Come to San Diego
General Information About The Annual Conference
Registration and Housing
Costs for going to the Annual Confernce
Who can go?
Times and Dates and Places
Multi-media CD-ROM that includes both the audio recording plus the PowerPoint/handout presentation material, a complete list of exhibitors and important information from COF.
Important documents to help you
information on how to exhibit and sponsorship opportunities
Contact Council staff
Travel info to California

Registration and Housing

Advanced registration is now closed. For registration information please call the registration hot line at 202/467-0260 or email us at confreg@cof.org for assistance.

Conference Location and Housing

San Diego Convention CenterThis year’s conference will be held at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina and the San Diego Convention Center. The hotel is currently sold out, however availability changes periodically

We have compiled a list of hotels that are in close proximity to the conference facilities (see below). You may visit www.sandiego.com for other hotel options.

Hotels near the San Diego Convention Center:

Comfort Inn Gaslamp – approximately 10 blocks from the Convention Center
660 G St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-238-4100
Fax: 619-238-5310
105 units located in the heart of downtown, all rooms offer wet-bar, mini-fridge and coffee makers.

Embassy Suites Hotel San Diego Bay – approximately 8 blocks from the Convention Center
601 Pacific Hwy.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-239-2400
Fax: 619-239-1520
337 spacious suites, two TVs, refrigerator, microwave, sleeper sofa, complimentary breakfasts, and complimentary cocktail receptions, exercise room, sauna, bay views.

Gaslamp Plaza Suites – approximately 10 blocks from the Convention Center
520 E St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-232-9500
Fax: 619-238-9945
Historical landmark in the Gaslamp Quarter. Close to Convention Center and area attractions. Suite accommodations, complimentary continental breakfast, roof-top Jacuzzi

Hilton San Diego/Gaslamp Quarter – approximately 1 block from the San Diego Convention Center
401 K St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-231-4040
Fax: 619-231-6439
Just steps from Convention Center. Located in downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter. An urban boutique hotel. 282 guest rooms/16 suites.

Horton Grand Hotel, The – approximately 3 blocks from the Convention Center
311 Island Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-544-1886
Fax: 619-544-0058
132 units, Victorian hotel, near Horton Plaza, Marina Park, Seaport Village, Convention Center, fireplaces/air conditioners, antiques, period decor, meeting/banquet facilities for 300.

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego – approximately 4 blocks from the Convention Center
One Market Pl.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-232-1234
Fax: 619-233-6464
1,625 units, bay views, adjacent to Seaport Village/Convention Center, swimming pool, whirlpool, tennis, health club, spa and salon.

Omni San Diego – approximately 2 blocks from the Convention Center
675 L St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-231-6664
Fax: 619-231-8060
Luxury hotel located directly across from the Convention Center. Features 511 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.

Ramada Inn and Suites - Gaslamp/Convention Center – approximately 10 blocks from the Convention Center
830 Sixth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-531-8877
Fax: 619-231-8307
Historic turn of the Century hotel in Gaslamp. Near Convention Center/Downtown. Continental Breakfast Buffet available. High speed internet access.

San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter – approximately 4 blocks from the Convention Center
660 K St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-696-0234
Fax: 619-232-4252
306 rooms, restaurant, gym/Jacuzzi. Located in Gaslamp Quarter and adjacent to PETCO Park. Walk to Convention Center and Seaport Village.

Westin Horton Plaza San Diego, The – approximately 7 blocks from the Convention Center
910 Broadway Circle
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-239-2200
Fax: 619-239-0509
450 rooms, adjoining Horton Plaza, seven minutes from airport, two restaurants, two lounges, health club, banquet facilities.

