Planning
Hotel and Travel Info:
Show Dates: September 22-24, 2011
Connecticut Convention Center (Exhibits, Seminars, Sessions)
100 Columbus Blvd
Hartford, CT 06103
AOPA Official Hotels
While in Hartford, Connecticut, at this year’s Summit, make sure you book online through the official AOPA hotel website. When you stay at an official AOPA hotel, you are guaranteed to receive the lowest rates during that week, and if the hotel is sold out, your reservation is always secure. In addition, staying at one of the 10 official AOPA hotels provides you, your guest and family with a great networking experience. For this year’s show, we have selected a range of hotels, from airport locations (for Brainard and Bradley International) to hotels that are either adjacent to or within walking distance to the Connecticut Convention Center.
ALERT: AOPA Summit Housing is the onlyauthorized housing partner associated with the 2011 Aviation Summit. While other companies may contact you offering housing, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with the 2011 Aviation Summit.
Be careful before entering into a financial agreement with any unofficial company, as their legitimacy and policies may be questionable and the 2011 Aviation Summit staff will not be able to provide a resolution to issues related to such reservations.
Why should you use our official AOPA Summit Housing organization?
- AOPA Summit Housing only requires a one-night deposit in advance on or after August 28.
- Your rate at each official hotel is guaranteed to be the lowest during the week of the show
- Should the hotel inadvertently overbook, by contract, they must “walk” all other guests before they ask to move AOPA guests
- AOPA Summit Housing is a great place to network with fellow attendees
- This year each official hotel will be offering a drawing for a lucky AOPA attendee staying at that hotel – stay tuned!
Book Summit Hotel Rooms with an AOPA Credit Card and Earn Double Points!
All attendees that use their AOPA Credit Card at the following hotels will receive double points for their purchases while there:
- Crowne Plaza
- Hartford Windsor Marriott
- Hilton Downtown
- Hilton Garden Inn-Bradley Airport
- Holiday Inn Express (Brainard Airport)
- Homewood Suites
- Residence Inn
- Hartford Marriott Downtown
AOPA Aviation Summit Housing Special Promotion
Any attendee that has booked at the following hotels is eligible for a drawing from the hotel – the drawing ranges from a gift credit card to priority points from that hotel. Participating hotels include:
- Crowne Plaza
- Hampton Inn & Suites
- Hartford Plaza Hotel
- Hartford Windsor Marriott
- Hilton Downtown
- Hilton Garden Inn-Bradley Airport
- Holiday Inn Express (Brainard Airport
- Hartford Marriott Downtown
The lucky guest selected from each hotel will be notified by AOPA during the show!
Flying to Summit
Arrive at Summit in style by flying yourself or with a friend into one of the local Hartford Airports. Your final approach is just the beginning at Summit!
Hartford-Brainard Airport (HFD) is a Class D, public airport, located three miles southeast of downtown Hartford, Connecticut, and home to Airportfest. Hartford-Brainard Airport covers 201 acres, containing three runways and one helipad. AOPA Aviation Summit host FBO, Atlantic Aviation Services, is providing ample aircraft parking and services that pilots may need. Convenient shuttle buses provide a complimentary 10-minute ride to the Convention Center and back. Rental cars are available on-site by Hertz.
Bradley International Airport (KBDL) Signature Flight Support and TAC Air are providing parking and services for Summit attendees at Bradley. Complimentary shuttle buses are available to transport you between Bradley's attendee aircraft parking area and the Connecticut Convention Center.
Shuttle Schedule
Wednesday: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Shuttle pick up/drop off located at attendee aircraft parking area.
Commercial Airline Travel
Flying commercial to this year’s Summit in Hartford, CT? Use AOPA Online Travel and receive discounts on airfare, hotels and rental cars. So start planning your trip and book your travel through the only program that not only saves you money, and supports general aviation. Visit http://www.aopa.org/info/certified/travel/ and book your trip today.
