Location   
The IAFFE Annual Conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Campus Center. For GPS purposes the Campus Center, including Hotel UMass and the attached Campus Center Parking Garage, are located at 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003.  First time on campus, click here to take a look at a campus map. 

Driving to Campus   
From the South, via I-91 North
Travelers have a choice of two routes:

• Take Exit 25 in Northampton: From the exit ramp, stay in the right lane to take the first rotary exit, turning right 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. Stay in the left lane and take a left at the second intersection onto Commonwealth Avenue (the first set of lights is only a blinking yellow light, take a left at the next set of lights). Stay in the right lane and continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. At these lights turn onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left and travel up the hill - you will see the garage entrance on your right. 
• Take Exit 36 in Deerfield: At the stop sign at the top of the ramp, turn right (north) onto Routes U.S. 5/10/116, and immediately turn right again at the traffic lights onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for eight miles to the UMass exit. Turn left at the stop sign onto Massachusetts Avenue. Stay in the left lane and take a left at the second intersection onto Commonwealth Avenue (the first set of lights is only a blinking yellow light, take a left at the next set of lights). Stay in the right lane and continue on Commonwealth Avenue until you reach a set of traffic lights. At these lights turn onto Campus Center Way. Stay to the left and travel up the hill - you will see the garage entrance on your right.

From the North, via I-91 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 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. Follow signs to UMass.

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

• Off Exit 63 (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 54 (Ludlow): Follow Route 21 North to U.S. 202 North to Route 9 West to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.
• Off Exit 49 (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 45 (West Springfield): I-91 North to Exit 25 to Route 9 East to Amherst. Follow signs to UMass.

Traveling 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 (about a 50 minute drive) from the UMass campus. From Bradley attendees will need to book a shuttle service or rent a car to get to campus (see the transportation options below). 

Attendees may find additional flight options into Logan International Airport in Boston, located approximately 95 miles (about a 2 - 2.5 hour drive) from the UMass campus. While more flight options are typically available into Logan, please remember to account for extra travel time to campus. Please also be sure to organize transportation to/from the airport to campus in advance of your arrival. From Logan attendees may book one of the shuttle services below, rent a car, or travel by Peter Pan Bus. Click here for Peter Pan bus ticket purchase details and scheduling. To ensure appropriate bus service to/from campus please select "Boston (Logan Airport), MA" as your "From:" destination and "Amherst UMass, MA" as your "To:" destination. 

Transportation Services 
Shuttle services and/or rental cars should be arranged prior to your travel. Please note there are no standing shuttles that run each day between Bradley/Logan and the UMass campus so additional arrangements must be made in advance.

• Valley Transporter, 413-253-1350
• Seemo Shuttle, 413-586-1120 
• Exclusive Car Service, 877-695-4665 or 413-534-3505
• Bluebird Transportation, 413-221-4512
• Enterprise

Traveling by Bus
Amherst and the surrounding area are serviced by Peter Pan Bus Lines, Greyhound and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). The most convenient service is offered by Peter Pan, so when possible those traveling by bus should book a Peter Pan bus ticket using "Amherst UMass, MA" as the destination (note the "Amherst Center, MA" stop is in downtown Amherst and will require additional travel to arrive on campus). Greyhound offers bus service to nearby Northampton, MA, located about a 20 minute drive from campus. From Northampton attendees should plan to travel to campus via a taxi service, Uber/Lyft, or PVTA bus.

Traveling by Train
Amtrak provides passenger rail service to nearby Northampton, MA, located a 20 minute drive from the UMass campus, and Springfield, MA, located a 30 minute drive from the UMass campus. For schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit Amtrak's website and select "Northampton, MA (NHT)" or "Springfield, MA (SPG)" as your arrival destination.

If you take a train to Northampton, MA, you will then need to take either a bus or taxi to the UMass campus. Both PVTA and Peter Pan buses service the area, but the bus stops are not located at the train platform and will require about a 7 minute walk. If you prefer, you may use one of the many local taxi services or Uber/Lyft. We encourage you to carefully plan your trip - including bus or taxi services - prior to your arrival as the Northampton train platform is not a train station and phone access, area maps, bus schedules, and bus tickets will not be available once you arrive. If you decide to take a train out of Northampton, remember to purchase your return ticket online prior to arriving at the platform. The train platform is located at 170 Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA.

