Describing the Swan and the Dolphin as "posh" is a bit extreme, too. They're nice, big corporate hotels (this must be a pretty big conference, if they managed to sell out the 2265 rooms in the two buildings). The Dolphin has some BIG convention spaces, too - one of the largest ballrooms in Central Florida (and that's saying something, in a town with this many convention hotels). Over 300,000 square feet of meeting space between the hotels.

The complex is one of the two or three most popular convention spaces in Central Florida - the ones that are arguably more popular are bigger AND more expensive - and there are a number of actual "luxury" hotels in the area that could pretty much double the room rates for a meeting.

Or they could pay for the trip themselves. That's how most of us go to Disney.

It turns out this is exactly what they did. From the event's website:

Reserve your guest room by April 30 (after which time all requests will be on a space available basis only) to receive the discounted group rate of $200 for single occupancy and $210 for double occupancy.

Doesn't exactly sound like an expense-paid trip for those attending.

Maybe Pierce was complaining that federal departments are sponsoring the event. Given what this event is about, it makes sense for those government agencies to be sponsors. Sponsorships range from $3,000 to $25,000 depending on the amount of advertising you want. Neither Pierce's article, nor the organizer's website list the level of sponsorship from these agencies.

I don't exactly see what there is to complain about here, and I'm not usually shy about complaining about this particular administration.

When there are plenty of spaces in D.C. to have this conference I understand the complaints. But in the big scheme of the federal budget this isn't much of a waste. Not when billions fly out from earmarks and unconstitutional government programs.

To give a mild defense of the federal employees if the government paid for their trip they get rip for fleecing the taxpayer. If private firms flip the bill the employees are being corrupted. They can't win either way except not to have the conference in the first place.

Or they could pay for the trip themselves. That's how most of us go to Disney.

Michael made the same observation I did. They're in the middle of Florida, not on some ocean-side property.

To give a mild defense of the federal employees if the government paid for their trip they get rip for fleecing the taxpayer. If private firms flip the bill the employees are being corrupted. They can't win either way except not to have the conference in the first place.

Still, there may not be much to this. As Pierce notes, there are eleven private sector sponsors. It may well have been there decision to hold it at the resort and they could well be footing most of the bill.

So, instead of politicians wasting our money on Disney trips, they're getting them paid for by corporate interests. Brilliant! We should let corporations sponsor more "research" trips to tropical locations for those making decisions about our collective good. What could possibly go wrong?

On a side note, if you are going to have a large conference in the Orlando area (it's technically Kissimmee), these hotels would be an obvious choice. And being 45 minutes from them, I can tell you that they are no where near any beaches (unless you count the artificial ones at Disney's water parks).