Great Gatsby 2 New Years Eve Party

TERRIBLE EVENT! I won’t be going to the next one.
I don’t know Shawn but I could not agree more! This was another disappointing example of a typical Virginia event. When my girlfriend and I arrived around 10pm, we got in line for the so called ‘buffet style’ appetizers (as they advertised it). This should have been called a self-​serve buffet instead. The problem is that there was nothing to serve! Absolutely no food was put out in comparison to the number of VIP guests there. Also, servers were in line for food which was unprofessional. Usually, servers eat before or after an event. They are there to serve, not eat the little food that is there for paying VIP guests, after all the VIP couple’s ticket is $ 120 for two people.
Secondly, there was not enough champagne to go around because no one was monitoring the distribution of it. There’s an easy fix to this one. Issue a ticket/​coin at the door to guests. Turn in your ticket in order to get your free drink; no ticket, no champagne! It’s that simple. But again, this is Virginia so it requires too much forethought, planning, and pride in your product to make this happen.
I understand that this party throwing thing is a business and that the name of the game is to profit as much as possible by minimizing expenses in order to maximize profit, but this event is borderline criminal and was falsely advertising. If you can’t provide a service for everyone, then just don’t advertise it! If you have to charge more in order to provide a better product, then do so! Don’t take shortcuts — period!!!
I paid over $ 200 (when you factor in the room we got at the hotel) to remember a night that included no food or champagne that I was told would be available.

An extremely disappointing experience. I can’t believe that a party like this could attract and let down so many people.
My friend and I purchased the VIP ticket which was supposed to entitle us to an heavy appetizer table and champagne for a midnight toast.
To start the party was advertised as starting at 9pm. When we showed up the organizers were not ready for people. We were finally admitted at 920. The bars were staffed but the cashiers were not scheduled to arrive until 10pm and no food was available. A manager finally got cashiers on station and the bars opened around 945.
The appetizer bar opened around 1015 and just as quickly ran out of food. 30 minutes later they put out more but once that ran out they broke down the appetizers table and started to prepare for champagne.
When the champagne was brought out, the servers only poured a little in each glass and instead of controlling the distribution to ensure everyone got some, it became a free-​for-​all where people took four glasses a piece to fill one glass. In the end about half the crowd got their champagne.
To be clear Marriott had nothing to do with this event. It was «organized» by G.E.D. events under the eventbrite organization. Apparently this is the second year and the second colossal failure.
Next year I’ll find somewhere else to go.