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Convention
Unique Challenges of Detroit

Accommodations in the Detroit Area (PDF)

As the NABC staff has spent parts of the last 9 months making preliminary plans for the 2009 NABC Convention, it is very apparent that one thing is for sure…….this is certainly going to be different from previous conventions.

Detroit promises to provide that first-time freshness and excitement to the Final Four that cities like St. Louis and Minneapolis have done in recent years. These cities bent over backwards to create a spectacular event knowing they may never get to host the event again. A wide variety of local restaurants of varying ethnicities, casinos, and entertainment districts will provide a unique compliment to the basketball business at hand. I have no doubt that it will be a great environment for college basketball's largest stage.

But as with any first-time host of the Final Four, there are always "challenges" that we all will have to be prepared for and be prepared to deal with. Detroit is no different and in many ways will be more challenging than any other. But as a staff, we need to bring these characteristics to your attention prior to your registration for the convention so you come into the event fully informed.

NABC Hotel Block - The housing block in Detroit broken into 3 sections - Downtown Detroit hotels, Dearborn hotels, and hotels in Windsor, ON. Downtown Detroit has a surprisingly low number of hotels. As a result, we have very few rooms in the downtown area and the rooms we do have are ultra expensive - $250-$279/night. Approximately 20% of our hotel rooms are in this area and demand for these rooms will most certainly be high.

The Hyatt Regency and our only Marriott property are located in Dearborn. By Final Four standards, these two properties are the best value for the price. The distance from downtown is the obvious drawback. Approximately 25% of our hotel rooms are in this area and this will be a popular choice for coaches that are primarily budget-conscious.

The majority of our block is located on the Canada side - in Windsor, Ontario. Separated from downtown Detroit only by the Detroit River, the Windsor hotel block provides a variety of hotel types and prices. The NABC Board of Directors, Congress members, and a majority of the Division I head coaches will be lodged in Windsor. The Windsor hotels are in close walking proximity of each other which will have the closest traditional convention-like block of hotels and the largest concentration of coaches. Having to cross the river and go through customs is the obvious drawback. Also, a passport is required for each and every border crossing.

NABC Headquarter Hotel - There is not a single hotel in the 2009 block that provides the number of sleeping rooms and the meeting space required to qualify as the "headquarter" hotel. However, the majority of D-I Head Coaches will be housed at Caesar's in Windsor. As a result, there will not be a designated headquarter hotel in Detroit. Coaches are encouraged to select a hotel preference order that best fits their personal needs - see "NABC Hotel Block" above and hotel descriptions on back.

NCAA Shuttle Bus - As thorough and planned out as the shuttle system is each year, no coach enjoys having to get on a bus to participate in the convention activities. Unfortunately for Detroit, there is no hotel that provides a location that avoids having to ride the shuttle system at one point or another. Simply put, everyone will have to ride the shuttle bus in Detroit. Coaches in the Dearborn hotels are farther away in distance but do not have to deal with going through the uncertainty of customs. Time-wise, it is probably a push for the amount of time it takes to get to the Cobo Convention Center from Dearborn and from Windsor.

COBO Convention Center - Except for a few select meetings and events, the plan is for the entire convention to be conducted in the Cobo Convention Center. Given that approximately 80% of our members will have to shuttle to Cobo, traditional meeting start times will be adjusted to accommodate the commute. We will attempt to tighten gaps in the schedule knowing that coaches will not have the luxury of quickly going back to the room between sessions. The hospitality area in Expo will be expanded to allow coaches a place to relax and interact like the headquarter hotel has provided in the past.

Ford Field - Detroit and Ford Field will be the first opportunity for the Final Four to experience the "raised floor" concept. The new trend in dome basketball layout will allow tremendously more spectator seating. As a result, more NABC-member coaches will have access to tickets to the Final Four games than ever before.

