Hundreds of contestants and their families at the Our Little Miss Pageant in Montgomery, Alabama, were left without accommodation this week after the Renaissance Hotel Montgomery overbooked rooms. The mix-up displaced many participants, causing safety concerns and logistical challenges.
Daylene Collette, a mother of a pageant participant, said she was among the first to secure a room, but others remained without accommodation until late evening. The hotel offered alternative rooms at the Home2Suites, a 10-minute walk away, raising safety issues for families with young children and heavy competition gear.
Teri Chandler, a pageant parent, criticised the situation, stating that the host hotel's purpose is to ensure security, allowing children to move between rooms, rehearsals, and the stage without crossing streets at night. She called for child-centred remedies, including secure rooms, safe transportation, and financial compensation.
David Brown, Vice President of Sales & Revenue Management at PCH Resorts & Hotels, confirmed the overbooking and said staff relocated affected guests to the nearby Home2Suites for one night. All guests were brought back to the Renaissance the following day to remain under the same roof for the rest of the pageant.
Pageant owner Terri Fowler said hotel staff alerted her on Monday that about 70 rooms were unavailable due to overbooking. The Our Little Miss Pageant, founded in 1962, features divisions for all ages and genders, with events including formal wear, talent showcases, and interviews.