If you take a train to Springfield, MA, we recommend booking a shuttle service, such as Valley Transporter, to get you from Springfield to Amherst. Bus services, including Peter Pan, are also available, but will require about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the bus stop. The train will arrive at the Springfield's Union Station building, 55 Frank B. Murray Street Springfield, MA. This station building does have a waiting room, ticket office, quik-trak kiosk, and payphone, but we do still encourage you to plan your trip, including services from the train station to campus, prior to your arrival.

Getting Around Campus & the Area
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 (PVTA), 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 and Enterprise to bring on-demand car sharing services right to campus. The area is also serviced by a variety of cab companies, including Uber, Lyft, Taxi Express, Tik Tak Taxi (413-256-4500) and Celebrity Cab (413-253-7330). There are also a number of bicycle rentals around campus, including Laughing Dog Bicycles, and Hampshire Bicycle Exchange. 

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

On-Campus Lodging   
Staying on campus is the most convenient and economical way to be close to all the conference activities. Suite-style air-conditioned dormitory rooms are available in the North Residence Halls, located in the North Residential Area of Campus. Details on Summer Conference Housing at the University of Massachusetts can be found below. Questioning if this lodging type is right for you? Contact us at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102!

North Residence Halls   
The North Residence Halls, located in the North Residential Area of the UMass Amherst campus, consist of air-conditioned suites located within a 10-to-15-minute walk of conference activities. Each apartment-style suite consists of four single-occupancy bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a common area, and a kitchen. Each lockable bedroom is furnished with a twin bed, desk, chair, and dresser. Each guest will be provided with a linen pack consisting of two flat sheets, a pillow with case, two towels, and a thin blanket (an additional fee of $15.00 for the linen pack will be automatically be charge to your reservation). These are dorm rooms and breakfast is not included, but each apartment does have a kitchen. There are also retail eateries on-campus that you can purchase meals and snacks from, click on the "Campus Information" tab for locations and hours of operation. The kitchen has a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, and stove-top oven. If you are interested in preparing some of your meals in the suite, you should bring your own supplies: silverware, cookware, and plates are not provided or available for use. Toiletries are also not included: guests should bring their own shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap. Because some find the air-conditioning to be cold, we encourage guests to bring a sweatshirt or extra blanket. As there are no televisions within the suite, we also recommend bringing a laptop or tablet with some streaming services loaded (we'll provide the Wi-Fi!), cards, board games, or other entertainment options for use during any down time. There are 4 North Apartment buildings: North A, North B, North C, and North D. All four buildings are located less than a minutes walk apart on Eastman Lane in Amherst. Specific building assignments and detailed arrival instructions will be sent to registered and fully paid guests in June.

Roommate & Suitemate Requests;  
Individuals or groups who wish to share the same residence hall suite must enter their suitemate requests on this registration page. There will be a clearly labeled box on the online registration form for this purpose. UMass Conference Services makes every attempt to accommodate all roommate/suitemate requests but there are no guarantees. Priority is given to early registrants. If no specific requests are received, we will assign you to an apartment with other attendees based on gender and dates of stay.

Accessibility Needs  
All four North buildings are fully accessible, with elevators in each building and automatic door openers with key card readers accessible to all floors. Accessible parking is also available near each building. Guests with any accessibility and/or mobility needs should indicate such during registration. There will be a box on the registration form for accessibility needs. Special medical requirements and/or accessible access will be honored on an as-received basis. Due to space limitations, the University cannot guarantee the accommodation of all special requests but will make all attempts to do so. You will be contacted in the event that UMass cannot honor your accessibility needs or accommodation requests. For specific handicap-access information on dorms, suites or classrooms please contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu, or click here to view a campus accessibility map.

Room Keys & Access Cards 
At check-in each guest will be provided with an access card for their assigned residence hall and suite, along with a room key for their individual bedroom. Access cards and keys must be returned in their original condition at check-out to the Summer Conference Housing desk clerk located in the lobby of your assigned building. Guests will be charged $25.00 for a lost/damaged access card and $100.00 for a lost/damaged key. Returns will not be accepted for keys/cards returned after your departure.

