Unauthorized Housing Vendors
As an attendee at the ASBMR Annual Meeting, you may be contacted by phone or email by outside housing companies to secure hotel reservations for the conference. The intent is to convince you that the offer is made on ASBMR’s behalf, or that the soliciting company is a viable alternative to going directly to the hotel. These companies are not affiliated or working in partnership with ASBMR, and reservations made through these companies for our meeting cannot be guaranteed.
ASBMR has contracted directly with the hotels listed on the official website. They, along with the ASBMR International Housing Department the only official representatives that can guarantee your reservation. Making your reservation in the ASBMR room block also enables us to fulfill our contracts with the hotels and helps ensure that ASBMR Annual Meeting is a success. Please contact housing@asbmr.org with any questions.
How It Works
This practice (called “room poaching”) is carried out by third-party companies that act as travel agencies, wholesalers or destination management companies to solicit registrants for room reservations. The poacher might inform registrants that the hotel room block is “sold out,” and that if you do not book with them immediately, you may not get a room. Additional deceptive tactics include distributing forms or promotional materials that appear to be issued by ASBMR.
Room poachers make it more difficult for us to meet our room block commitments, and expose us to penalties and increased room rates for our events. Room poachers often don’t deliver on promises to customers. When customers arrive, reservations are non-existent or the hotels are not conveniently located. Sometimes the rooms have been cancelled and hefty cancellation fees have been placed on the customer’s credit card.
How You Can Help
Don’t be misled! Book through ASBMR Official Channels listed on this website. Booking through these websites will ensure that you secure the ASBMR group rate, allow you to modify or cancel your hotel reservations at any time, as well as provide you with up-to-date event information. Be sure to book your room by August 20 to ensure availability and the ASBMR group rate.
If you are contacted by anyone asking if you need a room for ASBMR Annual Meeting, please get as much information as you can (their name, company name, phone number, etc.) and pass it on to our team. Contact ASBMR Housing at +1 202-367-1138 or housing@asbmr.org.