Special Libraries Association:Denver FAQ

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Contents 1 Advice for 1st time attendees 2 Altitude 3 ATM Locations/Foreign Exchange 4 Colorado Convention Center 5 Drugstores 6 Emergency Contacts 7 Gas Stations 8 Grocery Stores 9 International Travelers 10 Local Cuisine 11 Local Customs 12 Mail Services 13 Medical Care 14 Mountains 15 Packing for June 16 Parking 17 Photocopy Services 18 Public Restrooms 19 Radio Stations 20 Religious Services in Downtown Denver 21 Safety 22 Smoking 23 Taxes 24 Telephone 25 Time Zone 26 Tipping 27 Weather 28 WiFi

Advice for 1st time attendees

SLA has an excellent article posted at http://www.sla.org/content/Events/conference/ac2007/conference/tips.cfm

What should I wear?
Conference attire is business casual. This includes dresses, suits or nice slacks (not jeans). Be sure to bring layers, some rooms are hot, some rooms are cold. You will be doing a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes (flip flops are a bit too casual).

How many business cards should I bring?
A bunch - and don't be stingy, hand them out to your new acquaintances. OK, how many is a bunch? 50 to 100. The amount depends on if you're looking for work, want to do a lot/little networking, and give some to vendors. By Sunday at 5pm you'll know if you need more. You will also collect business cards. On the back of each write the session, question to be answered or whatever to remember who the person is.

How do I start a conversation with someone I don't know?
The person sitting next to you or standing by themselves across the room is asking the same question. Go over and introduce yourself. Tell them this is your first conference. Ask them what sessions they are planning on attending tomorrow? What sessions did they attend today? Have they found anything exciting in the exhibit hall? How do they like Denver?

How can I remember everything I learned today?
Share it . First, find a conference buddy. Compare your schedules, and attend different sessions. At the end of the day de-brief each other. I find that if I try to summarize what I thought was important, it sticks in my mind more. You can also share it with all your new acquaintances – the person sitting next to you or the people you meet at the networking receptions each evening.

What's the best way to keep track of all the information I'm getting?

One small, but important, thing: don't use the tote bag given out at the conference. Everyone will have the same one. Also put your business card in the bag or attach a luggage tag to the strap. Empty your bag each evening at home so you don't carry more than needed. Give your card to vendors so they can mail/e-mail info. and you don't have to carry it. Be selective in what you do pick up.

What are the top five things not to forget when attending a session? Really listen. Don't plan where you're going next or start working on your PC to contact people (e-mail, chat, IM or text messaging). I saw a lot of the latter at the Internet Librarian conference -- people even used IM to speakers AS they were speaking.

Take time to study the conference schedule. Your "personal planner" [available on the SLA conference website] should include 2nd and 3rd choices in case your first choice is too crowded or isn't what you imagined it would be.

Other questions? send them to events@rmsla.org. and we will post the question and answer here.

Altitude

How high is Denver?

One of the steps of the State Capitol building is exactly one mile above sea level. Which one exactly? The phrase "One mile above sea level" was engraved on the 15th step in 1947. In 1969, engineering students as CSU determined that the original measurement was off by three steps and a brass marker was embedded in the 18th step. In 2002, based on new measurment calibrations conducted by the USGS, Colorado determined that the 13th step is more accurate and a new marker was installed in 2003.
If you take a tour of Coors Field look for the row of purple seats (another mile high landmark) in the upper deck.

How will the altitude affect me?

Although 70% of Colorado visitors are not affected by the altitude, others are. Give yourself time to acclimate before attempting any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water. Symptoms of mild altitude sickness include: headache, light-headedness, tiredness, feeling unsteady, an upset stomach, racing heartbeat, laboured breathing, and loss of appetite. If you experience these symptoms you should rest, drink water and avoid smoking. Do not exercise. Rest until you feel better.

How much water should I drink?

A lot more than you are used to! About twice as much as you normally would drink if you live in an area of high humidity.

How much alcohol can I drink?

As much as you want, as long as you are over 21. However, you should be forewarned that the altitude can affect the effects of alcohol. Rocky Mountain high takes on a whole new meaning . . . Our best advice is to limit your alcoholic beverage consumption, and pace yourself by drinking at least as much water as alcoholic beverages.

Why do I have a headache?

Denver's dry climate, combined with our high altitude and the drying effects of summertime air-conditioning, can give you a slight headache until you adjust. Remember to drink plenty of water when you visit!

What differences does mile-high altitude have on daily life?

Golf balls go 10% further. Really!

