Travel/Hotel Information
Registrants will have to make hotel reservations directly with the Tropicana Resort by calling 1-800-247-8767 no later than May 20, 2008 and specify to the agent that you will be part of the “Government Management Information Sciences Group.”
Getting to the Conference
By Plane
Many carriers service Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which is the closest major transportation hub for airlines. Discount carriers such as USAir and Southwest Airlines also serve this airport which is a 60-minute drive from Atlantic City. You will need to arrange transportation from the airport to the hotel as no shuttle service is provided. The conference planning team has arranged for a group discount for those willing to share rides with other attendees arriving at similar times. Please see the section below for more details. Without ride sharing, car service could cost $100.00 to $150.00 each way. Alternatively, you could catch public transportation on SEPTA from the airport to the 30th Street Station then connect to NJTransit rail and buses to the hotel costing about $16.50 each way but taking about 2-1/2 to 3 hours, depending on the connections.
The Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) is small but growing with seven gates. Located just minutes from downtown, it is more convenient; however, the airfare is likely to be double what you would pay to fly into Philadelphia as only Spirit Airlines and Delta Connection (Comair) have regular scheduled service at the present time. There is still the matter of transportation into town as no hotel shuttle service is available and car service fares are typically $40.00 each way. The conference planning team has arranged for a group discount for those willing to share rides with other attendees arriving at similar times. Please see the section below for more details. A free shuttle will connect you to a nearby NJTransit bus terminal from the airport and from there you should be able to get to the hotel in about half an hour for approximately $2.00.
The Newark International Airport (EWR) is another option. It is a major hub for Continental Airlines, and typically has cheaper fares than the other two major New York airports on all other carriers. The key feature of this airport is that NJTransit rail service connects it to the Atlantic City Convention center via the Philadelphia 30th Street Station. Local train service will cost approximately $32.00 and take about four hours, depending on connections. Bus service will cost about $25.00 and take roughly the same amount of time.
By Train/Bus
Modern rail service provided by NJ Transit arrives and departs through the rail terminal immediately adjacent to the Atlantic City Convention Center. Within the city everything is readily accessible to public transportation on NJ Transit buses. The ever popular 13 passenger jitneys move the entire length of Pacific Avenue, parallel to Atlantic City’s world famous Boardwalk, to the Marina District and to the Convention Center.
NJ Transit Rail runs direct from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. For more information, call 1-800-772-2222. The Atlantic City rail station adjoins the Convention Center. Free casino shuttle service is available from Atlantic City terminal to all casinos.
By Automobile
New York—map it
Take the New Jersey Turnpike to the Garden State Parkway (Exit 11). Proceed south on the Parkway to Exit 38 (Atlantic City Expressway). Take Atlantic City Expressway (East). Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue. Turn left at Brighton Avenue.
Philadelphia—map it
Cross the Benjamin Franklin Bridge or Walt Whitman Bridge and follow the North-South Freeway (Route 42) to the Atlantic City Expressway. Take Atlantic City Expressway (East). Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue. Turn left at Brighton Avenue.
Baltimore/Washington D.C.—map it
Take I-95 North across the Delaware Memorial Bridge and follow Route 40 East to the Atlantic City Expressway. Take Atlantic City Expressway (East). Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue. Turn left at Brighton Avenue.
Shared Airport Shuttle Service
To help you get to the conference as inexpensively as possible, the conference planning team has arranged for a transportation company to provide group rates for members willing to share rides with others who may be arriving at similar times. To take advantage of this discount, you must call Lou’s Luxury Car Service at 877.LOU.TAXI (877.568.8294) at least 48 hours in advance of your arrival or departure time and specify to the reservation agent that you are with the “GMIS 2008 Conference” at the time of making the reservation.
All rates listed below include tax and tolls. The rates do not include a driver’s gratuity. If the rate lists a minimum number of passengers and your party does not have this minimum, Lou’s Luxury Car Service will try to consolidate your arrival with the arrival of other conference attendees at the same airport at approximately the same time. You may experience a slight delay before departing the airport because of this, but this is how we are able to secure the lowest possible rates.
Atlantic City International Airport Rates (ACY):
- Regular non-discounted rate is $40 for a sedan
- GMIS 2008 Conference member rate is $30 for a sedan
no minimum, maximum 3 passengers - $11 per person for a shuttle minibus
minimum 3 passengers, maximum 14 passengers - $10 per person for an SUV
minimum 4 passengers, maximum 5 passengers
Philadelphia International Airport Rates (PHL):
- Regular non-discounted rate is $145 for a sedan
- GMIS 2008 Conference member rate is $120 for a sedan
no minimum, maximum 3 passengers - $35 per person for a shuttle minibus
minimum 4 passengers, maximum 14 passengers - $30 per person for an SUV
minimum 4 passengers, maximum 5 passengers
Rates for Newark (EWR), New York (JFK or LGA) and beyond are available upon request.
Quick Clicks
Transportation Links
Atlantic City Links
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Accommodations
Hotel Rates & Fees
The hotel rate will be $99.00 for rooms in the North, South or West Tower. This rate is only guaranteed if the reservation is made prior to the cut-off date of May 20, 2008.
The rate for rooms in the new Havana Tower will be $129.00. Suites are available at higher rates. All rates are quoted per room, per night, single or double occupancy. There will be a charge of $15.00 for a third person in the room. Quads are not available.
Please note that rates quoted are subject to 14% state and local taxes and a $5.00 per room per night occupancy fee. Additionally, the Tropicana has instituted unlimited local and toll-free calls from all guest rooms for the nominal fee of $1.00 per day. This fee is automatically posted to each guest’s folio.
All reservations will be held on a guaranteed basis until 10:00 p.m. Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to arrival or your credit card will be subject to charges for the first night’s room and tax charges.
Check-In and Check-Out
In order to facilitate room turnover, check-in time is 3:00 p.m. and check-out time is 11:00 a.m. The Tropicana will extend the check out time to 1:00 p.m. for all GMIS 2008 Conference attendees on their designated check out date.
Due to high weekend room occupancy, guests arriving on Sunday need to be aware that sleeping rooms may not be available for check-in prior to 4:00 p.m. and suites may not be available for check-in until 5:00 p.m. The Tropicana will do everything possible to accommodate an earlier arrival time, should you request it.
Hotel policy requires each room to have a security deposit applied to each guest’s account at time of check-in. The deposit may be secured with a credit card.
Parking
Valet and self parking facilities are available to overnight guests for a flat $5.00 per visit with unlimited in and out privileges. The parking fee for those not staying overnight starts at $5.00 and varies by length of stay.
Health Club
Tropicana will provide complimentary access to the Tropicana Health Club for all GMIS 2008 Conference guests. The Health Club is located on the 6th floor, South Tower. Amenities include an indoor pool, exercise room, whirlpool and sauna.
Tax Exemption
If you are traveling for a tax exempt agency in the state of New Jersey, please submit a valid New Jersey certificate of exemption (ST-4). This form must be on file prior to your arrival and is not required when using a government P.O. for room registration.