The long and the short of it is that many of the conveniences associated with the convention that we are fortunate enough to have in convention cities like San Antonio and Atlanta will just not be available in Detroit. I assure you that over the course of the next 5 months, the NABC staff will work long and hard to make sure this convention is as good and as user-friendly as you have come to expect. But in the long run, a dose of patience and understanding is going to be needed by all involved.

Rest assured that the 2009 Final Four and NABC Convention is going be great but it will certainly be unique.

Caesar's Windsor - $ 279 (CAD) **
http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/casino-windsor/casino-misc/hotel-overview.html

  • Located on the Riverfront in Windsor, ON
  • Must have passport or passport card
  • New tower opened in June 2008.
  • Restaurant service 24 hours a day.
  • Fitness/Pool facilities
  • Rate in US dollars varies per day depending on exchange rate
  • Very limited closet space
  • In room safe

Detroit Riverside Hotel -$277
http://www.detroitriversidehotel.com/

  • Located in downtown Detroit
  • 1 block from COBO Center
  • 12+ blocks to Ford Field
  • Recently renovated
  • In room hi-speed internet access available
  • Rooms / bathrooms are small
  • Very limited closet space
  • Onsite restaurant
  • Valet parking

Hilton / Radisson Windsor - $196 (CAD) **
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/WINHIHF-Hilton-Windsor-Ontario/index.do?WT.srch=1 http://www.radisson.com/windsorca

  • Located on the Riverfront in Windsor, ON
  • Must have passport or passport card
  • Rate in US dollars varies per day depending on exchange rate
  • Buildings attached to each other
  • Shared onsite restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Limited number of smoking rooms
  • Limited work out facilities
  • Pool/ whirlpool available
  • No in room safe. Safety box available at front desk
  • Limited closet space

Quality Suites Windsor - $219 (CAD) **
http://www.choicehotels.ca/hotels/hotel?hotel=CN317

  • Located on the Riverfront in Windsor, ON
  • Must have passport or passport card
  • Rate in US dollars varies per day depending on exchange rate
  • Complementary continental breakfast served daily
  • Complementary in room internet access
  • All suite rooms
  • Offsite parking available
  • No fitness facilities onsite. Free passes to local
  • YMCA provided by hotel
  • No in room safe. Safety box available at front desk
  • Complementary Wi-FI in lobby
  • Very limited closet space
  • In room refrigerator

Courtyard by Marriott Dearborn - $150
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dttdb-courtyard-detroit-dearborn/

  • Located in Dearborn, MI (approx. 25 minutes by shuttle to downtown Detroit)
  • Standard Courtyard by Marriott amenities (newly renovated)
  • Fitness facility / Whirlpool
  • Complementary wireless internet service in public area
  • Free wired Hi-speed internet served available in room
  • Breakfast served in restaurant onsite
  • Lunch/ Dinner restaurants located off property

Greektown Casino - $279
http://www.greektowncasino.com

  • Opening January 2009
  • Located in downtown Detroit in the Greektown with tram service to the area including COBO
  • Very limited closet space
  • 6 Blocks to Ford Field
  • 12+ blocks to COBO Center
  • In room safe
  • Internet access available for purchase in room
  • Free wireless internet access available in all public areas
  • Onsite dining
  • Fitness facility / pool

Hyatt Regency Dearborn- $161
http://www.dearborn.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

  • Located in Dearborn, MI (approx. 25 minutes by shuttle to downtown Detroit)
  • Onsite Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Close to area attractions and shopping mall access
  • In room safe
  • Internet access available in room
  • Fitness facilities / indoor pool / sauna

Travelodge Windsor $173 (CAD) **
http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Travelodge_Hotel_Downtown_Casino_Windsor.htm

  • Located on the Riverfront in Windsor, ON
  • Must have passport or passport card
  • Rate in US dollars varies per day depending on exchange rate
  • Complementary continental breakfast served daily
  • Complementary in room internet access

** As of October 1, 2008 the exchange rate was $1.00 US to $1.039 Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Important: Exchange rate changes daily

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