Rooms at Second 'Hotel ABA' Going Fast

Just two weeks ago, the American Booksellers Association announced the opening of registration at the Hilton Crystal City, which offers ABA member booksellers the same room rate and amenities as the sold-out Hotel ABA/D.C., the Doubletree Crystal City. Now, this second exclusive hotel for ABA member booksellers attending BookExpo America 2006 in Washington, D.C., is almost booked to capacity, and ABA is encouraging booksellers who are interested in reserving rooms to act fast.

The special rate of $129 per night exclusively for member booksellers is available for the nights of Monday, May 15, through Monday, May 22, 2006. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. 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. Both hotels are located in Arlington, Virginia, just minutes from the Washington Convention Center and downtown D.C.

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. In addition, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, there will be publisher-sponsored receptions at the Doubletree, with complimentary shuttle service between the two hotels during the events.

On February 15, one night's room rate will be charged to booksellers' credit cards as a nonrefundable guarantee for reservations at both hotels. If booksellers' plans have changed, reservations must be adjusted or 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.