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.

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.

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.

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.

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.