Travel and Hotels
Table of Contents
Hotel Reservations - Opens January 5, 2009
New This Year! You must be registered for the ALA Annual Conference to register for housing.
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Hotel Registration - If you are experiencing difficulties with this website, please call our housing bureau directly at 1-800-974-9833.
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New Housing Rates!!!
Fairmont Chicago – New Rate - $189 single/double (available until June 5th)
W Chicago – New Rate - $199 single/double ($10 off each night if staying more than 4 nights)
Intercontinental – New Rate - $179 single/double (available until June 5th)
Renaissance Chicago – New Rate - $199 single/double
Chicago Marriott Downtown – New Rate - $189 single/double
Hyatt Regency Chicago – New Rate - $185 single/double (available until June 5th)
Sheraton Chicago – New Rate - $179 single/double (available until June 5th)
Red Roof Inn – New Rate - $109/$119 single/double
Westin Chicago River North- New Rate- $189/$189 single/double (available until June 5th)
Peninsula Hotel- New Rate- $269 single/double
Experient is ALA’s travel management company for both hotel and airline reservations. As an ALA attendee or exhibitor, you are eligible for special airline and hotel rates. To reach the ALA travel desk beginning Jan. 5, 2009, please call 1-800-974-9833 or 847-282- 2529 and identify yourself as an attendee or exhibitor of the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The ALA travel desk is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm CST. You may also register for housing online. The housing reservation form features SSL encryption to ensure the privacy of your information.
Hotel Reservations and Deadlines
Hotel reservation requests will be accepted until June 5, 2009, subject to availability. Rates are quoted for the room, not per person, and all rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Special rates are available only when you book directly with the ALA travel desk. All rooms are subject to applicable tax. Please note that the ALA travel desk does not assume the responsibility of pairing guests for double occupancy or in multiple housing units. After June 5, 2009, the ALA travel desk will continue to make reservations on a space available basis only (i.e., book early to get the hotel of your choice).
Hotel Confirmation, Cancellations or Changes
Confirmation of the room reservation will be acknowledged by the travel desk and sent within 72 hours. If you have any questions regarding your reservation, or to make changes or cancellations, contact the ALA Travel Desk at 1-800-974-9833 or 847-282-2529, not the hotel. One night's room and tax guarantee to a credit card is required to hold hotel reservations. Your first night's deposit is refundable if you cancel within your hotel's cancellation policy. Check your confirmation for details on your hotel's cancellation policy.
Dorm Housing
Dorm housing will be available at the University Center Conference Chicago, located at 525 S. State Street, between State Street and Congress. ALA will provide busing between the dorms and McCormick Place West, just as if you were staying in a hotel. Dorm amenities include a recreation area, fitness center, outdoor terrace, laundry room and computer center. The buildings are consisted of suite style, double occupancy rooms and apartments. Suite-Style Housing: Typically two people share a bedroom with two bedrooms sharing a common bathroom between them. Single occupancy rooms are also available; in this case, 2 bedrooms still share a common bath area.
These rooms also include one all you can eat buffet meal served in the dorm cafeteria at no extra cost.
Apartments are also available, with 4 single occupancy bedrooms that share two bathrooms and kitchen facilities (food not included). Register for these individually or with roommates.
To make your reservation, submit this form (pdf), and provide complete payment. These reservations must be paid in advance. Reservations must be made by May 22, 2009. Only 200 spaces are available, and they are on a first-come, first-served basis. Cancellations must be made by May 22, 2009 for a refund.
Airline Reservations
Experient will serve as the official travel coordinator for the 2009 Annual Conference. Experient will provide custom itineraries with the lowest applicable air fares and best journey time.
Fly on United Airlines the official airline and save on special discounts exclusive to attendees and guests.
Special meeting discounts off of applicable published fares for qualifying travel originating in the U.S. and Canada. All restrictions and rules apply.
Full mileage credit for frequent flyer club members.
To book online go to www.travelport.net/registration
You will be asked to register and enter the following information:
Company Name: ALA
Pin Number: QABSCK93
Fill out the brief profile and select “Go to Travelport” to proceed with the airline reservation. Enter the new user ID (your email address) and your password. For security measures, you will be asked to change your password. Once these steps are completed you may book air travel online.
Or call Experient at 1-800-621-1083
847-996-5846 (Outside the U.S. & Canada)
Email: airtravel@experient-inc.com
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday.
$22.00 service fee per airline ticket issued – save $5.00 when you book online.
You may also call United Airlines directly at 800-521-4041. Provide promotional code # 500CR
Support your organization by referencing the United ID number. We recommend booking early to receive the greatest discount off the lowest applicable fares.
Airport Transportation Information
Go Airport Express is the premier ground transportation provider for Chicago's O'Hare and Midway Airports and Convention Centers. We offer efficient and economical shared ride services, express luxury sedans and limo services as well as a complete line of charter vehicle services. Shuttles depart from O'Hare and Midway Airports every 10-15 minutes for Downtown Chicago and Suburban Chicago area hotels. Attendees receive a $2 discount for one way transfers and a $4 discount for round trip transfers. Discounts are received through making reservations in advance.
Reservations may be made by calling 1-888-284-3826 or online using our event code ALA2009. Go Airport Express also offers Express Car. Express Car rates begin at $96 for a sedan and include gratuity, taxes and all fees.
Other transportation from the airport to Chicago varies by airport. Details are available on each airport's website.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway
Bus and Train Travel
Chicago Union Station is located at 225 S Canal st. Chicago IL 60606. Go to Amtrak for more details.
Chicago Greyhound Station is located at 630 W. Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60607. For more information visit Greyhound or call 214-849-8966.
Rental Cars ALA has negotiated exclusive rates with Hertz for the conference. For rates and reservations call 800-654-2240 or access the Hertz web site and make sure to use the special CV dicount code 049J0001
Public Transportation
Details about public transportation in Chicago are available at http://www.transitchicago.com/
Chicago offers the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), convenient and easy to use bus and elevated/subway train lines. Cash fares are $2.25 per person, and discount visitor passes are sold at various sales outlets throughout the city.
Taxis are numerous and easy to use.
ALA Shuttles - Sponsored by Gale Cengage Learning
Free shuttle buses, sponsored by Gale Cengage Learning, will operate between all participating hotels and McCormick Place West during the conference. Service will also be provided for attendees with disabilities. Shuttle bus service schedules (including daily pickup times, locations and destinations) will be published in Cognotes (the daily show newspaper available during the conference) and will be available onsite. Complimentary bus service is provided by Gale Cengage Learning. Don't forget to stop by their booth and say thanks for the lift!
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