Conference Planning

 
 
  • Hotel and Airline Reservations
  • Conference Registration
  • New! TLA Roommate Service
  • Getting to and around San Antonio
  • Additional Information:
    • Special Needs
    • Volunteering 
      for Conference
    • Exhibit Hall Regulations


helpful numbers

  • Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center: 210/207-8500
  • San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau: 800/447-3372
  • San Antonio Public Library Telephone Reference: 210/207-2500
  • SA Trans: 210/281-9900
  • San Antonio International Airport: 210/207-3411
  • VIA Metropolitan Transit Service: 210/362-2020
  • Ambassadors Services Group: 800/243-1205
  • Texas Library Association: 800/580-2852 or 512/328-1518;
    fax 512/328-8852; tla@txla.org

HOTEL AND AIRLINE RESERVATIONS

This year's conference hotel will be the Westin. In addition, TLA has contracted with nine other hotels to accommodate conferees.  The housing deadline for the 2004 Texas Library Association conference is Friday, February 20, 2004. You can make your hotel and airline reservations through several channels:

  1. Online: www.ambassadors technology.com/tla04
  2. Email: txla@ambassadors.com, please include contact information
  3. Fax: Return the enclosed completed form to 404-584-0685
  4. Mail: Return the enclosed completed form to address indicated on the housing form
  5. Phone: 800-243-1205 (US & Canada) or 404-584-7458 (International)

Exclusive airfare discounts for Texas Library Association attendees and exhibitors are available through the following companies:

  • Navigant Travel*: 800-486-2213; mention Texas Library Association
  • Southwest Airlines: 800-433-5368; refer to File #H0333
  • American Airlines: 800-433-1790; refer to File #A4934AR

* Airline reservations made through Navigant travel will incur a one-time $33 surcharge.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

To preregister, go online or complete the PDF form and send it with payment to TLA. The form must be submitted electronically or postmarked by February 20. After that date, all forms will be returned to sender. Attendees who have not pre-registered by this deadline must register onsite at a higher rate. No meal tickets will be sold onsite.

TLA CONFERENCE ROOMMATE SERVICE

Do you need a roommate to help with housing expenses for TLA's conference? TLA's roommate program will allow individuals to post and read messages via TLA's webpage, as well as to subscribe your email address to send and receive postings via roommates@txla.org.

GETTING TO AND AROUND SAN ANTONIO

To find directions for San Antonio, visit www.mapquest.com. A map of the conference hotels and convention center is on the website. Maps of San Antonio can be downloaded from the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.sanantoniovisit.com/visitors/com_samaps.asp.

TLA Shuttle Service

TLA provides complimentary shuttle service to and from conference hotels (with the exception of the Hilton, Marriott RiverWalk, Marriott River Center, and La Quinta), the convention center, and selected off-site conference events. Hours of operation are:

  • Wednesday, March 17 8:00 am ­ 8:30 pm
  • Thursday, March 18 6:30 am ­ 11:30 pm
  • Friday, March 19 6:30 am ­ 10:30 pm
  • Saturday, March 20 6:30 am ­ 5:00 pm

Public Transportation

VIA Metropolitan Transit Service operates 95 regular bus routes and five downtown streetcar routes connecting all major attractions. Two routes of interest include Route 7, from Alamo Plaza to the Zoo, the McNay and Witte Museums, and the Botanical Gardens; and Route 40, from the Alamo to La Villita, Blue Star Arts Complex, and the Mission Trail. Via's Downtown Information Center at 112 Soledad is open Monday­Friday, 7:00 am­5:00 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am­5:00 pm. For more information, call 210/362-2020. (These trolleys cost $.50 per trip; day and weekly passes are available.)

Airport Shuttles and Taxis

SA Trans (210/281-9900) offers shuttle service to and from San Antonio International Airport. Fares are $9 each way per passenger. Taxis in San Antonio have an average fare for the 15-minute trip between the airport and the convention center of $16, plus tip.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Texas Library Association wishes to take any steps required to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently due to the absence of auxiliary aids and services identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act. If any such services are necessary in order for you to participate in the TLA Conference, please communicate your needs in advance by contacting Catherine Lee, director of administration at catherinel@txla.org or 512/328-1518 ext. 20 by February 20, 2004. Persons who need specially designed or equipped hotel rooms should indicate their requirements on the housing request form.

Volunteers are needed to assist the Local Arrangements Committee in several areas during the 2004 annual conference. If you're interested, complete the volunteer form. Volunteers should be willing to serve at least two hours during the annual conference. While librarians must be registered for the conference, paraprofessionals and support staff who are not registered for the annual conference will receive a complimentary exhibits-only pass for four hours of volunteer service.

Exhibit hall regulations prohibit the use of luggage carts, wheeled bags, or unoccupied baby strollers in the exhibit halls during the annual conference. No cart, including those provided by exhibitors to attendees, will be allowed.

Preliminary Program Contents