"The Host has been sold." Topic

HMGS sent out emails letting everyone know that the Host has been sold. The new owners plan to renovate it and they will honor all current contracts. I'm very happy to hear the news, but I'm sure all the haters out their will see this as the end of the world. Actually no matter the outcome of the sale I'm sure the haters would find a way to complain.

I'm looking forward to seeing my friends again next Fall in!

Moe

Dear Moe

That certainly is good news for us and the HMGS. As for the Haters, most of them don't go to any conventions and wouldn't pay two bits to see .

I took look forward to Fall-In for the same reason.

Otto

There is no other place that fills all of our needs.
So the Haters may as well just….

A mail has been dispatched ? Not reached my in-box
yet…

Great news! Looking forward to Fall-In.

Bryan

Good news, wish the new owners best of luck.

I think this great news, too. There is something about the Host, that after all the years there, it just feels like 'home'. I guess familiarity has it's own charm. As for haters, I agree with Otto. Most don't bother to come to conventions but rather stay in their Mom's basement and criticize the world.

Interesting.

Thanks for the update.

Eric

In the words of Rin and Stmpy, "It's better than bad! It's good!"

I am happy to hear they are giving the place a face lift. I am one of those who thought the place was not so bad. Even I noticed the decay at Cold Wars.

All the best to the new owners in the coming years!

I have my fingers crossed these guys are willing to sink a million (or several as probably needed) into sprucing up the areas we use, renovating some of the rooms, and most importantly, fixing the plumbing and power plant.

They may honor the existing contract, but if they spend a significant chunk of money, expect rates to go up the next time the contract is negotiated.

I'm just wondering how they have so far dodged all the ADA violations.
Oh and they are going to have to spend some serious money on getting rid of the mold…

Wishing them luck…

Thanks the gods for this news – once it is beautiful and luxurious there'll be no more "I hate the host" threads.

once it is beautiful and luxurious there'll be no more "I hate the host" threads.

No, then it will become "The Host is too expensive!" threads when they have to significantly raise rates to offset the millions in renovations.

Great news!!!

I had, for a long time, been against moving from the Host. I never stayed there. This last Cold Wars but me solidly in the camp that it needed to leave that facility though.

The state of the place was truly abominable.

This is great news because I think the location is fantastic and if they are going to fix it up so that the water heater is actually somewhere inside the building and the place isn't falling apart, or maybe only partially falling apart, then hopefully we can continue to use it for years to come.

Well, it needs millions in work, so I wonder what the prices will be for contracts after this one? HMGS may be priced out of the space…

once it is beautiful and luxurious there'll be no more "I hate the host" threads.

No, then it will become "The Host is too expensive!" threads when they have to significantly raise rates to offset the millions in renovations.

That is the other possibility….

Prices for conventions space and rooms will go up due to the renovations, certainly. Up to a certain point, however, the higher prices may be a decent trade-off for the improvements. Whether the prices go up past that point, into the realm of "too expensive" probably depends on whether the "New Host" attracts enough new business to enable them to raise prices further. Interestingly, the new management MIGHT be flexible with HMGS for the 2017-19 period so as to lock in enough business to guarantee income for covering the expenses of renovation--the 2019-on period might be when the real price hikes kick in.

As we all know. The Host has a ways to go to reach beautiful price raising standards, but I look forward to the change.

This last Cold Wars but me solidly in the camp that it needed to leave that facility though.

The state of the place was truly abominable.

Same here. I was wondering how much further it could go before a forced move was necessary. Cold Wars really suffered for all the uncertainty too, Distflefink was shockingly empty on Saturday night.

Well, it needs millions in work, so I wonder what the prices will be for contracts after this one? HMGS may be priced out of the space…

I think the rate hike will be less than you think IF the renovations really spruce up the place. It will become more attractive to those that have the need to use the facilities. That means more business, more revenue etc. If they can get it done I would be surprised to see rates getting much over $150 USD per night. HMGS could probably negotiate a lesser price for a large convention.

It was already way too expensive for what you were getting. But I'm certainly happy that it isn't going to be torn down and we will be able to continue having cons there in the future. Whether the work will actually get done and the place will be worth going to will remain to be seen. But I will go ahead and be optimistic!

Personally I'm happy about this. The Host has been a good spot for us. To see it fixed up solves allot of issues – for both HMGS and Lancaster.

Hate to tell you but the alternatives are ALL more expensive. We've been very lucky for all the years we had with relatively flat costs. I would prepare for costs to go up at some point.

Very glad to hear some positive news for a change. Finding comparable facilities and functionality would require a paradigm shift.

TRU

It is rather funny to see the various thoughts about The Host.

We must move, we must stay, it needs to be repaired, it needs to be repaired but will be too expensive if it is.,,

i like the location and am glad to see her live on.

