Sci-Fi Saga In Starwood-Swollen Seattle

Seattle — When the World Science Fiction Convention could not get the hotel-room block it needed to hold its 2002 event in Seattle, one of the show's organizers was moved to put out a press release bitterly assailing Starwood Hotels and Resorts for denying it the opportunity.

The Seattle/King County Convention & Visitors Bureau requires a group to book a 1,000-room block in order to use the Washington State Trade and Convention Center — but Starwood, which operates the city's two major convention hotels and several other properties, effectively was able to block Worldcon by opting not to do business with the group.

In its press release, Worldcon cited "unexplained resistance on the part of local hotel management." It said, "The Bid Committee has made repeated attempts, by phone and mail, to address whatever concerns Starwood might have."

But according to Starwood, company officials did talk with Worldcon representatives. "We made a business decision not to participate in this group's room block," said Yogi Hutsen, Starwood's Northwest area managing director.

The main reason for that decision reportedly was that attendees at a separate 1997 science fiction convention, called Westercon, damaged the 840-room Seattle Sheraton and Towers and exhibited various other disturbing behaviors. Hutsen declined to address those reports directly. Starwood operates the Sheraton, as well as the 865-room Westin Seattle.

Patrick Porter, chairman of Worldcon's "Seattle in 2002" bid committee, said the group tried to address Starwood's concerns by proposing additional damage insurance and emphasizing the revenue stream the convention would bring over the traditionally slow Labor Day weekend.

But the efforts went to no avail, and Worldcon was forced to withdraw its bid for Seattle. The 2002 convention now is scheduled to be held in San Francisco.

"Worldcon and Starwood just did not see eye to eye on what happened with Westercon," said CVB president Steve Morris. "Starwood made a reasonable business decision to turn down the group, and while the bureau tried to act as a mediator, there was no amicable solution."