Weather in Houston:

Conference Attire:

While there is no official dress code at any of the events, the majority of conference participants wear business or business/casual attire. Evening events are usually semi-formal (no tuxedo required).

Visa Requirements:

Mexican citizens require a visa in order to enter the United States which can be solicited at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. This should be done well in advance of travel to ensure adequate processing time. In addition, Mexican citizens are required to request an I-94 upon entry to the U.S.

Canadian citizens generally do not require a visa to visit the United States.

Please note that CONAHEC does not provide assistance with visas for conference participants.

More information about visas can be found at:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

Air Travel:

Houston, Texas, is easy to get to by airplane. The Houston Airport is the hub for Continental Airlines, and is served by a number of other airlines as well. For information on the airlines that serve George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), please visit:

http://www.fly2houston.com/iahHome

Continental Airlines MeetingWorks Agreement:

Continental Airlines offers discounts off published fares of 2% to 10% or Zone fares (Valid for travel from April 18 - April 26, 2010).

Reservations by telephone:

In the U.S. please call: 1-800-468-7022
Outside the U.S. please call your local Continental Airlines Reservation Office or your travel professional.
Refer to Z Code: ZGBA and Agreement Code: CGX3YG

Online:

Save an additional 3% off by booking your own reservations at:

http://www.continental.com

To get the discount online, choose your flight times and then enter the following code in the Offer Code box: ZGBACGX3YG
(Z Code: ZGBA + Agreement Code: CGX3YG)

Click here to download a .pdf document with additional details about the agreement

American Airlines:

While this will not provide an additional discount for you, it wouldl help CONAHEC staff with future travel to events if you use our Business ExtrAAs account number when booking your flights with American. This will not cost you any additional amount either. Thank you very much in advance for your contribution to CONAHEC's staff travel expenses.

If you choose to book your reservation online through http://www.aa.com, please use the code 804214 in the "Business ExtrAA Account Number" section.

If you make reservations directly with American Airlines, American Eagle®, or AmericanConnection®, call American Airlines Reservations at:
1-800-433-1790, in the U.S. and Canada. For all other locations, contact your local American Airlines Reservations office. Please mention Business ExtrAAs Account Number/Tour Code: 804214.

If you choose to make reservations and purchase your tickets at an American Airlines airport ticket counter, please ask the American Airlines agent to place 804214 in the "Tour Code" box.

Ground Transportation:

Visitors to IAH have a variety of transfer and transportation options available to them once they arrive in Houston.

Metro Airport Direct/MetroRail (light rail line) public transportation:

Metro Airport Direct buses depart from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Terminal C every 30 minutes and take you to the downtown Airport Direct Passenger Plaza located off the MetroRail Line (light rail line) stop called "Downtown Transit Center". From there go south on the MetroRail. Get off at "Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo station if going to Rice Campus, or at "Dryden/TMC" if you are going to one of the conference hotels.

Cost for the Metro Aiport Direct bus is $15 each way.
Cost for riding the MetroRail is $1.25 or $0.60 for Students/Seniors/Medicare Cardholders and Disabled persons.

For more information please visit the Ride Metro web site:

http://www.ridemetro.org/Default.aspx

Taxi Service:

Taxi service from George Bush International Airport (IAH) to the area in which the conference hotels and Rice University are situated costs approximately USD 60.

Other options:

In addition, private limousines, SuperShuttle shared-ride service, scheduled buses/shuttles, courtesy vans, and even public bus (METRO) transportation are all available.

Please visit the Houston Airport System's page for more information:

http://www.fly2houston.com/iahGroundTransportation

Avis Rental Cars:

Rental includes unlimited mileage. Discounts depend on the dates and specific details of your rental contract.

By telephone:

In the U.S. & Canada please call: 1-800-331-1212
In Mexico please call: 1-800-288-8888
The telephone number for the Avis at the Houston airport is: +1 (281) 443-5800
Please give the reservation agent AWD# J953701 to receive the appropriate rates.

Online:

https://www.avis.com/AvisWeb/reservation/ReservationsInitializer?&AWD_NUMBER=J953701