i do not know if this would work there but it works here. Since we work at a electronics supplier, when we book hotels for shows and trips, we say that we are a division of telus and we get the telus rate. usually what ever a hotel costs, we get it at half rate. Because telus is so huge, the hotel really doesn't care and usually just books it in. when we get there we just say that we supply telus with wire(if they ask) . i don't know who exist in the usa but it might be worth a try. getting the room at half rate would be cheap. or even getting a set of rooms under the shriners name. just say that it is division of shriners having a fundraiser. since your booking about 20 rooms then you might get a steal of a deal. or something like that. Hope this sparks some ideas. if one person could try it then everyone else could call and get the same rate and just say that your with that fundraiser. cheap rooms for everyone, westerners or easterners.

[ September 03, 2003, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: pat28ca ]

I've already booked at the Marriott - I didn't bother with any negotiating as I did it online.

I can usually swindle a bit of a discount when I check in though as most hotels offer a corporate discount.

The rates on the Marriott website are actually cheaper than the IASCA "discount"...