Click here to download the Conference Program and Schedule of Sessions - Subject to Change

Click here to download a PDF version of the preliminary schedule.

Lodging is not included in the cost of conference registration but there are many convenient on-campus and local options. If you have any questions about the area or lodging options below, please don't hesitate to contact the UMass Conference Services Registration Office at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.

On-Campus Lodging

HOTEL UMASS - $129.00-$149.00/room/night + fees
Rated the best hotel in Amherst and seated in the center of the picturesque UMass Amherst campus, Hotel UMass blends a tranquil countryside escape with the bustling energy of campus life, making it your ideal destination when staying in the area. Located in the Campus Center just an elevator ride from many meeting spaces and amenities, including the University Store and several newly renovated dining options, Hotel UMass offers unbeatable convenience for a discounted conference rate of $129.00 - $149.00/room/night (plus applicable fees, currently 6% plus $1.00 per room, per night). Click here or call 877-822-2110 to complete a reservation. Reference group code FBC19C to receive the discounted group rate. Rooms are available for the following nights/rates (plus applicable fees):
    - Thursday March 28 - $129.00
    - Friday March 29 - $149.00
    - Saturday March 30 - $149.00
    - Sunday March 31 - $129.00

Off-Campus Lodging
The Amherst area is full of many hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts. A variety of hotel chains offer their familiar comforts just a short 5 - 10 minute drive from the UMass Campus on Route 9/Russell Street in neighboring Hadley, while charming independent inns and B&Bs dot the area, offering a true taste of Pioneer Valley living.

Below are some popular off-campus lodging options, including the estimated drive time to the Campus Center. Click here for a full listing of area lodging courtesy of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Interested in staying at a local Bed and Breakfast? Click here for more information on what the Pioneer Valley has to offer, courtesy of the Five College Area Bed and Breakfast Association.

AMHERST
    Allen House Inn - 413-253-5000 (9 minutes)
    Amherst Airbnb
    Black Walnut Inn - 413-549-5649 (8 minutes)
    Lord Jeffrey Inn - 413-253-2576 (10 minutes)
    University Lodge - 413-256-8111 (6 minutes)

HADLEY
    Comfort Inn - 413-584-9816 (12 minutes)
    Courtyard Marriott - 413-256-5454 (8 minutes)
    Econo Lodge - 413-582-7077 (9 minutes)
    Hampton Inn - 413-586-4851 (16 minutes)
    Holiday Inn Express - 413-582-0002 (7 minutes)
    Howard Johnson - 413-586-0114 (10 minutes)

DEERFIELD
    Deerfield Inn - 413-774-5587 (27 minutes)
    Red Roof Inn - 413-665-7161 (19 minutes)

NORTHAMPTON
    Autumn Inn - 413-584-7660 (24 minutes)
    Hotel Northampton - 413-584-7660 (21 minutes)
    Quality Inn & Suites - 413-586-1500 (21 minutes)

While some registration options include meals, there are numerous dining options both on and off campus for conference attendees to visit if needed. If you have any questions about the dining options below, please don't hesitate to contact the Registration Office at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102!

UMass Dining
You don't have to travel far to find something great to eat - recently named "Best Campus Food in America" by the Princeton Review for the third year in a row, UMass Dining invites you to join our table! Here are UMass we pride ourselves in serving a variety of healthy and flavorful meals featuring local, regional and world cuisine, prepared and served in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious manner. We source locally year-round, serve sustainable seafood, and employ a “small plate, big flavor philosophy,” all in the aim of supporting the New England Food System. We now offer SPE-certified dishes to ensure maximum nutrition and great taste - the first university in the nation to do so!

DINING COMMONS
Come enjoy a meal in one of our Dining Commons! Served all-you-care-to-eat style, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m each day. At each meal you will find a variety of cuisines, often including sushi, pho noodles, create-your-own stir-fry, pizza, dim sum brunch, pasta and salad bars, deli sandwiches, American fare, Halal dining, vegan and vegetarian options, a range of desserts and ice cream, and more. Daily menus will be available as your stay approaches on the UMass Dining website.

Guests can pay for each meal by cash or card right at Dining Commons entrance.
  Breakfast: $8.75  
  Lunch: $11.25 
  Dinner: $14.25    

CAMPUS CENTER EATERIES
The Blue Wall, located in the Campus Center, is one of the most popular and convenient dining options on campus. The Blue Wall has 10 different stations served a-la-carte. Offerings include pizza, salads, wraps, deli sandwiches, sushi, burgers, burritos, gelato, and more, ensuring that the Blue Wall has something to satisfy every craving. Harvest Market, located on the main concourse of the Campus Center, is a full service market serving healthy, sustainable, and delicious fare for our on the go customers. The hot bar often features Indian, Ethiopian, traditional American, and many other world cuisines, and the salad bar is always stocked with in-season ingredients and freshly prepared composed salads. Additional highlights include a Chobani yogurt bar, all natural and organic snacks, local cheeses and deli meats, grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, and a made-to-order juice and smoothie bar. Need a quick pick-me-up or caffeine fix? People's Organic Coffee, located on the main concourse of the Campus Center across from Harvest Market, serves People's Organic Fair Trade coffees, as well as a variety of specialty coffee beverages, organic teas, locally baked pastries, fresh cookies, salads and paninis.

