Message to convention guests: Shop around

One would think finance people would make astute customers.

But the ones who met recently at The Venetian apparently didn't spend much time looking for deals.

In a story about bailout-accepting bankers holding meetings in ritzy hotels, CNN reported attendees at the American Securitization Forurm in the resort were staying in $300 per night rooms — even though rooms were available on popular hotel-booking Web sites for well under $200.

A CNN producer says they got the higher rate quote from the conference Web site's group rate listing.

A message to future convention guests: Next time your organization offers you a so-called group rate, it's worth your time to check the prices for an independent booking.