2007 Conference Hotel Information

The conference hotel will be the Crowne Plaza and the room rate $94 plus taxes. To receive this group rate, attendees should call the hotel directly at 937.224.0800 and make sure to mention that your reservation is with the OELMA Conference.  The hotel is connected to the Convention Center by a SHORT walkway.  So, it is convenient to leave your coat in your room (the walkway is enclosed) and it's convenient to run back to the room to drop things off between events, if needed.  You might like to take the Virtual Tour of the hotel at: http://www.cpdayton.com/ 

Click here to make your reservation at the Crowne Plaza

And you might be interested in this list of amenities from that web site:

- - Comfortably appointed guest room with dataport & voicemail
- - Each guest room features the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage system
- - FREE high-speed Internet access in every guest room
- - 10 wheelchair accessible rooms with roll-in showers
- - Complimentary parking for overnight guests
- - Wireless high-speed Internet access in lobby
- - Two Club Floor levels for qualified guests
- - Health & Fitness Center On-Site
- - 24-hour business center
- - Outdoor swimming pool (Summer season only)
- - Fine dining in Stars Lounge (I say: Really yummy...good chef at the Plaza)
- - Priority Club Rewards hotel loyalty program
- - Concierge service

We can't imagine that you would want to book at a different hotel, but if you want to explore other options, here are the next closest hotels in Dayton.  They would require a brief walk in one case and driving in others.  But, you should know that there is a very convenient parking garage/center that connects to the Crowne Plaza and the Convention Center, AND BEST OF ALL >>>Dayton parking rates are less than Columbus rates.

1) Dayton Mariott (short drive to convention center)  http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/dayoh-dayton-marriott/

2) Courtyard Dayton (a Mariott hotel...short drive to convention center) http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/dayud-courtyard-dayton-university-of-dayton/

3) Doubletree Dayton-Downtown (walking distance, a few blocks)  Site has nice virtual tour http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=RU2PDQFWHWHZOCSGBIV222QKIYFC5UUC?ctyhocn=DAYLTDT&ctyhocn=DAYLTDT

There are many other hotels within a 10-15 minute driving distance, but these are the four most convenient.

Okay, while we’re at it, here's some more Dayton info to get you excited about visiting our little city.  We not above shameless promotion.

1)  The Schuster Center is our new performing arts center and it is a treasure.  Here's the link about it: http://www.schustercenter.org/     

2)  We have an historic theatre called the Victoria Theatre.  http://www.victoriatheatre.com/
             It looks like their fall calendars are not posted yet, also, but there's a chance of a play, an opera, a ballet, or a performer at either of these venues.

3)  Less than 30 minutes from the convention center is La Comedia Dinner Theatre and their shows are very good.  The food is wonderful, too.   http://www.lacomedia.com/   It looks like The Fantasticks will be playing during conference.

4)  We have some great book stores!  Besides your usual names: Borders, Barnes & Nobel, etc., you might want to check out the local favorite: Books & Co.  http://www.booksandco.com/ There are two locations, with the newest one being at The Greene.  (see next entry)

5) Our latest shopping attraction is The Greene (http://www.thegreene.com/) which is similar to Easton, for those of you who like to sneak a little shopping time in.  Part of the Greene is completed, but there will be even more by the time you visit us.

6)  You might want to seriously consider dragging a spouse along on this trip.  Dayton does have the world famous National Museum of the US Air Force.  http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/ .  Every author that I've ever hosted and every relative who has ever visited, has wanted to visit the museum.  It is free and it is BIG.  A spouse could easily spend an entire day there while you are being educated at conference.

I'm sure I am missing some of our other attractions and I'm sure we'll be bragging on Dayton as conference time draws near.  But for now, this info might prove useful.  Don't forget one thing: getting around in Downtown Dayton is EASY compared to other major cities in our state. 

Local Information provided by

Betty Darst, Retired
jdarst@woh.rr.com

Christine Findlay

Centerville City Schools

cfindlay@woh.rr.com

Sue Rahn

Trotwood Madison City Schools

suerahn@trotwood.k12.oh.us