While I shouldn't be the only person in this situation, it's quite possible that I am ... most of the other people at the conference will be men! Far and away ... last one of these I was at, there were maybe 2 other women my age I met, and the only other mum I met had kids in highschool ... but as far as the hotel goes, they would host things for all sorts of different industries and causes and so forth - and I'm guessing that while this group might not have had this query before, the hotel almost certainly will have!

Thanks for the ideas ... unfortunately:-

* Taking DS2 with me isn't really, as DH would be the only person available, and he'll also have DS1 with him! And we have two dogs ...

* Booking a room isn't a possibility - I've already looked into it and the hotel is completely booked out ...

* There are of course other hotels around, but if I've got to leave and come back, I might as well do it from work, ITMS?

* The seminars aren't recorded (protecting Chatham House rules and all that...)

I just tried calling the hotel again - still no answer ... will try again on Monday! And/or will try the event organisers, if I can't work something out directly with the hotel ...