We are scheduled to meet on the US West Coast, and the site is the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, during the week of February 7-11, 2012.* The Benson is a four-diamond, historic hotel in downtown Portland, steps away from dining, shopping, entertainment, the trendy Pearl District, Powell's Bookstore, and several local attractions.The Benson has 287 guest rooms and 16,000 square feet of meeting space as well as sustainability and green policies and practices.

Our guest room rate: Deluxe King or Deluxe Double room at $129.00 plus 12.5% occupancy tax. (There is no sales tax in the State of Oregon.) This rate includes free WiFi in guest rooms. Parking at the hotel is valet-only with unlimited in/out privileges at $29 per night (inform the attendants of this fee).

The Benson Hotel has informed us that we have filled our guestroom block, but they have added a few more rooms and extended the booking deadline to January 20, 2012. After that the rooms return to their regular rates. The booking link for on-line reservations is http://www.coastpromos.com/6xq. You may book either of the two types of rooms listed above for the nights of February 7 through 11. If you use this link, it already recognizes that you are from ASAO and already has a group code, dates, and prices entered. You may adjust the dates within February 7-11 as you wish, but not outside those dates.

Alternatively, if you desire to book a different room type or arrive/depart on shoulder dates, you must call the hotel directly at 503-228-2000, or toll free at 888-523-6766, or e-mail the Benson at reservations@bensonhotel.com. Inform them that you are with ASAO.

Address: The Benson Hotel, 309 Southwest Broadway, Portland, OR 97205.
Website: www.bensonhotel.com

Arrival: There is no shuttle service run by the hotel. There is shuttle service from the airport to the hotel through Blue Star Shuttle; the current fee is $14 one way or $24 round trip. Alternatively you can take the light rail (MAX) from the airport to downtown, which stops very close to the hotel (1-3 blocks away depending on whatever you want to switch trains or stay on the same train) for $2.30 each way. The easiest way is to board the red line MAX to downtown and get off at Pioneer Square, then walk 3 short blocks to the hotel. The city blocks in downtown Portland are no longer than 200 feet each, so it's a 3-minute walk. It will probably be cold, but you'll step into a cozy hotel with a nice fire in the fireplace!

The meeting registration fee is $120, or $60 for students, Pacific Islanders, retirees, or unemployed persons. Please see the membership page for options for sending payment, and for a link to the meeting registration form, which can also be used to pay annual ASAO dues.

*ASAO Board meeting convenes on Tuesday, February 7; ASAO annual general meeting registration opens on Wednesday afternoon, February 8, with the opening plenary that evening and concurrent sessions Thursday through Saturday, February 9-11.

Mike Rynkiewich, ASAO Site Coordinator