Travel information

The 2011 SPD meeting will be held at the new Las Cruces Convention Center, located adjacent to New Mexico State University in the city of Las Cruces.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: It is very important for non-U.S. citizens (including those with green cards), to have your passports with you for this meeting. The surrounding area has several U.S. Border Patrol stations that require proper identification. If you plan on sightseeing before, during, or after the conference, please make sure to carry your passports, just to be on the safe side.

Airport transportation

• There are some discounts available from select air carriers. When you book your reservation, enter the following codes:
  American Airlines: 9961EP | Continental Airlines: ZJHQ672683


• To arrive in Las Cruces, the most convenient option is through El Paso International Airport, located just across the Texas border about 80 km (50 minutes by car) away. There are direct flights into the El Paso airport from some major cities such as Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Diego, and Chicago, among others.


• To get the most out of your visit to southern New Mexico, it is highly recommended that you rent an automobile. While there will be shuttles available to get you between hotel and convention center, you will have greater flexibility for getting for getting around and being a tourist. The El Paso Airport has many car rental agencies at your service with very good rates.
  
  American Airlines offers a discount for Avis Rent a Car. You can use the code B136001 on its website for the discount.


• There is a shuttle service between the El Paso Airport and hotels in Las Cruces called Las Cruces Shuttle & Taxi Service. They have agreed to offer a discounted rate for conference attendees. You must make bookings by phone and provide them the information in this document; they do not have online booking. Fares are $50 round trip, and you must tell them you are part of the AAS/SPD meeting. If you arrive outside of the scheduled hours and don't book in advance, you may need to hire a private taxi.

Local transportation

• Conference attendees staying at Hotel Encanto and most local hotels will have access to the daily complementary shuttles. Note also that the Convention Center has free parking.


• The Las Cruces Roadrunner city bus system is an option if you won't have a vehicle. Bus route #20 stops at the Convention Center (corner of El Paseo and University Ave.). This could be an option for those of you staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, the Sleep Inn, or the Comfort Suites.