Local information from Mark Greer
Posted 2014-Jun-16
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Getting here: There is an airport in Muscle Shoals (just across the
river).  It only flies to Atlanta and is part of Delta.  I've only
used this airport twice since they are usually the most expensive.
The two biggest airports near Florence are Memphis and Nashville.
Each one is about 2-2.5 hrs away by car.  Huntsville, AL is only about
an hour away and has an airport that I've used several times, so that
is an option as well.  Birmingham is around 2-2.5 hours away as well,
but I haven't had much luck on finding descent price tickets.

   Muscle Shoals
   www.flytheshoals.com

   Nashville International Airport
   www.flynashville.com

   Memphis International Airport
   www.mscaa.com

   Huntsville International Airport
   www.flyhuntsville.com

   Birmingham Airport
   www.flybirminham.com

Hotel: (1) Hampton Inn Downtown Florence, AL
(http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/alabama/hampton-inn-and-suites-florence-downtown-FLCHSHX/index.html).
This hotel is walking distance to campus and nearby to several good
restaurants.  It also has free breakfast and free wifi.  There is
supposed to be a discounted rate for UNA events, so I'm just waiting to
hear back what the discount is and how to book.  Without the discount,
it is around $88 for a standard room.

Update 2014-Jun-17:

   To get the UNA discount rate, you have to call the hotel and tell them
   you are going to the ADAM workshop at UNA (or ask for the UNA discounted
   rate).  The reserved rate for UNA events right now is $89+tax (which
   is what it is now without the discount).  I was told that as the hotel
   starts to book up, the rates start to be around $100-120.  The Hampton
   has free parking.

(2) City Lodge Downtown Florence, AL (http://qcity.innlinkservice.com/).
This hotel is near the Hampton Inn and is cheaper, but it isn't very nice.
They do have a breakfast and access to internet, but you have to pay
for the internet and the breakfast (I've been told) isn't very good.
Their website isn't allowing online reservations, but over the phone I
was told standard rooms where $55.

(3) There are a lot more hotels in Florence (and surrounding areas),
but the two within walking distance are listed above.  Everything else is
3-5 miles north of campus.  Let me know if people need more information
about other hotels/rates/etc.

Wireless: We are supposed to have access to wireless internet for
everyone during the conference, I'm just waiting to hear back about
usernames/passwords.

Conference Room (and parking on campus): We are supposed to have a room
in our new "Commons" building.  There is a free/guest lot right next
door, so parking shouldn't be an issue.  If we can't get a room there,
we can use one of the math classrooms.  I'll see about guest passes in
this situation.  All the rooms on campus have a computer, projector and
other media equipment.  Is there something specific that we'll need as
far as technology?  We have funding for refreshments.  I'll probably go
to Costco for the food/drinks and have coffee delivered to us.

Food/Local Attractions: There is a ton of stuff to do around Florence
and surrounding areas (lots of parks/hiking/water/etc).  Depending on
the weather and peoples interest, I can come up with some activities.
One thing we can try to do is tour our lions' facility on campus.  It is
a pretty cool experience to be that close to two lions (I actually pet one
on my interview last year!).  As far as food goes, we have all the normal
types of chain restaurants as well as many local places all over town.
We have funding to host one dinner, and depending on number of attendees,
I might be able to get us a second dinner as well.