Registration, Hotel and Travel Information

Sign up for full registration to take advantage of all the great meetings in Dallas. Included in the full the registration package you get access to the exhibit hall, discussion groups and meetings, ERT/Booklist Author Forum, ALA President's Program, ALA Youth Media Awards, RUSA Book and Media Awards, Auditorium Speaker Series, Spotlight on Adult Literature, Job Placement Center and much more.

Take advantage of the discounted rate to attend the meeting by purchasing the Exhibits Supreme. The $75 fee includes the exhibit floor along with access to the Auditorium Speaker Series and The Wrap Up Rev Up!

The $25 Exhibits Only pass grants you access only to the exhibit floor during exhibit hours.

The 2012 Midwinter Meeting will take place in the Dallas Convention Center at 650 S. Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202, as well as several hotels near the Convention Center. A map of the Convention Center and Midwinter hotels is available as a PDF.

Experient is ALA’s official hotel and registration company. As an ALA Attendee or Exhibitor, you are eligible for special hotel rate discounts. Please be advised that registration cannot be made over the phone and that you must either register online at www.alamidwinter.org/register-now or send your form via fax/mail. The housing reservation form features SSL encryption to ensure the privacy of your information. To reach Experient for inquires only please call 1-800-974-3084. Experient is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 – 5:00 p.m. (CST).

Register Now!

HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINES AND INFORMATION

Click here to download a pdf of the hotel map and rates.

You must be registered for the Midwinter Meeting to make a housing reservation. Hotel reservation requests will be accepted until December 19, 2011, 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 Experient. All rooms are subject to applicable tax. All requests must include six choices. Make sure to give accurate dates of arrival and departure for everyone occupying the requested room. PLEASE NOTE: Experient does not assume the responsibility of pairing guests for double occupancy or in multiple housing units. After December 19, Experient will continue to make reservations on a space available basis only (i.e., register early to get the hotel of your choice).

HOTEL CONFIRMATIONS, 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 Experient at 1-800-974-3084, not the hotel. One night’s room and tax guarantee to a credit card is required to hold hotel reservations. All changes and/or cancellations prior to January 10, 2012, must be made through Experient. After January 13th, changes and cancels must be made direct to the hotel at least 72 hours prior to arrival date for most hotels.

Get Excited about Dallas

Dallas has lots to offer since ALA was last there in 1988! The Convention Bureau has put together itineraries for your free time and has a special ALA website with all the local information.

Transportation and Information

Special meeting fare discounts are available for travel to the 2012 ALA Midwinter Conference. Gant Travel is the official travel coordinator. Special meeting fare discounts are available on United Airlines and American Airlines exclusive to attendees and guests.

Discounts apply to U.S. point of sales only. Applicable restrictions may apply.

Book travel online at www.ganttravel.com/events

• Event code: ALA2012
• ALA Travel Desk toll free at 1-800-644-7313
• 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CDT, Monday through Friday
• A minimal service fee applies.
• Email: ala@ganttravel.com

United 800-521-4041, must reference code: 500CR

American 800-433-1790, reference code: A1212AV

Airports

(DFW)

Situated between Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW International Airport (DFW) is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 2,000 flights daily with 60 million passengers annually. DFW Airport serves 135 domestic markets and 38 international markets. Major airlines include: American, Delta, Continental, Northwest, United, British Airways and US Airways in addition to six low-cost carriers offering services throughout the US. Located just 20 miles or 25 minutes from downtown Dallas. Several ground transportation options are available from DFW Airport including shuttle service, automobile rentals, taxi cabs, and limousine. By 2013, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will provide services to DFW Airport. For terminal and airline information, call 972 973 8888 or visit www.dfwairport.com.

(DAL)

Just minutes from downtown, Dallas Love Field (DAL) is served by three airlines and is home to Southwest Airlines. Via Dallas Love Field, Southwest offers over 130 direct and connecting flights daily to destinations across the country. In addition to Southwest Airlines, Continental Express and American Airlines also serve the airport. American Airlines/American Eagle offers 6 flights daily to destinations throughout Kansas, San Antonio and Austin. Continental offers 6 flights daily to Houston. Location just 7 miles and 10 minutes for downtown Dallas. For transportation, public transportation through DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) and Taxi Cab Service are also available. Additional options include car rental and shuttle services. For terminal and airline information, call (214) 670-6080 or visit www.dallas-lovefield.com.

