We have been alerted that unauthorized housing companies have been contacting our participants and informing them that they can offer hotel accommodations, sometimes at hotels in our block at better rates. This practice is called “Room Pirating.” There are many reported situations of false and deceptive activities by some of these “pirates.” For example, attendees have reported that the unauthorized companies may require partial or full prepayment for rooms and/or require credit card information, however, they do not secure the actual room reservations or, transmit funds to the hotels. In other cases, these companies do not have contracts for a block of rooms with the hotels. They may contact a housing wholesaler to see if anything is available that can be resold to you.
Please note that we have received information that unauthorized housing providers Global Housing Management and Tradeshow Housing have been in contact with participants.
RIMS contracts with all hotels in the block at preferred rates and includes clauses to protect our participants should the hotel oversell the rooms or should any issues arise with your reservation. Also, Travel Planners’ representatives are on site during our meeting to provide any assistance with you might require with your accommodations. RIMS and Travel Planners cannot assist you with any rooms booked with an unauthorized company.
If you are contacted by any housing group other than Travel Planners, please contact Blanca Ferreris. Some companies claim to be a “partner” of RIMS or even claim to be RIMS official housing company. Please, if you are ever unsure whether or not something is legitimate, contact us first before providing your company information, credit card or banking information.
For assistance with your hotel arrangements for RIMS 2011, please contact Travel Planners, RIMS official housing company at 212.532.1660 or 800.221.3531.