Excellent: now Historicon can return to Lancaster, post-renovation…

(Ducks and runs for the nearest exit…"Gimme three steps, mister, Gimme three steps towards the door!" )

I wouldn't think the rate hike will be too much. We are not, contrary to some, the only game in town and the Host has to reckon with the likely trade it will get day to day throughout the year. Lancaster is a low-cost, family oriented holiday spot with lots of things for the kids and for lower middle class families to go on rather inexpensive easy going holidays. Rates like you get in the big tourist traps will simply price that market out of staying there, and that would be self defeating. I fully expect them to make modest upgrades and needed renovations, incluing heat and air conditioning. But I don't think it's going to turn into a yuppie cocoon which the haters want. Don't like for mints on your pillow anytime soon, but the market there for hotels is always on the inexpensive end, and remember, even at it's WORST the Host had lots of person going and staying for the area even when we were not there.

Great news, had many years of good times at the Host. Solves the short term issue of location for HMGS, and hopefully the venue will remain viable for years to come.

May even provide an option for Historicon to return to Lancaster in the future as edmuel2000 stated.

Moe, Thanks for the update this is great news as most here have stated there is a comfort level with this place and yes it has been run down but I look forward to the rebirth.

Renovation is welcome news. Cold Wars 2016 was without a doubt the worst room ever at the host. It was so bad I almost checked out at about 2am to find another hotel.

As others have stated the price will go up because the new owners will have to sink a good chunk into getting the place up to snuff. I do have fond memories of the place even though I have not been able to attend in quiet some time. However I am hoping that I will one day make it back east and be able to make HMGS East conventions again. So fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

Good news. Hope the renovations work out to the benefit of both the new owners and HMGS, Inc. I believe the guest rooms are first on the docket for the work. It would be interesting to see if the Host reaches out to its convention customers for ideas for renovations to the various meeting, gaming and exhibit spaces. Obviously each show's needs will be different but input from those that use the facility may be advantageous to both parties.

Very encouraging news and I'd be happy to pay more for materially better quality. Both the Host and Fredrickburg are about the same driving distance for me so I'm indifferent on the location for HCON.

I do want to thank the board for doing a good job keeping the membership in the loop when there was something tangible to report

Definitely good news

Good news. I hope some of the money goes for more light in the Distlefink and a larger supply of Yuengling Dark.

I for one am pleased. My kids literally have grown up going there. I get to have that a little while longer. Too easy for me. Very happy guys here.

Good news on a number of fronts, including costs as TRUgamer stated. The state of the rooms has not been as issue for me because I haven't stayed at the Host for years since members of our group started coming down with strange allergic like maladies!! I feel bad for people that paid for a mold infested room with no hot water in recent years – Plenty of good hotels in walking distance and a new one right next door!

Looking forward to FI and CW next year at the Host minus the blue tarp and portable heating units!

This is good news. As others have mentioned it has become a sort of home over the years. With them willing to fix it up I hope it works well for everyone involved whether it be for those coming to the conventions or the new owners.

The Host was for sale?

Kidding! I'm kidding!! I've been going there two or three times a year since HMGS moved there. Sure it's declined, but it's like an old pair of smelly, worn-out shoes…you just hate to get rid of them. Plus I can find my way around it with my eyes closed, and know where there are a couple of bathrooms that don't get frequented much. Glad there is some life still there.

I'm glad the Host is going to be around. It is a good size for our cons and if there is a little rate hike, then so be it. Will this spark any conversations about H'con moving back there as well….?

I am hoping that Historicon will return there. Staying at the Host for Historicon and hanging around the courtyard is nice. I would even be willing to trade Cold Wars in Fredericksburg for Historicon at the Host

It is good new. And kudos to Kevin Kelley of the HMGS BoD to keep us informed.

Well, I for one hope it works out there. I have spent many years going to that place, watched my business grow, my children grow, and my waist line grow --In fact, the only thing that receded in that time was my hair line ???
When I pulled out Sunday afternoon, after cold wars I must admit I was hit with a small wave of sadness with the thought that I may not ever return?
Regards
Russ Dunaway

Great news. The new owners plan seems serious (40-60 rooms at a time upgraded) and if properly supported, maintained and staffed, the place should make money.

I'm moving 1500 miles away so I won't be a regular at CW and FI anymore but the odd trip back to Lancaster for any con, including HCon, would be a treat with the Host up to par.

As others have said, it will be somewhat more expensive but it will still have to be competitive so I don't expect $200 USD per night.

For me, Fall In was the final straw relative to the levels of disgust. I stayed off-site at this past Cold Wars and did not regret one moment but, a restored Host with competitive quality is still the ideal place to stay.

"I must admit I was hit with a small wave of sadness with the thought that I may not ever return?"

Funny; I had the same feeling, then I realized it was food poisoning from a meal I ate there…………

Good news on the sale and if the new owners spruce the place up, all the better.

If that happens, I wouldn't have a problem with Historicon landing back there as well……….

I am smart enough to not eat there the last several years?
Regards
Russ Dunaway

I am happy with this news. I always enjoy my trips to the Host for Cold Wars and Fall In. I like the Lancaster area. Yes, the Host is bit run down, but I wish the new owners well and hope they do a good job with the renovations.

Even if the rooms get more expensive , so what . I've never stayed there. Always nearby. The key is the venue is saved. And as was previously stated , maybe time to bring Historicon home .

They won't be staying past the contract. Every hotel that gets bought, jacks up the price not just of the rooms, but the space. IF they don't sell off the space or turn into more rooms. I don't know any show that survived a remodel except Gen-Con.

I agree, this is very good news!