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Contact Conference Staff
Conference Hotel
All Conference events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel (225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202). The Hyatt sits alongside the St. Johns River and is adjacent to Jacksonville Landing, a festive blend of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The Hotel offers several restaurants and a sports bar, a 24-hour fully equipped fitness center, a rooftop swimming pool, and concierge service. Guestrooms are tastefully decorated with Hyatt’s new bedding package and comfortable furnishings. Airport transportation by taxi to the hotel is approximately $32 one way; shuttle service and rental cars also are available.
Group Rate
A block of rooms has been set aside at the Hyatt for Conference attendees at the reduced group rate of $180/night single/$190 double plus tax for a standard room; upgrades to riverfront view, club level, and suites are available. These rates will be in effect for reservations made through December 30, 2008, unless rooms in the block sell out before that date. Subject to availability of rooms at the time reservations are made, the Conference rate can be used for check-in as early as Sunday, February 1st. To make a reservation on-line click here, or call the hotel at 800-233-1234 (toll free) or 904-588-1234 and state that you are attending the “Battelle Sediments Conference.”
Government Rate
A percentage of rooms will be available at the prevailing U.S. Government per diem rate (plus tax) for U.S. federal, state, and local government employees. If you are a government employee (not a contractor), contact The Conference Group (telephone: 800-783-6338 or 614-488-2030; fax: 614-488-5747; e-mail: info@confgroupinc.com) to request the link for on-line reservations at the Government rate.
Jacksonville and Vicinity
Inhabited by the Timucuan Indians more than 6,000 years ago, the Northeast Coast of Florida was explored by the Spanish in 1513. The French established Ft. Caroline along the St. Johns River in 1562, and the Spanish reclaimed the area in 1565 with the founding of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States. The Florida Territory was ceded by Spain to the English in 1763. As international trade in sugar, indigo, and citrus crops flourished, the region grew. After the Territory was sold to the United States in 1821, Jacksonville was named as an official port of entry, solidifying its future as a major international trade seaport and transportation hub.
Jacksonville’s mild climate and more than 200 days of sunshine per year enable residents and visitors to enjoy the area’s unique amenities. The city and its surrounding communities brim with urban vitality, eclectic neighborhoods, historic adventure, environmental beauty, and all the southern charm of Old Florida. The St. Johns River winds through the heart of the city. Beautifully landscaped with palm trees and fountains, the Riverwalks on both the north and the south banks draw the energetic and the leisurely alike. Water taxis and the elevated Skyway transit make it easy to visit restaurants and attractions on both sides of the river. Jacksonville is the home of several professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Jaguars and the World Hockey Association’s Barracudas. The city is considered one of the country’s top arts destinations. Visitors will enjoy the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Science and History, and the Florida Theater. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and the many city parks provide opportunities to enjoy the pleasant weather. The city has the largest urban park system in the United States. History and ecology buffs might plan to visit the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Located in the Preserve are a re-creation of the original Ft. Caroline, as well as the Kingsley Plantation—the oldest surviving plantation house in Florida.
Salt marshes, lakes and waterways, miles of glistening sandy beaches, and more are only a short drive from the city center. Jacksonville Beach, Amelia Island, old St. Augustine, and many golf courses are just a few of the highlights.
Georgia’s Cumberland Island and the Okefenokee Swamp are within easy driving distance. Of course, as the city “where Florida begins,” Jacksonville is the gateway to the many destinations on Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts and to Orlando’s theme parks, Kennedy Space Center, and other central Florida attractions. For more information, go to www.visitjacksonville.com and www.visitflorida.com.
 Inquiries
Questions about the hotel may be addressed to: The Conference Group (1580 Fishinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221), info@confgroupinc.com; phone: 800-783-6338 (U.S. and Canada) or 614-488-2030; fax: 614-488-5747.
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