Travel Information

Conference Location

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
1 Grand Cypress Blvd
Orlando, FL 32836

Getting to Orlando

Airports

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport serving Orlando. The hotel is located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando, and 17 miles from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. 

Getting to the Hotel from MCO

Taxi

The taxi stands are located as follows:

• on the Ground Transportation Curb (Level 1) between spaces A22-A25
• on the Ground Transportation Curb (Level 1) between spaces B30-B34
• on the Arrivals Curb (Level 6)

Taxis may carry up to 9 passengers, and charge the same rate regardless of the number of passengers. All taxicabs picking up at the Airport are regulated by the City of Orlando’s Vehicle-for-Hire ordinance which requires fares to be determined by a taximeter.

Lyft, Uber, and other Peer-to-Peer Options

All Ride Share companies (such as Uber, Lyft, Wingz and KreweCar) may pick-up passengers at:

Terminal A

• Arrivals Curb (Level 2) 24 hours per day
• Departures Curb (Level 3) between 9:00pm and 2:00am

Terminal B

• Arrivals Curb (Level 2) 24 hours per day
• Departures Curb (Level 3) between 9:00pm and 2:00am

Terminal C - Arrivals Curb (Level 6)

Peer-to-peer (P2P) vehicle sharing is only permitted in Surface Lot "Atlantis."

• From Terminals A and B, take the “Terminal Link” to the “Train Station.”
• From Terminal C, follow signs to the “Train Station.”
• Once inside the Train Station, follow signs for “Surface Lots.” Surface Lots are accessed through Level 1 of the Train Station.
• A shuttle will pick up outside the Train Station every 10 minutes to transport you to Surface Lot “Atlantis.”
• For quick pick-ups or drop-offs, the curb in front of the Train Station is allowed.

Rental Cars

Many rental car options exist at MCO. For a full list, visit https://flymco.com/rental-cars

Nearby Things to Do

Want to explore all that Orlando has to offer? Check out the Orlando Visitor's Bureau.

Dining

In Orlando, dining is all about sizzle that makes you go “ooh.” It’s the moment when your eyes widen in anticipation as dazzling presentations are delivered to your table. It’s a merry mélange of flavors and cuisines, expertly blended to perfect your favorite dishes — and create new tastes you haven’t even dreamed of yet. It’s more than 6,000 restaurants encompassing MICHELIN honorees, celebrity chef-owned eateries, themed dining, inventive fast-casual fare, famous brand names and local favorites. In short, Orlando’s dining scene is a guaranteed adventure for your palate.

Start with our 59 MICHELIN Guide-recognized eateries, including nine starred venues, 15 Bib Gourmands and 35 Recommended. You’ll find them all over town, from the convention district to beyond — with most being located in our authentic downtown neighborhoods, which feature many other mouthwatering dining options.

Hosting the area’s highest concentration of celebrity chefs, Disney Springs® at Walt Disney World® Resort is a must-visit on your epicurean journey. Here, culinary superstars José Andrés, Masaharu Morimoto, Wolfgang Puck, Guy Fieri, Rick Bayless and Art Smith compete for your attention against imaginative themed eateries that complement the world-famous architecture of Disney’s theme parks. More celebrity chefs await all over Orlando, including Richard Blais, Todd English, Melissa Kelly, Wendy Lopez, Gordon Ramsay, John Tesar, Norman Van Aken and Buddy Valastro, with more arriving seemingly every year.

On International Drive in the heart of the convention district, find whatever you crave with a cornucopia of cuisines — often at budget-friendly prices. Just a short drive away, Orlando’s Restaurant Row is another dining revelation, packed with high-end eateries and one-of-a-kind venues. Nearby, Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort offers a bounty of tasty, unique dining choices. Orlando’s homegrown culinary geniuses — including several James Beard Award honorees — are also eager to wow you at acclaimed restaurants in downtown Orlando, nearby Winter Park and other locations around the area. Discover why dining is an attraction unto itself in Orlando.