UNIVERSITY CLUB
The University Club and Restaurant, more fondly referred to as The UClub, is the eminent fine dining establishment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Housed in two colonial era New England farmhouses, the University Club and Restaurant offers a contemporary dining experience steeped in historic charm. Long established as a private faculty and alumni club, the University Club offers the public and campus community a full-service restaurant & lounge featuring local beer, wine, and farm-fresh ingredients. Call 413-545-2551 to make your reservation.

FOOD TRUCKS
Our food trucks, Baby Berk and Baby Berk 2, are great options for a quick and convenient meal. Serving freshly prepared food truck fare, including burgers, wasabi steak tacos, grilled cheeses, tater tots and sweet potato fries, you are sure to leave satisfied. Checkout @UMassBabyBerk and @UMassBabyBerk2 on Twitter to find daily schedules and location updates, and look for the trucks around campus during your stay!

Area Dining
Looking to head off-campus for a meal? There are so many wonderful and convenient options! Downtown Amherst, located about a 5 minute drive/25 minute walk from campus, has many unique restaurants, with fare ranging from Thai, Chinese, Italian, American, Indian and more. Some longstanding downtown favorites include Antonio's pizza by the slice, Judie's (try a popover), Bueno Y Sano, and Johnny's Tavern. About 5 minutes in the other direction, heading down University Drive, you will find some more popular local spots including The Hangar Pub and Grill, Rafters and Ginger Garden. Travel just a bit further (7 - 10 minutes from campus) and you will reach the Route 9/Russell Street area of Hadley, which is replete with familiar chains and fast-food spots including Friendly's, Panara, Chili's, Wendy's, Chipotle, Texas Roadhouse and more. Have a little more time on your hands? Visit downtown Northampton, about a 25 minute drive from campus, to explore the many restaurants and shops that make up this artistic, academic and countercultural hub. Click the links below for some more information on off-campus dining options, and be sure to take a look at the bus services offered by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to help you get where you need to go!

• Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce: http://www.amherstarea.com/list/category/restaurants-281
• Visit Hampshire County: https://visithampshirecounty.com/eat/restaurants/
• Area Restaurant Guide (PDF)

Location

The conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For GPS purposes the Campus Center, including Hotel UMass and the attached Campus Center Parking Garage, are located at 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Complimentary parking will be available in the Campus Center Parking Garage. The John W. Olver Design Building is located at 551 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003. Click the addresses to get directions from your location. Click here to take a look at a campus map.

Driving to Campus

From the South, via I-91 North
Take Exit 19 in Northampton. From the exit ramp, stay to the right to merge onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North. Turn left onto 116 and go one mile to the UMass Exit. Stay to the right as you exit to merge onto Massachusetts Avenue. Take a left at the second set of lights onto Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. Turn right onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left to go up the hill - you will see the garage entrance up the hill on your right. 

From the North, via I-91 South

Take Exit 25 in Deerfield. At the end of the ramp turn left onto Routes U.S. 5/10/116. Follow until the lights and then turn right to stay on 5/10/116. Go one mile and turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for eight miles to the UMass exit. Turn left at the stop sign. Take a left at the second set of lights onto Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. Turn right onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left to go up the hill - you will see the garage entrance up the hill on your right.

From the North, via I-93 South
Follow I-93 to I-495 South. Follow to Route 2 West. Continue on Route 2 to U.S. 202 South. Follow for about 15 miles to the blinking light at the Pelham exit marked “Route 9 and 116 Amherst.” Turn right and follow for seven miles to Amherst center. Turn right onto North Pleasant Street. Stay on North Pleasant Street (you will need to turn left twice to remain on North Pleasant Street, - follow signs to the UMass Campus). As you enter campus you will come to a set of lights. Stay to the left to turn onto Massachusetts Avenue. Follow Massachusetts Avenue through campus until you come to a set of lights. At the lights take a right onto Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. Turn right onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left and go up the hill - you will see the garage entrance up the hill on your right. 

