The below was posted on the USCF issues forum by one of organizers.
Mike Nietman2 on Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:08 pm #260324
Hi all,
Let me know if anyone has any questions about the 2013 US Open. The playing site is the Madison Marriott West in Middleton, WI. The Marriott has a carpeted convention center that we’ll be playing in. There is also a large carpeted ballroom where the meetings and Denker/Barber/NGIT Opening Ceremony will be held. All of these are on the first floor of the garden style hotel.
Wisconsin is proud to host the event. The last time it was held in Wisconsin was 1953!
I’ve heard reports that the room block has filled up. If anyone has an issue with getting a reservation at the hotel, please contact Pat Smith at the USCF office and she will arrange to have the room block made larger. She has already done this a couple of times. Once the hotel is full, we have a spillover hotel if necessary that is right across the street.
On the event’s information page there is a link to a PDF that I created with information on the area of the hotel. Note especially the restaurants within a ten minute walk of the hotel.
Be sure to check flight schedules often. We’ve seen prices rise and fall overnight. I use http://www.itasoftware.com to find the cheapest flights then go to the airline’s sites to book. If you’re still worried that a flight to Madison is too expensive, consider flying into Milwaukee (MKE) or Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and taking a bus to Madison. Either http://www.badgerbus.com (Milwaukee) or http://www.vangalderbus.com (O’Hare) will drop you off at Dutch Mill Park and Ride. It’ll still be a $20-$25 cab ride (estimate) to get to the west side hotel.
If you’re driving, find US-12 which we call the Beltline Highway in Madison. The Marriott is right at exit 252.
Looking forward to a great event and save some room in your suitcase for a large block of cheddar!
Thanks,
Mike Nietman