Agile Games 2012

 
 
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Conference Logistics

Written by Gerry Gan Category: Conference Information
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Location:

The Microsoft New England Research & Development (NERD) Center
One Memorial Drive, Suite 100
Cambridge, MA 02142
 

Getting There: 

Driving Instructions:

Driving directions  to the Microsoft NERD Center Parking Garage from anywhere (including your own address) can be found here on the MS NERD Center's site:
http://microsoftcambridge.com/About/Directions/tabid/89/Default.aspx

Using Public Transportation (MBTA):

Take the Red Line to the Kendall/MIT Stop.

For other public transportation including rail or buses, use the MBTA Trip Planner:
http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/trip_planner/

From Boston's Logan Airport:

For driving directions directly to the Microsoft NERD Center, use the link in the Driving Instructions section above and then click on IV. From the Airportto read the detailed instructions.

For transportation to the Boston Marriott Hotel Cambridge at Two Cambridge Center, 50 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142 (note there are several Marriott properties in the immediate vicinity, including a Residence Inn and a Courtyard):

  • Driving instructions: see the Marriott Hotel Information link below.
  • Public transportation: take the Silver Line SL-1 (an articulated bus that is operated as part of the subway system) to South Station and change to the Red Line... DO NOT go through any tollgates or turnstiles and DO NOT exit the station. Take the Red Line toward Alewife and exit at the Kendall/MIT stop. The fare is $2 with cash or a paper 'CharlieTicket'. With a plastic 'CharlieCard', the fare is $1.70.
  • Taxi: the fare is estimated at $30.00 - 35.00 (one way). Note: Taxi fares are based on a meter, not the number of people in the party.
  • Shuttle: The Boston Marriott Hotel Cambridge in Kendall Square does NOT provide shuttle service. However, Day and Knight Transportation, Inc. (http://www.dayandknighttransportation.com) runs a shuttle between between Logan airport and several Cambridge hotels. For reservation or general inquiry, call 617-771-2497or 877-289-8339. The shuttle runs roughly every half hour and the fare is $16.50 per person.

Walking from the Kendall/MIT MBTA stop or the Boston Marriott Hotel:

This Google map shows detail of the surrounding area: http://tinyurl.com/Marriott2NERD
1. From the Boston Marriott Hotel Cambridge:
a. Exit the Hotel on the Plaza/Main St side facing the Kendall/MIT stop and turn left onto Main St.
- OR -
b. Exit the Marriott on the Broadway side, turn right and walk southeast on Broadway to Main St.
2. Continue east on Main Sttoward the Longfellow Bridge past the Post Office and Bank of America.
3. The Microsoft NERD Center Parking Garage is on your right before Memorial Drive and the Longfellow Bridge.
4. Turn right and enter the building from the side.

The walk is approximately a 5 minute walk (0.2 miles).

Parking:

If you must drive, consider parking at the Microsoft NERD Center parking lot, other nearby parking lots, or park at a lot outside of the city at MBTA stops and take public transportation. Google “parking near Kendall/MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142” for alternative parking facilities.

Metered street parking is not recommended. You are only allowed to park up to the maximum time that is posted, whether or not you deposit additional money (http://www2.cambridgema.gov/traffic/parkingmeters.cfm).

Parking is usually available at the Microsoft NERD Center. Parking fees are as follows:
  • Weekdays before 4PM it's a flat rate of $27.
  • After 4PM on weekdays and all day on weekends it's a flat rate of $10.
City Municipal Parking information can be found at:
  • http://www2.cambridgema.gov/traffic/OffStreetParking.cfm
  • http://www2.cambridgema.gov/CityOfCambridge_Content/documents/ParkingMap.pdf

Marriott Hotel Information:

We have arranged for a discounted block of guest rooms for Agile Games 2012 attendees at the Boston Marriott Cambridge adjacent to the Kendall Square/MIT subway station. The reduced rate is $199 (plus 14.45% tax) per night and includes complimentary Internet in the guest room. These rates are available for the nights of Wednesday, 18 Apr 2012, to Friday, 20 Apr 2012 (i.e., checkout on Saturday, 21 Apr 2012).

The Agile Games 2012 discounted rate is available only at the:
Boston Marriott Cambridge
Two Cambridge Center, 50 Broadway
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 USA
Telephone: 1-617-494-6600
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/boscb-boston-marriott-cambridge

Note: There are two other Marriott properties in Cambridge, the "Courtyard by Marriott Boston-Cambridge" and the "Cambridge Center Residence Inn" and there are many other Marriott properties in the greater Boston area.

The block of rooms will be held until Wed, 21 Mar 2012, at which time any unsold rooms will be released. In consideration of other attendees, if you reserve a room at the reduced rate and subsequently determine you will not be using it, please cancel your reservation promptly to allow others to take advantage of the discount.

To make your reservation over the internet for any or all of the nights of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 18 - 20 Apr 2012, use the URL http://tinyurl.com/AG2012-MarriottRes. This will pre-populate the dates and discount code for you. If you don't want to stay for all three nights, edit the arrival and/or departure date. You can also call Marriott Central Reservations at 1-888-236-2427 and tell them that you want to make a reservation at the "Boston Marriott Cambridge" as part of the "Agile Games 2012" group and get the group rate of $199/night (plus 14.45% tax).

For arrivals prior to Wed, 18 Apr 2012, and departures after Sat, 21 Apr 2012, it is recommended that you call the Marriott Central Reservations phone number in order to request the adjacent "shoulder" nights. If rooms are available, they may add them at the same group rate. [Marriott's committment is only for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights.] If you are unable to secure the discounted rate for the shoulder nights, we MAY be able to help. If you would like us to try, make your reservation without the shoulder nights and then send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the name on the reservation, the confirmation number, the best phone number for reaching you, and the shoulder nights you want added. We will ATTEMPT to get the group rate extended for those nights and let you know the result.

Note: This hotel has a smoke-free policy. Pets are not allowed, however service animals are allowed for persons with disabilities. On-site parking is available, but is expensive ($25/day for self-parking and $30/day for valet parking). There is also a vehicle height restriction of 6' 2".

Weather Forecasts:

  • 7 Day – Detailed: http://www1.whdh.com/weather/
  • 10 Day: http://tinyurl.com/4lqdsae

Miscellaneous:

  • ATMs: An ATM is available at the Microsoft NERD center in the lobby.
  • Car Rentals: Want to rent a car by the hour or day? Check out www.zipcar.com.
  • Local Attractions: check out www.boston.com.