ANNual conference

Travel & Lodging

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Tampa. The hotel is located at 211 North Tampa Street. Room prices begin at $149/night. For hotel reservations call the Hyatt Regency at: (813) 225-1234. To receive conference rates please mention the Joining FORCEs Conference when making hotel arrangements. You can reserve your room on line through the Hyatt's Joining FORCEs conference web page.

Visit the hotel's website for a map of the area.

Directions

From Tampa International Airport: 8.9 miles
Take I-275 N and take Downtown West exit #44. Stay left on the ramp as the road forks. Merge onto Tampa Street, a one-way street. Stay on the left lane, as  the Hyatt is eight blocks down on the left side, at the SE corner of Jackson & Tampa.

Shuttle Service from airport to Hyatt Regency Tampa is provided by Blue One Transportation. Reservations can be made by calling (813) 333-3598.

To Tampa Port Authority (1 mile from Hyatt Regency Tampa)
Head South on N. Tampa St, turn right onto S. Franklin St. Turn left onto Channelside Dr. 

Via I-275 N (coming from St. Petersburg direction):
Take Downtown West exit #44. Stay left on the ramp as the road forks. Merge onto Tampa Street, a one-way street. Stay on the left lane, as  the Hyatt is eight blocks down on the left side, at the SE corner of Jackson & Tampa.

Via I-275 S  (coming from North Tampa or Ocala direction going towards St. Petersburg):
Take Downtown exit #45A. Stay right on the ramp as the road forks. Follow the sign for Ashley Street and then follow the signs to Tampa Street. Go about eight blocks on Tampa (one way street) and the Hyatt will be on your left, at the corner of Jackson & Tampa.

Via I-4 W (coming from Orlando direction):
Take I-4 to I-275 South. Take Downtown exit #45A. Stay right on the ramp as the road forks. Follow the sign for Ashley Street and then follow the signs to Tampa Street. Go about eight blocks on Tampa (one way street) and the Hyatt will be on your left, at the corner of Jackson & Tampa.

Via I-75 N (coming from Naples/Ft Lauderdale direction):
Take exit #256 Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. Take exit #8 (Downtown East/Kennedy Blvd.). This is a one-way street. Follow Kennedy for eight blocks, and turn left on Tampa Street. Hyatt is two blocks down on the left, at the SE corner of Jackson and Tampa.

Air Travel

Tampa International Airport
Less than 10 miles away from the Hyatt, Tampa International Airport is the most convenient airport for travel to our conference. Tampa International Airport was rated best in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2003. Tampa is a destination for all the major airlines and a hub for Southwest Airlines. You can use their convenient flight planner to learn which airlines and flights are available for the days you are traveling.

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport
The St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport is another option for traveling to Tampa. This airport is located 17 miles from the Hyatt. Check the airport website for information on airlines which fly to St. Pete-Clearwater.

Local Transportation

Blue One Transportation, the Hyatt Regency Tampa's preferred shuttle service, offers non-stop transportation to and from the Tampa International Airport.  No reservations are needed; just call Blue One's transportation Hotline (813) 333-3598 when your flight lands. You will then be directed to the nearest ground transportation area positioned at each of the opposite ends of the airport.

When departing the Hyatt, shuttles leave every top of the hour from the Front Desk area, starting at 6:00am.

Pricing:
- $12 one-way for single passenger
- $10 one-way per passenger for groups of two or larger

Taxi service is available from the Hotel, 24 hours.
- Taxi from and to the Tampa International Airport is approx. $20.00, one-way
- Taxi to the Port of Tampa (one mile from the Hotel) costs approx. $5, one-way
- Taxi from the St. Petersburg Airport takes about 45 Minutes and costs approx. $40, one-way
- Taxi to the Amtrak Station (3 blocks) costs approx. $5.00
- Taxi to the Local Transit System/Hartline (3 blocks) costs approx. $5

In-Town Trolley stops across the street (Tampa Str.) from the Hotel. The Trolley takes you to Hyde Park Shopping Village, Harbour Island and also connects you to the Historic Streetcar (50 cents), which takes you to the Channelside Entertainment Complex and Historic Ybor City ($1.50).

About Tampa

For information on specific activities and dining in the Tampa area, please contact the Hyatt Concierge at (813) 225-1234.

The Tampa Bay area has a variety of attractions including beautiful gulf-coast beaches, boating, and other watersports. Tennis and golf are popular outdoor activities with facilities for both located nearby. Tampa is also known for great shopping, from large malls to smaller shops and boutiques. Tampa is home to major sports teams including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football), the Tampa Bay Lightning (hockey), and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (baseball). Tampa is about an hour by car from Orlando major attractions including Disney World, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and Sea World. For a comprehensive list of area attractions and recreation, visit the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau website. Local area attractions include:

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (9 miles)
Tel: 888/800-5447
3000 E. Busch Blvd

This amusement park/animal park features thrilling rides, shows, and wildlife encounters.

Channelside (1 mile)
Tel: 813/223-4250
615 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602

Channelside is a waterfront collection of shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and entertainment located in downtown Tampa.

The Florida Aquarium
Tel: 813/273-4000
701 Channelside Dr

Only one mile away from the Hyatt hotel, the Florida aquarium boasts over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals both native to Florida and from all over the globe.

Lowry Park Zoo (6.5 miles)
Tel: 813/935-8552
1101 W. Sligh Ave

Lowry Park Zoo was voted "Number 1 Family Friendly Zoo in America" by Child Magazine.

MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) (11 miles)
Tel: 813/987-6100
4801 E. Fowler Ave

This interactive museum features over 450 exhibits including an IMAX theatre and a "Kids in Charge" area designed specifically for children 12 and under.

Ybor City (2.5 miles)

Ybor City is one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts located in the State of Florida. Founded in 1886 by Vicente Martinez Ybor, Ybor City became "the cigar capital of the world" by 1900. By the early 1950's the cigar factories were gone. Ybor was revitalized in the late 1990's and now attracts large numbers of visitors due to the wide variety of shops, restaurants, clubs, and galleries.

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