Hotel UMass (on-campus)
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. Just an elevator ride from Campus Center meeting spaces and amenities, including the University Store and several newly renovated dining options, Hotel UMass offers unbeatable convenience. Note reservations are available online only: if you call to complete a reservation you will be directed to book online. Once you click on "Register Now" above, more information about staying at Hotel UMass and how to book your stay will follow.  Please note: Please call Hotel UMass directly at 877-822-2100 to inquire about rooms outside the room block. Additional lodging options are available here or click on the "Area Guide" tab above.

Note: payment for your stay at Hotel UMass must be made separately from your registration payment.

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

UMass Dining
"America's Most Awarded Dining Program," UMass Dining, invites you to join our table! Our guests can find UMass Dining at every corner of campus. With dining commons, retail cafes, food trucks, and more, we welcome you to enjoy all that the UMass Dining experience has to offer. 

Dining Commons
Served all-you-care-to-eat style, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available from 7AM - 8PM each day in our award winning Dining Commons (note exact hours for the summer are still being determined). 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, ice cream, and more. Daily menus will be available as your stay approaches on the UMass Dining website.

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. 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.

The Commonwealth Restaurant
We proudly welcome you to joins us at The Commonwealth. Located on the top floor of the newly constructed Worcester Commons, our elegantly modern restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere featuring beautiful views of campus. Come be waited on by delightful and diligent staff while enjoying our delicious, fresh, local, and sustainable menu.

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 "X" to find daily schedules and location updates, and look for the trucks around campus during your stay!

On-Campus Attractions
You don't need to travel far to find something to do - there are numerous attractions located right here on campus! 

The UMass Fine Arts Center seeks to engage audiences in the arts, embrace diversity, and uphold the highest standards for arts education. Comprehensive in scope, the Center offers the region's only mix of classical music, dance, theater, jazz, Broadway, special events, and gallery exhibitions. The Fine Arts Center is also home to the University Museum of Contemporary Arts.

The Mullins Center, our state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility, hosts diverse events from hockey and basketball to concerts and popular touring performance groups. 

The Augusta Savage Gallery, located in New Africa House, is a multicultural and multiarts facility that seeks to promote artistic works from a broad spectrum of cultures

The Durfee Conservatory and Garden, established in 1867, is a historic plant conservatory that offers a sanctuary of calm and serenity among the hustle and bustle of campus.

The Rausch Mineral Gallery, located in the Department of Geosciences in the Morrill Science Center, includes more than 250 large mineral specimens from around the world from the mineral collection of the late Dr. Marvin Rausch.

Fitness Centers
For those staying at Hotel UMass, passes to the UMass Recreation Center will be available at check-in. The Recreation Center includes fitness and weight equipment, a 3-court gymnasium, activity rooms, and a jogging/walking track. On-campus there are also 10 tennis courts located behind the Mullins Center, handball/squash courts located in Boyden, and pools in Boyden and Curry Hicks. Note hours and availability might be limited: visit the Campus Recreation website during your stay for the most up-to-date hours. 

Libraries
The W.E.B. Du Bois Library and Science and Engineering Library offer technology and space to work for our campus guests, including printing/copying services, collections, and book stacks. The W. E. B. Du Bois Library is 28 stories and over 286 feet tall, making it the third-tallest library in the world. It primarily holds resources in humanities and social and behavioral sciences. In addition to book stacks, the W.E.B. Du Bois Library has a Learning Commons offering PCs/MACs and a variety of workspaces, quiet study areas, the W. E. B. Du Bois Center, and Special Collections & University Archives. The Science and Engineering Library (SEL) is the primary location for resources in the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In addition to book stacks and periodicals, SEL provides study rooms with computers and whiteboards, 65 individual computer stations, wireless access, quiet study spaces, and photocopying/printing services.

