Accommodations in Philadelphia

Hotel reservations can be made online, by telephone or by mail through The Housing Connection, a housing bureau out of Salt Lake City, selected as the official ACS Housing Bureau for the Philadelphia National Meeting. To obtain the special ACS rates, hotel reservations MUST be made through The Housing Connection and cannot be made directly with the hotel. The deadline for housing is Friday, July 25, 2008.

The official hotels in Philadelphia will offer a wide range of rates, amenities, and locations during the meeting. Hotel prices will range from $149-282 plus 14% room and occupancy tax per night (subject to change). Published ACS rates apply to hotel stays between August 12 and 22, 2008. To extend your stay beyond these dates, you must reserve additional nights directly through the hotel. A valid credit card is required to make a reservation through The Housing Connection.

Stay at a hotel booked through The Housing Connection and you will automatically be entered in the ACS Housing Drawing.

Reservation Methods

Take advantage of special ACS rates being offered for the Philadelphia National Meeting by reserving hotel rooms directly through The Housing Connection. Reservations can be made in one of several ways.

• Internet: Reserve your hotel online. Online reservations require a valid credit card, and you will receive an acknowledgment to your e-mail address within 24 hours.
• Telephone: Call The Housing Connection at (866) 847-8570 Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM, MST. Telephone reservations require a valid credit card, and you will receive an acknowledgment to your e-mail address within 24 hours.
• Fax/Mail: Submit the ACS Housing Form with your valid credit card guarantee by fax: (801) 355-0250 or mail the form with your valid credit card or check for one night’s room and tax made payable to The Housing Connection and mail to ACS Housing, c/o The Housing Connection, 90 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. Faxed and mailed reservations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and require 10 to 14 days to be confirmed. If your requested hotel is no longer available, we will attempt to honor your indicated preference according to cost and location.

Reservation Payments and Guarantees

Hotel reservations can be guaranteed by credit card (American Express, MasterCard, or VISA), check, or money order.

• Credit Card: Reservations with credit card payments can be made online, by mail or fax, and by telephone.
• Checks or Money Orders: Reservations with checks or money orders (payable in U.S. dollars to The Housing Connection) should be forwarded along with a completed ACS Housing Form no later than Friday, July 18. Housing fees should not be combined with any other payment (such as registration or membership dues). Reservations received without payment will not be processed.

While a valid deposit for one night’s room and tax is required to confirm a reservation, payment will not be charged by The Housing Connection. The credit card information or check deposit will be forwarded with your individual reservation to your hotel on August 7. Hotels may elect to charge a deposit of one night’s room and tax to your credit card prior to your arrival. You will need to handle all payment arrangements directly with your assigned hotel. All hotel rooms are subject to 14% room and occupancy tax (subject to change).

Acknowledgements

All registrants will receive an acknowledgement for reservations made directly through the ACS Housing Connection. Review this document carefully for accuracy. Each acknowledgement contains a unique number that is proof of your reservation through the ACS Housing Connection. We strongly recommend that you bring your acknowledgement with you to the meeting. If you lose or do not receive your acknowledgment, you can obtain another copy online or by contacting the ACS Housing Connection. You will not receive a separate confirmation from the hotel.

Reservations, Changes, & Cancellation Policy

Reservations can be made through The Housing Connection until the housing deadline of July 25, 2008. Some hotels may stay open after the July 25 deadline and will be listed on this web site. At this time, reservations can still be made through the Housing Connection.

Reservation changes and cancellations can be made without penalty until July 25, 2008. Hotels do not have individual reservations or credit card guarantees yet. After July 25, individuals may continue to make changes and cancellations through The Housing Connection until August 7, 2008, however, cancelled reservations may incur a cancellation fee that will be charged directly by the hotel. A one night room and tax charge will be charged by the hotel for reservations that are not canceled 72 hours prior to arrival. Penalties for early departures may be enforced and vary by hotel, so call your hotel for details.

