I was asked to clarify the word "scam" with regard to this thread and the
Social Networking Conference thread:
A) Lets look at the definition of the word According to
dictionary.com:
Quote:
DEFINITION of the word "SCAM"
–noun
1. a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle
–verb (used with object)
2. to cheat or defraud with a scam.
Upon further research today....there are many sites, still active, that specifically claim Convention Expo Travel
is or is involved with some type of scam:
Structural Building Components refers to Convention Expo Travel as a Scam:
Quote:
TO: BCMC Attendees and Exhibitors
FROM: WTCA Executive Committee, BCMC Committee and Staff
DATE: June 26, 2008
SUBJECT: Watch for Scams on BCMC Hotel Reservations -- Convention Expo Travel is a Scam
It has come to our attention that Convention Expo Travel is calling BCMC exhibitors informing them that they need to make their hotel reservations now as there is a limited supply available. This is inaccurate information.
Convention Expo Travel is not identifying themselves when calling exhibitors and they are giving the impression that they are working with BCMC and the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Please note that Convention Expo Travel is NOT affiliated with BCMC or any of the convention hotels, especially the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Crowne Plaza Hotel has confirmed they do not have rooms set aside for this company......
VHA Leadership Conference refers to them as a "hotel scam":
Quote:
Warning - Convention Expo Travel - Hotel Scam
We would like to warn our attendees and exhibitors to NOT BOOK A HOTEL with a company called Convention Expo Travel. The company is in NO WAY AFFILIATED with the VHA Leadership Conference. Please do not give them your credit card information under any circumstances. Unfortunately, this kind of scam is not uncommon in the conference business.
If you are booking a hotel room, we highly recommend that you book directly with the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio at (800) 648-4462. The Marriott Rivercenter is sold out on several of the conference nights.
Experimental Biology 2009 event in New Orleans says
Quote:
BE ADVISED - HOUSING SCAM
It has come to our attention that a 3rd party company named Tradeshow Housing (also known as Convention Expo Travel Office), is targeting our exhibitors advertising lower hotel rates. Be advised, this company is not affiliated with EB2009 and does not appear to be legitimate......
The
Alberta Gift Show refers to Convention Expo Travel as a "travel scam":
Quote:
BEWARE OF TRAVEL SCAM
If you're planning on attending the Alberta Gift Show this February, be aware of a travel company falsely claiming to be associated with the event. A number of the show's exhibitors have been approached by a company named Convention Expo Travel.com to book travel and hotels for the Alberta Gift Show. The company claims they represent hotel bookings for the Alberta Gift Show and that the conference has run out of rooms. In fact, rooms are still available for the event and the company is in no way affiliated with the Alberta Gift Show.
Investigations revealed that the Better Business Bureau of Nevada, where the company is headquartered, has two registered complaints against Convention Expo Travel. Furthermore, other conferences are warning their attendees about this company's unscrupulous practices.
The
Pri-Med refers to them as a "housing scam" as well:
Quote:
Housing Scam
It has come to our attention that Convention Expo Travel is contacting exhibitors and soliciting hotel reservations for the November 2008 Pri-Med East Conference and Exhibition. Please be aware that this company is making calls under false pretenses claiming they represent housing for Pri-Med. They will state that the conference has run out of rooms. Please be aware that this is not true and that Convention Expo Travel is not affiliated with Pri-Med in any way.
If you have booked rooms through Convention Expo Travel we recommend that you cancel them immediately before you incur charges.
New England Fuel Institute says they are a "scam":
Quote:
PHONE CALLS ABOUT NEFI HOTEL ROOMS ARE A SCAMIn the past few days, you may have received a phone call from someone claiming to be with “Convention Travel Office” or “Convention Expo Travel”. The call originates from a toll-free number, and the caller may have even identified himself as “Shane”. He then may have proceeded to warn you that hotel rooms for the upcoming NEFI Show in June are going fast and that you need to book now, through him. The caller is not Tracy Goodwin, NEFI Vice President and Director of Events, Shane Sweet, NEFI President and CEO or any other member of NEFI staff.
After investigation, we have discovered this is a common scam. NEFI has informed the authorities of the scam. We have not sent out exhibitor kits or hotel information yet, although it will be coming soon and will come by email and/or regular mail. Phone calls will not be made. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BOOK HOTEL SPACE FOR THE NEFI SHOW over the phone with anyone. If you are unsure of have additional questions, contact Tracy Goodwin,
tracy@nefi.com or 617-923-5015
Cedia Expo refers to them as a "housing scam":
Quote:
CEDIA EXPO Housing Scam
It has been brought to our attention that Convention Expo Travel has been contacting CEDIA Exhibitors regarding housing for EXPO 2008 in Denver, CO. If you receive a call from a company claiming to represent CEDIA housing and they state that you must pay a deposit be aware that this may be a scam and DO NOT MAKE THE ROOM RESERVATION. CEDIA EXPO Housing does NOT require a deposit and Convention Expo Travel is not affiliated with CEDIA EXPO in any capacity.
If you have any housing questions please contact CEDIA EXPO Housing at 877-307-0325.
The
JCK fashion Show refers to them as a "booking scam":
Quote:
Updated 7/28 [/2008] : HOTEL ROOM BOOKING SCAM
It has come to our attention that Convention Expo Travel is contacting exhibitors and soliciting hotel reservations for the JCK Toronto. Please be aware that this company is making calls under false pretenses claiming they represent housing for JCK Toronto. They will state that the event has run out of rooms. Please be aware that this is not true and that Convention Expo Travel is not affiliated with JCK Toronto in any way.
My search gave alot of results. I stopped at a certain point. A search for the word "Scam" + "Convention Expo Travel" results 194 specific results in
Google.
It appears that the company may be concerned with the word "scam". The
International Cemetary, Cremation and Funeral Association wrote the following on Febrary 13, 2009:
Quote:
Some organization has decided to glom onto our Convention and has acquired a copy of an industry supplier list, and is now making pestering phone calls to potential exhibitors at our 2009 Convention.
.....
The company that is calling our suppliers has nothing to do with ICCFA
......
The ICCFA has learned that a company by the name of "Convention Expo Travel" is soliciting ICCFA members claiming to offer reduced room rates at the &^%$#$^ Resort & Casino for the ICCFA Convention dates, April 20-23. This company is NOT affiliated with the ICCFA or &^%$#$^.
.....
The Better Business Bureau has given Convention Expo Travel an “F” rating, based on a range on A+ to F. Therefore, the ICCFA urges extreme caution in doing business with this company. For more information on this company, go to
http://southernnevada.bbb.org and click on “Check out a Business.”
With the exception of the ICCFA post, this was the basis of our use of the word "Scam" in association with the company called Convention Expo Travel in the
Social Networking Conferenc thread, including other mentions in the previous posts.
Marc Lesnick
Conference Organizer
Internet Dating Conference
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