Campus Health and Safety
University Health Services
University Health Services (UHS), conveniently located on-campus at 150 Infirmary Way (near the Franklin Dining Commons), is the on-campus health care center of UMass Amherst, serving UMass students, faculty, and staff, and their domestic partners, spouses and dependent children. Note UHS is not a hospital and does not have an emergency department. Appointments: 413-577-5101. Triage Nurse (available during health center hours): 413-577-5229. After-hours medical and mental health advice: 413-577-5000. Please note that the hours might differ during intersession, the summer and holidays. 

UHS Walk-in Care Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.  
Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

UHS Pharmacy Hours
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

For on-campus emergencies please contact the UMass Police at 413-545-2121 or call 911. For medical assistance and/or pharmacy needs outside of the hours above, off-campus services are available at Cooley Dickinson Hospital (9.7 miles from campus), Cooley Dickinson Urgent Care - Amherst  (1.9 miles from campus), MedExpress Urgent Care (2.4 miles from campus) and CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles from campus).

Emergency Alerts
During your stay, we recommend signing up for our temporary text alert system. Text UMassAlertsGuest to 78015 to receive alerts during your stay. Your subscription will automatically expire after three days, or you can text Stop to 78015 to cancel upon your departure. Click here or email oem@ehs.umass.edu for additional information.

Emergency Services
The UMass Police Department (UMPD) is located at 585 East Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA 01003. For emergencies, use your cellphone to call 413-545-3111 for the quickest response. If you call 911 with your cellphone note that you will be connected to the MA State Police, who can then transfer you to UMPD (say you are calling from UMass Amherst). For non-emergencies call 413-545-2121. During your visit you will also notice over 115 "Help" phones located all across campus. These boxes are easily identified by their yellow boxes topped with blue lights. When the red emergency button is pushed, the caller will be put in immediate contact with UMPD. In addition to providing voice contact with a police dispatcher, "Help" phone use also enables a dispatcher to pinpoint the caller's exact location. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing and have access to TTY equipment, you can contact UMPD at 413-577-0384, or utilize the telecommunications relay service offered by Mass Relay.

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM EDT (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

Area Accommodations   
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 lodging options, including the estimated drive time to the Campus Center. Looking for something a little more unique? Click here for more options courtesy of the Five College Area Bed and Breakfast Association.

AMHERST

• Hotel UMass: rated the best hotel in Amherst and the most convenient lodging option for our campus guests; 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst; click here to book now. (on-campus). Discounted conference rate available.
• Allen House Inn: award winning historical Victorian bed and breakfast; 599 Main Street, Amherst; click here or call 413-253-5000 (9 minutes)
• Amherst Airbnb: over 8,000 guest reviews for places to stay in Amherst with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars; click here for available rooms and homes
• Black Walnut Inn: ranked #1 of 14 Amherst B&B and Inns; 1184 North Pleasant Street, Amherst; click here or call 413-549-5649 (8 minutes)
• Inn on Boltwood: a historic Amherst hotel with 49 unique guest rooms; 30 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst; click here or call 413-256-8200 (10 minutes)
• University Lodge: a budget friendly motel just 1,000 feet from campus; 345 North Pleasant Street, Amherst; click here or call 413-256-8111 (6 minutes)
  

HADLEY

• Courtyard Marriott: centrally located hotel with an indoor pool, fitness center, and a newly renovated lobby with evening bar service and dinner menu; 423 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-256-5454 (8 minutes). 
• Hampton Inn: provides a mix of value, comfort and convenience, with free hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center; 24 Bay Road, Hadley; click here or call 413-586-4851 (16 minutes)
• Homewood Suites by Hilton: offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites (including kitchenettes) and free hot breakfast; 340 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-387-0583 (15 minutes)
• Howard Johnson by Wyndham: conveniently located and pet friendly hotel with free continental breakfast, fitness center, and outdoor pool; 401 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-586-0114 (10 minutes)
• Comfort Inn & Suites: indoor hot tub, oversized vehicle parking, business center; 400 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-341-1556 (12 minutes)
  

DEERFIELD

• Deerfield Inn: historic hotel with excellent restaurant and tavern; 81 Old Main Street, Deerfield MA; click here or call 413-774-5587 (27 minutes)
• Red Roof PLUS+: easily accessible budget hotel with indoor pool close to Deerfield attractions; 9 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield; click here or call 937-328-1610 (19 minutes)
  