From the East or West, via I-90 
Travelers have a choice of four routes:

• Off Exit 8 (Palmer/Ware): Follow Route 32 South to Palmer; take Route 20 West to Route 181 North into Belchertown, and then Route 9 West to Amherst. Follow signs to UMass.
• Off Exit 7 (Ludlow): Follow Route 21 North to U.S. 202 North to Route 9 West to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.
• Off Exit 5 (Chicopee): Follow Route 33 North to Route 116 North to Amherst center. Turn left at the light onto Route 9 West. Follow signs to UMass.
• Off Exit 4 (West Springfield): I-91 North to Exit 19 to Route 9 East to Amherst. Follow signs to UMass.

Getting to Campus by Plane
If you are traveling to Amherst by plane, the closest airport is Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (near Hartford). This airport is approximately 45 miles from the UMass campus. Logan Airport in Boston is approximately 90 miles from the UMass campus. Both airports feature car rental agencies and a variety of shuttle services, including Valley Transporter (413-253-1350) and Seemo Shuttle (413-586-1120 or 800-908-2829).

Getting to Campus by Bus
The Amherst area is serviced by Greyhound, Peter Pan Bus Lines and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. Based on the service you select and route availabilities you should take a bus to Amherst UMass if at all possible instead of Amherst Center (Amherst Center is about 1.5 miles from the UMass Campus). Please be sure to review bus schedules and campus maps before your arrival as both the area and the campus can be confusing to navigate if it is your first time here. 

Location

The conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For GPS purposes the Campus Center, including Hotel UMass and the attached Campus Center Parking Garage, are located at 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Complimentary parking will be available in the Campus Center Parking Garage. The John W. Olver Design Building is located at 551 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA 01003. Click the addresses to get directions from your location. Click here to take a look at a campus map.

Parking
We have a few different parking options for conference attendees, depending on whether you are staying at Hotel UMass, the North Apartments, or commuting each day! 

HOTEL UMASS GUESTS
Guests staying at Hotel UMass will receive a complimentary parking pass to the Campus Center Parking Garage at hotel check-in. The Campus Center Parking Garage is located at 1 Campus Center Way in Amherst MA 01003. Follow the signs down to park on Level 2 and enter the Campus Center using the marked hallway. Proceed to the hotel lobby on the 3rd floor to check-in.

COMMUTING/OFF-CAMPUS ATTENDEES 
Attendees not staying at Hotel UMass should park in the Campus Center Parking Garage, located at 1 Campus Center Way in Amherst, MA 01003. Parking will be available in the Campus Center Parking Garage, located at 1 Campus Center Way at UMass Amherst. Upon your arrival to the garage we recommend following the Hotel UMass/Campus Center signs to park down on Level 2, where there is a flat walkway into the Campus Center. Park and take your gate ticket with you. Once you arrive to the conference you will be provided with a parking coupon for the garage (one per day of attendance) that will discount your parking to, at most, $6.50/day. As you leave each day, but before you get to your car, stop at one of the pay stations. Pay stations are located on each floor of the garage. Enter your gate ticket and, when prompted, scan the QR code on the coupon we provided. This will discount your parking to, at most, $6.50/day (valid for one exit). You can then go to your car and exit the garage, entering your now validated gate ticket into the kiosk at the garage exit to raise the gate. Repeat this process each day.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING 
Attendees with a valid state-issued reserved accessible license plate or placard may park in any marked Handicap Space or any nonrestricted, nonreserved space or lot, at no charge, as long as your plate or placard is clearly displayed at all times during your stay. To locate reserved accessible parking, visit the UMass Parking Map, select the blue parking icon on the right, and click the "Handicapped Parking" option. You may also click here to view a complete campus accessibility map.

Please note: you should not park at UMass without first obtaining a valid permit as detailed above: parking on campus without a valid permit, pass, placard, or license plate will result in ticketing and/or towing. 

Local Transportation
There are multiple transportation options to get you from campus to amenities and attractions in the surrounding area. Amherst center, with local shops, restaurants, and small convenience stores, is a 15-20 minute walk or 5 minute drive from campus. If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located on University Drive and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley, about a 5-10 minute trip from campus by car or bus. Retailers include CVS, Big Y, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Target, Walmart, JC Penney, Marshalls, and more. 

Local buses, operated by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, run regularly between Amherst center and the University, with additional services traveling throughout the Pioneer Valley, including Northampton, Springfield, and Greenfield. If you'd rather take a car, UMass has partnered with Zipcar to bring on-demand car sharing services right to campus. The area is also serviced by a variety of cab companies, including Uber, Lyft, Celebrity Cab Company and  Taxi Express.

Contact Us!

For questions regarding registration or payment, please contact the Registration Office by phone (1-413-577-8102, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m - 5:00 p.m. ET) or by email (registration@umass.edu). For additional conference information please visit the conference website or complete the conference contact form. For questions regarding Hotel UMass, please contact the hotel staff at 877-822-2110 or hotel@umass.edu.

UMass Conference Services 
810 Campus Center
1 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003
t: 413-577-8102
e: registration@umass.edu