SPONSORED BY
Lunar and Planetary Institute
National Aeronautics and
   Space Administration

CONVENERS
Steve Mackwell,
   Lunar and Planetary Institute
Eileen Stansbery,
   NASA Johnson Space Center

MEETING LOCATION AND DATE

The 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, The Woodlands, Texas, March 23–27, 2009.   

This conference brings together international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, geology, and astronomy to present the latest results of research in planetary science. The five-day conference will be organized by topical symposia and problem-oriented sessions.

KEY POINTS:
When:  March 23–27, 2009
Where:  The Woodlands, Texas

You are encouraged to submit ideas and suggestions for special sessions to Mary Cloud (cloud@lpi.usra.edu) by October 3, 2008, so they can be considered, planned, and publicized. Organizers of these sessions should be prepared to serve on the Program Committee, or to have a fully empowered delegate serve on the Program Committee, if requested by the Conference Chairs.

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel is holding a block of rooms at a special rate for LPSC. The hotel and convention center is located at 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas, just north of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). A map of the local area is provided for you.

The hotel is located in a beautiful wooded landscape on the The Woodlands Waterway, which connects The Woodlands Town Center with the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for performing arts. As the name of the area suggests, there are many trees and pleasant outdoor spaces for walking and visiting.

Located nearby are many restaurants and taverns, shops, and entertainment venues. Shops and restaurants at Market Street and at The Woodlands Mall are located within walking distance from the hotel. Attendees may also access these two areas via trolley and water taxi services.

Special LPSC Room Rate —
The special LPSC rate is $179.00 per night, single or double occupancy, plus applicable taxes (currently 13%). For an occupancy tax exemption, guests are required to show an occupancy tax exemption form in addition to proper government identification at check-in.

There is no charge for children 18 years and younger when they share a room with parent(s) and utilize existing beds.

To accommodate guests who wish to share the cost of a room with a roommate, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott has set aside all two-double-bed guest rooms in the LPSC block. These rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis as inventory allows. A maximum of four adults is allowed per room.

Please note:   When making a reservation for two double beds, the Marriott reservation system will issue a standardized response indicating that the request cannot be guaranteed, or that the room configuration is not available. However, as long as the reservation is guaranteed with a credit card or a first night’s deposit, the request will be honored. 

Check-in is 4:00 p.m.; check-out is 11:00 a.m. Guests arriving prior to check-in will be accommodated as rooms become available. The hotel will accommodate late check-outs subject to space availability.

To ensure a room at the special rate, reservations MUST be made by February 27, 2009.  Participants are encouraged to make their reservations early.  

Room Reservations —
Reservations may be made by one of the following ways:

• The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Online Reservations
  The group code (LPSLPSA) has already been entered in the far right column. Upon submission of the requested dates, the next page will indicate the special rate of $179.00.
  
  
• Marriott telephone reservations at 1-800-262-1509
  Specify “Lunar Planetary Science”.

Reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card or accompanied by a first night’s deposit. All reserved guest rooms are guaranteed until 6:00 p.m. on day of arrival. Guests planning to arrive after 6:00 p.m. should notify the hotel at the time the room is booked. If travel plans should change due to delayed flights or other circumstances, guests should contact the hotel directly at 281-367-9797.

Cancellation Policy —
Cancellations may be made without penalty by contacting the hotel directly at 281-367-9797 prior to 6:00 p.m. on the day of arrival.

“No Show” Policy —
Guests who do not check in by 6:00 p.m. on the day of arrival without prior notice to the hotel risk forfeiture of room in addition to forfeiture of deposit.

Please note:  The hotel is a non-smoking property, which includes all public areas and guest rooms. 

There are numerous other hotels located nearby, some of which offer rates of less than $100.00 per night. A listing of other hotels will be provided in the second announcement.

Attendees staying at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott can take a Super Shuttle (713-523-8888) from either Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or Hobby Airport (HOU). The cost from IAH is $23.00 one way; Yellow Cab service from IAH to the hotel is $50.00 one way. The hotel does not provide shuttle service.

Parking —
The Woodlands Waterway Marriot Hotel and Convention Center has two garages for guests and conference attendees. Complimentary self-parking is available in the West Garage (Town Center Garage) located on Six Pines Drive. The West Garage offers easy access to the hotel and convention center via a climate-controlled Sky Bridge.  Parking is also provided in the East Garage located at the front of the hotel; rates are $10.00 per day for self-parking and $13.00 per day for valet parking.

Driving Directions —
From George Bush Intercontinental Airport:  Follow airport exit signs to Hardy Toll Road North. Proceed on Hardy Toll Road. The toll road will merge with I-45 North. Proceed on I-45 North to the Woodlands Parkway exit. Continue to Woodloch Forest Drive. Turn right. Go to the second stop light (Lake Robbins Drive). Turn left and proceed 0.25 miles to hotel on left.

More detailed information will be available in future announcements posted on this website (see schedule below). To be added to the mailing list to receive electronic reminders or special announcements via e-mail, please return the electronic Indication of Intent form by October 3, 2008. It is important that you provide us with a valid e-mail address.

For further information regarding meeting logistics and announcements, please contact

MARY CLOUD
Lunar and Planetary Institute
phone:  281-486-2143
e-mail:  cloud@lpi.usra.edu