NORTHAMPTON

• Fairfield Inn and Suites: new state-of-the-art hotel located a short walk to downtown Northampton; 115A Conz Street, Northampton; click here or call 413-587-9800 (22 minutes)
• Hotel Northampton: historic hotel in downtown Northampton with two award-winning restaurants; 36 King Street, Northampton; click here or call 800-547-3529 (22 minutes)
• The Ellery: colonial-style hotel in downtown Northampton with newly renovated rooms and lobby; 259 Elm Street, Northampton; click here or call 413-584-7660 (25 minutes)
• Quality Inn & Suites: a well-appointed and conveniently located hotel with free hot breakfast, indoor heated pool, and fitness center; click here or call 413-341-1461 (21 minutes)

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

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 and Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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 call (413) 253-7330 and Taxi Express. A variety of bike rental options are also available, weather permitting, including Laughing Dog Bicycles call (413) 253-7722, Hampshire Bicycle Exchange, and ValleyBike Share.

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/20 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, 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 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, Panera, 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! 

For more information visit:

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce: Restaurants Category | Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

Visit Hampshire County: Local Restaurants in Western Massachusetts

Shopping
If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located 5 - 10 minutes from campus in downtown Amherst, as well as on University Drive in Amherst and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley. These locations are also serviced by PVTA buses.

Downtown Amherst

Amherst Shopping Center - retail/grocery stores and dining, including Big Y, Dunkin Donuts, CVS and Goodwill. Located at 181 University Drive in Amherst, MA.

Hampshire Mall - retail/grocery stores, dining, and entertainment, including Target, Trader Joe's, J. C. Penney, Cinemark, Pinz Bowling, Interskate 91, LaserBlast, and Planet Fitness Gym. Located at 367 Russell Street in Hadley, MA.

Campus Farms Mall - retail/grocery stores and dining, including TJ Maxx, Super Stop & Shop, Dollar Tree, Liquors 44, and Johnny's Roadside Diner. Located at 440-454 Russell Street in Hadley, MA.

Mountain Farms Mall - retail/grocery stores and dining, including Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, 110 Grill, Old Navy, Panera Bread and Whole Foods Market. Located at 335 Russell Street in Hadley, MA

Area Attractions
Amherst is known for its rural charm and big city appeal. With many restaurants, bars and local shops, visitors get lost exploring our downtown. Located just a few minutes drive from the campus, it is a convenient and popular destination.

The city of Northampton is a blend of historic, contemporary, intellectual, artsy, athletic and entrepreneurial. With cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs, shops, museums, rivers, parks and spas, Northampton is a place to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of budget.

The Emily Dickinson Homestead, located right in downtown Amherst, was mentioned frequently in her intensely idiosyncratic and strikingly modern poetry. Devoted Dickinson readers visit the Homestead and The Evergreens, the Italianate home built next door by Emily's brother Austin Dickinson, to walk today where Emily walked and to see what Emily saw.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, located in Amherst, looks to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books, just a short 15 minute drive from campus. Founded by Eric Carle and his wife Barbara, the Museum is for visitors of all ages: children and families, teachers and librarians, scholars, and everyone interested in the art of the picture book.

The Yiddish Book Center is a nonprofit organization working to tell the whole Jewish story by rescuing, translating, and disseminating Yiddish books and presenting innovative educational programs that broaden understanding of modern Jewish identity. The Yiddish Book Center is located on the Hampshire College campus, about a 15 minute drive from UMass.

The Amherst College Beneski Museum of Natural History, located about 5 minutes from the UMass campus, is one of New England’s largest natural history museums, boasting three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display, and tens of thousands of specimens available for use by scholars and researchers from across campus and around the world.

Yankee Candle, located about 15 minutes away in South Deerfield, offers an enchanting mix of shopping and entertainment. You'll find 400,000 candles in over 200 different famous Yankee scents, but there are more than just candles at this flagship Village Store. It's a unique, entertaining world of New England charm, fairy tale fantasies, and hands-on, interactive candle making that's fun for every age.

