If travelling by car, visit Google Maps, Mapquest, etc and get driving directions to the convention hotel from where you live – AND back again. Often, the routes can be different, especially the further away from which you come.  Print the turn-by-turn directions and make at least two copies. (One will invariably get lost.) If travelling in a caravan, make copies for everyone. Give each driver a list of who’s driving which car, what that car looks like (including the tag number), and who’s in the car with the drivers. Getting left at the I-75 rest stop because everyone assumed you were with one of the other groups when they pulled out is not good fun. Try to arrange it so every car has at least one cellular phone in it, and that each car has its own copy of those numbers. This will make communications significantly easier. Traffic in Tampa isn’t as bad as in most major metropolitan cities, but it’s no walk in the park either. It can still be frantic, especially during rush hour, and your group may get separated. Be prepared to make your way to the hotel on your own.

If you’re coming in by plane, your options are a little wider. Taxis are available outside all baggage claim terminals at Tampa International, as well as flat-rate “Airport Shuttle” vans. Most major rental companies have on-site counters and nearby pickups if you’re renting a vehicle. METROCON assumes no liability for picking you up from or getting you to the airport. With the current security focus in the airline industry, please allow at least two hours before takeoff to process through airport security.