Hotel and Travel Information

Hotel Information
Travel Information

Hotel Accomodations
Utilimetrics has negotiated a rate of $169 for single occupancy and $189 for double occupancy with the Omni Hotel at CNN Center. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta in the CNN Center Complex, this luxury hotel treats you to views of the spectacular downtown skyline or picturesque Centennial Olympic Park. The Omni Hotel at CNN Center is connected to Philips Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center, and it is the nearest hotel to the Georgia Dome. 

Make your reservations early because room blocks sell out quickly. Utilimetrics cannot guarantee rooms at the headquarters hotel after August 4, 2008. Reservation requests made after August 4, 2008 will be confirmed on a space available basis at prevailing hotel rates. Cancellations received after 12:00 PM local hotel time on day of arrival will be billed room, tax and fees for 1 nights stay. Discounted room rates are available three days before and after the meeting dates.

Headquarters Hotels

Omni Hotel at CNN Center
100 CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-659-0000
Code: Utilimetrics
Rate: $169 for single or $189 for double occupancy
Check-in time: 3:00 p.m., check-out time: Noon
Register by: August 4, 2008

The Omni Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta in the CNN Center Complex. This luxury hotel treats you to views of the spectacular downtown skyline or picturesque Centennial Olympic Park. The Omni Hotel at CNN Center is connected to Philips Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center.

Autovation® 2008 attendees may choose to make room reservations online: http://www.omnihotels.com/findahotel/atlantacnncenter/meetingfacilities/utilimetricsautovation2008.aspx

The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta
210 Peachtree St
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
United States
Phone: 404/659-1400
Fax: 404/589-7424
Code: Utilimetrics
Rate: $169 single/double
Check-in time: 3:00 p.m., check-out time: Noon
Register by: August 4, 2008

This 73-story tower, topped by the revolving Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, graces the heart of Atlanta. Connected to AmericasMart, The Westin Peachtree Plaza is steps from CNN, the Georgia Aquarium, and four blocks from the Georgia World Congress Center.

Autovation® attendees may choose to make reservations online: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=0805217582&key=A376B

The Hartsfield International Airport is approximately a 15-minute commute (12 miles) from the hotels.

Make your reservations early as room blocks sell out quickly. To receive the discounted rates, Autovation® attendees must mention the code Utilimetrics when making your reservations. Utilimetrics cannot guarantee rooms at the headquarters hotels after August 4, 2008. Reservation requests made after August 4 will be confirmed on a space-available basis at prevailing hotel rates. Cancellations received 24 hours prior to arrival will be billed room, tax and fees for a one-night stay. Discounted room rates are available three days before and after the meeting dates.

Atlanta Attractions:
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures in the Peach State capital, explore Stone Mountain Park or greet the animals at Zoo Atlanta. Love sports? Catch a major league sporting event.  Or if you’re in search of the arts, the symphony and ballet await.  Visitors of all ages will enjoy attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and the Inside CNN Studio Tour.  

Atlanta Arts & Culture
Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta – 4 blocks
Fox Theatre, a National Historic Landmark – 10 blocks
World of Coca Cola Museum – ½ mile
SciTrek Museum of Science – ½ mile
High Museum of Art, featuring 19th & 20th-Century American art – 2 miles
Martin Luther King, Jr. History Center – 2 miles
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum – 2 miles
Symphony Hall – 2.5 miles
Fernbank Museum of Natural History – 3.5 miles

Atlanta Attractions
CNN World Headquarters – on site
Centennial Olympic Park and the Fountain of Rings – across the street
Georgia Aquarium – ½ mile
Georgia State Capitol – ½ mile
Atlanta Botanical Garden –10 minutes
Zoo Atlanta – 2 miles
Six Flags Over Atlanta – 12 miles

Atlanta Shopping
Atlanta Braves Clubhouse Store and the Turner Store – onsite
Apparel Mart – 3 blocks
Underground Atlanta – ½ mile
Lenox Square Mall – 8 miles
Phipps Mall – 9 miles
Cumberland Mall – 12 miles

Outdoor Recreation
Piedmont Park – 3 miles
Stone Mountain Park (trails, horseback riding and camping) – 30 minutes
Lake Lanier (boating, fishing and water skiing) – 45 minutes

Atlanta Sports
Philips Arena, home to NBA Hawks and NHL Thrashers – adjacent
Georgia Dome, home of the NFL Atlanta Falcons – adjacent
Turner Field, home of MLB’s Atlanta Braves – 1 mile

Universities
Georgia Tech – 6 blocks
Georgia State University – 8 blocks
Morehouse College – 3 miles
Spelman College – 3 miles

Dining & Entertainment
Prime Meridian (onsite)
Latitudes Bistro & Lounge (onsite)
Jock and Jill’s Sports Bar (CNN center)
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood (CNN center)
Ruth’s Chris – (steakhouse) 1 block
B.E. D. Restaurant - 1 block

Transportation
AMTRAK Station – 3.5 miles
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – 12 miles
MARTA station - adjacent

Travel

Air Travel Discount Information
Airline reservations may be made through FCm Bannockburn Travel Solutions, the preferred agency for Autovation® 2008. When you call, ask for the group department and identify yourself as an Autovation® 2008 participant. FCm Bannockburn charges a processing fee on transactions but provides a discount to all Autovation®  2008 attendees.

International callers and callers in the state of Illinois call FCm Bannockburn Travel Solutions at 847/948-9111, ext. 3; callers from North America dial 866/341-7672.

Airport Transportation Information
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is approximately twelve miles or a fifteen minute commute from the Omni Hotel at CNN Center.

Transportation options from the airport are as follows:

Taxi Service: Approximately $30 per way/$2 additional per person
Atlanta Airport Shuttle: Approximately $14 one-way per person/ $22 roundtrip per person
Limo Service: Approximately $77 plus tax per way
Sedan Service: Approximately $70 – $75 (taxes and gratuities included)

Passport Requirements
Travelers coming from qualified countries to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa. Currently, 28 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Visitors entering on the VWP cannot work or study while in the United States and cannot stay longer than 90 days or change their status to another category.

Since June 26, 2005, visitors entering on the VWP must have machine-readable passports. Those travelers without machine-readable passports will need to apply for a Visa to enter the United States.

Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply at the American embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Though visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence. For additional information regarding obtaining a visa, visit the U.S. government Web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html.

Additional information about the Visa Waiver Program is at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html.

Car Rental
Avis Rent-a-Car System Inc. is the official car rental service for Autovation® 2008. Avis has terminals conveniently located in the baggage claim area at the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, on the first floor, within the Atrium. To receive the discounted rates for Autovation® attendees, call 800/331-1600 and mention the AWD number J867706. Or visit the Avis Web site at www.avis.com.

Parking
If you plan to drive to Autovation® 2008, covered valet parking only is available at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center for $25/day (includes in/out privileges).

Atlanta Weather and ConferenceAttire
Atlanta’s temperature in September ranges from a high of 82°F (28°C) to a low of 64°F (18°C). Comfortable business attire is recommended for the courses and daily sessions. Casual attire is appropriate for the Exhibit Hall Receptions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings