Conference Hotel
The 2011 Annual Meeting will be held at the InterContinental Chicago in downtown Chicago from July 24 to 28. We have reserved a block of rooms from Saturday July 23 to Thursday July 28 at the low rate of $179 per night. This rate includes complimentary internet access. Reservations must be made by no later than July 1, 2011 in order to guarantee this rate. We have arranged a group online page to make it easier to reserve your room. If you prefer to call the Hotel directly to reserve your room, you MUST let them know you are with the PGRSA to get this room rate. For reservations, call (800) 235-4670. For more information, visit http://www.icchicagohotel.com.
Downtown Chicago
There is always a lot going on in downtown Chicago. Visit http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en.html for more information. Don’t forget to reserve a place on the pre-conference and post-conference tours to see more of the city and surrounding area with friends and colleagues. Accompanying persons will want to explore the downtown area with Getting around the downtown area is easy. The InterContinental Chicago is surrounded by great restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. A short walk or free light rail trip will take you close to the Pearl District where you will find even more restaurant choices (http://www.explorethepearl.com/)
Transport
You can get to the InterContinental Chicago from either O'Hare or Midway Airport by a Chicago Transit Authority train for just $2.25. Visit http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/trip_planner.aspx for information and schedules. Taxis from the airports to downtown Chicago are about $50. Amtrak arrives at Union Station and is a walkable 1.5 miles or a short taxi ride away.
Pre-Conference Chicago Architecture River Cruise ($35 per person)
The Official Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard the Chicago’s First Lady fleet is a “must” for out-of-towners and Chicagoans alike. CAF certified volunteer tour guides—called docents—interpret more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River, revealing how the city grew from a small back-country outpost into one of the world’s most important crossroads in less than 100 years. You will need to sign up for this tour when you register but if you want a more complete description then visit http://caf.architecture.org/page.aspx?pid=574
Post-Conference Tour: Full Day Chicago Botanic Garden, Valent BioSciences Corporation ($50 per person not including lunch)
- Chicago Botanic Garden: The Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the world's most renown gardens. A must for nature lovers, this sprawling compound of foliage comprises 23 different gardens ranging from formal British rose gardens to tranquil Japanese islands. A series of waterways connect the lushly landscaped hills and acres together. The scenic vistas here rival those of the older, European gardens. This peaceful escape from the city is a rare find. For more information, visit http://www.chicago-botanic.org
- Valent BioSciences Corporation: This is an opportunity to visit the research facilities of Valent BioSciences Corporation. You will meet plant scientists, formulators, fermentation scientists, and chemists who are working on new plant growth regulators. Visit http://www.valentbiosciences.com/.
