Mostly network and security administrators, the day was filled with knowledge sharing about how important security is right now - that security is no longer just a technology issue but a business issue as well.  Everyone in the workplace should take part in securing their corporate network infrastructure.

I would also like to thank our experts (speakers) for graciously sharing their views and expertise about security. 

The conference ended with a festive mood with prizes flooding the stage.  From bags, optical mouse, keyboards, hotel accomodation (not Dusit), acid protection, webcam, and mobile phones - our attendees went home winners.  Winners in terms of taking home a prize, and winners with a new found knowledge.

The happy ending turned into a nightmare when a DH employee started to show her high and mighty attitude towards us - the organizers, their clients.  We booked the entire ballroom of Dusit Hotel.  The package is for a minimum guarantee of 350 seats from 8:00am to 5:00pm.  The package includes One (1) lunch and Two (2) snacks for each participant.  For those of you who are into event management would more or less have an idea how much we are talking about here.

We as the organizing committee had ask Dusit Hotel to provide us Two (2) complimentary rooms, one for the organizers and another one for our guest.  Dusit Hotel asked us to pay at least 50% of the total fee of the conference which we readily agreed.  Would you believe it was us who even delivered the downpayment straight to their office? 

Prior to the event,  I was telling this DH employee to provide me some leeway with regards to their policy that check-in time is 2:00pm and check-out time is 12:00nn of the next day.  I told this DH employee that I will not be able to vacate my room at 12:00nn since I still have an ongoing conference at the ballroom until 5:00pm.  This DH employee said they will look into it and will try to accomodate our request.  If in case they cannot accomodate my request, they said they will look for a room for me to put in my personal belongings.  They further explained that for the recent weeks, their room occupancy is high.  They said they will get back to me but till the event day, no calls were received by us.

At the height of the conference later in the afternoon, this DH employee approached me and said that I have to vacate my room since it was already 2:00pm.  Can you imagine a hotel asking their client who booked their entire ballroom to leave his room at 2:00pm, despite the ongoing conference?  I told this DH employee that I simply cannot "vacate" my room since the seminar is ongoing.  This DH employee insisted that I should vacate my room or face an additional charge for the extention.  I have no intention to stay One (1) more night.  Like what I did during my past conferences - after the seminar, I would go up into my room, pack my things, pay my bills and off I go - no extra charges.  So we are simply talking of 6 hours extention.  Mind you, I was not even in my room most of the time due to the conference.

Another condition set was I have to end the conference at exactly 5:00pm as stated in the contract or they will charge me an additional Six Thousand (P 6,000) pesos.  By the way, after discussing the fees and upon learning the number of our partners (exhibitors), Dusit Hotel asked for an additional Ten (10) Thousand pesos for electricity which we readily agreed so that our sponsors will have the right electrical power for their requirements.  The conference ended 4:50pm by the way.

After learning that my wife was in my room resting because she's not feeling well, Dusit Hotel acceded to my request.  Compassion?  More like a guilty feeling to me.  My nightmare was just starting.  After the event, this DH employee went to the ballroom (a little over 6:00pm) to collect our remaining 50% balance.  I prepared the check right away and handed them the check.  Lo and behold, the DH employee refused to accept my check since the contract stated that I have to pay in cash, credit card or manager's check (MC).  I told this DH employee that I am willing to sign a document stating that if my check bounced, I am going to pay them double, to show them that the check has the proper funding.

It was an exercise in futility, this DH employee brought her DH superior who was even more arrogant.  I complained about how this DH employee humiliated me during the 2:00pm vacate order but this boss has only one purpose - to collect the 50% balance either in cash, credit card or MC.  This DH boss said "I don't care what the DH employee said, I want to know how you're going to settle the bill".  A discussion ensued - in the presence of my wife, kids and conference attendees.  I paid half of the bill in cash and I had no choice but to ask a friend of mine (who was in Dusit Hotel as well) to foot the other half for me with his credit card, and I issuing a check as payment to my friend.  During the brief discussion, I can't help but laugh how money can bring out the best and the worst in humans.  Money talks really.

The Powertips Security Secrets and Strategies conference was a well-promoted, high-profile event with 30 technology partners and 18 media partners.  Will I risk my reputation and credibility for a measly 50% balance?  I paid the 50% downpayment using the same checking account I used in paying the 50% balance - they accepted the check for the 50% deposit (which was cleared) but they refused my check for the 50% balance?  A case of distrust and paranoia?  Maybe.

Yes, a contract is a contract and it should be followed, but given the situation - will it harm Dusit Hotel if a little flexibility was applied here?  I was so busy attending to the needs of our partners and sponsors.  Why should Dusit Hotel humiliate a client to fulfill a contract?  Especially if the client is very much willing to settle the balance. 

The only thing I am thankful about this whole incident is this:  that this DH employee and the DH boss are just "employees" of Dusit Hotel - meaning they will come and go.  Can you imagine if they're the owners of Dusit Hotel?  This is one of the worst customer relation / service I have ever experienced.  Dusit Hotel will undergo a major renovation very soon.  This is my advice to Dusit: Before renovating your hotel, maybe re-orienting your employees about their communication skills and a crash course about courtesy, kindness, and humbleness will be more important than to have a bigger and a more elegant ballroom.

By the way,  NIKKO is a town of central Honshu, Japan, north of Tokyo. It is a pilgrimage center famed for its ornate temples and shrines.  I hope Dusit Hotel Nikko will live up to this reputation.  For now, NEVER AGAIN will I step into Dusit Hotel Nikko. 

Am logging off.  Stay cool and God Bless us all!