AnthroCon and the Adam's Mark

It has been reported that the Philly's Adam's Mark, home of AnthroCon for at least the next 2 years, will be closing its doors on Jan. 30th, 2005.

I will leave all speculation, gnashing of teeth and worries to Uncle Kage, and those in charge of AnthroCon. I'm sure there will be something worked out, even if Rouge has to throw his weight into the fray. ;=3

Now this news impacts me/CMFM in a way.

I have to consider that the possibility of no AC, and I emphasize the word possibility, will mean that there will be more people attending CMFM in 2005 and 2006.

I have to get lodgings secured, make sure there is enough seats available, etc. This also means that it is imperative for those that are attending to get registered as soon as practicable.

To that end, after the first of the year, the CMFM web site will be re-vamped with news, registration forms, etc.

Also, if anyone with more organization skills would like to help, I'm more than willing to accept the help.

Keep your eyes open for more developments as they occur.

MINE! MINE! MINE!

I had another post planned, but the mail came. :=3

I now have, in my possession, the title to my car. It is paid off in full!!!

No more owing Ford Motor Credit any money!

Yay!!!

So my Elantra is in fact MINE!!!!!

Yipee!!!

More on AC

Now back to my normally scheduled post.

From unclekage:
As for Anthrocon, we are in contact with other venues in the area. They are not as desireable, and we may be more cramped than ever, but four walls are better than no walls. Currently we have an offer from the Wyndham Franklin Plaza in Philadelphia, and are working to get the space and rooms at the same rate that the Adams Mark contract specified. Our aim is to make the transition as painless and transparent to our membership as possible so that nobody has to change any travel or vacation plans.

Please accept our assurance that we are doing everything in our power to make sure that Anthrocon 2005 proceeds as planned, and that none of our membership suffers any undue inconvenience.

So this means that, as of now AC2005 is a go, however I will still be keeping my options open regarding possible increased attendance at CMFM'05.

New Icon. ;=3

This is just a test of my new winter time icon. ;=3

The closing of the Adam's Mark in Philly.

From the Wed. Dec. 1st, 2004 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer aka the "Inky":

( Behind the cut )

My Commentary

I'm not one to cast corporations immediately into a bad light, but I think the Adam's Mark is not looking too favorable here.

Ok, a company can sell its holdings at any time. Kudos to the Adam's Mark, though I do believe it has more to do with a law in Philly that says you have to give 60 days notice before a (major?) business can close, for not shutting the hotel's doors before the holidays.

However, hiring people when you know the hotel will probably be closed shortly, no severance pay to those that had served the hotel ably and professionally, and just springing it on them, though that may have been done to forestall massive quitting of employees, smacks of underhandedness and unfeeling by those in the upper levels of the Adam's Mark corporate organization, though not necessarily those of the Philadelphia hotel management itself.

I also think the Adam's Mark is making a huge mistake in bailing out of the Philly market. But looking where they currently have locations, only two are in, what could be considered, major cities: Dallas and St. Louis, with Denver not far behind.

I cannot believe that there is more call for hotel space in Buffalo than Philly, but then again that hotel may not be as large as 515 rooms.

As for Target, I half hope that the zoning does not allow, and can't (won't) be changed to allow a large retail outlet on that property. Though I do hope they find that out before they tear down the hotel, if that is what they plan to do.

Why do I wish that? It's because, as those who live in that area and/or have attended AnthroCon can attest, that area can't handle any more traffic. City Line Ave., Presidential Blvd. and the surrounding roads are over capacity now, especially at rush hour. Can you imagine what a large retail outlet would do to the traffic, especially at this time of year? I can and it gives me night mares, and I'm not talking about female equines that are active in the dark.

As always, right or wrong, these are my opinions, nothing more.

A personal reflection on ...

the Adam's Mark elevators.
( It's behind the cut )