Detail Info and Budgeting mostly for Organizers
Local dinner: We will likely arrange a dinner for the group locally. I will look into getting some type of bus to take us from IBM (cost estimate for bus from Carey Limousine/Bus Company: $406.75) to the restaurant and back. Some of the nearby places that can accommodate a large group well are:
North by Northwest, "American" food and brewery. http://www.nxnwbrew.com/ (this is a nice restaurant with an excellent beer menu as well. they want $800 for the private room, plus whatever we order on the menu which is likely to be $30 to $40 per person based on prices I see, so total is 50*40 + 800 = 2800 + tax/tip ~ $3500)
Chuy's, "TexMex" with lots of attitude. http://www.chuys.com/ (no data yet... no one answering my calls -not a good sign)
County Line, "Texas BBQ". http://www.countyline.com/ (this is a very Texas place, they have an "all you can stand" meal which includes a boat load of BBQ and side dishes for $27 per person with 8% tax and 20% tip, so $35 all told. there are also $24 and $20 meals with less variety. Total would be 35*50 = $1750 This is the only one that makes sense)
Z-Tejas, "sophisticated Texas". http://www.ztejas.com/ (nice place, but they want a minimum $3500 + 18% = $4130, they provide us with the patio all to ourselves, with 3 servers, and we can order anything off the menu -- too pricey I think)
Prices for internal IBM cafeteria for various catering options:
Breakfast (Bagels or pastries & Coffee) $5 per person
- Lunch (Italian or Mexican buffet) $16 per person
- PM break (fruit, cookies and beverages) $5 per person
So it is likely we need ~$25 per person per day.