, put eight people in a four bedroom right off the run course. Very well spent time and a fair rate for the stay.

Be resourceful… just like in training!

11

you may not be far wrong,I too am from Vancouver, and if I just included race week the cost to go to race IMLP and IMNZ would be very close. Problem was, not really a problem at all, but we spent three weeks over in NZ and that did bump up the total cost somewhat !!!

12

To be fair, this has nothing to do with IMNA and does not apply to all hotels/motels in any of the host cities. There are many places in CDA and Penticton that do not have any minimums. I suspect that their locations will not be promoted on the Chamber website as they don’t participate in the funding of the event. As always in a free world, you are not required to participate in an IMNA event. I personally think they are great and worth every penny.

Unfortunately it’s people like you who know the price of everything and the value of nothing who have caused the cost of events to be ramped up to such ludicrous heights.

13

I have nothing to say. Good luck.

14

not to start a war of words, thought I’m sure it will, as this subject has been gone over before, but if you think you are getting your money’s worth at IMNA events, than you are a richer person than I…personally I would rather do many other races that offer far more in return for half the price, and I’ve been to Hawaii, and was not impressed one bit…do a non Ironman event and you will get your money’s worth…let the flaming begin:)
.

15

“let the flaming begin:)”

No flaming needed. Your approach is totally appropriate. If you do not appreciate the added value, then you would be foolish to pay the premium. I do find added value worth the price (and I do not have a lot of money). That is the beauty of the free market.

Some people get caught up on price and volume… others focus on value and quality… different strokes.

16

We were very happy with the Shilo Inn. They insisted on a 5 night min @ 160 a night. Gave me a coupon for 129 for next year (not doing 04 but will be back in 05). The rooms are suites with a king and a fold out that are in separate areas of the room (with a kitchenette in between). It’s 2 miles from downtown with easy access. I liked the kitchnette as you could do up your own meals. With a family of 4 this was a perfect solution. The 5 night didn’t bother us. Arrived at hotel at 8pm Thurs night. Fri-Sat race prep, Monday recovery, and Tuesday morning out.

17

When I started doing Tris, I took out the passenger seat in my old toyota pickup. I would put my stuff in the back under a tarp and sleep in the passenger side before the race. It was exactly 6’ 1" long (which is exactly my height), so not much room to spare, but it worked, and was cheap. Another option is finding a swap where if you have a race near you, and you have some friends that have a race near them, you can swap staying over. If you buy a premium tent, you will spend about two to three nights stays at a hotel, and have a tent that has a lifetime warantee. Buy a thermarest or really good inflatable matress, and it is like sleeping at home. Ive done it by myself, with my wife, with one kid, with two kids, and Ill be doing it with three kids this summer. If you dont have money, this is the way to go if you want to race. It works, and you can always find somewhere to pitch a tent with no minimum stay.

Stephen J

18

I have been at IMNA 4 times now…that is a newer rule - and one that I got into a HUGE fight with the Ramada AND the Chamber of Commerce at LP over. I had to threaten to sue them for a credit on my Visa for the nights that I was not staying. Only after I told them that I was not going to sign the reciept, and that I was going to file a claim with Visa would they relent and only charge me for the time I was there.

I also like how they charged $9.00 a day for parking for IM - that is vs. the $3.00 a day when we (IM) are not there. I think that they are taking advantage of us…period.

19

Gee, maybe you should just park a couple hundred yards away at the Municipal Lot on Riverside (I think). It is free. It is a very short walk, but they have a shuttle bus anyway. They also have free remote parking at the airport and at shopping centers with shuttles. Sounds fair to me.

Besides, with the three hours you will save by finishing ahead of me, you shouldn’t have a problem.

20

I just left my car at the hotel - almost all week. It is more the point than the fact that I would have to pay more. I am fortunate to be able to afford IM and all that comes with it. I think that it is a shame that people who are not blessed with the level of income I am, may have an issue affording to be able to go - let alone arriving in a city where the locals print out new menu’s with higher prices on them.

It also may be worth a note that last year, about 2 weeks prior to IMLP the local paper printed an article telling that the “Average” income of the IM family was over $130,000.00 per year. To me that means…“Charge 'em”. I am curious as to how that would maybe change if the CEO challange was not included in the numbers.

However Lake Placid is GREAT and I like the people there. Just seems to me that they take opportunity for all it is worth. (So would I though so I will shut up now)