FOR THOSE WITH RESERVATIONS AT THE SAN DIEGO MARRIOTT AND MARINA:

Please contact them directly to make changes to your reservation. Reservation fax for existing reservation changes: 619/230-8978
Fax: 619/234-8678

San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina
333 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego , CA 92101-7700
Phone: 619/234-1500

The San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina rates are as follows:

Reservations booked between December 13, 2004 and March 4, 2005

  • $227/Single
  • $247/Double

Until March 4, hotel rooms must be reserved using the on-line conference registration form or the faxing the registration brochure form (1.7M PDF). After March 4, please call the hotel directly to make your reservation, at which time rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the conference rate. All reservations require a first night’s credit card deposit, refundable if cancelled at least 72 hours prior to arrival. Room rates are subject to sales tax and a destination-marketing fee. Hotel guests who depart early and do not notify the hotel until after check-in will be charged an early departure fee of $50. You will receive a confirmation directly from the hotel. Changes or cancellations to your room reservation prior to March 4 must be made in writing directly to the hotel after you receive your confirmation number, using the fax number or e-mail address noted above. Please include your confirmation number on all correspondence. After March 4, call the hotel to cancel your room, make changes or reserve more rooms. Council staff is available at 202/467-0260 to answer any registration or housing questions.

Airline Carriers/Amtrak

San Diego TrolleySan Diego International Airport serves the San Diego area. Travel discounts are available through Delta and United Airlines. Amtrak offers a 10% discount of the lowest available fare to San Diego between April 5 and April 17. Reservations may be made directly with these carriers using the ID codes listed below or with your travel agent.

Airline Toll-Free Number Refer to ID Code:

  • Delta 800/241-6760 207678 A
  • United 800/521-4041 549 TR
  • Amtrak 800/872-7245 X63-921

Ground Transportation

San Diego MinicabsTaxi fares from San Diego International Airport to the hotel are approximately $10–12 (each way). The commute from San Diego International Airport to the hotel is approximately ten minutes. For your convenience, XPRESS SHUTTLE provides 24-hour airport transportation; the fare is $6. Pick up is located at the Courtesy Vehicle Pick-up area just over the sky bridge. The hotel has shuttle service to the San Diego International Airport, leaving every 30 minutes, beginning at 4:45 a.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m.

Send payment on or before March 4 and receive the Early Registration Discount.

Note: Non-members should not make air or hotel arrangements until conference participation is confirmed. See detailed Non-Member Eligibility instructions.

How to register

Advanced registration is now closed. For registration information please call the registration hot line at 202/467-0260 or email us at confreg@cof.org for assistance.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

  1. Checks. Make payable to Council on Foundations only if you are using a U.S. dollar account.
  2. Credit Card. The Council accepts American Express, Visa and MasterCard. All charges will be in U.S. dollars.

Confirmations

Confirmations will be e-mailed to attendees. Please don’t forget to include your e-mail address on your registration form. Due to the high volume of registrations, the Council is unable to confirm conference registration by phone.

Make sure you’re listed in the Directory of Participants. Send your payment and complete registration form for arrival at the Council on Foundations by March 18, 2005.

Cancellations

All cancellations must be submitted in writing (fax to 202/785-3926 or e-mail to confreg@cof.org). Cancellation fees will be accessed as follows:

  • Cancellation through March 9 Full refund minus $100 administrative fee
  • Cancellation on March 10 through April 4 50% of conference fees
  • Cancellation on or after April 5 No refund available

Multiple Registration Discount

You may be entitled to the multiple registration discount if

  • your organization is a member of the Council on Foundations,
  • three people from your organization pay the full conference fee,
  • your registration form is submitted with the other registration forms from your organization, and your registration and payment are received by March 4, 2005.

Meals

The following meals are included in your registration fee on the day(s) for which you have registered:

  • Sunday Breakfast, Lunch
  • Monday Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Networking Event
  • Tuesday Breakfast, Lunch

A limited number of extra meal tickets will be available for purchase at the registration desk by individuals who are eligible for conference registration.

Non-Member Fees

If you are not a member of the Council on Foundations, you must pay the non-member conference fee. Pending applications or applications sent with the registration form do not guarantee membership with the Council on Foundations and do not qualify you for the member conference fee. If you pay the non-member conference fee and your application for Council membership is approved by December 31, 2005, the difference in member versus non-member conference fees will be credited to your organization’s dues payment. For further information on conference eligibility, please contact Anita Marsh at 202/467-0463 or marsA@cof.org.

Additional Information

For further information concerning the conference or registration, please contact the following people: