Attendees: Housing

Housing

SC2002 HOUSING INSTRUCTIONS & POLICIES (update as of Nov. 4, 2002)
All conference hotels are currently in "sold out" status. If you need to make a NEW reservation, please contact the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA) Housing Bureau Call Center at 506.433.7966. If you need to change or cancel an existing reservation, please contact your hotel direct. A listing of the phone numbers is available in the Hotel Amenities Chart. Information regarding location of the conference hotels is on the Housing Map.

All hotels are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): guest rooms, common areas, meeting facilities and transportation services are within ADA requirements.

FOR INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE REGARDING HOUSING OR MEETING SPACE, PLEASE CONTACT:
Debbie Huszar, SC2002 Housing Coordinator
c/o Task Handlers, Inc.
503.722.2262
info@taskhandlers.com

From November 15 - 22, 2002, you may contact the Housing Coordinator in the SC2002 Conference Office located at the Baltimore Convention Center.

DEPOSITS
A credit card guarantee of $150.00 per room is required at the time of reservations. Total occupancy tax is 12.5% (subject to change). ALL ROOMS MUST BE GUARANTEED WITH A CREDIT CARD OR YOUR RESERVATION WILL NOT BE MADE!

GUARANTEES AND CANCELLATIONS
Guaranteed reservations are typically held until 6:00am the following morning, at which time the reservation and deposit are forfeited and a "no show" charge may be applied (individual hotel’s discretion for fees). However, each hotel has its own guarantee policy, so if you are going to arrive after midnight, it is important you notify the hotel of your planned late arrival to ensure your reservation and avoid any "no show" or cancellation fees.

Cancellations made after 8pm Eastern Time on October 11th will be charged a $25 cancellation - processing fee by *PASSKEY. Cancellations made after 8pm Eastern Time on November 4th will be charged a $150.00 cancellation fee by the assigned hotel. If you cancel a room, keep your cancellation number. This is your proof of cancellation should there be a dispute about billing. *Your credit card statement will actually say "Passkey", BACVA’s Housing API Service. Please make note of this to avoid chargeback confusion.

CHANGES AND EARLY DEPARTURES
Changes to existing reservations must be made directly with your hotel. At time of check-in, verify your departure date. Lack of notification may result in an early departure fee (at the discretion of individual hotels).

DEADLINE for Housing Reservations guaranteed at the conference rate: Friday, October 11, 2002. Reservations received after the cut-off date are accepted on a "space available" basis and cannot be guaranteed at the conference rates.

MEETING ROOM SPACE
For exhibitors who require meeting room or reception space at any of the conference hotels, please contact Debbie Huszar, SC2002 Housing Coordinator, for information at: info@taskhandlers.com or call 503.722.2262.

HOTEL LOCATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION
Most of the conference hotels are located within easy walking distance of the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC). Conference bussing will be NOT provided this year. There are skywalks for some of the hotels adjacent to the BCC. See Housing Map and Hotel Amenities Chart for details.

Car rental services are available at the airport, train station and most hotels. Check with your hotel for the specific car rental service on their property. SuperShuttle (1.800.258.3826) provides transportation services to and from the BWI airport at half-hour intervals from 5:45am until 11:45pm (go to service desk in baggage area to get boarding pass for shuttle). First trip from hotels arrives at BWI at 6:55am. Their rate is currently $11 one-way or $18 round trip. Round trip tickets available at BWI Airport only. Taxi service and private town car services are approximately $15-$40 plus tip, one-way from the BWI (Baltimore) airport to the Conference Hotels (approx. 15 - 20 minutes depending on traffic and direct route). BWI Limo Service (aka Private Car) is offering conference participants a one-way rate of $28 from BWI to any hotel in the Inner Harbor/Downtown area or back to the airport from the hotels or convention center. Call, 1.800.685.0888 or 410.519.0000 for reservations. The Light Rail service is now available to downtown Baltimore from BWI (Baltimore) Airport. The service operates every 17 minutes, Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 11:00pm, Saturday, 8:00am to 11:00pm, and Sunday and holidays from 11:00am to 7:00pm.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND ESCORT SERVICE
Visitors to any city should take steps to reduce their vulnerability to crime. Walk with others, especially at night. Check with your hotel information desk before visiting an unfamiliar neighborhood. Read the security information available at your hotel.

The City of Baltimore has Public Safety Guides available in the convention center area and are identified by their bright yellow polo shirts, blue hats and pants. They are on the streets for assistance or escorting people to and from the conference hotels and convention center during the hours of 10:00am - 11:00pm. For specific escort needs, please call the "Downtown Partnership Escorts" office during business hours (8:30am - 5:00pm) at 410.244.1030. During non-business hours, please call 410.244.8778 for the supervisor on call.