AVOID FORUM CONFERENCE AND EVENT CENTER AND FIND A PLACE THAT WILL NOT ONLY TAKE YOUR MONEY BUT BE REASONABLE. Long story, bear with me. In August of this year I secured FORUM Conference and Event Center for a birthday party to be held December 16, 2017. I was THRILLED! The young lady Sarah I was working with was awesome. We looked for a venue we could have until 1 am (it was a 30th birthday celebration) and she was able to accommodate that. I agreed on their price, shortly after I signed paperwork and the party planning could finally commence. We talked security then and I asked about additional security (let's be honest, with the way things are in the nation you'd be a fool to not consider protecting your guests, self and investment). We discussed the fee for using an additional guard through them but somewhat left it there. Fast forward to October 13th..... friends flights are being booked, trinket ideas being solidified, caterer and dj being finalized. I get a random email from a man at forum (Jim a VP) saying we need to talk IF I am to continue with the event in December. This should've been my 1st sign some BS was going to take place, but I didn't panic. We spoke via telephone, I explained my point of view, he mentioned my inquiry regarding extra security (because I mentioned it to the 1st rep Sarah and she'd made note), I further explained I just like to sit on the side of caution and he seemingly understood. Party was still on. Fast forward to the last week in November, I'm trying to pay on the venue and the assistant (Kalissa) and I have 2 different amounts that should be owed. I say $1000 she says $1200.....the additional $200 being for the extra guard which they'd already made clear was useless as he could do no proactive actions. I mention requesting my own security and she states she didn't think that was possible because of their contact with their "security", she'd check with her boss (Jim) and get back to me which she NEVER did.
Friday 12.1.2017 I had planned to just go to the venue, pay the balance, discuss final details and be set. This is was not however the case. I get an email from Jim @1:19pm that I need to call him ASAP. Because I had already planned to physically go, I kept to that and went. I got to the venue and was met by Jim, we go to the office, he replays all the stuff I mentioned above and adds that he spoke to Fishers PD (which I believe to be a lie) and they suggested he not hold the event because I had raised the topic of security. He did not have the alleged meeting with me and Fisher's PD so they could ask me any questions they had, just supposedly talked to them about my event and why I, the non present party, wanted to be overly cautious. Makes sense right? Smh. Party cancelled, he offered my money back in full, didn't actually listen to anything I had to say and felt his decision wasn't a complete crock of crap.
This was on Friday 12.1.17....party was to be held on Saturday 12.16.17. Caterer from their list was paid their full balance Thursday 11.30, $1312. New venue was needed, thankfully I found one (The Indianapolis Centrail Library is a beautiful venue! I got lucky). Because of the venue change I couldn't use the 1st caterer and had to book a new one, $2600. FORUM doesn't think they should reimburse me for the caterer even though had Jim canceled the event 10.13 when we talked initially I wouldn't have been out all this extra money. I mean, nothing changed in details from 10.13 to 12.1 but you wait nearly 2 months to pull a stunt like this and think it's okay. I'm disgusted to say the least. There were guests I never see now that were provided invites with an erroneously address. Who knows how many went to the wrong place (uggggh!).
Avoid them! Take your money elsewhere, need venue suggestions just contact me I'll gladly provide some. Do yourself a favor and leave them off your list!
I've always swore FORUM Credit Union was one of the best credit unions in business....after having an account with them for 25+ years let's just say this has me really considering leaving them all together.
**Party was great at the Library, I mean...my mind was blown!** read more