A record 63-yard field goal was kicked in a football game at Mile High Stadium

The baseball stadium, Coors Field, is known as "Home Run Alley"

300 days of sunshine.

The atmosphere is thinner and provides 25 percent less protection from the sun, so bring your sunscreen!

The sun feels warmer.

Water boils at 202 degrees here, rather than 212, so it takes four minutes to boil a three-minute egg, and your coffee may feel a little cooler than you are used to.

ATM Locations/Foreign Exchange

A number of national banks operate in Colorado, and most of them will have ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in the area around the Convention Center. Check with your bank to see if they have offices/ATMs here, to avoid paying extra fees.

At Denver International Airport, ATMs are located in each Concourse and in the main Terminal. They are operated by Public Service Credit Union.

A traveling tip: one of the advantages of a credit union membership is that many belong to a national network. That means you will not be charged a fee to use your member card in the ATM of a credit union in the network. Another tip: if you can use your bank card to make a debit purchase, you can usually get cash back without extra fees.

Foreign Currency exchanges are available at Denver International Airport in the main terminal and Concourses A & B. Travelex Currency Services is located downtown at 918 17th Street (17th & Champa). Some hotels will also exchange currencies, but usually at the worst rate. A traveling tip: If your home bank is part of an international network, you often get the best exchange rate from your bank by using your cash card to get U.S. dollars from an ATM machine. But check with your bank first for their rates and fees! You can use the currency services to exchange remaining dollars when you leave.

Colorado Convention Center

How close are the hotels to the convention center?
SLA has posted a hotel map at http://www.sla.org/PDFs/sla2007/2007HotelMap.

Hyatt Regency Denver is only a half-block walk from the convention center entrance.

Adam's Mark is five and a half blocks from the Convention Center. However only a two block walk to the 16th Street Mall, and a four block ride on the free mall shuttle.

Brown Palace is a six block walk from the convention center. However, if you take the 16th Street mall shuttle you can ride for three of those blocks.

The Curtis is located three blocks west of the Convention Center at 14th and Curtis Street

Comfort Inn Downtown is directly across from the Brown Palace on Tremont Street.

Courtyard by Marriott is a four block walk from the Convention Center. If you walk two blocks to the 16th Street Mall, you can catch the mall shuttle and save walking an additional two blocks.

Denver Marriott City Center is a four block walk from the Convention Center.

Grand Hyatt Denver is a six block walk from the Convention Center. If you walk two blocks to the 16th Street mall, catch the mall shuttle East for two blocks, get off on Welton Street and walk two blocks North to the Grand Hyatt.

Holiday Inn Denver is only about two blocks from the front door of the Convention Center.

Magnolia Hotel is a three and a half block walk from the convention center.

Residence Inn Denver City Center is a four block walk from the convention center.

How do I get to the 16th Street pedestrian mall from the convention center?
The 16th Street Pedestrian Mall is only two blocks away from the Convention Center. You can either walk the two blocks north on Stout St. or California St. or take the Light Rail from the Convention Center Station. There is a free shuttle bus on the mall that travels across downtown from east to west and provides access to most of the downtown area. Both the light rail and the mall shuttle are handicap accessible. The Big Blue Bear is at the north entrance.

If you want to use a mapping program to get around town, The Convention Center address is : 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202

Drugstores

Where is the nearest drugstore/pharmacy ?
The major drugstores in the downtown area are on the 16th Street Mall, practically across the street from each other.

Walgreens
Address: 801 16th Street [16th & Stout]
2 blocks from the convention center, on the 16th Street Mall
Also has basic groceries

Rite Aid
Address: 750 16th Street [16th & Stout]
2 blocks from the convention center, on the 16th Street Mall

Emergency Contacts

In the event of life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

In the event of non life-threatening situations, call Denver Police/Fire/Paramedic communications center at 720-913-2000.

The Rocky Mountain Regional Trauma Center is located at Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock Street, about 1 mile SE of the Convention Center off Speer Blvd.

Gas Stations

Conoco
1500 7th Avenue
303.623.3601

Diamond Shamrock
1001 Broadway
303.892.0174

Grocery Stores

Cooks Fresh Market
Address: 1600 Glenarm Place
Website: http://www.cooksfreshmarket.com/
The Market offers groceries, sandwiches, salads and soup.
Walk two blocks to the 16th Street Mall, then either walk or ride the Mall shuttle two blocks east.

Hoa Grocery
Address: 327 14th Street
Phone: 303.825.2701
Walk three and a half blocks east on 14th Street.

