Travel/Hotel Information

Location and Travel Information

The conference will take place at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, located in the scenic Connecticut River Valley. Amherst is served by major airlines through Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (about 1 hour by car) and Logan Airport in Boston (about 2 1/2 hours by car). Rental car and bus services are available from both airports. The Valley Transporter provides a shuttle service to and from both airports. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED for the Valley Transporter, call (800) 872-8752 or (413) 253-1350 for details.

For directions to the Courtyard® by Marriott® 423 Russell St Hadley, Massachusetts 01035 USA please visit the website https://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/bdlhd-courtyard-hadley-amherst/

For directions to all the locations on campus please visit http://www.aux.umass.edu/directions.php

If you are planning to drive to campus please park in the campus center parking garage on Monday and Tuesday. If you are driving to campus the remainder of the week please park in Lot 33 on campus. You will need to get a parking pass for this lot when you register. For a map of parking on campus please visit http://www-parking.admin.umass.edu/images/maps/mapvisitorparking.pdf

Accomodation Information

Registrants are responsible for making their own hotel arrangements. We recommend you make reservations early, as it is a busy time of year in the area. A block of hotel rooms are on hold at the Courtyard by Marriot the room rate is $112 for single and double rooms Sunday through Thursday and $145 Friday and Saturday. The cut off date for this room rate is May 13, 2011. To make reservations, telephone the hotel directly at (413) 256-5454 -you must identify yourself as affiliated with the UMass Chef Conference. There is also a block of rooms on hold at the Campus Center Hotel the room rate is $112 for single and double rooms. The cut off date for this room rate is May 13, 2011. To make reservations, telephone the hotel directly at (413) 549-6000 Ext. 78047 - you must identify yourself as affiliated with the UMass Chef Conference.

Parking Information

Free parking will be available in the Campus Center Garage which is connected to the UMass Hotel and the Campus Center. There will also free parking in lot 33 across the street from Berkshire Dining Commons. If you plan to drive to the UMass campus each day please park in the Campus Center parking garage on Monday and Tuesday. For the remainder of the week please park in lot 33. Each of these two parking locations requires parking passes. Please indicate the parking passes that you will need when you register on-site. Check the travel information section of the conference website for maps and directions. Please note that parking in restricted lots will result in unwanted ticketing and/or towing. For a map of parking on campus please visit http://www-parking.admin.umass.edu/images/maps/mapvisitorparking.pdf

Equipment to Bring

Chefs are encouraged to bring their own tools and knives for the cooking workshops.  Please check with your airline for knife transportation.  Chefs are also encouraged to bring their cameras.