Getting Better Accommodations at Entrepreneurship Conferences

5 Hotel Secrets for Entrepreneurs attending Conferences

Are you preparing to go to a conference where you might learn priceless business skills and make crucial connections? To make the most of your trip, there are a few things you need know before you leave, such as where you're staying.

Even while it may seem convenient to have a hotel right next to the conference center, going somewhere else could end up saving you a lot of money. Savings can also be achieved by comparing costs and investigating smaller lodging options like neighborhood inns or boutique hotels.

They give you the chance to network with other business owners and pick up new abilities that will help you grow your company.

You're going to have a blast whether you're flying to a worldwide summit to pitch your firm to venture capital investors or you're the keynote speaker at a conference on blockchain research. International conferences as well as regional symposiums are special environments where influencers and entrepreneurs can develop.

You must, however, tick a few crucial things off your list before you visit.

A hotel room is among those things.

We're going to share some hotel industry insider knowledge with you so that on your next conference trip, you can score a great accommodation at a great price.

And we will share them with you since we adore traveling business owners.

These are the five tips you should be aware of in order to secure the most affordable hotel for your entrepreneurship conference.

Price Hacks

These pointers can help you get the greatest offers on the greatest hotel rooms whether you're visiting New York, Dubai, or anyplace else in the world:

1. Stay at a Different Hotel Than the Conference Hotel

You may obtain a better rate and save money by booking a hotel that is different from the one where the entrepreneurship conference is being hosted.

Finding a different hotel can help you get a better deal if the one hosting the expo doesn't give the best rates on rooms.

Save that hotel money for other purposes (such as expanding your company's podcast or funding a new HR social sciences program, for example)!

2. Compare Prices

Comparing rates from several hotels is usually the first step towards obtaining a better deal on lodging.

This holds true for lodgings all the way from San Francisco to Zurich and all points in between.

Let's say you want to go to a conference on entrepreneurship. Then, it would be wise for you to check the rates of the host hotel with those of other nearby hotels.

It is definitely worthwhile for a young entrepreneur going to a global conference to save as much money as possible.

3. Book a Boutique Hotel or Local Inn

Sometimes, booking rooms in fancy, high-cost hotels is an attractive option.

But it’s also true that sometimes you can’t beat the savings offered by  boutique hotels  or local inns.

For best results, make sure to include these smaller hotel options in your search.

4. Use a Reward Program or Travel Points to Save Money

You may definitely utilize this to help you save money on your next entrepreneurship conference trip if you travel for work on a frequent basis and use a travel credit card or membership to collect points and benefits.

Stated otherwise, this presents you with the chance to receive double travel reward points, which can significantly enhance and optimize the impact of your rewards.

5. Hold Great Rates by Booking Ahead of Time

Here’s an easy, three-step technique for getting better  hotel bookings at better prices :

1. Regularly research rates for your trips.

2. Book rooms that give you the best prices.

3. Cancel previous bookings to give yourself a virtual “upgrade” that wasn’t available before.

In other words, work slowly to find the best bang for your buck in the months leading up to your social entrepreneurship conference.

The only caveat  here is that you have to book at hotels that offer free cancellation or through a booking service that does. Otherwise, you’ll rack up some hefty fees with this technique.

Star Levels and Why They Matter

Hotels are typically assigned a star rating, which can range from 1 to 5.

Generally speaking, you can save money on your reservations by considering this information.

One way to do this is to find out how many stars your preferred hotel (the one that most closely matches your budget and appears to have acceptable amenities) is rated for, then compare that rating to that of one or two star options.

This can assist you in locating hidden treasures that you might not have previously thought of.

For instance, you might uncover some spotless, affordable rooms with amazing amenities if you search for hotels that have one fewer star than your present top choice.

Additionally, you may be able to take advantage of special pricing at another hotel to get a better accommodation than you had anticipated for the same price—or even less—while still saving a tonne of money.

Of course, a little study is necessary before going down this rabbit hole. However, if your objective is to locate the greatest hotel possible for that forthcoming entrepreneurship conference, it can be well worth the work.

Take Distance Into Account

Booking a hotel close to the conference is obviously convenient.

However, it’s also highly likely that you’re going to pay more for such a booking.

Why?

Because if the conference is large, popular, and being held at an in-demand venue, then it’s likely in a part of town where bookings for hotel lodgings are just going to be more expensive.

Therefore, browsing hotels that are further away from the venue could yield better prices.