King Soopers
Address: 1331 N Speer Blvd
Phone: 303-571-5566
From the front of the convention center, walk southeast to Glenarm Pl, turn right on Glenarm and walk 2 blocks to Colfax. Cross Colfax to Fox St and walk 2 blocks down to 13th. Turn right on 13th and right again on Speer.

Vitamin Cottage
Address: 2357 15th Street
Phone: 303-455-3172
Much more than a vitamin store. Natural and organic groceries.
Walk 16 blocks west on 15th Street or catch the #15 bus.

Whole Foods
Address: 2375 E 1st Ave
Phone: 720-941-4100
Natural and organic groceries. By car, take Speer Blvd southeast to University (it changes to 1st Ave along the way). The store is on the northeast corner of the intersection. Or, catch the #2 bus along 17th St and ride to 1st Ave & University. This is also the western edge of the Cherry Creek Shopping district.

Russell Convience Stores and 7-11 markets are located throughout the downtown area.

International Travelers

International country code: + 1 (U.S.A.) To call from the U.S., dial 011 + Country Code + Phone Number.

Local Cuisine

What's a Rocky Mountain Oyster? I didn't know you had seafood in the Rocky Mountains.
Imaginative ranchers filleted, breaded and fried calf and bull testicles to create the delicacy known as Rocky Mountain Oysters. Give them a try! You can order them at Coors Field and at the Buckhorn Exchange.

Mexican food is very popular in Denver. We have dozens of great, and inexpensive Mexican restaurants in the downtown area. Many items will be smothered with green Chili, ( which isn't really green) a brown, chunky and spicy sauce made from pork and Pueblo or Hatch green chilies that works well on everything from chorizo and eggs to tamales.
Denver is also known for "western" food using ingredients such as angus beef, buffalo, rattlesnake, cutthroat trout and Rocky Mountain oysters. For a taste of the Old West visit the Buckhorn Exchange or The Fort (reviews for both restaurants are located on our restaurant review page).
You will also find Italian, Vietnamese, French, German, Thai, Latin, Irish, Moroccan, Sushi, Indian, Greek and American restaurants in downtown Denver.

Local Customs

If you ask for directions, remember that the mountains are west of town, so it is very easy to tell North, South, East and West.
Most of the major streets in the Denver area run North to South and East to West, except Downtown. The Downtown street grid is diagonal to the four cardinal directions. This provides an excellent view of the mountains from any downtown corner.

LoDo is short for Lower Downtown, the area on the NorthWest edge of Downtown Denver. The Historic LoDo district is officially bordered by Cherry Creek on the south; 20th Street on the North; Larimer Street on the east and Wynkoop Street on the West.

The best people watching happens on the 16th Street Mall. However if you want to walk somewhere quickly, use 15th or 17th Street instead.

Mail Services

Where can I mail a package? or make photocopies?

Fedex/Kinko's
In the lobby of the Hyatt

Fedex/Kinko's Open 24-Hours
Address: 555 17th Street, Suite 190 (17th between California & Glenarm)
4 blocks from convention center
Videoconferencing, Signs and Banners, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Packing Services

US Post Office
Address: 535 16th Street, Suite 1 (16th & Glenarm)
Open until 5pm

US Post Office
Address: 951 20th Street (20th between Curtis & Champa)
Open until 10:30pm

UPS Store
Address: 1550 Larimer Street
Phone: 303-825-8060

Office Depot
Address: 1350 16th Street (16th between Larimer & Market)
Phone:303-571-0730

Medical Care

Before traveling, it is a good idea to check with your health care insurer about seeking medical attention in another city, as they may have preferred providers for non-emergency situations.

Denver Health Medical Center is at 777 Bannock St, about 1 mile SE of the Convention Center along Speer Blvd. It has an emergency room and top-notch trauma center for urgent after hours care.

A couple of miles east of the Convention Center, one neighborhood contains St. Joseph's Hospital at 1835 Franklin St (303-837-7111), The Children's Hospital at 1056 E. 19th Avenue (303-861-8888), and Presbyterian-St Lukes Medical Center at 1719 E. 19th Avenue (303-839-6000).

Mountains

How close are the mountains to Denver?
The city of Denver is located on the plains of Colorado. Although the city is a "Mile High" it is not actually in the mountains. You can drive to the foothills, just west of Denver, in about 30 minutes.

Packing for June

The weather in June is usually warm and sunny. Medium to light weight clothing will be most appropriate, as long as you bring a sweater or jacket for meeting rooms and cool evening weather. You will see everything from Banker formal to Business casual to blue jeans and shorts around town. Very few restaurants require formal attire. Bring your sunscreen, sunglasses and don't forget an umbrella for afternoon showers.