General Parking

The Dallas Convention Center’s parking facilities earn rave reviews because they are so expansive. Two separate parking garages that can accommodate 1,200 parking spaces located beneath the main level of exhibit space at the Dallas Convention Center. Parking Lot C has 170 spaces and Parking Lot E has another 1,584 spaces. Access to the exhibit areas and meeting rooms is very easy. An additional 170 outdoor parking spaces are available near lower C Lobby. Parking charge is $12.00 per entry vehicle, no in and out. Our parking service provider is ACE Parking at (214) 671-9509. Only Lot C can be entered on Lamar between Ceremonial and Young. The main garage entrance is on Griffin between Memorial and Canton St.

Taxi Service

The Dallas Convention Center Has installed a new electronic kiosk in Lower C Lobby, where guests can order transportation to hotels and the airport. This transportation kiosk is sponsored by Yellow Cab. There are cab companies with thousands of cabs serving the Metroplex. Executive; Yellow Cab, equipped with GPS for quick response times; and Cowboy Cab, one of the most requested cabs in the Metroplex, are a few. Executive Cab (469) 222-2222; Yellow Cab (214) 426-6262; Cowboy Cab (214) 428-0202

Rentals/Charters

The metro area offers many car rental options such as Avis, Advantage, Enterprise and Hertz, including many out of D/FW International Airport. If you need something larger, A Great Way to Charter, Tour & Travel offers limousines, SUVs, minibuses and more. If you would rather sit back and let someone else drive, Yellow Checker Shuttle provides a variety of vehicles for your every need. If you’d rather ride in style, check out 360 Limo, 1-800 Book A Limo or BusinessExec Sedan & Limousine Service.

Rail

Amtrak

Amtrak provides service to more than 500 U.S. cities, and the Texas Eagle route brings daily service to Dallas. The train has coach, lounge and dining-car service to as far north as Chicago and south to San Antonio. Service is available at the Union Station downtown with access to the DART light rail and close to the convention center and hotels. For schedule and fares visit www.amtrak.com

PUBLIC TRANSIT

DART

DART Rail stops at ground level at the Convention Center Station under Exhibit Halls E & F. From the stopped train walk toward Lamar then turn left or north on Lamar to the driveway and access to the lobbies of the DCC via the stairs, escalators, and elevators. Located on the southwest corner of Lamar Street and Memorial Drive at ground level below the Dallas Convention Center expansion, the Convention Center Station is served by the downtown segment of the DART Red and Blue Rail lines. Facilities include ramps for mobility-impaired passengers and customer information. Peak hours 6:30-9am & 3:30-6pm, runs during peak DT- every 5min and runs during off peak DT every 10 min. From the Convention Center Service runs from 4am-12am M-F, 4am-11:45pm on Sat-Sun. The cost is $1.75 one way or a $4 day pass. For information on ride schedules visit www.dart.org. Public transit bus system is also available through DART.

Trinity Railway Express

Trinity Railway Express offers commuter rail service between Dallas, Fort Worth, and the DFW International Airport. Hours M-F are 5:40am-11:45pm and 8:45am-11:40pm on Sat with no service on Sun. Cost is $2.50 each way or $5 day pass (Regional: $5 each way or $10 day pass). For information on ride schedules visit www.trinityrailwayexpress.org.

M-Line Streetcar

Also known as the McKinney Avenue Trolleys, these cars rumble along McKinney Avenue and connect the bustling Uptown neighborhood with the Dallas Arts District in downtown. These unique trolley cars have been lovingly maintained since 1989, when they were reinstituted on an updated rail line. Since that time they have become a favorite for Dallas visitors, and a welcome sight to nostalgic locals. Expansion continues on the routes to other points of interest.

Line service operates seven days a week every 15 minutes during peak and lunch hours every half hour off-peak hours and weekends. Hours are 7am - 10pm weekdays, 10am - 12pm Saturdays, and 10am - 10pm Sundays. For more information visit www.dart.org/riding/mline.asp.

ALA SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

Free shuttle buses, sponsored by Gale Cengage Learning, will operate during the meeting. Service will also be provided for attendees with disabilities. Click the following links for the Shuttle Bus Service Schedule, and Map. Shuttle bus service schedules (including daily pickup times, locations and destinations) will also be published in Cognotes (the daily show newspaper available during the meeting) and will be available onsite. Complimentary bus service is provided by Gale Cengage Learning. Don’t forget to stop by the Gale Cengage Learning booth to say thanks for the lift.

Annual Conference-Only registration opens January 3.