Southeast Institute

All About Town

Just below the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Athens overflows with small town southern charm and modern-day appeal. This vibrant city offers a broad selection of activities from sophisticated see and be seen events to down and dirty outdoor recreation.

Athens is home to restaurants and cafes offering cuisine from around the world. Experience a piece of Athens' past by taking a trip downtown to one of the city's historical buildings or museums. Head to the world famous 40 Watt Club or the Georgia Theatre to check out up-and-coming musical artists. As a staple in the town's vibrant nightlife, live music is everywhere-from outdoor concerts to college bars and jazz clubs.

For outdoor activities, take a tour of the botanical gardens or enjoy the lush vegetation of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains by walking, jogging, or blading through the foothills on one of the many paths and trails. To learn more about Athens, visit the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site.

The University

The University of Georgia campus spans 614 acres and has more than 33,000 students. Among the 300 buildings on campus is the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, which hosts Southeast Institute. The Georgia Center features a full-service hotel and education center, including facilities to accommodate executive business needs.

Where to Stay

UGA Hotel and Conference Center at the Georgia Center
The UGA Hotel, located on the beautiful, historic campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, provides educational conferences, courses, and programs for lifelong learners. A total living and learning environment, the Georgia Center includes a 200-room hotel, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and a computer lab—all under one roof. As a unit of UGA’s Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, the Center brings the University’s teaching, research, and service expertise to the people of Georgia and beyond!

Rates:
$99-$119 depending on room type (excluding suites)
Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes in effect at time of check-in.

For Reservations: Call the hotel reservation line directly at 1-800-884-1381 and mention the U.S. Chamber's Southeast Institute program to receive the group rate.  Rooms fill up quickly so be sure to make your reservations early!

Cut-Off Date: June 6, 2012

Check-In: 4:00 p.m.
Checkout: 11:00 a.m.

Getting to Athens

By Plane
Athens is accessible via Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which services more than 25 different airlines with around 2,400 flights arriving and departing every day. The University of Georgia is approximately one and a half hours northeast of the airport. U.S. Airways Express offers limited flights into Athens-Ben Epps Airport from Charlotte International Airport. The Athens-Ben Epps airport is located about 3 miles east of downtown Athens.

By Shuttle Service
Groome Transportation provides shuttle service from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport directly to the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Call 706-410-2363 to reserve a space on a shuttle.

By Automobile
Atlanta, Georgia: 75 miles
Columbia, South Carolina: 165 miles
Tallahassee, Florida: 287 miles
Montgomery, Alabama: 230 miles
Nashville, Tennessee: 305 miles

Please note: Participants must attend all classes to recieve full-credit toward their IOM.  Please be sure that your flight arrangements provide adequate time for you to complete classes through Thursday at 4:00 p.m. as well as accommodate travel to the airport.