Transportation Information

SOT Ride Share

SOT is offering a Ride Share Program in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. For attendees who live close to the New Orleans area or do not wish to fly, you may want to consider the Ride Share Program. Avoid airport hassles by driving and make it easier for other scientists to attend by sharing rides. Students especially appreciate ways to make the meeting even more economical.

Once you have registered for the Annual Meeting, you can access the Ride Share Program. You can indicate whether you want to drive or be a passenger, and then see a list of others who have signed up. It will be up to you to match your plans with another attendee and to remove your name when you have travel plans in place.

Air Transportation

New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

New Orleans is serviced by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which is a 20-minute drive from the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the downtown hotel area. Fourteen carriers offer daily flights. For more information visit www.flymsy.com.

Preferred Carrier Airfare Discounts

SOT has established discounted rates through Southwest and United Airlines on select routes to New Orleans. Be sure to use the reference numbers when making your reservations. You may purchase your ticket online, call the airline directly using the toll-free numbers, or provide your travel agent with the reference/discount numbers listed below to receive the discount.

800.435.9792 | www.swabiz.com | SOT Company ID: 99150833

Beginning on September 15, 2015, SOT Annual Meeting attendees will receive a discount and bonus Rapid Reward points from Southwest Airlines through our SWABIZ® account. Southwest Airlines is offering a 10% discount off Anytime and Business Select® fares and a 3% discount off select Wanna Get Away® fares for travel to and from the meeting. Book your travel between September 15, 2015 and March 21, 2016, to take advantage of the discounted rates. (Discounts are available for travel March 9–21, 2016.) Click here to take advantage of the discounted rates and book now!

By flying Southwest Airlines, as a Society of Toxicology traveler, you will also receive the following benefits:

• 50% bonus Rapid Reward points for your travel to and from the convention with Rapid Rewards # added to your reservation. To enroll in the Rapid Rewards program, visit www.southwest.com/corporaterapidrewards
• No baggage fees (first two bags)
• No change or cancellation fees
• No peak travel or fuel surcharges
• Consistently ranked the “Best in Customer Service” by DOT

800.426.1122 (a service fee will apply) | www.united.com | Offer Code: ZVJ6151867

United Airlines is offering up to a 10% discount on fares for attendees traveling to New Orleans for the SOT Annual Meeting. The discount is valid March 7–24, 2016. You may book your ticket at www.united.com (to receive an additional 3% discount and have service fees waived); in the offer code box, type ZVJ6151867 to receive the discount.

You may also book your reservation by calling United Meetings at 800.426.1122; however, a service fee will apply. International attendees should call their local United Airlines reservations office or email groupmeetings@united.com with their preferred itinerary and discount codes. If you are booking through a travel professional, please give them the following information: Agreement Code: 151867, Z Code: ZVJ6.

SOT Travel Provider—ATC Travel Management

ATC Travel is the official travel management firm for SOT’s 55th Annual Meeting. To take advantage of their services and savings, visit ATC Travel Management website, or call toll-free 800.458.9383 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am–7:00 pm (Eastern Time) and ask to speak to anyone on our SOT-dedicated team, or email ATC Travel Management. To obtain the maximum discounted fares, call at least 60 days prior to departure. Please note that depending on your reservation method, ATC Travel Management charges a $10 online service fee or a live agent reservation fee. Before contacting ATC Travel Management, please gather the following information:

• Your name as it appears on your ID and your date of birth.
• The desired dates of arrival to and departure from New Orleans
• Your home city or originating airport
• Your approximate time of departure from the originating airport
• The number of persons traveling (adults/children)
• Your method of payment, either credit card or check
• Your airline frequent flyer number(s)
• Identify yourself as a Society of Toxicology meeting attendee. ATC Travel Management will find the best fare for you and email you an itinerary.

Identify yourself as a Society of Toxicology meeting attendee. ATC Travel Management will find the best fare for you and email you an itinerary.

Train Transportation

AMTRAK

Tel: 800.872.7245 | www.amtrak.com

Amtrak operates out of Union Station which is located in the Central Business District. There are always taxis ready and waiting at the station.

Ground Transportation—From the Airport

Ground transportation is located curbside outside the baggage claim area.

Taxicabs

The taxi cab stand is located on the lower level, outside the baggage claim area. A trip from the airport to the Central Business District is $33 for up to two people, and $14 per person for three or more passengers. There may be a charge for additional baggage. All cabs accept credit cards.

Shuttle Services

SOT Discount Link

Airport Shuttle provides the easiest and most cost-effective ground transportation service between New Orleans International Airport and major hotels in the downtown area. Shuttles depart every 30 minutes from 3:30 am to 2:00 am daily for downtown hotels. Passengers may purchase tickets at the airport baggage claim area. Ticket fares are $20 per person to downtown hotels or $38 for a round-trip ticket. Book using the SOT discount link at least 24 hours prior to your departure and receive an additional discount. Discounted online rates are $20 one-way and $35 for roundtrip per person. For more information, visit Airport Shuttle. The SOT discount is only available online, only changes to existing reservations can be made over the phone. For more information about Airport Shuttle, call 866.596.2699.

Car Rental

On the lower level of the airport you will find the Consolidated Car Rental Facility accessible by covered walkway. The nine different car rental agencies that service the airport can be found here.

Public Transportation—Getting around Town

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority

A system of streetcars and busses run throughout many areas of New Orleans with fares starting at $1.25. Visit NORTA website to plan your route.

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Location and Parking

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70130

Ample parking is available in close proximity to the convention center for an hourly/daily fee. Click here for a map of public parking lots.

Metered street parking is available in areas surrounding the convention center at a rate of $1.50 per hour. Parking meters are enforced 8:00 am–6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, unless otherwise noted.

Check the Visit New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center website for more information about parking.

Overnight Parking

Fulton Place Parking Center

901 Convention Center Boulevard | New Orleans, LA 70130

This secure parking garage is located across from the convention center and offers the best rate for overnight parking near the convention center.

Please review the SOT Hotel Accommodations and Services for valet and self-parking rates offered by your hotel.