Travel, Accommodations and Special Events

Lodging

Hotel Information

All scientific sessions will take place at the Little America Hotel and Convention Center.  MSA has arranged a limited number of rooms at a special rate for attendees. Please note that hotel reservations are not managed by MSA and must be made using the links below, or by calling Little America Hotel and Convention Center at 800-940-8528. 

The room rates below do not include tax of 11.181%. Secure your reservation prior to Sunday, July 9, 2023

We urge you to stay at the Little America Hotel for the 2023 Annual Meeting.  The Association has negotiated discounted room rates for attendees.  Supporting the sleeping room block enables us to keep your costs lower by meeting our contractual obligations. 

Government Rate:

Available for those individuals affiliated with government agencies or public institutions.  A government ID may be required at check-in to Little America.

Single: $146.00
Double: $166.00

If making a reservation for one person, be sure to add “1” under adults in step two of the process. Then the $146 room rate will pop-up in step 3.

Non-Government Rate:

Available for those individuals who are affiliated with non-government or private institutions.

Single: $189.00
Double: $189.00

If you have any questions about your reservation, please call the hotel at +1-800-940-8528 or +1-928-779-2741 — be sure to tell the reservations agent that you are attending the MSA Annual Meeting and refer to the following code: 0723FOREST.

Hotel room cancellation must be confirmed at least 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Dorm Lodging

Dorm Rooms at Northern Arizona University

MSA has made arrangements for dorm lodging at Northern Arizona University (NAU).  If you are interested in reservations at Calderon Hall on the NAU campus, please complete the online reservation form. You can select a single occupancy room at $53 per night or a double occupancy room for $40 per night (shared bathroom).  Dorm reservations will be accepted until Sunday, July 9, 2023.

Please make note of the following:

1) There is a one-time mandatory linen fee charged by NAU which includes the following: (1) blanket, two (2) flat sheets, one (1) pillow, one (1) pillowcase, one (1) towel, and one (1) washcloth. 

2)  A refundable security deposit of $50 will be charged to your credit card in case of room damage, lost keys, or excessive trash.

3) No meals are included.

4) The dorm rooms are not air conditioned.

Dorm check-in time: 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Dorm check-out time: 10:00 a.m.

Location of check-in:
Calderon Hall
1200 Knoles Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Check-in guidelines:

1) All guests can check-in individually at the front desk of Calderon Hall.

2) Upon check-in, the staff will print a badge and attach it to a lanyard. They will also attach the assigned room key. 

3) Lost room keys will result in a $50.00 charge per key. A lost building entrance card will result in a $30.00 charge per card. Rooms will be inspected at arrival and after departure for condition; any damages incurred will be the responsibility of the guest.

4) Room changes at check-in are not allowed.

5) The exterior doors are all locked except for the main entrance. The main entrance will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. After that, an access card will be needed to open the door. 

Cancellation of reservation with a refund will be accepted until Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Transportation to and from the NAU campus and Little America Hotel will be provided for attendees via shuttle buses

Travel Information

The closest airport to the meeting is Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG). This airport is served by American Airlines, which has several flights daily from Phoenix and Dallas-Ft. Worth airports.

The next closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which is served by all major airlines.  PHX is approximately 150 miles from Flagstaff.  To get from Phoenix to Flagstaff, attendees have the option of booking a connecting flight on American Airlines, renting a car at PHX, or taking a shuttle bus from Phoenix to Flagstaff.

There are several bus companies that run multiple trips daily between Phoenix and Flagstaff.  These can be found online at https://www.flagstaff.com/shuttles.

We strongly encourage you to make your travel reservations early!

 

MSA Annual Foray

Sunday, July 30, 2023
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Snow Bowl Ski Resort
 
The annual MSA Foray is a day of photographing, cataloguing, and collecting in the wilderness Plan time in your schedule for a journey to the Snow Bowl Ski Resort at the San Francisco peaks on the western slope of Mount Humphreys, the tallest point in the State of Arizona.
 
Please plan to be outside of the Little America Hotel and Conference Center by 8:00 a.m. The shuttle buses will leave the Little America Hotel no later than 8:15 a.m. to head out to the Snow Bowl Ski Resort. Please plan to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and breathable clothing as the weather will be warm. Bottled water and boxed lunches will be provided for all Foray participants.
 
Register online for the MSA Annual Meeting and register for the Foray at the same time! 

Flagstaff

Discover more about the Flagstaff area and activities during your stay by visiting this link.  Review a map of the Flagstaff area plus restaurant options.

Grand Canyon Optional Excursion

MSA has arranged for excursions to the Grand Canyon on Sunday, July 30, 2023 and Thursday, August 3, 2023 through Grand Canyon Adventures.

Attendees will be picked up at Little America at 8:45 AM and return at around 5:30 PM.  Lunch, drinks, snacks, and entry fees are all included in the price.

Each van will have a very knowledgeable guide for the entire day. Vans are very spacious with a maximum capacity of 13 passengers and 6ft 4in of standing room. The tour covers the entire South Rim of the Grand Canyon, so plan on an incredible experience!

Departing in the morning from the Little America Hotel, enjoy a comfortable ride through the Ponderosa Pine forests on the way to the Grand Canyon. Upon arrival, guides will ensure you don’t miss a thing with multiple stops along the rim, including all of the best viewpoints and historic places. Explore famous and historic buildings, such as the El Tovar Hotel, Desert View Watchtower, and the amazing Tusayan Ruins.

The Grand Canyon Guided Tour also makes a stop at the Tusayan Geology Museum where the guide will take you through the amazing rock layers of the Canyon. Learn about the history of the area and about the culture of the people who have inhabited it for centuries.

What to bring?

  • Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots.
  • Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
  • Camera.
  • Small backpack for personal items.

The cost of the tour is $174.00 plus tax, for a total of $184.44. To join your fellow attendees on this excursion, sign up for one of the available dates when registering for the Annual Meeting. The excursion option is listed in the meeting registration form. Space for each of the excursion dates is limited, so please don’t delay in registering for the meeting and the excursion!

For more information on the tour, please visit the Grand Canyon Adventures website.

Please note that you can cancel your tour anytime prior to July 23 and receive a full refund.  No refunds will be given after July 23.