It’s also true that these types of bookings could yield better amenities, better customer service, and just a better experience in general.

What’s the downside to this?

Of course, booking further away will mean that you’ll have to commute a bit further every day to get to the conference. It also means that networking over drinks at the hotel bar after the conference might be a bit more challenging.

It’s really a straightforward cost-benefit analysis at that point.

Here’s the main takeaway:

Sometimes, it just pays to book further away from the venue  — you’ll sidestep a lot of the booking competition and the higher prices that tend to come with it.

This is especially true if you’re planning to attend a large, well-known entrepreneurship conference where a lot of people will be trying to book nearby rooms (think  Dreamforce ,  SXSW Startups Track , etc.).

Look Closer at Amenities

As previously mentioned, the allure of snagging a reservation close to the entrepreneurship conference cannot be overstated.

But, from both a cost and a benefit analysis point of view, this isn't always a good idea.

For example, you will forfeit one and a half hours of daily commuting time if you are willing to drive 45 minutes to get to the conference in the morning.

However, you might receive some worthwhile extras as a trade-off, which could significantly improve the standard of your stay.

A hotel reservation may occasionally benefit greatly from additional features.

Make sure you check all the amenities offered by each hotel choice you're considering before making a reservation.

Want More Amenities? Consider Asking

If you're willing to ask, you'd be surprised at what you can have for nothing.

For ideas, peruse this ridiculously amazing list of possible freebies produced by TheTravel.com site.

(Who would have guessed that you could receive free Netflix access, a DJ turntable, and a body pillow? It turns out that everything relies on where you're living and how assertive you want to be with your demands!

Nearby Opportunities to Make the Most of the Entrepreneur Conference Lifestyle

Undoubtedly, going to an entrepreneur conference will provide you the chance to network with other business executives.

(Do you require any advice on this? Check out this fantastic post by Vannessa Van Edwards, one of our favorite experts on human behavior.)

Thus, it can be advantageous for you to investigate how your hotel rooms might facilitate networking.

As an illustration:

You may simply invite them back to your hotel's affiliated restaurant or bar for dinner or after-hours beverages if it has one.

If your hotel is close to the venue or to some popular spots for nightlife, you may also employ this tactic.

Put another way, before making a reservation, you should investigate the area around the hotel in more detail.

Some Hotel Locations Don’t Offer as Many Social Benefits

Perhaps you'll find a fantastic hotel for a great deal, only to discover later that it's in a boring neighborhood that's just far enough away to be inconvenient—one with no nightlife.

Of course, depending on your networking goals, this may or may not be important to you.

This awkward location might not matter if you intend to conduct all of your networking at the conference; in fact, if making this reservation can save you some additional money, it might even be a smart idea.

On the other hand, networking gatherings after hours at major entrepreneurial conferences can be a very worthwhile use of time.

So, before making a reservation, it could be a good idea to check out the local eateries, bars, and shops on Google Maps. In this manner, you'll be able to experience what the city's many neighborhoods have to offer and prevent yourself from losing out on networking possibilities.

To get the most out of your networking events, consider paying a little bit extra for a hotel close by. You can network with other amazing small business owners and successful entrepreneurs there, after all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find a hotel for my entrepreneurship conference trip that offers a good rate?

Explore different hotel prices and consider booking a boutique hotel or local inn for budget-friendly options. Utilize reward programs or travel points to save money. Book ahead of time to hold great rates and secure the best deals.

What role do star ratings play in saving money on hotel bookings?

Star ratings can help you identify alternatives with lower star ratings but similar amenities at reduced prices. Conversely, you may find hotels with a higher star rating for the same price or even lower during special pricing times.

Is it preferable to book a hotel closer to the conference venue or look at options further away?

Consider both convenience and cost. Closer hotels may incur higher prices due to increased demand. Booking further away can lead to savings and better amenities, but factors in the additional commute time and potential impact on networking opportunities.

Conclusion

To put it simply, finding the finest hotel discounts for your entrepreneurial conference trip entails looking into star ratings, pricing, distance, amenities, and local networking opportunities.

Don't undervalue the unexpected advantages of staying at neighborhood inns and boutique hotels, where you could find undiscovered treasures with excellent services at reasonable costs.

Recall that while staying at the conference hotel could be convenient, doing some price comparison shopping and looking into other possibilities can save you a lot of money, which you can then use for other areas of your business.