Meeting at-a-Glance

The deadline has passed for making housing reservations through the AALS Housing Bureau. If you have made a reservation and need to cancel or change it, please call the hotel directly. If you believe you made a reservation prior to the cut-off date of December 18th and have not yet received a confirmation, you may still call the housing bureau at (800) 424-5250 to check the status.

If you have not yet made a reservation or if the housing bureau has no record of your reservation, please call the hotel of your choice to inquire about current availability and make a reservation. Be sure to identify yourself as a registrant at the AALS Annual Meeting and confirm the discounted convention rate listed below with the reservationist.

Hilton New Orleans Riverside (504) 561-0500. Rate is $108 Single or Double Occupancy plus taxes

Sheraton New Orleans (504) 525-2500. Rate is $106 Single or Double Occupancy plus taxes

Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place (504) 566-7006. Rate is $106 Single or Double Occupany plus taxes

Le Meridien New Orleans (504) 525-6500. Rate is $107 Single or Double Occupancy

How will my hotel reservation be confirmed? The AALS Housing Bureau will send out confirmations by mail, fax or email within 72 hours of processing your reservation. Reservations made by phone will be confirmed immediately with a confirmation number. The hotels do not send out confirmations. If you wish to check on the status of your reservation, call (800) 424-5250.

How do I make changes to my room reservation. Call your assigned hotel directly for any changes or cancellations. The hotels’ phone numbers are: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, (504) 561-0500; Sheraton New Orleans, (504) 525-2500; Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place, (504) 566-7006; and Le Meridien New Orleans, (504) 525-6500.

Will I receive a refund of my deposit if I cancel my reservation? Cancellation of your hotel reservation before December 18: contact the Housing Bureau by phone (800) 424-5250 or fax (800) 521-6017. A full refund of your deposit will be by the method of your original payment (check or credit card.) Cancellation after December 18 but before 6:00 p.m. on the date of arrival: contact your assigned hotel. A refund of your deposit less $15.00 will be made by check only (not to the credit card used to make the deposit for your hotel reservation.) No refunds are given if cancellation is received after 6:00 p.m. on the date of arrival. Should you need to cancel your reservation, be sure to obtain a cancellation number.

What If I Have Not Received my Hotel Assignment by December 18? In the event you have not received your hotel assignment from the Housing Bureau by December 18, call the Housing Bureau at (800) 424-5250 and request a status report of your reservation.

BADGES FOR CHILDREN

Come to the AALS On-Site Registration Desk and ask for a colorful badge for your children who are with you at the Annual Meeting.

AIRLINE DISCOUNTS

AALS is pleased to announce that it has been able to secure special airline discounts for the Annual Meeting. Reservations can be made by you or your professional travel consultant.

American Airlines offers a 5% discount off the lowest applicable fare and 10% off the unrestricted mid-week coach fares when purchased 7 days in advance. An additional 5% discount will apply when you purchase your tickets at least 60 days in advance of departure. Special zone fares are also offered for those unable to meet restrictions of promotional round trip fares (continental US travel only). Rules and restrictions apply. Discounts apply on American Airlines, American Eagle and TWA Airlines. Call American Airlines Meeting Services Desk toll free at (800) 433-1790 and refer to Authorization Number A33D1AK. These fares are valid for travel from December 28, 2001, through January 11, 2002.

US Airways offers 5% off First and Envoy Class and any published promotional round trip fare. A 10% discount off unrestricted coach fares will apply with 7-day advance reservations and ticketing required. Plan ahead and receive an additional 5% discount when ticketing 60 days in advance of departure. US Airways will also offer exclusive negotiated rates for those unable to meet restrictions of promotional round trip fares (continental US travel only). Rules and restrictions apply; not combinable with other discounts or promotions. Additional restrictions may apply on international travel. Call US Airways toll free at (877) 874-7687 and refer to Gold File Number 48142104 (7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. EST). These fares are valid for travel from December 30, 2001, through January 9, 2002.

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION

Taxi fare from New Orleans International Airport is $24.00; travel time is approximately 25 minutes, except during rush hour. Airport Shuttle provides a less expensive mode of transportation from the airport to downtown hotels for a rate of $10 each way. The trip takes an average of 45 minutes, but depends on the number of stops. To pre-purchase tickets or to make advance reservations, call (800) 366-8882. To purchase your ticket at the airport, proceed to the Airport Shuttle Ticket Desk located across from the baggage claim carousels on the ground level. Major credit cards, travelers checks or cash are accepted. For departure reservations, Airport Shuttle encourages you to phone (504) 522-3500 at least 24 hours in advance of your flight. Departure pickup should be at least 2 hours prior to scheduled flight departure. Staff at the New Orleans Tour Desk can also make your reservation for you. The desk is located across from the entrance to the Hilton. See www.bigeasy.com for details.

CITY TRANSPORTATION

Historic streetcars run two daily routes: the St. Charles Streetcar runs 24 hours a day down St. Charles Avenue from Canal Street to Claiborne Avenue, and the “streetcar-style” Vieux Carre bus runs the perimeter of the French Quarter from 5:00 a.m.–7:28 p.m. Fares for the streetcars are $1.25 each way. There is also the Riverfront Streetcar, which runs a 1.9 mile route from Canal Street to Riverview. Hours are 6:00 a.m.–midnight on weekdays and 8:00 a.m.–midnight on weekends. The cost is $1.50. New Orleans also has an extensive public bus system. For more information, contact the Regional Transit Authority at (504) 248-3900.

CAR RENTAL (DISCOUNTED)

National Car Rental is offering AALS registrants daily, weekly and weekend discounted rates for this meeting. National will automatically offer at the time of booking either the lowest leisure rate less 10% discount, or the convention rate; whichever is less. To make a reservation, call 1-800-227-7368 and refer to Recap ID #6800469. Advance reservations are recommended. National will pass along to AALS meeting attendees any frequent flyer agreements between National and any airline in effect at the time that the reservation is made.

