2011 National Docent Symposium

GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL
St. Louis, airport code STL, is served by major carriers at Lambert- St. Louis International Airport. Lambert has two terminals—Main and East. The Symposium will be held a convenient 15-minute ride from the airport at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Clayton.

Ground transportation is available by taxi, rental car, or MetroLink, the city's light rail system. The Ritz does not offer a free airport shuttle.

MetroLink
From the Main Airport Terminal: Exit the airport through door MT1 (located in the upper level, just east of the American Airlines Credit Union). Note: The Main Terminal is the end of the MetroLink line so you can only go in one direction from this station).

From the East Airport Terminal: Exit the terminal and walk south about one block (the MetroLink station is accessible through the parking garage on all levels).

A two-hour ticket/pass from the airport costs $3.75. Purchasing a round-trip ticket is recommended. Ticket vending machines are located at all MetroLink Stations including the airport. Please make sure to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train.

Directions: (to go from the airport to the Ritz in Clayton, you will need to transfer trains)

Board a MetroLink EAST-bound train from the airport.
At the Forest Park Station, exit the train.
Board a WEST-bound (blue-line) train to Shrewsbury (do not get on a West-bound Lambert Airport train!)
Exit at the Forsyth Station.
Walk 0.5 of a block west on Forsyth Avenue to Jackson Street, cross and make a left.
The Ritz is half a block away.

Taxis
Taxis at both Main and East Terminal are located in the parking garages. Exit baggage claim and cross directly into first garage level where taxi stands are located.

Rental Cars
All major rental companies are located at the airport. Take complimentary shuttles from baggage claim area.
Please note, however, that all transportation during the symposium is provided, and the hotel is within easy walking distance of many restaurants, shops and galleries.

WHAT TO BRING TO ST. LOUIS
Early October is usually sunny and pleasant in St. Louis. The average daytime temperature is 75 degrees; the average evening temperature is 55 degrees.

Please check the weather before you travel.

The prevailing look in Saint Louis is "fashionably relaxed" and is suitable for all Symposium events. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. A light sweater or jacket may be needed. Men are not required to wear jackets, ties, or long sleeved shirts.

The opening gala will be outdoors, weather permitting. If you like to dress up, which is not required, Tuesday's dinner would be the time. We are dining at The Ritz! And don't forget an umbrella if rain is in the forecast.

The hotel amenities include a workout facility, an indoor pool, and a spa. Wi-Fi is available in both public areas and guest rooms at the rate of $9.95 per day.

Free Wi-Fi is available just steps away from the Ritz at Kaldi's, a coffee shop at 187 Carondolet Plaza, and at Stratton's Café, 190 Carondolet Plaza. All types of sundries can be obtained a few blocks from the hotel at Jennifer's Pharmacy, 30 N. Central Ave.

WHAT YOU WON'T NEED TO BRING
An alarm clock, a CD player, a bathrobe, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, shower gel, mouthwash, a lighted makeup mirror, a hair dryer, a sewing kit, a notebook/sketchbook, or a pencil. These will all be provided…either by the hotel or NDS 2011.

OTHER THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN ST. LOUIS
For information about public transportation, events, attractions and shopping, visit the Saint Louis Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.explorestlouis.com.

St. Louis has many different neighborhoods with restaurants of all types. Find out more about these neighborhoods in your Delegate Handbook. If you want to go shopping (and who doesn't?), St. Louis boasts a number of malls and small boutiques; a listing of these will be provided in your Handbook as well.

St. Louisans are incredibly warm and welcoming people, and you are sure to make some friends here. Enjoy!