PLA Electronic Newsletter Volume 5, Number 1
In this Issue:
PLA National Conference Hotel Room Update
Early Bird Discount Deadline Today
PLA National Conference Hotel Room Update
PLA is very grateful for the support of our members who, during these difficult times, are making the commitment to attend our conference. In spite of security concerns and budget cuts at many libraries, our conference registration figures are slightly ahead of where we were this time two years ago. PLA would like to thank all of our dedicated, enthusiastic and hardworking members.
There have been a few posts in publib stating that PLA is sold out of hotel rooms for Phoenix. We want to say again that PLA hotels are not sold out. Yes, downtown hotels are tight but there are rooms at outlying hotels and we will continue to add inventory where necessary. We will find rooms for anyone who needs them.
There are several reasons we encourage using official PLA hotels rather than those that are outside our block. PLA signs contracts with hotels so that they will hold rooms for us. If we do not pick up those rooms, PLA pays for them. Also, PLA hotels requiring it will have shuttle service to the convention center and back; non-conference hotels will not. Problems can occur when many conference-goers stay at non-conference hotels. Sometimes these hotels are located near to a conference hotel so folks walk to the PLA hotel to pick up the buses. Shuttle buses are scheduled based on how many PLA people are staying at specific hotels. The influx of unanticipated riders can overwhelm scheduling. We do make adjustments during the conference to handle this but it can make the first day or two of shuttling difficult.
Finally, when attendees stay at a non-conference hotel, we can't count those rooms, making our projections for future housing at conferences that much more difficult. If you have problems with housing, contact: Gabriella Scott at the PLA Housing Bureau at 330-405-7808 or PLA Conference Manager Melissa Faubel at 312-280-5022 or mfaubel@ala.org. We look forward to seeing you in Phoenix and very much appreciate your support.
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Early Bird Discount Deadline Today!
Today is the deadline for receiving the early bird discount on registration for PLA's Ninth National Conference. To register visit the PLA Web Page at www.pla.org and register online or download the registration forms. The final advance registration deadline is February 8, 2002.