Washington DC Conference: Frequently Asked Questions

 

What airport should we use?

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest airport, but there are a couple others you might want to check flight prices with. Here is a guide to the three airports (somewhat) close to Washington DC:

https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/washington-dc-airports

 

What is the address and phone number of our hotel?

The Grand Hyatt Washington is located at 1000 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001. The phone number is 202-582-1234 (dial 0 for operator and ask for front desk).

CLICK HERE to go to their website.

 

Which Metro stop is our hotel located on? How does the DC Area Metro system work?

The Grand Hyatt is located on the METRO CENTER stop, on the Red Line. Here is a guide to navigating the Metro system: 

https://washington.org/navigating-dc-metro

  

 What if we arrive before the 3:00pm check-in time on our first day?

If you fly in and arrive early, the Grand Hyatt Washington will store your luggage for you. If you drive in and arrive early, you are welcome to go ahead and park at the hotel using their valet parking ($58 per day). 

 

What if we want to stay in Washington later than the 12 noon check-out time on our last day?

The Grand Hyatt Washington will store your luggage for you. If you have a car, you may leave it in its valet parking space until 5:00pm without incurring an additional day's charge (you might want to confirm this with a valet worker).

 

What time does the conference begin and end?

We will kick off the conference Thursday evening, August 23rd at 5:30pm. The last event of the conference is Saturday evening, August 25th which is our closing dinner and Elliot's final program. Sunday, August 26th is a travel day. Check the Conference Itenerary for a more detailed schedule.

Alternatively, you can purchase up to 3 extra nights before and/or 3 extra nights after the conference and spend some time on your own in Washington. Possible extra nights (limited availability) are Monday, August 20th, Tuesday, August 21st, Wednesday, August 22nd, Sunday, August 26th, Monday, August 27th, and Tuesday, August 28th. 

 

I am flying in. How will I get from the airport to the Hyatt, and back again?

Airport transportation is not included in the trip price, but you can take Metro from Reagan National (see Metro information link above), or take a cab from any airport. According to TripAdvisor, taxis are about $11 from Reagan, $60 from Dulles and $90 from Baltimore/Washington. Another option is the Blue Shuttle from Reagan or Dulles. Here's the info: 

https://www.supershuttle.com/locations/washington-dca-iad/

 

I am flying in. Will I need to rent a car? How will I get around?

Parking is expensive in Washington. Once you get to the hotel, you shouldn't need a car. Our events and outings are either in the hotel or by provided bus transportation. You will have some free time during your stay, and you may want to venture farther for lunch or dinner. Walking, Metro (see helpful link above), cab and Uber are good choices.

 

Can I add on days to the conference at the group rate?

Yes, as long as there are rooms left (limited availability at this rate). Contact Darian to purchase up to 3 extra nights before and/or 3 extra nights after the conference and spend some time on your own in Washington. Possible extra nights (limited availability) are Monday, August 20th, Tuesday, August 21st, Wednesday, August 22nd, Sunday, August 26th, Monday, August 27th, and Tuesday, August 28th. 

 

I see we are on our own for breakfast. What are some options inside or close to the hotel?

Glad you asked! I have added some extensive "breakfast intel" to the Things To Do And See page (click here).

 

I have a Hyatt Gold Membership card. Can I earn points on it during my stay? Can I redeem points during my stay?

You can redeem any points you already have on your Gold membership towards food at the restaurants (you need to let your server know when you order) but you cannot earn new points with your room reservation, since it was paid for by Authors Ink. You can earn points if you charge any incidentals (room service, restaurant meals) to your own credit card during your stay, though. You should ask them to link your membership number to your reservation at check-in.

 

Can I invite friends who live nearby and are not on the trip with us, just to come hear Elliot's talks? Anything else available a-la-carte?

Yes! We have a-la-carte pricing set for individual sessions and days. Each lecture is $20. We can also accomodate them on the Monument Lunch Cruise on an a-la-carte basis, for $79. Contact Darian - the more the merrier! We'd love to have them.

 

Do I need travel insurance? What is your cancellation policy?

We are not including travel insurance for this domestic trip. We feel our cancellation policy is very generous: up until July 15th, you will receive a full refund minus the $88 administration fee. On or after July 15th, we take it on a case-by-case basis and you will get back every penny that is not a locked-in cost for us (this amount, of course, grows for us as the trip date gets closer). For late cancellations, we will work with each guest and deal with the circumstance individually. If you need to cancel for any reason, contact us as soon as possible and we will do our best to work with you. We have never had any trouble in the past coming up with a fair resolution.