Historic Deerfield is an authentic 18th-century New England village. Tour beautifully restored museum houses with period architecture and furnishings, see Yankee ingenuity at work in demonstrations of colonial-era trades, and explore the world-famous collection of early American crafts, ceramics, furniture, textiles and metalwork.

The Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens is a 14,400 square foot facility that includes a 4,000 sq. ft. glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths and tropical vegetation, about a 20 minute drive from campus in neighboring South Deerfield.

Home to more than three hundred inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history, the Basketball Hall of Fame stirs the spirits of basketball fans everywhere. Hundreds of interactive exhibits share the spotlight with skills challenges, live clinics, shooting contests and enough basketball history to impress the world’s most avid sports fans.

The Springfield Museums grant visitors access to the Springfield Science Museum, George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Springfield History and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and Museum, all under a single admission. The museums are located in the heart of downtown Springfield, about a 40 minute drive from UMass.

Six Flags New England is home to many rides and attractions, from pulse-pounding roller coasters to gentler options for the youngest of thrill seekers. With some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country (including a few record breakers), as well as family rides, kid rides, entertaining shows and the Hurricane Harbor Water Park, Six Flags New England has fun for everyone.

Interested in learning about more things to do in the Pioneer Valley? Click here!

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

General

How do I get to the conference?
The conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Hotel UMass, classes, and meals will all be held in the Campus Center. The Campus Center and attached Campus Center Parking Garage are located at 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Click here to obtain turn-by-turn directions from your location. It is also a good idea to have a campus map handy for your arrival. Click the "Travel & Parking Information" tab above for more details on the best way to get to campus.

Where do I go when I arrive on campus?
Upon your arrival you should come to the Campus Center. Discounted parking is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage, located at 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. We recommend driving down to park on Level 2, where there is a flat walkway into the Campus Center. Walk through the walkway, enter the Campus Center, and stay to the left to walk through the main concourse. You will see elevators on your right, across from the Information Desk. Take the elevators up to the 3rd floor Hotel lobby. You will then be able to register, pick up conference materials, and obtain your room key. 

What time are check-in and check-out? 
Check-in is available anytime after 3 p.m. on your date of arrival. and check-out is by 11 a.m. on your date of departure. 

What do I need at check-in? 
Upon your arrival, you'll have two stops to make - conference registration, and hotel check-in (both located in the Campus Center). Stop at the registration desk to pick up your materials and stop by the hotel front desk to pick up your room key. At registration, you will just need to provide your name, but when you check-in at the hotel you will need to provide a valid picture ID and a credit/debit card for incidentals. A $50.00 deposit will be held for incidentals but will be released at midnight on the day of your departure. 

Is wireless internet available?  
Yes, complimentary wireless internet login credentials will be provided upon your arrival. You will receive one username/password from UMass Conference Services at the registration desk and another username/password from Hotel UMass at hotel check-in. Both credentials will work throughout campus. 

Is the UMass Hotel non-smoking?  
Yes, all rooms are non-smoking. The University of Massachusetts Amherst prohibited tobacco use as of July 1, 2013 (the use of any tobacco product including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarette/vapes are prohibited indoors and outdoors on the UMass Amherst campus grounds).

Conference Specific Questions

Are there any travel grants available?
Yes, IAFFE offers travel grants to support members facing financial barriers. Please check the Conference website here for more information. 

Does the conference organizer provide proof of attendance?
Yes, the conference organizer provides a certificate of participation. They will also provide you with an invoice or receipt for payment of your registration fee. These documents are usually required by your university/institute to allocate the grants. You may also request a presentation certificate.

Which tier should I select during registration? 
You may self-select the registration tier that works best for you given your current situation. Please select the option you feel is most applicable to you. 

Do I need a visa to attend the conference?
Visa requirements vary by country. You can check your eligibility and find additional information on the visa request process by visiting the conference website here.

For questions regarding paper submissions, visa support and all other conference specific questions visit the conference website.

For General Registration/Payment Questions:
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102. Monday through Friday, 8AM - 4PM ET.

For questions regarding paper submissions, visa support and all other conference specific questions visit the conference website.

For General Conference Registration & Payment Questions:
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102. Monday through Friday, 8AM - 4PM ET.