Logistics/accommodations

Conference venue location:

Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel
909 Texas Ave. (two blocks up from the Magnolia Hotel – see map)
Houston, TX 77002
713.227.7423

Parking:

All downtown hotels provide valet/garage parking space for a daily fee. For those driving in to the conference, there are numerous surface lots and public garages near the Rice Hotel. Call the Rice Hotel (713.227.7423) for more detailed parking information.

Lodging:

Rooms have been blocked off for conference attendees at a reduced rate ($129, includes breakfast) at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Houston, just two blocks from the conference location. BOOK SOON, as this rate will be dependent on general hotel room availability as the conference date approaches. Mention the group name “Megaregions Conference” to book a room within the reserved block and get the discounted rate.

Magnolia Hotel – Houston
1100 Texas Ave.
Houston, TX 77002
(toll free) 888.915.1110
(main phone) 713.221.0011
website: www.magnoliahotels.com

There are many other downtown and inner-loop (within I-610) lodging options, just a few of which include:

Lancaster Hotel
Alden Hotel
Hilton Americas – Houston
Mariott Courtyard Houston Downtown/Convention Center
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Houston – Dowtown/Convention Center

Ground transportation from Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU):

Express bus (from/to Bush IAH only): METRO’s Airport Direct express bus service runs from 5:30 am to 8:00 pm, both ways, every 30 minutes from Bush IAH Terminal C and the downtown Airport Direct passenger plaza at 815 Pierce St (@Travis). Phone: 713.635.4000. Advertised to be a 30-minute ride; $30 round-trip, $15 each way.

The passenger plaza (where the bus will drop you off downtown) is about 12 blocks south of the Magnolia Hotel. From there, catch the light rail (http://www.ridemetro.org/SchedulesMaps/Pdfs/700-redline.pdf), which you can do by walking 1 block east along Pierce St. to the Downtown Transit Center at Pierce & Main. Northbound trains will take you to within 3 blocks (northwest) of the Magnolia Hotel (get off at Preston St. stop).

Shuttle: Super Shuttle, 800.258.3826, or 281.230.7275. Around $24 each way. Routes can be long and indirect, so ask first about estimated trip time. There are SuperShuttle ticket counters at both airports; on return, they will pick you up at the hotel. You can arrange reservations online, or the Magnolia Hotel will do that for you.

Car rental: Both airports provide shuttles to all of the major car rental agencies (National, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, etc.). Normal driving time – when traffic is smooth – from Hobby Airport to downtown is usually less than 30 minutes; less than 45 minutes from Bush.

Cab: Most Houston taxicabs have a regulated flat rate of $45-50 to bring you from Bush to downtown, and $25 from Hobby to downtown. You can reserve a cab before your flight, but cabs will not wait if your flight is delayed. You can also call for/catch a cab when you arrive at the airport.

A few of many options:
Yellow Cab, 713.236.1111
Liberty Cab, 713.695.6700
A-1 Airport Houston Taxi, 713.222.8888

Towncar: Most towncar companies have a flat rate of $60-65 one way from Bush and Hobby to downtown, but some run cheaper ($40-50). They will wait for you if your flight is delayed. Reservation required.

A few of many options:
TA’s Transportation (towncar service), 832.275.5465
Houston 24 Hour Airport Taxi, 281.630.1137
A-1 Limo & Towncar, 713.222.8889