Post #574849 by Limbo Lizard on Sat, Feb 5, 2011 9:54 PM

Well, apparently we have the answer back there, somewhere, but after rereading, I'm not sure what it was. I wonder, does the winner know they won?

I'll venture another guess, to see if it ends up close to the answer Cammo is referencing:

Perhaps the reason they "go beige" is to assist the public relations aspects of the businesses and organizations they hope to attract to their hotel and conference centers. Because of increased stockholder, board and public scrutiny, business travel and conferences must appear justified and a good use of funds. If the venue doesn’t look like “serious business”, if it looks like an excuse for too much fun, it could cast doubt on the real reason people spent money to attend the conference. Toned-down decor and a beige look reinforces that this is primarily about work, and only incidentally about entertainment. Beige provides cover. Vegas appears like frivolous, crazy fun - and it is - and it might be the destination of choice, in different times. But lately, Vegas trips have gotten companies criticized for going there and spending money. A company, or even a government agency, may need to hold conferences, but they also wish to avoid the criticism that they are wasting money on contrived excuses to have fun. They need for the venue to look more business than pleasure, even if they intend for the conference to be fun for the attendees. Beige is business, and doesn't attract criticism of expenditures like dense tiki decor and drinks named, e.g., "Vicious Virgin" would.