Mellennium Screw up @ ISGC

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 4 Sep 2002 10:00 am

If someone could post the exact address of the hotel and the general manager's name, we could send him a letter telling him how we feel about the messy conditions, poor food, poor service and very negative employees.
Even better, if there is a parent company that owns this "hotel", we could complain to them.
Telling each other on the Forum might make us feel better, but it won't change anything.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 Sep 2002 10:09 am

Well they have a link called
"Your Feedback" on their <a href=http://www2.millenniumhotels.com/mc/abo ... r>investor page</A>.

The page boasts of "Excellent Service".

Richard Plummer · Post by **Richard Plummer** » 4 Sep 2002 11:16 am

I have never been to the St Louis show and from what I am hearing,I dont plan to go in the future.
I guess I am a little spoiled here in Nashville.We have Steel Guitar Nashville and the North Tennesse Steel Guitar Association.
Heck with the rate the club is growing in only 2 years,I am sure we could have our own convention within the next few years and blow doors on Scottys convention.I know I would probably grace it with my humble presence in the fact it would be local.I am sure with some phone calls from me,that venders and distributers would come on down.I think we could get an awsome show together and certainly the booth prices wouldnt he as high. Just my thoughts.

Bobby Snell · Post by **Bobby Snell** » 4 Sep 2002 1:29 pm

Millenium seemed a little overwhelmed by the turn-out. As the Convention's popularity grows, some growing pains are to be expected. (And anybody who has been involved in hotel events should have some sympathy for the workers. Are most steel players good tippers?)

Plus, St Louis had the Blues Festival, the Japanese Festival, the Greek Festival, as well as the huge Illinois-Missouri game. However, I did snag a room at the beautiful Drury Plaza (in the old Fur Exchange a block away) by calling Friday morning. A few bucks more, but great room (with fridge and microwave), pleasant service and a free breakfast buffet.

This was my 5th Convention since my first in '92...and while each one is special, this year saw a wealth of outstanding moments. Minor travel/accommodation hassles should not deter seasoned travelers from such an event.

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 4 Sep 2002 2:12 pm

Bobby, you may would have called it a minor hassle, but I wouldn't. I missed the first night, Bubby Emmons and part of staurday because of the Mellennium. That was not minor in my book. A minor hassle is when you have to wait in line to piss.

There was a time when Scotty had the only game in town and I would and did put up with this crap, no More.

Dan Dowd · Post by **Dan Dowd** » 4 Sep 2002 2:54 pm

The show was great. BUT the Hotel food was terrible. The lunch at the bottom on the escalator was pretty bad, I had a hot dog on a hamburger bun and the folks running it looked like Middle East folks and did'nt speak much english. Supper Sat nite at the Resturant buffet was a disgrace. $12 for a buffet that was worth about $3 (even that was too high for the poor quality). They ran out of everything, including desert. Couldnt get drink refills and the servers also didnt speak english and had a screw americans attitude when we asked them for something. What the hell is happening to our country that we tolerate this kind of abuse and pay for it. The show was excellent Scotty and crew did a great job.

Gil Berry · Post by **Gil Berry** » 4 Sep 2002 3:56 pm

Well, I was unable to attend, but this thread seems to make my missing the event a little more bearable. Might I suggest, although it is less "centralized" this convention be held in a location where they know how to handle conventioneers. Dallas might be nice - know they have facilities galore there - or how 'bout Las Vegas? Rooms are VERY reasonable, especially at a convention rate, and food is next to a freebie - all you want. Just a thought.

Bobby Snell · Post by **Bobby Snell** » 4 Sep 2002 4:23 pm

Mr. Drawbaugh, I did not mean to make light of your situation. Missing Buddy would not be minor in my book either. I also know there are people who, because of physical limitations, need to stay on premises in order to attend. Maybe more of us should plan on staying at nearby hotels to free up rooms at the Convention site.

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 5 Sep 2002 4:55 am

Bobby, the Adams would be a good place. The rooms were nicer and the service was some better. It is only two blocks from the Mellennium. The only problem this year was they only had room for one night.