If you plan on visiting the mountains, bring layered clothing including long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a warm jacket. The days may be warm, but sudden afternoon showers cool down the temperature drastically. You might even need a winter jacket if you visit Rocky Mountain National Park or Mount Evans.

Parking

The Colorado Convention Center includes a 1,000 space parking garage with direct access to the Convention Center. The entrance is on Northbound Speer Avenue. There are self pay kiosks on every floor of the parking garage.

Early Bird Rate: $5.00 (Monday - Friday Only) In before 9:00am and Out by 5:30pm

Event/Daily Rate: $7.00 (All Days) Park up to 8 hours

All Day Rate: $12.00 (All Days) Park up to 18 Hours

There are several other parking lots near the Convention Center.
A map of nearby parking lots is available at : http://www.downtowndenver.com/parking/parking3.asp?

Photocopy Services

There are many photocopy services in the downtown area. There is a "FedEx/Kinko’s Business Center" in the Hyatt Regency. There is a business center in the Colorado Convention Center, too. This webpage has a list of many others: http://www.downtowndenver.com/Visitors/search.asp?type=1&cat=Business+%26+Civic+Services
Scroll down to the section for "Copy & Printing".

Besides the photocopy business centers in the Hyatt Regency and in the CC, the three closest ones appear to be: Tremont Printing, 1438 Tremont Pl., 720.377.3788; A Great American Print Shop, 535 16th St., 303.825.7975; and Fast Signs, 1616 Champa St., 303.446.0898.

Public Restrooms

Public restrooms can be found in the two main shopping centers on the 16th Street Mall:
Tabor Center at 16th and Arapahoe
Denver Pavillions at 16th and Glenarm Streets.
The lobbies of larger hotels will also have public restrooms.
Other businesses and restaurants reserve the use of their public restrooms for customers.

Radio Stations

NPR station: KCFR AM1340
Classical music station: KVOD FM90.1

Religious Services in Downtown Denver

Cathedral Immaculate Conception
Address: 1530 Logan Street
Phone:(303) 831-7010

City Presbyterian Church
Phone: 720-946-1783
Address: 910 16th St # 219, Denver, CO 80202
Website: www.citypres.org

Location: Located in the 1st floor auditorium of the Tivoli Building on the Auraria Campus
Getting to the Tivoli:
From I-25: Take the Speer Boulevard South exit, turn west on Auraria Parkway, then turn right onto 9th Street (dead ends at the Tivoli.)
From Colfax Avenue: Go north on Speer Boulevard, then west on the Auraria Parkway. Turn left onto 9th Street. Presbyterian Services at 8:30 and 11:00

Holy Ghost Church:
Phone: 303-292-1556
Address:1900 California St, Denver, CO 80202,
Website: http://www.holyghostchurch.info/
Directions: From the Convention Center, walk five blocks north on California to 19th Street.
Catholic services. See website for a schedule.

Trinity United Methodist Church
Address: 1820 Broadway
Phone:(303) 839-1493

Safety

Residents and officials of Denver want visitors to feel safe, but the reality is that Denver is a big city and some crime is a fact of life. But compared to other cities of this size or larger, Denver tends to rank near the top or in the middle of the safety rankings.

Visitors are advised to follow the precautions you would normally take in an unfamiliar urban environment. Busy, well-lit streets offer better protection. Avoid walking in empty, dark, unfamiliar areas at night. Lock your car doors. Keep some of your money and credit cards in the hotel safe. Take taxis to unfamiliar areas farther away.

Travel tips: It is always a good idea to remove unnecessary items from your wallet before you leave home, to reduce the headache of getting replacements if it is lost or stolen. Make copies of credit cards, passports, ID, etc and leave in a safe place at home. (If traveling internationally, keep a copy of the main page of your passport with you, but separate from the passport. It will speed the replacement process.)

According to a recent crime map, the areas around the Convention Center and the hotels are in the middle range of number of incidents reported compared to other areas of the city. A couple of neighborhoods northeast of Downtown and southeast of the Capitol should probably be avoided by visitors. If you have questions about areas you want to visit, ask at your hotel.

