P3D Re: NSA Convention Dates

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mary Ann & Wolfgang Sell wrote:
 
> Next year is approaching fast!  The NSA convention for Y2K
> will be held at the Shearton Inn in Mesa, Arizona, July 6-10, 2000.
> Great rate -- $68.00 a night!  [snip]  Make reservations early as
> we only have 220 rooms on peak nights and we went way over that
> this year.

Anyone who wants to take this advise might need to know the
convention dates, and how to reach the hotel.  The starting
date is listed as Thursday July 6.  The convention itself
typically wraps up on Sunday, (July 9), with tours scheduled
for Monday.  Presumably this pattern will apply again in 2000.

You can reach the Sheraton Mesa by calling toll-free 800-456-6372.
If you prefer to pay for the call yourself, or if you live in the
local calling area, try 602-898-8300.  I spoke with the hotel's
reservations department this morning.  They do not yet show the
NSA contract as definite.  They did, however, take my reservation
at the $68 rate.

> Also, cheap air fares into Phoenix
> International during the summer (something like $59.00 from LAX)

Currently as low as $78 (plus certain taxes and charges) round-
trip.  (You can't book a flight for the convention yet, because
the airlines only accept reservations roughly 330 days or less
in advance.)

Also, given the hotel's distance from the airport, they apparently
do not have a free shuttle.  Some ground transportation info from
the web (may not be current): 

  * FROM PHX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT
        - TAXI - APPROXIMATELY 26.00USD
        - SHUTTLE/LIMO - SUPERSHUTTLE, 800-730-9267, 6AM-11PM
          APPROXIMATELY 12.00USD

Los Angeles is only 386 driving miles from Phoenix.  At about
$110 RT ($78 plus $24 plus shuttle driver tips) flying *is* a
lot cheaper than than driving.  But don't expect to get a fare
this low from anywhere but LA, and a couple other close-by cities
(e.g., Las Vegas, El Paso).

For a hotel preview, see:
http://www.sheraton.com/cgi/t3.cgi/property.taf?prop=952
http://www.travelnow.com/usa/arizona/hotel/mesa_127859.html
http://hotelguide.net/phoenix/data/h100082.htm
http://www.arizonaguide.com/sheraton_mesa/

Anyone started counting down the days yet?  ;-)

Paul Talbot


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