2013 is proving to be a busier year than usual tourism in San Francisco. The Louis Vuitton leg of the America's Cup is scheduled from July 4 - September 1, 2013. The expectation is that hotel rooms will be in high demand during this time, so we encourage all attendees and exhibitors to book early to secure housing reservations at our guaranteed lowest rates.

HOUSING AT SEMICON WEST 2013—BEWARE

Please be reminded that Convention Management Resources (CMR) is the only official housing service provider to SEMICON West. If you receive any solicitations from other vendors incorrectly identifying themselves as the official SEMICON West Housing representative, we ask that you please contact SEMI Show Management immediately.

Room poaching is a practice is carried out by third-party companies unaffiliated with SEMICON West that act as travel agencies, wholesalers or destination management companies to solicit attendees and exhibitors for room reservations.

The poacher might inform a participant that the hotel room block is “virtually sold out,” and that if they do not book immediately, he or she likely won’t get a room for “SEMICON West.” Implied affiliation with the event is strong, despite the fact that the organization is not officially sanctioned by the sponsoring association. Additional deceptive tactics include distributing forms or promotional materials that appear to be issued by show management.

Room poachers make it more difficult for show producers to meet room block commitments and exposes them to unplanned fees. Room poachers often don’t deliver on promises to customers. When participants arrive, the reservations are non-existent or the hotels are located far from the Moscone Convention Center. Sometimes the rooms have been cancelled with hefty cancellation charges placed on the guest’s credit card. Poachers often represent themselves as being affiliated with the exhibition or meeting by using trademarked logos in violation of copyright laws.