Pesach Program Discussion Master Thread

[JMHO]

Ok. Having been to many programs I'll say this.

Programs need to learn to say NO. If you can handle 1000 ppl then who gives you the right to take 2000 or more? You are ruining everyone else so you can make as much money as possible. Then the program owners get mad when they get a bad review. Just stick with what you can handle.

Or, the operators think that adding a few more guests won't cost them much more but will add to their bottom line so they do it. As long as they keep filling up and business is good, they have no incentive to hold the line.

[Something Fishy]

Not overbooking is one of the hardest things to do. You often make a lot more money on your last customers than on your earlier ones so the temptation is very high.

One of the first things I do on a trip is figure out the ideal group size (based on overall guest experience, site/facility/vendor capacities, and of course financials) and make a hard limit of how far over I can go. That limit is normally just a few people more, but for a larger program it can obviously scale a bit. But you must know your limits and what your customer is expecting and never cross those lines. I turn people away all the time; even if I sometimes have the capacity it's not fair to the existing group to have an experience different than what they signed up for.

[yerushabubby]

Not overbooking is one of the hardest things to do. You often make a lot more money on your last customers than on your earlier ones so the temptation is very high.

One of the first things I do on a trip is figure out the ideal group size (based on overall guest experience, site/facility/vendor capacities, and of course financials) and make a hard limit of how far over I can go. That limit is normally just a few people more, but for a larger program it can obviously scale a bit. But you must know your limits and what your customer is expecting and never cross those lines. I turn people away all the time; even if I sometimes have the capacity it's not fair to the existing group to have an experience different than what they signed up for.

+1
That is a very important point.

I am sure that there are people who book vacation programs (not just Pesach), specifically choosing something smaller.  I would imagine that that type of customer would be very upset to find that the program has doubled in size, even if everything goes smoothly. 

[chevron]

Not overbooking is one of the hardest things to do. You often make a lot more money on your last customers than on your earlier ones so the temptation is very high.

One of the first things I do on a trip is figure out the ideal group size (based on overall guest experience, site/facility/vendor capacities, and of course financials) and make a hard limit of how far over I can go. That limit is normally just a few people more, but for a larger program it can obviously scale a bit. But you must know your limits and what your customer is expecting and never cross those lines. I turn people away all the time; even if I sometimes have the capacity it's not fair to the existing group to have an experience different than what they signed up for.

I have done over 100 wine dinners so I would know too.

As mentioned, it's the last 5-10 that are really the profit tipping also, who wants to say no?

My issue is that I'm very flexible with people canceling. I don't charge a cancellation fee or anything so I always make events thinking that 10% are going to cancel and that at the last minute another 10% are going to show up so that I kind of break even in terms of guest count.

[Something Fishy]

I have done over 100 wine dinners so I would know too.

As mentioned, it's the last 5-10 that are really the profit tipping also, who wants to say no?

My issue is that I'm very flexible with people canceling. I don't charge a cancellation fee or anything so I always make events thinking that 10% are going to cancel and that at the last minute another 10% are going to show up so that I kind of break even in terms of guest count.

If you typically have a certain number of cancellations then I think it's perfectly fine to overbook as per your experience. For me, cancellations are exceedingly rare b"h so I can't take that into account.

[Moshe Green]

If you typically have a certain number of cancellations then I think it's perfectly fine to overbook as per your experience. For me, cancellations are exceedingly rare b"h so I can't take that into account.

Do you charge if people cancel? How far in advance do they need to cancel not to be charged/to be charged?

[mevinyavin]

it's a good thing that family missed their flight. At least they are kosher for the first days.

This line reminds me of the fellow who once asked the Chazon Ish when he should shave lechovod Shabbos. (What kind of person would do that? I would be petrified to even see the Chazon Ish at all, much less be a mechutzef to him...)
Anyway, the Chazon Ish replied, "Motzei Shabbos."

[Euclid]

I would be petrified to even see the Chazon Ish at all

I'd also be, if I saw someone who was niftar about 30 years before I was born.

[yelped]

This line reminds me of the fellow who once asked the Chazon Ish when he should shave lechovod Shabbos. (What kind of person would do that? I would be petrified to even see the Chazon Ish at all, much less be a mechutzef to him...)
Anyway, the Chazon Ish replied, "Motzei Shabbos."

Why do you think he was being a mechutzaf?

[Danlover111]

Why do you think he was being a mechutzaf?

You know what he held about shaving?

[AMH]

Why do you think he was being a mechutzaf?

The fact that he got such an answer shows it..........

[imayid2]

You know what he held about shaving?

He shaved as a bachur

[yelped]

The fact that he got such an answer shows it..........

No, it doesn't.

You know what he held about shaving?

Did the person asking necessarily know?

[Something Fishy]

Lol best tangent yet

[EliJelly]

Why do you think he was being a mechutzaf?

Was rather very naïve I'd say

[moko]

Lol best tangent yet

I'm proud to have been the catalyst. A true ddfr 

[mevinyavin]

This line reminds me of the fellow who once asked the Chazon Ish when he should shave lechovod Shabbos. (What kind of person would do that? I would be petrified to even see the Chazon Ish at all, much less be a mechutzef to him...)
Anyway, the Chazon Ish replied, "Motzei Shabbos."

The story was told that the fellow deliberately asked this knowing that the Chazon Ish did not hold of shaving. I don't know how they knew this. I also don't think there is any point in speculating regarding this totally unknown individual's intent etc... but the line was good.
Is this really the best tangent ever? I'm skeptical.

[Chief Rabbi of New York]

Anything new happening with this thread ?
Curious what the outcome was

[Moshe123]

Hotels have good lawyers. I can't imagine there not being a clause in there making it all futile. We also know he was behind AKA breach before the episode.

[Something Fishy]

Couple of posts deleted. Let's try to keep this thread to tachlis (such as it were), not random bashing of people. Thanks.