Accommodations for Guests with Disabilities

If you require special hotel accommodations because of a disability, please indicate your requirements when you make your reservation. Be sure to reconfirm any special room arrangements directly with your hotel.

On-Site Housing

• Contact your hotel directly for any customer service questions.
• During the meeting, an on-site housing desk will be available at Pennsylvania Convention Center to assist with last-minute housing changes or needs.

Suites

Send your suite requests by e-mail to thc@housingregistration.com (Attn: Katie Nickel) and The Housing Connection will attempt to find you a suite at an official ACS property in Philadelphia that fits your needs.

Shuttle Service

Complimentary shuttle service will be provided between the Pennsylvania Convention Center and various hotels.

Meeting Locations

During the Philadelphia meeting, Attendee Registration, the National Exposition, ACS Career Fair, poster sessions and many technical sessions will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Additional technical sessions will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton Garden Inn and the Loews. The Philadelphia Marriott will be the governance hotel, including the Board of Directors and ACS Council meetings.

For general information about where technical sessions will be located, please consult the Technical Session Locator, which will be available mid-May 2008.

Economical Housing Alternatives

The following hotels are not part of the official ACS housing block but may be of interest to attendees on a restricted budget. You will need to make your reservations directly with these properties and ask for the listed ACS rate. These properties are not included on the ACS shuttle route; therefore, daily transportation is on your own.

• Inn at Union League, 1450 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, (215) 587-5570(P), (215) 851-8788(F), Rate: $155.00
• Philadelphia Travelodge, 1229 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (215) 564-2888 (P), (215) 564-2700 (F), Rate: $89.00
• Hotel Windsor Philadelphia, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 981-5678 (P), (215) 981-5684 (F), Rate: $159.00

Help Keep Meeting Cost Affordable

Attendee support of the official hotels allows ACS to utilize meeting space at a discount and to keep registration fees to a minimum. Stay in an official hotel whenever possible, and reserve your hotel room through the ACS Housing Connection.

Staying at an ACS hotel helps us to keep your participation costs affordable. A successful meeting is contingent upon keeping costs affordable for ACS as well as attendees and exhibitors. Based on the number of rooms booked in the society’s block of rooms, meeting hotels provide complimentary or reduced rates for meeting room space, staff accommodations and food and beverage charges. These savings are passed onto attendees and exhibitors through reasonably priced exhibit and registration fees. By staying in a hotel booked through the ACS Housing Connection, you can be assured of:

• Competitive Rates: Negotiated meeting hotel rates tend to be less expensive and restrictive than those found on the Internet. Discounted internet reservations often require full payment at the time of booking and this payment is non-refundable.
• Convenience: Opportunity to stay at the same hotel as your session/event and avoid unnecessary commute time. Meeting hotels are usually within walking distance of the meeting facility as well as area restaurants, shopping and attractions. In addition, meeting hotels are serviced by a complimentary shuttle service to and from the Convention Center and the hotels on the ACS housing list not within walking distance of the convention center.
• Ease & Security: You can make your reservation online or by phone and receive instant acknowledgment of your reservation. ACS protects your personal data embedded in all hotel reservations made through the ACS Housing Connection. Additionally, the society has a means of reaching you during the meeting in case of emergency by booking through the ACS housing system.

ACS Housing Drawing

Stay in a hotel booked through the ACS Housing Connection for Philadelphia and you will automatically be entered in the ACS Housing Drawing.*

• First Prize: Free Laptop Computer*
• Second Prize: Free Hotel Accommodations in Philadelphia, PA*
• Third Prize: Free Meeting Registration for Philadelphia, PA*

Congratulations to the winners of the ACS Housing Drawing from the 235th National Meeting in New Orleans:

• First Prize (Free Laptop Computer): Dr. Koichi Miura
• Second Prize (Free Hotel Accommodations in New Orleans, LA): Mr. Michiel Sprik
• Third Prize (Free Meeting Registration for New Orleans, LA): Mr. Christopher Kelly