New Location, Same Dates

Please read the entire page below

ABC 70th Annual Convention
October 20 - 22, 2005
Hyatt Regency, Irvine

Irvine, California

With a sense of deep regret, the Association for Business Communication has determined that it will be impossible to hold the 70th Annual Convention in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina has hit the gulf coast with such devastating force that it will will take months, if not years, for the city to recover.

However, ABC is pleased to announce that we have been able to secure a new location for our convention on dates identical to those originally scheduled for New Orleans: Thursday, October 20; Friday, October 21; and Saturday, October 22. The convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency, Irvine, in Orange County, California.

The ABC staff and Board of Directors thank all members for their patience and support during this trying time. We look forward to celebrating ABC’s 70th anniversary with you in the “O.C.”

Below are details to help you plan your trip.

The dates are the same, the location has changed

In rescheduling the convention for Irvine, our goal was to make it as easy as possible for all participants to go forward with their plans, despite the disruption:

• The dates of the convention have not changed, so you should not need to rearrange your teaching and other commitments in order to participate.
• The program will remain the same: presentations, committee meetings, interest group meetings, and receptions you were planning to attend will be at their originally scheduled times.
• The location is outstanding. The Hyatt is business hotel with all the amenities you expect. It’s just ten minutes from the Orange County/John Wayne airport (SNA), accessible from two other major airports, and convenient to restaurants, beaches, shopping, and attractions.
• Costs should be comparable – in fact, rooms are less expensive than in New Orleans, and the hotel provides complimentary transportation to and from the Orange County/ John Wayne airport.

Reserving a hotel room at the Hyatt Regency, Irvine
The Hyatt Regency, Irvine, will begin accepting reservations on Friday, September 9. To secure the special ABC rate of $159 for a single or double room, please call the hotel by October 4, 2005, at 1-949-975-1234.

Booking flights and ground transportation
All major airlines have announced that tickets for New Orleans can be rebooked to other cities (and in some cases refunded for credit) through October 31, 2005, without any penalties. Three airports serve the Orange County area: Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA), Los Angeles International (LAX), and Long Beach Airport (LGB). These airports are used by most of the same airlines as the New Orleans airport; thus you should be able to arrange with your airline to purchase a ticket to Orange County and apply the full dollar value of your New Orleans ticket toward the new fare.

Orange County Airport (SNA) is the airport closest to the Hyatt Regency, Irvine--only a few minutes away. A free shuttle is available between the airport and the hotel, leaving from the airport twice an hour at 15 minutes and 45 minutes past the hour. No advance reservations are necessary.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) may be the most cost-effective option for international travelers. Long Beach Airport (LGB) may be a good choice for travelers who fly JetBlue Airways, since Long Beach is one of the airline’s west coast hubs. From either LAX or LGB, the best option for ground transportation to the Hyatt Regency, Irvine, is to book a shuttle online or by phone from Super Shuttle (1-800-258-3826 or www.supershuttle.com). Shuttle reservations are required at least one day in advance. Depending on the airport and number of passengers in your party, the cost per person for a shuttle is between $20 and $48 each way. (Taking a taxi or limo service, in contrast, may cost as much as $100 each way.)

Registering for the convention
If you have registered for the New Orleans convention, you need not register again. If you did not register for New Orleans, you can download a registration form at this link: http://businesscommunication.org/conventions/2005/documents/2005_Registration_Form.pdf. Fax or mail the completed form to ABC Headquarters.

Note: You must cancel reservations at the New Orleans Sheraton
Although the Sheraton New Orleans is officially closed through October 31, 2005, people with reservations will need to contact the Sheraton to cancel their reservations. The toll-free numbers in the U.S. are 1-800-325-3535 or 1-888-627-8260.