Bradley International Airport (BDL) is located just 12 miles from the heart of downtown Hartford. All major airlines, including Southwest and JetBlue, are represented. To view a list of the participating airlines, click here.
AOPA has also contracted with American Airlines for a 5% discount off of any American Airline travel originating in the US and arriving at Bradley International Airport (BDL). To book you must go to www.americanairlines.com and make sure to use 6391AJ in the discount code box.
The Bradley Flyer operates a low-cost shuttle bus link between Bradley International Airport and the Connecticut Convention Center for only $1.25 one way. Click here to view the weekday and weekend schedules.
Taxi Cabs
Taxi cabs are available from Bradley International Airport (BDL), as well as hotels and prominent points of interest in downtown Hartford. Rates from Bradley to the downtown area are currently $36 (without tip) and subject to change.
Car rental discounts
Alamo Rental Information:
Book online or call 1-800-462-5266 and reference 7015451 at time of reservation. Save up to 25%, get one free additional driver, unlimited mileage, and additional coupon offers.
Avis Rental Information:
Click here to book online or call 1-866-315-9155 and use the Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) Number A4511348
Enterprise Rental Information:
Click here or call 1-866-315-9155 and reference customer number MOPAOPA. Please provide your AOPA member number upon reserving your vehicle.
Hertz Rental Information:
Click here to obtain your member Hertz discount
Free Downtown Shuttle
Attendees can hop on and off the complimentary Hartford Star Shuttle, which continually loops the downtown area, stopping at major hotels and attractions. Click here to view and print a map of the downtown service areas.
Please note that the shuttle will run extended hours on the following days: September 22, 23 and 24 from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight.
Event Transportation
Airportfest
Complimentary round-trip bus transportation departs from the Connecticut Convention Center approximately every 30 minutes to Airportfest. Sorry, there is very limited car parking available.
Night for Flight
AOPA will provide complimentary shuttle transportation from the following downtown hotels: Hartford Plaza, Hampton Inn and Suites, Crowne Plaza, Residence Inn, Hartford Hilton, and the Homewood Suites.
Friday Night Rock ‘n Rally at Airportfest
Complimentary shuttle transportation will be available from the Connecticut Convention Center, beginning at 4:45 p.m. to the Rock ‘n Rally event at Airportfest (Hartford-Brainard Airport). Complimentary return shuttle transportation will begin at 7 p.m. at Hartford-Brainard Airport to the Crowne Plaza, Hampton Inn/Suites, Hartford Plaza, Hilton, Homewood Suites, Marriott and Residence Inn hotels. Sorry, there is very limited car parking available.
Saturday Night Closing Dinner at The New England Air Museum
Complimentary transportation will be provided by AOPA to and from this event from the following downtown hotels: Hartford Marriott/Convention Center, Hartford Plaza, Hampton Inn and Suites, Crowne Plaza, Residence Inn, Hartford Hilton, and the Homewood Suites starting at 4:30 p.m. and running until 8:30 p.m.
Mobility Equipment Rental
Rent a mobility scooter, wheelchair, or power chair and more from Scootaround. To make reservations, click here. You may also call 888/441-7575.
Parking for the Show
Connecticut Convention Center Parking
There are approximately 2,200 spaces of undercover parking in the garage attached to the CT Convention Center and shared with the Hartford Marriott Downtown). The Summit member rate is $13 per day and can be paid by credit card upon exiting the garage. The rate does not apply for overnight parking at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. The garage is open 24 hours and there is an hourly rate of $3.00 for the first hour/$2.00 for every hour thereafter.
Downtown Hartford Parking
There are numerous parking lots surrounding the Connecticut Convention Center, restaurants, and other points of interest.
Download a map (pdf) or click here for a list of parking garages and lots
Recreational Vehicles (RVs)
There are currently no RV campgrounds in the immediate Hartford area. If you wish to park an RV, during the show, you may view the parking garage list for height clearance restrictions. To view a list of the parking garages, click here:
