Lodging
The 2011 National Urban Extension Conference will be held at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown hotel. Following are some key items that will assist you while making your travel arrangements:
Room Block Information
If attending the Pre-Conference, rooms at the conference hotel are still available for these dates. For your convenience, the conference has arranged for a special discounted conference rate of $129 per night plus taxes. To make reservations online, visit the dedicated reservations site for Urban Extension conference attendees. You may also call the hotel directly at 800.514.4681 and use the conference rate code rgergea.
If attending the full conference, the room block at the conference hotel is now full for these dates. There are several other hotels near the Marriott, conveniently located on the skywalk.
Renaissance Savery Hotel - 800.514.4706
Hotel Fort Des Moines - 800.532.1466
Internet Access
The hotel features high-speed Internet access, which is wireless in public areas and meeting rooms. For a daily rate of $12.95, you can have wired high-speed Internet access in your guest room.
For your convenience, the conference will host a Cyber Café Tuesday through Thursday noon for conference participants. Use this convenient conference option to check your emails or print your boarding passes!
Amenities
Conveniently located on the Downtown skywalk system, easy access is available to the unique and varied downtown dining and shopping venues. Onsite dining is available from the hotel’s restaurant, the Rock River Grill & Tavern. Fitness options comes by way of an exercise room and pool, and all conference activities are located conveniently on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the hotel in the Marriott's extensive meeting space.
Getting There
By Air – Des Moines International Airport
Over 100 flights arrive and depart from the Des Moines airport on a daily basis on ten major carriers. Departures are continuous between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. with arrivals between 8 a.m. and 12 midnight daily.
By Ground
Des Moines is located on Iowa Interstate 235, and easily accessed by Interstate 35 running North and South and by Interstate 80 running East and West. To receive driving directions to the Marriott Des Moines Downtown, visit the Marriott website.
Airport Shuttles
The Marriott is just a convenient 15 minutes from the Des Moines Airport, and offers complimentary airport shuttles on the half hour. Upon arrival at the airport, simply call them at 515-245-5500 for pick up.
Local Parking/Driving Directions
For those who will have vehicles with them, next door to the Marriott is a public parking ramp, which allows you to charge the daily parking fee to your hotel bill for additional convenience (Costs: $1.50/hr or $13/day). Shuttle transportation will be available for off-site activities. The Marriott also is connected to Des Moines’ skywalk system, making access to local restaurants and evening activities a short walk and eliminating the need for a rental car.
Driving directions from the airport: Turn North on Fleur Drive and go 3 miles. Turn right on Locust, Left on 6th. Go 1 block to Grand Ave. Turn left on Grand, go 1 block to hotel.