Crime is not the only threat to your safety. Colorado is an outdoor recreation paradise, but many visitors underestimate the importance of safe practices in the wild. Weather can change quickly, especially as you climb in altitude, so don't go hiking in shorts and tank top without additional clothing for layering. If you feel sick at high altitude, descend immediately, even if it ruins the excursion. Don't approach wildlife - they will feel threatened and may attack or panic unnecessarily. If you want to try rock climbing for the first time, do it with an experienced guide and instructor. If a lightning storm threatens, find shelter in a vehicle or building or crouch on the ground, don't go under a tree or picnic shelter or near a metal structure. If you are planning a visit to the outdoors (mountains or plains), leave an itinerary (including description of rental vehicle) with a friend or family member or your hotel.

Smoking

A recently passed bill has outlawed smoking in bars and restaurants statewide. Exceptions include casinos, cigar bars and a few designated lounges at the airport, and some places with outdoor patios allow smoking on the patio. However, this law is being contested and a recent court ruling has made its status unclear. This is separate from long established policies in many public places that already banned smoking. So, for now, assume that smoking is prohibited in most public areas and eating or drinking establishments, unless otherwise indicated.

Taxes

Sales tax in Denver ranges from 7.72% to 8.1% depending on item. The Lodger's (Hotel) tax in Denver is 14.85%. These rates include state and local taxes, so the tax rate will vary in other cities or counties.

Telephone

Denver has an area code overlay system. That means 303 and 720 are the area codes for the metropolitan region and either one may be assigned to any phone in this area. Therefore, to call a number in the Denver area, you must use the area code, e.g. 720-555-4000 (do not dial 1 first). For any other area code in Colorado, or for out-of-state, dial 1 + Area Code + Number.

Before making calls from your hotel room, verify phone rates with the hotel. Even a local call can be surprisingly expensive if the hotel charges a high per minute rate. (This applies to modem dial-ups, too.) Sometimes a calling card is the best option, as toll free numbers often are free or have a small set fee.

You should not have a problem with any major celluar phone service in the central Denver area, but you may want to confirm this with your carrier. Also, if you plan to explore around the state, check with your carrier to see which areas they cover. Some may provide cellular phone service only in large towns or along major highways. Or it may switch to an off-plan roaming service, which can be very expensive.

Time Zone

Denver is in the Mountain Standard Time Zone (UTC -7 hours). Day Light Savings will be in effect during the conference. In general, that means 2 hours behind the eastern US, 1 hour behind the central US, and 1 hour ahead of the pacific US.

Tipping

Tipping customs in Denver are the same as in any major U.S. city.
In a restaurant, 15–20% of your pre-tax check is considered standard. It is common for a restaurant to automatically add a 15% to 20% tip for large groups. If your group has been charged an automatic tip, there is no need to leave extra.
$1 per bag is standard for your hotel bellman and $1 for doorman if he provides assistance.
$1 per person per night is standard for your hotel maid.

Weather

Although the average temperature in June is 81.1 degrees (Farenheit), the temperature can reach 100 degrees. The record high was 104 degrees on June 26, 2004. June averages eight days with temperatures above 90 degrees. Expect bright sunshiny days and bring your sunscreen. Evening temperatures average 50 degrees, so bring a jacket also. (source: National Weather Service) SLA members who attended the conference in Denver in 1988 were treated to a rare event: a tornado touched down just two and a half miles from the city center. Since this was the only tornado in history that has touched down so near the city center, the chances that 2007 SLA Conference attendees will experience a second tornado are slim to none.

WiFi

Free WiFi is available all along the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall and Skyline Park (Arapahoe between 15th and 18th).

Other free WiFi locations in Downtown Denver according to http://www.wififreespot.com/co.html

Common Grounds Cyber Cafe - on the corner of 17th Street and Wazee
Leela European Cafe - 820 15th Street(near 15th and California)
Metropolitan Mudd Coffeehouse - 1516 Wazee Street - 303-534-5887
Paris On The Platte - 1553 Platte Street (LoDo)
Peaberry Coffee 621 17th Street (at California) - 303-292-5792
The Magnolia Hotel - also in Harry's Bar - (may or may not need a guest access code) - 818 17th Street - 303-607-1131
The Brown Palace Hotel - lobby area - 321 17th Street - 303-297- 3111
Oxford Hotel - 1600 17th St - 800-228-5838
Coffee Shop at LoDo Tattered Cover - 16th Street Mall and Wynkoop - 303-436-1070
The coffee shop in the main branch of the Denver Public Library offers free wifi if you buy something.

Locations close to, but not exactly downtown include
Java Moon (very close to library) - 116 South Broadway (11th and Broadway)
Panera Bread - 1315 Grant Street Paris On The Platte - 1553 Platte Street (West of LoDo)

Check the WiFI Hotspot list for more locations.

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