Registration

In keeping with this year's conference theme, WLA is, for the first time, offering on-line registration. For your convenience, we have included a link to the on-line registration form as well as a link to a printable version of the form in case you would prefer the more traditional method.

On-Line Registration

To register for this year's conference, sign up for the Saturday tours, and/or renew WLA membership on-line, please click here.

Traditional Registration

To register for this year's conference, sign up for the Saturday tours, and/or renew WLA membership via snail mail, please click here for a printable copy of the form.

 

Hotel Accommodations

This year's conference will be held in Houston's Galleria Mall. We have arranged for a conference rate at the Westin Hotel, which is located within the Galleria at Westin Galleria, 5060 W. Alabama, Houston, TX 77056-5801, Phone: (713) 960-8100 or fax (713) 960-6551.

Rates:

Room Single Occupancy - $120.00

Room Double Occupancy - $120.00

If you would like our assistance in finding someone with whom to share a room, please contact us as soon as possible, and we will try to put you in touch with someone else who is looking for a roommate.

Please make your reservations early! An extra person charge of $15.00 will apply for each additional adult (more than two) staying in the same room with existing bedding. All rates are subject to the Houston tax of 17%. Please mention that you are attending the WLA convention to receive the special room rate. Rooms not reserved by September 25th, 2003 will be sold on a space available basis and will not be subject to the group discount.

For Hotel reservations contact the Hotel Directly at: 1 (800) 228-3000. Be sure to obtain a confirmation number in writing from the hotel. Bring your confirmation number with you to Houston in case you are asked for it at the front desk upon check-in. Persons without valid reservation confirmation numbers may not be able to get a room at the host hotel.

Overflow Hotel

The overflow Hotel is the Bradford Homesuites at 3440 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056. Reservations can be made by dialing: 1 (800) 486-STAY (7829) or locally, (713) 629-9711, or on-line at www.bradfordsuites.com.

Rates:

Room Single Occupancy - $85.00

Room Double Occupancy - $85.00

Bradford Homesuites will provide shuttle service to the galleria during the conference.

Again, please make your reservations early! An extra person charge of $10.00 will apply for each additional adult (more than two) staying in the same room with existing bedding. All rates are subject to the Houston tax of 17%. Please mention you are attending the WLA convention to receive the special room rate. Rooms not reserved by September 25th, 2003 will be sold on a space available basis and will not be subject to the group discount.

Disabled Persons

The Westin Galleria Hotel complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, its regulations, and guidelines. So that the Westin Galleria can better assist persons with special needs, individuals should indicate their specific needs on the hotel reservation form or in an attached letter and include a telephone number where they can be reached. In addition, they should make their reservations as early as possible, and no later than September 1st, 2003. For additional assistance, please contact the Western Literature Association.

 

Transportation

Airport Transportation:

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 28.73 miles and 33 minutes from the Westin Galleria Houston. Hobby Airport is 16.85 miles and 23 minutes from the Westin Galleria Houston. (All times presume normal traffic conditions.)

Amtrak Trains:

Amtrak Service Limited runs through Houston between Orlando and Los Angeles. The Houston Amtrak station is located at 902 Washington Ave., just north of downtown. For information, call (800) USA-RAIL or (800) 872-7245.

Taxis:

Taxis are available outside baggage claims at all three airports. Fares to the Westin Galleria Houston are $38.00 from George Bush Intercontinental and $34.00 from Hobby.

Fiesta Cab Company - (713) 236-9400 or (713) 225-2666

Liberty Cab Company - (281) 999-0088 or (713) 695-6700

Square Deal Cab Company - (713) 659-7236

United Cab Company - (713) 699-0000

Yellow Cab Company - (713) 236-1111

Express Shuttle - (713) 523-8888

Rental Cars:

Car-rental companies offer vehicles in various price ranges: the average rental fee for a mid-sized car per day is $30.00.

Shuttles/Buses:

Airport shuttles and limousines carry passengers to Houston's major business and entertainment districts, including the Uptown/Galleria area. Express Shuttle USA carries from Hobby Airport to the Westin Galleria for $15.00 and from Bush Continental Airport to the Westin Galleria for $20.00. Ours of operation are from 5:00 A.M. - 11:30 P.M. Pickups are available at some other area hotels by reservation only. Call (713) 523-8888 for details.

Metro:

Houston's bus system, operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) is $1.00 for a one-way local fare. Visitors can take METRO without having to worry about navigating the freeways or mapping out directions to their destination.

METRO also offers a free service downtown on colorful, vintage replica trolley buses. The trolleys access remote parking, restaurants, shops, major hotels, the courthouse complex, Enron Field and the George R. Brown Convention Center. METRO offers express service between Bush Intercontinental or Hobby and downtown.

METRO offers service between Bush Intercontinental and downtown Houston Monday through Friday with a one-way fare of $1.50 ($1.00 from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.). These buses run approximately every 25 minutes, from 6:00 - 10:00 A.M. and again from 2:00 - 7:00 P.M. Service between Hobby Airport and downtown Houston runs seven days a week with a one-way fare of $1.00. These buses run approximately every 30 minutes, from 5:00 A.M. - midnight. For more information about METRO, please call: (713) 635-4000.

Driving from the Airports:

George Bush Intercontinental Airport:

Begin at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Terminal Road South and go east for 0.6 miles. Bear right on John F. Kennedy Blvd at sign reading "Airport Exit/Hardy Toll Road/Airport Hotel and US-59/I-45" and go South for 2.5 miles. Bear left and go Southeast for 300 feet. Turn left on Greens Road and go East for 2.4 miles. Turn right on Eastex Fwy, US-59, US-59 N and go South for 0.6 miles. Bear left on ramp and go South for 1000 feet. Continue on Eastex Fwy, US-59 and go south for 10 miles. Exit Eastex Fwy, US-59 via ramp to I-610 and go Southwest for 12 miles. Exit I-610 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 8B to Richmond Ave." and go Southwest for 700 feet. Turn left on Hidalgo St. and go West for 900 feet. Turn right on McCue Rd and go North for 900 feet. Turn right on W Alabama St and go East for 400 feet to 5060 W. Alabama St.

Hobby Airport:

Begin at 7800 Airport Blvd on Airport Terminal and go Southwest for 700 feet. Turn right on Rental Car Return at sign reading "Rental Car return/Airport Exit" and go North for 800 feet. Turn right on Airport Blvd and go East for 1000 feet. Turn left on Broadway St and go North for 1.9 miles. Bear right and go Northeast for 300 feet. Turn left on Gulf Fwy and go Northwest for 600 feet. Continue on ramp at sign reading "I-45 N" and go Northwest for 800 feet. Continue on I-45, Gulf Fwy, US-75 and go Northwest for 6 miles. Exit I-45, Gulf Fwy, US-75 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 46B TX-288 S/US-59 to Lake Jackson/Freeport/Victoria" and go Southwest for 0.9 miles. Continue on Us-59, Southwest Fwy via ramp to I-610 and go Northwest for 0.4 miles. Continue on I-610 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 8C to Westheimer Rd and FM-1093" and go North for 500 feet. Continue on W Loop Fwy S, West Loop S and go South for 0.4 miles. Turn right on Hidalgo St and go West for 0.2 miles. Turn right on McCue Rd and go North for 900 feet. Turn right on W Alabama St and go East for 400 feet to 5060 W Alabama St.

Other driving instructions may be obtained from the Westin Galleria Houston website at: www.westin.com. For further information about our host city and what it has to offer, including restaurants, museums, performing arts, sports, etc., go to www.houston-guide.com.