Venue

The CUG 2009 conference will be held in Atlanta, at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center. The conference facilities overlook Centennial Olympic Park, home of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Many restaurants and attractions are within easy walking distance.

Omni Hotel at CNN Center (map and directions)
100 CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 USA
Phone: (1-404) 659-0000
Fax: (1-404) 525-5050

The Omni is in CNN Center, global headquarters of CNN.

Conference Office and Registration Location/Hours

Registration for pre-registered, paid attendees is in the North Tower, M4 Level directly opposite the North Tower escalators. Registration for Presenters, SIG Chairs, new and unpaid registrants is in the Conference Office directly behind the registration desk.

Badges and registration materials will be available:

Sunday 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Monday–Wednesday 7:30–a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Thursday 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

All attendees must wear badges during CUG Conference activities.

On Site Facilities

Wireless Access, E-mail, and Power

We will provide wireless internet access throughout the conference facility for computers equipped with an 802.11b/g-compatible card. A limited number of wire connections (ethernet) will be available in the E-mail room, and some guest rooms will be available with wired ethernet. The ethernet uses RJ-45 modular jacks.

In addition to ethernet connections, the E-mail room will have a limited number of internet-connected computers with SSH capability. It will also have extra power outlets and a printer. Presenters will have priority access to equipment for last-minute changes to presentations and papers. The E-mail room will be available until Thursday at 4 PM.

Each conference room will have power strips servicing the first few rows of seating. If you want to plug in, sit near the front!

The Omni hotel lobby and guest rooms have high-speed wireless internet access (some with wired ethernet). Guest room access is available for about $10 per day or for free for Omni "Select Guest" members. Membership is free; look here for more information.

Centennial Park and the Atlanta skyline, as seen from an Omni guest room.

Speaker Preparation

We invite speakers to use the computers and printer in the E-mail room for last-minute changes. We will provide video projectors for all conference rooms. Presenters are expected to provide laptops for their presentations. One or two extra laptops and thumb drives will be available for presenters having technical problems with their equipment. Please test your laptop video connection and presentation during the break before your session.

Faxes

A fax machine is available in the hotel business office. Incoming fax messages may be sent to the CUG Conference Office eFax™ at (509) 272-7239. They will arrive as PDFs via E-mail to the CUG Office computer. We will post notices of incoming fax messages on the conference message board.

Business Services and Photocopying

The hotel provides business support services. CUG presenters rarely provide paper copies of their presentations, but, if you wish to do so, please bring copies with you. The hotel business office can make limited copies for a charge.

Messages

During the conference, we will take telephone messages at the on site CUG Conference Office.

Smoking Policy

A limited number of smoking guest rooms are available. The conference facility is all non-smoking, with nearby outdoor areas designated for smoking.

Special Assistance

Please request special assistance using the "Special Requirements" area of the registration form. You may also contact the Local Arrangements Coordinator.

Travel Information

Passports and Visas

A visitor visa may be required for travel to the United States, along with a valid passport. Please check with the American Embassy or Consulate in your area for detailed information, or talk to your travel agent.

Arriving by plane

More people fly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport than to any other airport in the world! Most CUG attendees should be able to fly non-stop to Atlanta. The airport is about 12 miles from the conference hotel.

A taxi from the airport should cost about $30 each way, plus tip. Additional passengers should add about $2 per person.

The Atlanta Link provides shared-ride shuttles from the airport for about $17 per person, or $30 for a round trip.

MARTA, the Atlanta subway, has stops at the airport and at CNN Center. One-way trips cost just $1.75.

Parking

The only parking available at the Omni is indoor valet parking, currently at $30 per night. For other nearby parking, see Atlanta's Interactive Parking Map.

Many restaurants and attractions are within easy walking distance, even within the CNN Center itself, so a car is not necessary.

Voltage

The United States operates on a 120V system; those traveling from outside the US may need an adaptor. Check the Voltage Valet for information on requirements and to find adapters.

Attractions

Atlanta has a wide range of exciting attractions, and some of its best are within walking distance of the conference! One efficient way to buy access to some of Atlanta's top attractions is through the CityPass, available online and on sale in the CNN Center.

Here is a list of some attractions. For more information, see the Atlanta Travel Guide.

At CNN Center

• Inside CNN Studio Tour (CityPass)
• Philips Arena
• Turner Store
• Braves Clubhouse Store

Walking Distance

• Centennial Olympic Park
• Georgia Aquarium (CityPass)
• World of Coca-Cola (CityPass)
• Children's Museum of Atlanta
• Georgia Dome
• Underground Atlanta
• Georgia State Capitol
• Fox Theater
• Atlanta Walking Tours
• Atlanta Segway Tours

Nearby

• Atlanta Botanical Garden (CityPass)
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History (CityPass)
• Zoo Atlanta (CityPass)
• High Museum of Art (CityPass)
• Atlanta History Center (CityPass)
• Atlanta Braves Baseball
• Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site
• Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
• Center for Puppetry Arts

Atlanta Area

• Six Flags over Georgia
• Stone Mountain Park
• Chattahoochee Nature Center
• Callaway Gardens

Dining Services

The conference registration fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the duration of the conference. Please indicate any special dietary restrictions on the conference registration form.

For other meals, everything from fast food to premium steak and seafood is available in the CNN Center, with more choices within walking distance. For more information, check out Urbanspoon or the Downtown Atlanta Dining Map.

Social Events

Cray Inc. Social

Cray Inc. will host a social on the Tuesday evening of the conference for conference attendees and their guests.

CUG Night Out

The Local Arrangements Committee invites all attendees to enjoy the CUG Night Out at Dave & Buster's, Marietta, GA. This last minute change in venue was beyond our control, so please watch and listen for updates at the conference.

Dave & Busters is an entertainment and dining venue with lots of fun activities. From the classics to the latest in cutting-edge action games, there are hundreds of games to play in their Million Dollar Midway. And hundreds of prizes to take home, too. Cash in your tickets at the Winner’s Circle and take some of the fun with you.

You will receive 2 drink tickets and a "Power Play Card," worth $15.00, but tickets are half price on Wednesday's, so you will really be getting a card worth $30.00. Dinner is a special Italian Feast Buffet.

Buses depart from the Omni starting at 5:30 p.m. The last bus leaves at 6:30 p.m.

We will arrive at Dave & Busters between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. (It will take about an hour to get there due to traffic at that time of day.) Buses depart from Dave & Buster's starting at 9:30. The last bus leaves at 10:00 p.m. We will arrive back at the Omni around 10:00 to 10:30.