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Here's why I suggested the library. There is a parking garage right across the street that I thought would be more than adequate; although I do not frequent the downtown library so I don't know how busy it is on Saturday. There are a number of restaurants within walking distance in any price range. And there are a number of hotels. The "Lymmo" runs through downtown, which is a free bus ride through the main portion of the central business district.

I'm open to any venue that will work for us; good location, good rate, sized appropriately, audio/visual equipment, etc. So if you think the place that you booked previous will work for us that's fine by me. I had not seen your post before I posted the info I found about the library. I was hoping everyone would agree to meet on a Saturday.

Probably no reason to stay overnight for me...an hour drive back to the coast isn't bad at night.

I have 2 guest rooms if any Freepers want to “stop” on their way up from the south!

I suggest a motel such as the Holiday Inn or comparable (beware of Best Westerns). Try to find a motel or inn with a restaurand and security. Hopefully, it will have a bar for some fun and freeptalk in the evening.

Freepers can book there in advance and stay overnight if they don't want to drive any distance home in the dark that night. I know I don't.

We can have coffee and Danish together the next morning and then head for home. Fun, fun.

The motel or inn generally will have a meeting room that they will provide at no cost if asked. Tell them (with your fingers crossed, hah) that there'll probably be 50 or more breathing bodies attending. That should perk them up.

This way we can meet together, eat together, have a drink together, sleep togeth.....oops, sleep under the same roof without ever being fragmented with people leaving the premises for lunch or dinner in unfamiliar neighborhoods....... or having to split early for accomodations elsewhere.

See if Holiday or a Hampton Inn or whatever will give you a special rate and throw in a meeting room. Let your fingers do the walking to see what kind of a deal you can get. Motels and inns are hurting now just like many other tourist-dependent businesses.

It's worth a few extra bucks to be able to remain together with old and new freeper friends for the day and evening after coming all that way.

I'm only speaking for myself, of course, but I prefer to stay overnight in the place where this mini-convention is being held.

One of the reasons we stayed in such a crummy place last time was that there was too much agonizing over cost, trying to please everyone by attempting to save a few pesos....with the not-unexpected unhappy result.

Roos, don't agonize. Cut to the chase. I recommend picking the place, make the educated call yourself and then post your decision. We trust you. Post the rate for one night and folks will have several months to start saving the extra 25 bucks or so it'll cost to stay in a decent place.

You are doing the Lord's work. Take it from Bahama Mama who organized 5 freeper cruises! Oy!

Let's get the show on the road in our inimitable Florida style!

Leni

Please add me to your list. I am just east of Tampa and would love to come. Currently I am unemployed -maybe the BO plan will put some gas money in my pocket by then.