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 5 Sep 2002 6:31 am

I found this as contact information for our "lovely" hotel:
Clare Atkinson
PA to Rooms Business Development Director
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc
Tel: +44 1293 767024
Fax: +44 1293 767043
email Clare.Atkinson@mill-cop.com www.millenniumhotels.com
Apparently the hotel is owned by an English corporation and this is the public relations person in Great Britain. (I think Clare is a man's name) Who knows? Maybe heads will roll.....

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 5 Sep 2002 6:36 pm

The same thing happened to my wife and I. We made reservations months in advance and even had our reservation number with us but they denied that the number was valid and told us we didn't have a reservation. They lied to our faces. Well during this I missed Bud Issacs who I got up at 4 am and driven 300 miles to see. I talked to some corporate guys today and they told me our confirmation number was valid but for Aug 28th not the 31st! They told me the airlines have the same policy of over booking. What a bunch of crap. I paid to stay down the street (at a better hotel) and I gotta say I wish Scotty had a better place to put on this event. They did give me two coupons for dinner at their lousy restaurant,(drinks not included). This very thing has happened to me in the past years there also. It's such a great event and I don't fault Scotty in any way but it really is depressing dealing with the Millennium.

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 5 Sep 2002 6:38 pm

They wouldn't pay for our parking either because they said we entered the parking garage at the wrong entrance.[This message was edited by Mark Durante on 05 September 2002 at 07:55 PM.]

Dale Dorsey · Post by **Dale Dorsey** » 5 Sep 2002 6:47 pm

My hat is off to Scotty and all the vendors, steel players and musicians for their hard efforts and wonderful show. However, St. Louis sucks as a venue for this show and I have a nice letter written to Scotty to recommend another location. Branson would welcome the convention and could easily accomodate everyone in grand fashion. I've never saw $8.00 for two coffees and $30.00 for two hamburgers, lousy beds, hot rooms and pathetic service. I guess that sums it up.

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 6 Sep 2002 4:52 am

Dale you summed it up all right. I think Branson would be a great place to have the convention. It would have to be better, when you are at the bottom of the service chain you have no place to go but up.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 6 Sep 2002 6:10 am

I also had to pay the extra $3 parking charge when checking in, because I entered the garage in the same door as last year.

I told them this at check-out, but they would not credit the $3.

I didn't mention it here before bucause I was lucky compared to some of you. At least I got a room and parking.

Jim Vogan · Post by **Jim Vogan** » 6 Sep 2002 7:25 am

When I arrived Friday morning, the sign said the parking area was full. I went in the next door, took my parking ticket into the hotel. They informed me that I would have to pay the parking fee on my way out. No problem. When I left the guy in the garage motioned me to leave. I informed him that my ticket wasn't stamped, he motioned me to leave. I left.

richard cochran · Post by **richard cochran** » 6 Sep 2002 7:28 am

I thought the show this year was one of the best I've attended. The line up of artists was outstanding. Don Helms and LLoyd Green on stage together. Buddy Emmons and Hal Rugg on stage together. It can't get much better than that. We should think about what a tremendous task organizing a show of this magnitude would be. I think Scotty and his crew did a great job. The show is all that Scotty has control over. He doesn't run the hotel, the elevators, or the resturant. I was upset about these things, but I also know these are out of Scotty's control. Anyone who has organized one of these shows knows how hard it is to find the right location that will keep everyone happy. It's almost impossible. I am going to address my complaints to the hotel. I won't blame Scotty and threaten not to attend the show again. If you do this who are you hurting, the hotel or Scotty. Just my two cents worth.

Dave Birkett · Post by **Dave Birkett** » 6 Sep 2002 12:15 pm

Well said, Richard. Threatening Scotty is foolish. He not only does more for steel guitar players than anyone on earth, but is a credit to the human race.

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 6 Sep 2002 1:57 pm

The reservation problems that many experienced are unfortunate and inexcusable for the hotel.

As far as the restaurant situation goes, I spend a lot of time in hotels and I never expect the hotel restaurant to be any good. If it is, I put that down as a bonus.

There are several good,inexpensive restaurants close to the Millenium. They are within walking distance...a couple of blocks.

Venues with the big room capacity that the Millenium has are few...especially at a convention rate of $79.00 per night.

Not many hotels could provide the auditorium with the stage, the exhibit space, and the isolation that the Millenium does...especially at a price of $79.00 per night.