Climate

Baltimore sees an average September high of 90F, low of 74F, and averages 11 days of rain.

Attendee Safety Guidelines

As a general rule, please use common sense when traveling to and attending the event. If you need assistance at any time, please reach out to the ION at 703-366-2723 or registration@ion.org.

Before the Event: Travel Safety Considerations

• Be sure to write down the name and contact information for all key venues: 

  • Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
    1 Grand Cypress Blvd
    Orlando, FL 32836

• Share travel plans with a friend or family member, including dates, flight (or other transport) information, and your lodging information.
• Research your destination and familiarize yourself with requirements for entry/exit, visas, local laws, customs, medical care etc. 
• If traveling abroad, note the location of the embassy or consulate of your home country. 
• Inform your financial institutions of your travels and familiarize yourself with the local currency.
• Keep a sufficient supply of medications in your carry-on luggage
• Make at least two photocopies of all your travel documents (passport, driver’s license, etc.). Leave one set with a trusted person at home and carry the other separately from your original documents.
• Keep your passport separate from your wallet; do not carry your passport in your back pocket.

During the Event: Safety Considerations

• Protect your identity. Wear your name badge only inside the meeting and convention facility
• Plan for an emergency. Be aware of your surroundings. Know where the nearest exists are located. Use the buddy system. Exchange contact information with another meeting attendee. In the event of an emergency, agree where you will meet up. Call for help if your buddy doesn’t meet up at the agreed location within a reasonable amount of time.
• See something, say something. If you see something that raises a safety or security concern, please say something
• Keep a close eye on your belongings at all times.  Avoid leaving bags out of sight
• Report any lost/stolen items immediately to local authorities. Promptly cancel any lost or stolen credit cards.
• Do not leave beverages unattended; do not accept food or drinks from people you do not know
• Lock your vehicle and secure any valuables 
• Do not write your room number on your hotel key

To Report an Emergency (Medical or Other)

• If an emergency occurs within the hotel, please pick up the nearest house phone and dial 0 so that hotel security may efficiently direct emergency services to your location. If you are not able to quickly locate a house phone, please notify the nearest hotel staff member that there is an emergency.
• If an emergency occurs outside the conference venue, please call 9-1-1.

Emergency Evacuations

• If you hear an alarm, please listen to the PA system for instructions. If evacuation is necessary, please evacuate the facility immediately in a calm and orderly fashion. Pay close attention to your surroundings.
• Follow all directions from emergency personnel and event staff.

Local Medical Facilities

Below is a list of the closest hospital and urgent care centers to the conference venue.

• AdventHealth Palm Parkway Emergency Room - 7823 Palm Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32836 - +1-407-550-0500 (8 minute drive)
• Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital - 9400 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 - +1-407-351-8500 (15 minute drive)

Visa Information for International Participants

Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Countries

Travelers from VWP countries must have a current Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and present an e-passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from the United States. You may also apply for a visitor (B) visa if you prefer to do so or if you are not eligible for VWP travel.

• To view the requirements regarding the VWP, ESTA, and e-passports see: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html.  
• To update your ESTA, go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta.

Non-Visa Waiver Countries

We recommend that you apply for your visa at least three months in advance. Currently there is a mandatory security check period of 30 days for people whose passports are issued from several countries. U.S. consular offices now interview most applicants as part of the application process. Please ensure you arrive at the embassy with all required documentation at the time of your interview. Note that the ION does not intervene in U.S. State Department’s issuance of visas.

Conference attendees requesting a visa letter to attend a conference must:

1. Submit the visa letter request form using the button below.
2. Register and pay all conference registration fees BEFORE a letter of invitation will be sent.

Exemptions to this policy apply only to those authors whose papers have been accepted for presentation, company personnel working in the exhibit area or trade associated press.

If the attendee is unable to secure a visa, he/she will need to apply for a refund according to the printed refund rules of the event. Visa letter requests will only be reviewed AFTER you have submitted the visa letter request form for your desired conference.

Request a Letter of Invitation from ION