You Need To Know!
601 South College Street,
Charlotte, NC 28202
Reference ARA when making hotel reservations
Hotel Cut-Off Date: Monday, September 12, 2011 The room rate cut-off date only applies to availability. If ARA’s room block sells out before the room rate cut-off date, additional rooms may not be available at the convention rate. For the past five conventions ARA has sold out its room block. Don’t delay! Reserve your room today!
Travel: Flights should be scheduled into Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT). Recent history indicates that the vast majority of convention delegates either use their own travel agents or internet ticket purchasing programs to make their travel plans. With such heavy use of internet travel planning and the many deals that are made via that venue, as well as the fast-changing rates, ARA has not selected an official air carrier or rental car company. We invite you to shop for the best deals available at your time of booking.
Ground Transportation: The Westin doesn’t provide shuttle service; however, they are located approximately 5 miles from the airport and the estimated taxi fare from the airport is $20 (one way).
For those with rental cars, The Westin offers covered parking at $18 per day (self-parking) or $30 per day valet.
The Westin Charlotte
The first thing you will notice about The Westin Charlotte is its stunning architectural features, but as soon as you enter the lobby you’ll be drawn in by its tranquil lighting, pleasing and artful seasonal botanical arrangements, calming music, and transformative white tea scent. The Weston offers its guests a calming experience that tends to all of your senses, not just a place to stay.
Click here to secure your accommodations at The Westin Charlotte during ARA’s Convention & Exposition.
ARA Annual Meeting
Join ARA in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2011!
Charlotte, North Carolina
There are over 200 entertainment and dining venues within walking distance of the Westin and Charlotte Convention Center. There's also shopping at SouthPark Mall, The Depot at Gibson Mill, and Concord Mills Outlet Mall; the Charlotte Motor Speedway; plenty of art and science museums; restaurants; and more a short drive from the Center City area. Raft down the largest man-made whitewater river in the world at the U.S. National Whitewater Center; try out the simulators at the NASCAR Hall of Fame or the interactive exhibits at Discover Place; or see works by the likes of Picasso, Miro, and Ansel Adams at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and Mint Museum. From budget to high-end, there's something for everyone looking to have a good time.
What is there to do in this high-octane city? Charlotte’s Got a Lot!
Arts & Science Council of Charlotte – Tour of Charlotte’s public artworks.
Billy Graham Library – Memorabilia.
Blumenthal Performing Art’s Broadway Lights Series – Experience Broadway block-busters.
Carolina Raptor Center – Birds.
Carolinas Aviation Museum – Aircraft exhibits.
Carowinds – Home of the Intimidator, the Southeast’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.
Charlotte Center City Carriage Tours – Horse-drawn, city street tours.
Charlotte Nature Museum – Urban science center, butterfly garden.
Charlotte Museum of History and the Hezekiah Alexander Home Site – Living history exhibits, 18th-20th century.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra – Classics and Pops series.
Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum – Trolley tours.
Childress Vineyards – Explore auto racing legend Richard Childress’s vineyard or the Barrel Cave with cascading waterfall and wine casks.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden – 110 acres of gardens, fountains, orchids, etc.
Discovery Place's – Interactive Science lab stations, deep sea aquariums, 3-D theatre, etc.
Fillmore and Road Runner Mobile Amphitheatre – Music venues in Center City.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture – Prominent African-American art, oratory, concerts, and lectures.
Historic residences – Tours of the VanLandingham Estate, Morehead Inn, or the Duke Mansion.
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center – Family fun with a Children’s Theatre of Charlotte production, teen-approved mp3 scavenger hunt, and more.
Latta Plantation, Nature Preserve and/or Equestrian Center – Living history farm and trail rides.
Levine Museum of the New South, The – Exhibits that document the "New South."
Light Factory, The – nonprofit arts center exhibiting photography and film.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway – 12.5 mile taste of Charlotte’s past with the Trail of History series of bronze statues.
NASCAR Hall of Fame – Interactive exhibits such as racing simulators and pit crew experiences mixed in with tributes to NASCAR’s heroes.
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race – The Charlotte Speedway Motorsports.
North Carolina Dance Theatre – Ballet.
Plaza Midwood – Streetcar-era neighborhood.
President James K. Polk State Historic Site – Commemorates Polk significant events.
Queen’s Landing – Sunsets or cruise Lake Norman.
Ray’s Splash Planet – Indoor waterpark.
Richard Petty Driving Experience – Ride shotgun with a professional driver or train and get behind the wheel yourself.
Reed Gold Mine – Pan for gold.
South End – Galleries, trolley, dining, nightlife, etc.
Swan Creek Wine Trail – Wineries’ tours.
The Green – Park, kid friendly.
U.S. National Whitewater Center – Unique outdoor adventure attractions.
Victory Lane Indoor Karting Center – Indoor road course with go-carts.
Visulite Theatre & Double Door Inn – Live music venues.
Whisky River – nightlife creation by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with over 20 venues and mechanical bull.
Wing Haven Gardens – Created 1927, garden and bird sanctuary.
Not enough to plan from? Charlotte has an iPhone App that identifies your location and maps nearby restaurants, attractions, and more. It’s available for free in the Apple App Store! Also, for more a detailed list and descriptions of Charlotte attractions, visit http://www.charlottesgotalot.com, 101 Things to do in Charlotte.
Charlotte Convention Center
This year’s Exposition and many of the top-notch educational sessions will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center
photo courtesy of Visit Charlotte