Once I saw a TUMS factory across the street from the hotel, I took my clue and walked somewhere else for food.

I'm surprised that so many had the patience to stand in that long line.

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 7 Sep 2002 9:53 am

Richard and Dave, What is foolish is loading the family in the car and driving to St. Louis not knowing if you will have a room when you get there. What's foolish is putting up with bad service for almost 30 years and never once letting Scotty know because he has done so much for steel guitar. What is Foolish is thinking Scotty would not want to know,how can he fix a problem if he doesn't know there is on.

You know the Hotel will just blow you and me off. But, if they blow Scotty off he has the leverage of takeing the convintion else where. Would you buy a Ford and it have a problem and only call the Ford company and not your dealer, same thing here. Why would you not want Scotty to know. Maybe if knows there is a problem he can do a lot more for steel guitar, HMMM.

[This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 07 September 2002 at 10:56 AM.]

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 7 Sep 2002 11:24 am

Just a few thoughts.........

Before I forget, I have three words to say that I don't recall seeing on here: Thank You, Scotty. You do this every year, and it is a difficult job. I have been to the show twice, and I really would have to think hard before I had a complaint. Oh yeah, I forgot about being ripped off by the shuttle service two years ago. But that's not your fault. So I didn't complain to you; I complained to the shuttle service.

St. Louis has a large airport with major air service. If you are going to move the convention it would be nice for those who do not drive there to make it in a place with similar air service. This may not include Branson, but some of the other sites would probably suffice.

As others have said, the problems are not Scotty's fault. If we all made a copy of this post and sent it to the hotel, their corporate management, the BBB, the Chamber of Commerce/Tourism, etc. it would stand a much better chance of having an effect than sending it to Scotty. We could even post the addresses here so that we all wouldn't need to do the research individually.

Scotty is right down the street. I'm sure he and/or his staff do almost all of the work to organize this thing on their own. (Not to mention any financial backing out of their own pocket that it might take to reserve the ballroom, etc.) If someone wants to devote the time and effort into putting something like this together, more power to you.

The overbooking thing is a bunch of crap. And then they offer you another room (which is probably the same one anyway) for a higher price. That's probably illegal, but prove it. The hotel knows that if you don't live there that you're probably not going to pursue it.
Next year we might want to have a post on here listing alternate hotels in the area. Print it out and take it with you when you go, just in case you get stiffed on your reservation again. And I know there must be some attorneys that cruise this site. Maybe they can post some rules/suggestions to confront the hotel people with if this happens again.

I would hate to see the convention go away. But IMHO Scotty has done his bit. The problems with the hotel, food, shuttles, sound, etc. are out of his control.

My nominations for the SGHOF next year are Scotty and Bob. Is there anybody out there who has done MORE for our instrument? Is there anybody out there right now who is doing more? I see no reason why they should not have a plaque hanging on the wall.

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 7 Sep 2002 12:39 pm

Here is the link to the BBB of St. Louis if any one is interested.

http://www.stlouis.bbb.org/complaint_form.html [This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 07 September 2002 at 01:40 PM.]

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 7 Sep 2002 1:34 pm

Once again Scotty is a member of the SGHOF. Has been for several years. There is a list on Scotty's website of the HOF memebers like, Buddy, Paul, Scotty, Curly, and so on.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Session 500, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 7 Sep 2002 1:49 pm

This is obviously a sensitive subject as you can see from the large number of posts.
First of all, to those who have responded, starting out with "I didn't go to the convention but I think......" or "I didn't have any problems...." please put yourself in our places..the ones who did.
Flying is not what it used to be! It is very stressful, difficult and seems to take all day...let me leave it at that.
Then waiting for a shuttle at the airport that never shows up adds to the frustration.
But when you finally arrive!! and you see the people in line in front of you all looking disgusted and you find out why (NO ROOM FOR YOU)it is quite a nasty shock.
It's something that stays with you for quite a while.
That being said, I don't think these comments are aimed at Scotty, since he obviously has nothing to do with the all-around poor servce we were afforded.
BUT, only he will have any "power" to do anything about it....our words will fall on deaf ears.
As such, I would love to see a response from him or someone from his organization, at least acknowledging the exceptionally poor service from the Millenium this year and if he has any solutions or suggestions to preventing it from happening again next year.