Travel
The Amway Grand Plaza hotel is located in downtown Grand Rapids and is served by the Grand Rapids airport (GRR, 15 minutes from the hotel). The largest airport in Michigan is Detroit Metro (DTW, 160 miles away) and Grand Rapids can also be reached from smaller airports in Lansing (LAN, 65 miles away) and Kalamazoo (AZO, 50 miles away). Note that both Chicago airports (MDW and ORD) are on the west side of Chicago and require approximately four hours driving time to Grand Rapids. There is also a direct train (Amtrak) connection between downtown Chicago and Grand Rapids.
Ground Transportation
Metro Cab (616-827-6500) offers traditional taxicab and luxury sedan service at the curbside.
Taxi fare to downtown Grand Rapids is approximately $32 (U.S.). Luxury sedan service to downtown Grand Rapids is approximately $37 (U.S.). See the cab starter in the lobby adjacent to the taxi stand for a full schedule of pricing information.
The Rapid (616-776-1100)
The Rapid bus system includes a stop at GFIA on their route. Bus rides cost $1.50 with one transfer pass included. The latest schedule is available online. Route 17 serves the airport.
If you will be driving, please note that the parking fees are $29/day for parking at the hotel.
Runabouts is an appointment only company that allows online scheduling of transportation from GRR to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel - Distance: 12 miles, estimated time: 27 minutes.
Accommodations
Participants will be housed in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel which is the conference venue. A block of rooms has been reserved at the hotel for participants from Saturday, 19 August through Sunday, 26 August, at a special low rate of $149/night for the IBIC 2017 conference. Book early for guaranteed availability! Please use this link to reserve online.
Information about visas for international travel to the conference is available at this page.