I am not so sure that the HAI list hotels were as critical as suggested.
I booked one of the HAI list [Crowne Plaza Airport] via my local travel agent [it was marginally cheaper] late last year. It was from the Saturday. I assumed the hotel was then booked up as it was by far the closest hotel to the convention center.
But I was wrong.
In the meantime I booked an extra night [Friday] for one in my party as he was getting earlier than planned.
As I was sitting at Heathrow waiting to fly to Chicago I got a message from him that the original booking was missing. I had visions of being out of town or in some grotty alternative hotel.
A quick scrabble through the papers explained all. The top copy said Louisville KY but the back papers said St Louis MO. That's one hell of a commute. As it was Saturday I was able to call my travel agent and within the hour they confirmed a 'new' booking same hotel [2 rooms] same period. On arrival I just took up my room but the money bit took some days to sort.
So even though it was the closest hotel it was not full and the disaster booking was repaired all too easily. I doubt that would happen in any other HAI Heli-Expo location in recent history.
