Visitor Guide

Hotel

Notice

The official conference Hotel at Holmes is now fully booked.

If you have any questions, please contact the hotel directly by phone at 815-753-1445 or by email at [email protected]. If you experience any issues reaching the hotel, feel free to contact us at [email protected] to let us know.

Myanmar students who qualify for the additional hotel discount must fill out the form below before October 6th.
The official IBSC conference hotel is NIU's Hotel at Holmes.
Reduced rates are $75 per room, per night, for conference participants. Myanmar students can receive an additional discount of $10 off per room, per night, at this hotel. 

To book, please use the following group number: 5153
Please review the hotel's webpage prior to booking to read about cancelation policies and other important information. 

Please note: Your card will be used to hold the reservation but will not be charged until you are present in person to check in. 

We recommend participants book early as the hotel will fill to capacity. ​
Deadline to reserve a room with the special rate:
​Thursday September 25th
Other options:
​Nearby hotels within a 20 minute walk include: Baymont by Wyndham, Comfort Inn, and Red Roof Inn.
​Limited Airbnb options may be available, though we recommend you check the walking distance. ​

Transportation to DeKalb
The closest airport to DeKalb is O'Hare, about an hour away by car. Midway Airport is another option, though farther. Participants will need to arrange for taxi or other local transportation to DeKalb.

Getting to DeKalb from O’Hare Airport

Download this document for more details on transport options

Taxi Travel time: about 1 hour and 15 minutes from O’Hare to DeKalb by car
Train and Bus Travel time: approximately 3 hours from O’Hare to Dekalb by train and bus

Air travel advice

Attendees arriving to the conference by air on domestic flights are strongly encouraged to:
 
-Carry printed copies of all documentation to support lawful presence in the US, such as, when applicable,  a copy of their latest I-94 (the US entry form), and which can downloaded and printed from the official website https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home
- Carry printed copies of valid passport


Travelers must carry their Real ID (or valid passport) as it is now required for all domestic travel.

Where to eat
Paid registration includes meals and coffee/tea breaks throughout the conference, from opening to closing (this applies for waived registrants as well). For those arriving early or staying after, additional dining options are available on campus and nearby.

Please note: Most U.S. hotels do not offer bottled water or tea kettles in rooms.

Most visitors will need to plan for a meal before the conference opens on Friday. Nearby options are conveniently located in the lower level of the Holmes Student Center (same building as the conference hotel) and include Starbucks, Qdoba, and The Grill at the Huskie Den.​
​
Travel tip: It may take 2–3 hours from landing at the airport to reaching your hotel room or accessing food in DeKalb, so we recommend grabbing a meal or snack before leaving the airport.

Other useful information
Weather
The conference is held in October to avoid Northern Illinois’ harsh winters, but temperatures can still get chilly. Bring some warm layers, and check the forecast about two weeks before your trip for the most accurate outlook.

​U.S. Currency
We recommend bringing U.S. dollars with you, as currency exchange services can be hard to find once you're in the U.S. Check your departure airport’s website in advance for exchange options and plan accordingly.
This page will be updated regularly as more details become available. Please check back often. 
Picture