I've run events like this for over 10 years now, a couple pointers;<p>* Negotiate payment terms that require a deposit, but for which the balance is paid after the event.<p>* Always have a meeting with hotel management pre-event, review the contract, make sure everything is correct.<p>* Double Check your BEO's as part of the setup process - again, verify to contract.<p>* In the event of a dispute, have a copy of your countersigned written contract at hand, and hold them to it, with all the yelling, screaming and waiving of arms required - and by all means, escalate, escalate, escalate (to the most senior person the hotel can muster).<p>Make them stick to the contract terms, I've had hotels many times try to change the game before it was done being played, I've had 10k plus credits to us before.