I am!!!! I’m so excited! This will be my first Information Today conference and I can’t wait to meet all the people I’ve only known online and hang out with some of the bloggers I haven’t seen since ALA. YAY!!!
Is there anything I should know about the conference or about D.C.? I haven’t spent time in D.C. in over a decade, so I need all the help I can get. 😉 And if you’ll be there at the conference, definitely let me know.
Nice! Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it this year, as I can no longer take advantage of student rates!
Last year was a lot of fun and very interesting though. Be sure to sign up for the dine-arounds!
I’ll gladly contribute some dining and drinking tips for a fellow Higher Ed Blog Con staffer! (I live in Arlington, Va. and work in Georgetown, and I eat out a lot, so …)
Looks like the conference is at the north end of the Dupont Circle area. You might try Alero (Mexican) for good margaritas, Raku (Asian fusion), or Zorba’s Cafe (Greek). The best pizza in the city (in my opinion) can be found at Pizzeria Paradiso. Luna Grill and Diner is a good all-purpose diner. These restaurants are all located just a few blocks down Connecticut Ave. from the conference hotel.
Drinking-wise, there’s Big Hunt, Buffalo Billiards, and Lucky Bar at various points on Connecticut Ave.
My first CiL too! Can’t wait 🙂
I may be coming. I’m not sure yet. Would definitely like to sneak into a bloggers’ dinner if there is one, though.
I’ll be there! I go every year, because even the stuff that’s not applicable to my current job is energizing to think about. Welcome!
I’ll be there – hoping to meet you!
Are you flying in? If so, go for the Reagan national Airport – then take the subway to DuPont Circle… then walk up the hill to the conference hotel…
Easy as pie, no taxis or buses to worry about, and it’s cheap, too.
Check out Thaiphoon for good Thai food and the nearby Adams Morgan neighborhood for Ethiopian and other African food. The Brickskeller is a little further but walkable and a must if you like beer, although perhaps not so great if you are indecisive.
I have one tip for you, and that is if you use public transportation (METRO train system or bus) please don’t eat or drink. It’s against the law, in fact, but for some reason it’s been less strictly enforced over the last few years. The result? A system that, when I arrived in 1996, was kept clean and litter-free was slowly starting to look like the NYC subway system by the time I left this last summer. Sad, really. At least they finally replaced the trash cans on the station platforms after 4 years of not having them there for fear of terrorists hiding bombs in them.
Also, I second the suggestions above for food, with the addition that Lauriol Plaza is the BEST place to go for drinks and South-American fusion food. It’s usually packed so go early and be prepared to wait…the food and the drinks are worth it! (By the way, no one eats in DC before 8pm, so if you want less competition at the popular spots just go early.)
Other suggestions: The Brickskellar (1523 22nd St, NW near the corner of 22nd and P Streets, a few blocks from the Circle — pub grub and over 800 beers from around the world available). If you want to go “fancy” with a European flavor, try the Tabard Inn, which has an amazing restaurant and also a great room/lounge where you can just relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of sherry after a meal. And, if you want a good breakfast place, try the Kosy Korner at 1253 20th Street, NW. (Not to be confused with “Cosi”, a Starbucks competitor that has at least two locations in that part of town.)
I want to know what the Internet access is like at the hotel (Hilton). Can you get access in the rooms? What’s the cost? Is there wifi in the hotel? Or at the conference? Obviously, I need to call the hotel to check out, but haven’t had the time.
BTW I’m arriving on Tuesday and leaving on Sunday. I don’t have a roommate for Friday & Saturday, in case someone needs to share.
CIL and Internet Librarian are great conferences. Unfortunately, this year’s CIL takes place at the same time as the Public Library Association Conference in Boston. Or PLA takes place at the same time as CIL. Either way, it’s a shame these two good conferences are at the same time. Enjoy DC!
You’ll have a good time at CIL. Alas, I going to the PLA Conference in Boston.
I believe there’s wireless in the hotel, especially the lobby area where all of the library bloggers hang out. I had to stay in other hotels because of costs.
There are several very good restaurants around the hotel. Try to sign up for
the dine arounds.
Be aware that the ATM’s charge around $2.00 per transaction
Also there are other tourists around so there might be lines at different sites.
I read your blog often and hope to see you at CIL 2006.
Thanks Jim! Hope to meet you there too!