Hotel ABA Sold Out -- Reservations Now Being Accepted at Second Hotel

This week, the American Booksellers Association announced that Hotel ABA/D.C., the Doubletree Crystal City, which is the exclusive hotel for ABA member booksellers attending BookExpo America 2006 in Washington, D.C., is sold out. At the same time, the association announced the opening of registration at an overflow hotel, the Hilton Crystal City, just a few minutes ride from the Doubletree. Booksellers making reservations at the Hilton will receive the same package of amenities as those at the Doubletree, and at the same low room rate of $129 per night. In addition, there will be complimentary shuttle service between the two hotels during each evening's publisher-sponsored receptions, which will be held at the Doubletree. Both hotels are located in Arlington, Virginia, just minutes from the Washington Convention Center and downtown D.C.

The special rate exclusively for ABA bookstore members is available for the nights of Monday, May 15, through Monday, May 22, 2006. Booksellers can book a room at this rate until April 17 or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first.

BEA will be held at the Washington Convention Center from Wednesday, May 17, through Sunday, May 21. ABA's "Legislative Day" will be on Wednesday from noon to 6:00 p.m., and ABA's full day of free educational programming will be on Thursday.

In addition to Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights' publisher-sponsored receptions at the Doubletree, the special package of benefits at both hotels includes complimentary coffee and pastries each morning; an exclusive ABA member hospitality suite; a special ABA concierge table in the hotel lobby, where booksellers can pick up BEA badge-holders, copies of the BEA exhibitors' guide, and updated information about convention events; a welcome package with special surprises from ABA and publishers; a special shuttle bus service between the hotel and convention center; and ARCs for booksellers each night.

Booksellers who have booked rooms at either hotel will be charged one night's room rate to their credit card on February 15, 2006, as a nonrefundable guarantee for their reservations. Reservations must be cancelled prior to February 15 to avoid this charge. To cancel a reservation, contact ABA's Margaret Petrie at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6614.

There are two ways for ABA member booksellers to book rooms at the Hilton Crystal City:

• Book Online: Booksellers will need a special code that is accessible by clicking here. (A BookWeb user name and password is required to access this page.) ABA member booksellers who do not already have a user name and password can create one by clicking on "Register for BookWeb" on the site's homepage. (An ABA ID number is required to register for BookWeb.)
  
  
• Call-In Reservations: Booksellers can also book a room by calling Petrie at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6614. She will verify ABA membership and book the room.