You may pick up your car and return it at either of the two National outlets in New Orleans without penalty. National Car Rental has one outlet at the airport and another at 324 South Rampart, approximately one mile from the Hilton.

CHILD CARE

NEW THIS YEAR! For those requiring child care services during hours in which AALS meetings and activities are occurring, a Children’s Activity Center will be located in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

For full details and registration forms, see Child Care.

For those in need of child care during hours in which the Children’s Activity Center is not open, the four participating hotels all list the agency below. Neither the hotels nor AALS recommend this agency, but provide this information for your reference.

Dependable Kid Care places individual caregivers in hotels. They will bring with them age-appropriate games and other activities to entertain the children. All hotel caregivers are CPR certified and have a minimum of two years experience in childcare. Rates begin at $13.00 per hour and there is a 3-hour minimum. Transportation and parking fees are additional. Dependable Kid Care accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. 24-hour notice is suggested. For further information, please call (504) 486-4001, or visit their website at www.dependablekidcare.com.

PARKING

Hilton New Orleans Riverside Garage: (504) 561-0500, ask for Valet. Open 24 hours a day, self and valet parking available. Payment can be charged to the guest room for hotel guests. Cash is accepted for non-hotel guests. In and out parking is available for hotel guests only. Rates are $20 for 24 hours for self parking (Hilton guests only); and $25 for 24 hours for valet parking (Hilton guests only). Daily rates for self parking are $6 for first 2 hours; $8 for 2-4 hours; $9 for 4-6 hours; $10 for 6-12 hours; and $20 for 12-24 hours.

DISABILITY RELATED ACCOMMODATIONS

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place and Le Meridien New Orleans are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. All public areas are accessible and sleeping rooms with special accommodations are available for those with disabilities. Please list any special requirements for your sleeping room on the AALS Housing Reservation Form.

If you require disability-related assistance in attending sessions, please contact the Meetings Department at the AALS National Office by Friday, December 14, 2001 at (202) 296-8851, or by e-mail at aals@aals.org.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Hours listed are subject to change.

Visitor Information Center, 529 St. Ann Street, (504) 566-5003; (800) 672-6124. Maps for self-guided walking tour of French Quarter are available. Open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. For more information, www.neworleanscvb.com.

Museums
New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, (504) 488-2631. The Gulf South’s finest art museum features an outstanding permanent collection and special Faberge Gallery, café, and museum shop. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children 3-17 years of age. For more information, www.noma.org.

Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street, (504) 523-4662. Elegant residence and history of the Collection’s founders. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. No admission charge. Tours available for $4 at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. For more information, www.hnoc.org.

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, 724 Dumaine, (504) 522-5223. See artifacts of Voodooism and learn about its culture. Open daily, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults; rates vary for students and children. For more information, www.voodoomuseum.com.

Architectural
Jackson Square, at the corner of St. Peter and Chartres Streets, is a good starting point for a tour of the French Quarter. The St. Louis Cathedral is located here. Built in 1850, it is the oldest cathedral in use in the United States. Free guided tours; donations are appreciated.

Hermann-Grima Historic House, 820 St. Louis St., (504) 525-5661. Contains a kitchen building, courtyards and stables restored to their 1830s appearance. Creole cooking demonstrations are held on Thursdays. Open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Admission is $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and children 8-18 years of age.

Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, (504) 488-5488. Historic city estate, Greek Revival mansion with original furnishings and collections. Guided house tours and self guided tours of 8 acres of gardens. Open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. No admission charge for children under 5. For more information, www.longuevue.com.

Musee Conti Wax Museum, 917 Rue Conti, (504) 581-1993 or (800) 233-5405, is a historical look at events and people of the past 300 years. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6.75 for adults, $6.25 for seniors, $5.75 for children 4-7, and $5.75 for AAA members. For more information, www.get-waxed.com.

Storyland, located in City Park at 1 Palm Drive, (504) 482-4888, is a place to see children’s plays and stories acted out and visit imaginative play areas based on fairy tales. Open only on weekends in January, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission is $2.00 for everyone over 2. For more information, www.neworleans.com/citypark.

Riverboats, Tours and Nightlife
Airboat Adventures, (504) 885-7325 or (888) 467-9267. 30 minutes from New Orleans, this all-terrain airboat takes you deep into otherwise inaccessible reaches of famous Manchac Swamp. Private, fun, exciting and educational. Call for reservations. For more information, www.airboatadventures.com.

Cypress Swamp Tours, (504) 581-4501 or (888) 554-8574. Tours include a Cypress Swamp cruise, Destrehan Plantation, and a city tour. Free shuttle from downtown. Reservations required. For more information, www.cypressswamp.com.

Preservation Hall, 828 Royal Street, #534, (504) 522-2841, (888) 946-JAZZ. Traditional New Orleans jazz nightly from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. For more information, www.preservationhall.com.

Performing Arts
Ticket Services: Ticketmaster (504) 522-5555

Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart Street, (504) 525-1052. Venue for the performing arts, music, and film. Theatre patrons enjoy an evening under the stars. Broadway shows, concerts, gospel music and more. For more information, www.saengertheatre.com.

Southern Rep Theatre, The Shops at Canal Place, 3rd level, (504) 861-8163. This is the only full-time Equity theatre in New Orleans. Plays are performed and written by Southern playwrights and actors. For more information, www.southernrep.com.

WEATHER

In January the average temperature in New Orleans is a high of 69 degrees and a low of 43 degrees. However, the weather is unpredictable and could be much warmer or cooler.