FAQs

Q. What is the conference registration cost?

A. Member school professional rate is $180. Non-member school professional rate is $225. Student rate is $130. 1 day registration is $130. Be sure to log-in to the website before registering to receive the member rate.

Q. Is parking for 12 passenger vans available?

A. Yes. On-site hotel parking is free of charge and will accommodate a 12-passenger van.

Q. Is there wireless internet? How much?

1. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the Hyatt Place hotel. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the guest rooms of the Capital Plaza hotel.

Q. Where can I get my daily coffee fix?

A. We’ll have coffee stations available at the conference and the Capital Plaza Hotel’s restaurant, Falling Water Grille, sells to-go coffee and lattes. You can also drive to go get the good stuff. Here are coffee shops, listed in order of proximity to the Capital Plaza:

World Cup, 1501 SW 21st St. (21^st and Washburn), 785-354-1877

Classic Bean, 722 S. Kansas Ave, 785-232-1001 (also a good place to eat).

Blue Planet Cafe, 110 S.E. 8th Ave., 785-783-8883

PT's Coffee Roasting Co. Cafe, 5660 SW 29th St, Barrington Village, Topeka - (785) 273-4920

Starbucks.  www.starbucks.com - 1223 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka - (785) 271-0189

Q. What interesting things should I visit in Topeka?

A. Here’s a map, with QR code of favorite local dining spots, and a list of points of interest: http://www.visittopeka.us/quicklinks/VisitTopekaMaps_2011front_back.pdf. The four attractions listed below were identified as “Must-Sees” by Randall Travel Marketing, Inc.

• Brown v. Board National Historic Site & Museum
• Kansas History Museum
• Old Prairie Town at Historic Ward-Meade Park
• Kansas State Capitol
• Kansas Children’s Discovery Center

Q. How do I get to Topeka?

A. From West of Topeka:

Take I-70 East to Exit 363 Adams St./ Branner Trafficway exit. Turn left (south) on Adams and travel to 15th St., which is the first street on right. Turn right (west) on 15th St. When the street forks, stay on the left hand side and merge on to 17th St. (15th St. goes right). The Capitol Plaza Hotel is on the left corner of Topeka Blvd and 17th St. Turn left on Topeka Blvd. and right into the Capitol Plaza Hotel/Kansas Expocentre main entrance.

From South of Topeka:

Travel on the Kansas Turnpike (335) north to South Topeka Exit #177. Pay the toll and immediately get into the right lane. Go north on Topeka Blvd. The Capitol Plaza Hotel is on the left corner of Topeka Blvd. and 17th St. Turn left into the Capitol Plaza Hotel/Kansas Expocentre main entrance.

From KCI Airport:

Take I-29 North approximately 2 miles to I-435 South. Travel on I-435 South 15 miles to I-70 West (toll road). Take I-70 West 45 miles to the Topeka Exit (Exit363)/Adams St. Turn left onto Adams St. and then turn right off Adams St. at 15th Street. When the street forks, stay on the left hand side and merge on to 17th St. (15th St. goes right). The Capitol Plaza Hotel is on the left corner of Topeka Blvd and 17th St. Turn left on Topeka Blvd. and right into the Capitol Plaza Hotel/Kansas Expocentre main entrance.

Parking at Hotel and Conference Center:

All parking for the on site Hotel is offered free of charge.  Guests should park on the East side near the hotel entrance.  Please don't park by the Expo Center.  The Hyatt Place also offers complementary parking for guests.

Q. What restaurants are good for large parties?

A. Lots of restaurants are available and listed on the “favorite local dining spots” of the  Visit Topeka website. There’s a QR code to get the list: http://www.visittopeka.us/quicklinks/VisitTopekaMaps_2011front_back.pdf

Here is one reviewer’s Top 10 list of Topeka restaurants. Call in advance if you have a large group to be seated (10 or more):

1. Daimaru Steakhouse – Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi

785-228-0006
1221 SW Gage Blvd
Topeka, KS 66604

2. Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant – American Cuisine

785-267-2739
417 SW 37th St
Topeka, KS 66611

3. Paisano’s Ristorante – Italian Cuisine

785-273-0100
4043 SW 10th Ave
Topeka, KS 66604

4. Rowhouse – American Cuisine

785-235-1700‎
515 SW Van Buren St
Topeka, KS 66603

5. El Mezcal Restaurant – Casual Mexican Cuisine

785-357-0956‎
511 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66603

6. Tup Tim Thai Restaurant – Thai Cuisine

785-266-2299‎
2949 S Kansas Ave
Topeka, KS 66611

7. Globe Indian Cuisine – Indian Cuisine

785-354-1500
117 SE 10th Ave
Topeka, KS 66612

8. Las Fuentes Mexican Restaurant – Mexican Cuisine

785-266-9420‎
3656 SW Topeka Blvd
Topeka, KS 66611

9. Grovers Smokehouse – BBQ

785-273-7331
1217 SW Gage Blvd
Topeka, KS 66604

10. Boss Hawg’s Barbecue

785-273-7300

2833 SW 29th,

Topeka, KS 66614

 Q. What are the hotels?

Capital Plaza Hotel

1717 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, Kansas 66612
Toll-free: (800) 579-7937 | Local: (785) 431-7200 | Fax: (785) 232-8379 | E-mail: topek@jqh.com

Comfort and convenience come first at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center Topeka.  As one of the preferred Topeka Kansas lodging choices, they offer a thoughtful host of guest amenities and services. Enjoy a relaxing dip in the indoor pool or soak away stress in the whirlpool. Stay true to your workout regimen in our modern fitness center.  For your dining pleasure, the Falling Water Grille serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and your favorite beverages and appetizers are available in the Water’s Edge Lounge. From our 24-hour gift shop to same-day laundry service and a modern business center, the Capitol Plaza Hotel sets an exceptional standard for Topeka lodging.

• Complimentary WiFi Internet access in Guestrooms
• 100% Non-smoking
• Laundry service
• Indoor pool
• Whirlpool
• Sauna
• Sundeck
• Fitness center
• Falling Water Grille
• Water’s Edge Lounge
• Sundry Shop

http://www.capitolplazahoteltopeka.com/

OFF SITE HOTEL ALTERNATIVE

Hyatt Place Topeka

6021 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615
Phone: +1 785 273 0066 Fax: +1 785 273 1423

Adjacent to the new River Hill Shopping Center and four miles west of downtown Topeka, the Hyatt Place Topeka hotel is ideally located off I-70 and within close proximity to I-35 and Highway 75.

During your stay, you can enjoy specialty Starbucks® coffee drinks and friendly conversation at the intimate Bakery Café. A Host will happily assist you with orders from the 24-hour Guest Kitchen, which offers café-quality, made-to-order meals and snacks along with a complimentary continental breakfast daily.

• This Topeka hotel features spacious guestrooms each with the Hyatt Grand Bed™ and a 42" flat panel HDTV
• Complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel
• Complimentary continental breakfast daily
• 24/7 Guest Kitchen serves made-to-order snacks and entrees
• Intimate Bakery Café serves Starbucks® specialty coffees, premium beers and wines
• Grab 'n Go case offers muffins, salads, sandwiches and bottled beverages
• e-room with complimentary computers and a printer
• Complimentary onsite parking
• Jogging trails
• Barbecue and picnic areas

Program proposals are accepted electronically via the UMR Website during spring semester with a deadline of toward the end of May.  The actual deadline varies from year to year.  Check back at this website during the spring semester.