Important information on Housing

Other Chicago Hotels

Inexpensive Housing

Conference location

Public transportation

About Chicago


Important information on Housing

Unfortunately, the block of rooms reserved for GECCO-03 at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza has been filled. Some rooms may be available, but at higher rates.
Other rooms in Chicago are somewhat scarce because of another large convention being held during the same period. Attached is a list of hotels in the surrounding area that have available rooms as of June 18, 2003. Prices quoted are for July 12-17, and are not guaranteed. These hotels are listed for your convenience only. GECCO-03 does not have any agreement with these hotels to honor the prices listed, except where indicated.

GECCO-03 is currently seeking another block of rooms, and will post this information if it becomes available. We encourage you to book your room IMMEDIATELY at one of the hotels listed below, or at another hotel of your choice.

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Other Chicago Hotels

Hostelling International--Chicago. 24 E Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL. (312) 360-0300. Rated "Best Bargain Hotel in Chicago" in 2001.

The LaSalle Club. One Financial Place, 440 South LaSalle Street. $105/night + tax for GECCO attendees. Call Kelli Mavrak at 312-663-8956 for reservations.

Chicago Travellodge, 65 E. Harrison. Rated "Best Bargain Hotel in Chicago" in 2001.

Palmer House Hilton. 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL. Phone: (312) 726-7500. Rated "Best Bargain Hotel in Chicago" in 2001.

Cass Hotel: available July 13 and after. $64-100. 640 N. Wabash Ave 321-787-4030

Days Inn Gold Coast 1816 N. Clark St 321-664-3040

The Drake $99 and up 140. E. Walton Place 321-787-2200

Best Western River North, 125 W. Ohio, 312/467-0800 ($115)

Hotel 71 $129-199 71 E. Wacker Dr 321-346-7100

Howard Johnson Downtown $35-205 720 N. LaSalle St 321-664-81

Chicago Marriott Downtown 321-836-0100

Claridge Hotel Chicago $170 1244 N. Dearborn Pkwy 321-787-4980

Courtyard by Mariott Chicago 30 E. Hubbard St 321-329-2500

Hotel Allegro       NOTE:    No more rooms are available 171 West Randolph Street 312/236-0123 $149.00

Claridge Hotel 1244 North Dearborn Pkwy 321-787-4940 $199.95

Lenox Suites Hotel 616 North Rush 321-337-1000 $199.00

FitzPatrick Chicago Hotel 166 East Superior Street 312/787-6000 $199.95

Hampton Inn & Suites 33 West Illinois Street 312-832-0030 $199.95

The Tremont - Chicago 100 East Chestnut Street * Chicago, IL 60611 Tel: (312)751-1900 * Fax: (312)751-8691 Reservations: (800) 621-8133

The Raphael - Chicago 201 E. Delaware Place * Chicago, IL 60611 Tel: (312)943-5000 * Fax: (312)943-9483 Reservations: (800)983-7870

Westin River North, 320 N. Dearborn, 312/744-1900 ($250)

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. 301 East North Water Street. 312-464-1000

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inexpensive Housing        NOTE: rooms STILL available

Our Local Housing Coordinator is Dr. Ashley Morris, De Paul University.

Inexpensive student housing is available at a significant discount at Hostelling International-Chicago. The Hostel is 1.3 miles from the Holiday Inn (about a 3 minute drive) with EL stops (light rail) for public transportation a block away. This is one of the largest hostels in the country and was completely renovated just a year ago. Accommodations are dormitory style with separate quarters for men & women. Our reserved rooms will have between 6-10 beds per room. Linens are provided. All rooms have A/C. There is a kitchen, shared refrigerators, internet kiosks, and an information desk. Breakfast is NOT included, though there are numerous food options nearby to both the Hostel and the conference site. Check in is at 2:00 PM and Check out is by 11:00 AM. There is someone at the desk 24 hours a day for late arrivals. Luggage storage is available for $1.00 per piece.

The number of available rooms is limited, so please contact the Hostel to make reservations as soon as possible, and mention GECCO. Any remaining available rooms will be released on 22 June.

Our arrangement with them will be a room block of 60 or so beds, and reservations will be made by the individual. Our block will be July 11 - July 16 (departing on the 17). The beds in the room block will be released 3 weeks out from the reservation date, (20 June).


Total overnight cost is $30-$35 (+tax) per bed for dormitory style accommodations. Payment is due upon arrival. HI-Chicago accepts cash, Visa and Mastercard

Reservations:
Reservations are to be made by the individual by contacting the hostel's reservations department. Participants MUST indicate that they are with GECCO to obtain rate listed on contract.
They may make reservations either by phone at (312) 360-0300 x 1504
or by email at 'reserve@hichicago.org'

To contact the Hostel:
Hostelling International - Chicago
24 E. Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60605-1226

phone: +1 312-360-0313
website: www.hichicago.org

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The LaSalle Club is a prestigious city club and 4 star boutique hotel in downtown Chicago, located in the heart of the Financial District. Some of the many amenities included at The LaSalle Club Hotel are:

· Seventeen elegant club rooms and three unique master suites which overlook
Chicago's skyline from a forty-story penthouse
perspective
· Complimentary continental breakfast
· Club lounge
· Complimentary use of athletic club facilities
- Discounted parking available

The exclusive LaSalle Club offers many conveniences such as:
· State of the art fitness equipment, personal training, and the latest in aerobic and athletic classes
· Competition-size swimming pool, waterfall whirlpool, sauna and steam room, and massage therapy
· Private showers, fresh towels, toiletries, and laundry service
· Corporate Concierge

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The conference will be held at:
the Holiday Inn Chicago - Mart Plaza    NOTE:    No more rooms are available
350 N. Orleans St.
Chicago, IL 60654 United States

Tel: +1 312 836-5000
Fax: +1 312 222-9508
webpage: http://www.holidayinnchicago.com/

The Holiday Inn Mart Plaza is a block and a half from the Merchandise Mart El stop, and is easilly accessible from both O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. This webpage will shortly contain information on access by public transportation.

The Holiday Inn Mart Plaza is offering rooms to GECCO attendees at the reduced rate of $135 per night a night for single or double. The triple and quad room rate is $155 . Parking is available for $18 per day, though the hotel has ready access to public transportation. Please make your reservations by contacting the hotel no later than 20 June 2003. After this cuttoff date, reservations will be accepted on a rate and space availability basis. Please make reservations by contacting the hotel directly at +1 312 836-5000.

Online booking code:
There is an online booking code for the attendees when reserving their Holiday Inn rooms online.
The Group Booking Code is: AFA.
There is a space on the online reservation form which asks that you enter the code in order to obtain the special conference rate.
Just go to the Reservations page, and insert the Group Booking Code into the Optional Information. The Rate Type is:Best available.


The Holiday Inn Mart Plaza has a restaurant and bar, and there are several opportunities for dining and socialization within easy walking distance of the hotel. There is a food court across the street in the Merchandise Mart. This webpage will contain more information shortly.

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Public transportation

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers fast, direct train service to the conference site from either of Chicago's two international airports, O'Hare Airport or Midway International Airport. From Midway Airport, take the CTA Orange Line Train to State Street/Van Buren. There you will change trains and take the Purple Line Train to the Merchandise Mart. You will walk about 0.2 miles W to 350 N Orleans St. (Holiday Inn Mart Plaza). From O'Hare Airport, take CTA Blue Line Train to Clark/Lake street. There you will change trains and take the Brown Line Train to the Merchandise Mart. You will walk about 0.2 miles W to 350 N Orleans St. (Holiday Inn Mart Plaza). The fare for one ride is $1.50 for ages 12 and up. Depending on the traffic, this is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the conference site from either the airport.

****An airport shuttle stops at the hotel twice per hour(15 minutes past the hour and 15 minutes to the hour) beginning at 5:15 am until 10:15 pm.

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