Has the host hotel for the Expo been named yet? Any idea what the rate is? Special rate for expo people? I know it's a long ways out but I'm ready to book!

There are still contracts to be signed and the final date to be worked out. At this time, the Marriot and Embassy Suites are likely to be the host hotels and will offer special room rates for Expo attendees. The Marriot is offering a $99 per night rate and the Embassy Suites has offered a $114 (and up depending on suite type) which includes a cooked to order breakfast. These are both exceptionally nice hotels, even for their own brand. Both are directly across the street from the Expo - one is connected by an above ground walkway and the other by an underground walkway. If the weather is bad, you'll never know it.

There are, of course, another dozen hotels within a half mile of the city convention center. These run the gamut from Motel 6's to extremely upscale lodging. I'll list those once we have everything down on paper and the contracts have been signed. Expect to see an update on the Expo website within a couple weeks. The nearby amenities for exhibitors and attendees will be far greater than anything we've had in the past, including Charlotte.

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