35th Annual Byzantine Studies Conference
Florida State University and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art,
Sarasota, FL
November 5 - 8, 2009
The 35th annual Byzantine Studies Conference is hosted by Florida State University and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota on November 5-8, 2009. This website provides attendees with information regarding this year's conference, including registration, hotel reservations, transportation, and dining.
Registration
Click here for the BSC Registration Guide, a pdf file which contains registration information. The guide contains a link to the registration process, or you can click here to register.
Hotel Information
The Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel
1540 Ben Franklin Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34236
Hotel: 941-388-2181
Toll-free Reservations: 1-800-225-2181
Guest Fax: 941-388-2655
We have reserved a block of rooms for the BSC at the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel located on Lido Beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. There are 95 rooms available for November 5-7; an additional 30 rooms have been reserved for members who wish to arrive on Wednesday, November 4. You must make your reservations directly with the hotel.
To receive the deeply discounted Conference Rates you must mention the BSC when you make your reservation. We suggest that you reserve your room as soon as possible. The group rate and room block will be available until Monday, October 5, 2009 or until the block has been filled.
Discounted room rates for conference attendees (1-4 Persons)
$89.00 run-of-the-house
$116.00: Gulf View
Check-in is 3:00PM. Check-out is 11:00AM.
For those who will be driving, the Sandcastle provides unlimited free parking for conference attendees.
For a list of additional hotels in the area, download this document.
Transportation
Airports
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is located 8 miles from the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel: www.srq-airport.com.
It is served by Air Canada, Air France, AirTran, Alitalia, Delta, Jet Blue, KLM, Northwest, and US Airways. For driving directions from SRQ to the Helmsley Sandcastle, visit this link.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is located 70 miles north of Sarasota: www.tampaairport.com.
It is served by Air Canada, AirTran, American Airlines, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, KLM, Northwest, Republic Airways, Southwest, Spirit Airlines, United, US Airways, and WestJet. For driving directions from TPA to the Helmsley Sandcastle, visit this link. The TPA website provides information on how to get to Sarasota. Click on "Ground Transportation" in the menu bar.
Taxi
The Helmsley Sandcastle does not have a shuttle service.
A taxi from SRQ to the Helmsley Sandcastle costs approximately $25. There is a taxi stand at the airport; for hotel pickup returning to the airport the front desk can assist you or you can call Diplomat Taxi (941-355-5155).
Bus
The Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Bus #4 runs between the main bus station in downtown Sarasota at 1st & Lemon and Lido Beach Monday through Saturday until 6:00PM. This bus does not operate on Sundays. It can take you to St. Armands Circle where you can find shopping and a variety of restaurants. To download the schedule and map for Bus #4, click here.
To get to the Helmsley Sandcastle from the airport Monday through Saturday, take Bus #2 from SRQ to the downtown bus station at 1st & Lemon. Transfer to Bus #4 and take it to the Lido Beach bus stop. The Helmsley Sandcastle is a short 10-minute walk. A single ride costs $0.75 and the transit time from the airport to the hotel is about 30 minutes. To download the schedule and map for Bus #2, click here.
When you leave on Sunday, take a taxi to the downtown bus station at 1st & Lemon. Then take Bus #215 to the airport. To download the schedule and map for Bus #215, click here.
A taxi from the Helmsley to the downtown bus station at 1st & Lemon costs approximately $15.