What is a “housing pirate”?

Commonly referred to as “housing pirates” or “housing bandits,” these are companies that reach out to attendees and exhibitors, claiming to offer good deals on hotel rooms. They may falsely claim to be affiliated with TCIA or TCI EXPO.

No TCIA-authorized organization will contact you about TCI EXPO hotels or housing. Unless you have initiated the communication, please do not provide anyone with your personal information, especially your credit card number. If you provide your credit card information to one of these companies, your card may be charged and there is no guarantee you will have a room upon arrival at your destination. TCIA will never ask you to use PayPal or Venmo as a payment method.

Why should you be cautious?

  • These companies often aren’t authorized to represent the conference.
  • If you provide your personal or credit card information, your card may be charged, and there’s no guarantee you’ll have a room upon arrival.
  • Some may even ask for payment through methods like PayPal or Venmo, which authorized organizations would not do.

How to protect yourself

  • Only use the official TCI EXPO Website for your lodging. https://expohelp.tcia.org/hotel-travel/
  • Be wary of unsolicited contact. No TCIA authorized organization will contact you to offer hotel rooms or housing unless you have initiated the communication.
  • Do not provide personal information, especially credit card numbers, unless you’re confident in the legitimacy of the contact.
  • If you have questions or concerns about suspicious contacts, reach out to your TCIA point of contact directly.

TCIA Housing information

TCIA has reserved room blocks in hotels near the America’s Center Convention Complex, the conference venue.

  • Housing options are available at various price points, ranging from $119-$325 per night, with an average cost of $222 per night.
  • To stay informed, subscribe to the TCI EXPO newsletter and follow us on social media.

Reporting fraud

If contacted by someone asking if you need a room at TCI EXPO or representing themselves as TCIA please:

  1. Get as much information as you can, such as the name of the company, the name of the person calling, company address, email address and their telephone number. The more information you can collect, the better for us to stop them from contacting others. If possible, please request information such as hotel availability and rates or have them send this information to you via email.
  2. Contact exhibits@tcia.org, with all the details you are able to provide.

Known fraudulent companies

TCIA and TCI EXPO are not affiliated with the following companies for the Annual Meeting (Contract with them at your own risk)

BHP Rooms Acquisitions, Inc.

CHE Hotel Booking

CBS Trade Shows Guide

CongressBookers Ltd

Elite Housing Service

Expotravel

Global Travel Expo

HLS Global

HotelRoomBrokers GmbH

National Travel Associates

Perfect Privacy, LLC or FHT

Progress Expo Services

SB Tours, Meetings and Events LLC

The Exhibitor Housing Company

WORLDWIDE EVENT PARTNERS

ConferenceHousing.org

Exhibitor Housing Services

Global Housing Services Inc.

Trade Show Housing

Convention Housing Experts, LLC