Travel and Accommodations

SHUTTLE SERVICE

The shuttle schedule between Louisville International Airport (SDF) and French Lick Resort has been organized based on the travel details provided by attendees who registered by the early bird deadline. Shuttle reservations must be made by Friday, October 18th, for $50 per seat. If you are traveling with family or friends, you may also reserve seats for them.

Upon arrival at Louisville International Airport (SDF), please collect your checked luggage at baggage claim. Then, follow the signs to the bus/shuttle pickup area, where you will locate the large charter bus labeled ‘Free Enterprise.’ The bus will display a sign indicating it is the shuttle for the ISSOTL24 conference to the French Lick Resort. In the event of a missed shuttle due to a flight delay, you may board the next available shuttle, pending seat availability.

If you would like to reserve your seat(s), please click here. When booking, you also have the option to order a boxed lunch for your return on the final shuttle.

Box lunches are available for $26 and include an individual bag of chips, condiments, Italian pasta salad, cookie, and bottled water. Please select one of the following sandwich options: 

• Croissant Club (smoked ham, turkey, bacon, and American cheese on a croissant)
• Garden Party (grilled eggplant, spinach, red pepper, tomatoes, and mozzarella on a baguette)
• Corner Deli (London Broil roast beef and provolone on wheat berry bread with tomato and lettuce)

If you travel independently of the shuttle service, you must arrange an alternative mode of transportation. We recommend renting a car, using Uber or Lyft, or contacting the resort’s transportation department at FLRC-Transportation@frenchlick.com to arrange a car service.

Date	Shuttle	Boarding Begins	Departure	Arrival
Sunday, October 27	Bus 1	12:00 pm	12:30 pm	2:00 pm
	Bus 2	4:00 pm	4:30 pm	6:00 pm
	Bus 3	6:30 pm	7:00 pm	8:30 pm
Monday, October 28	Bus 1	12:00 pm	12:30 pm	2:00 pm
	Bus 2	4:00 pm	4:30 pm	6:00 pm
	Bus 3	6:30 pm	7:00 pm	8:30 pm
Thursday, October 31	Bus 1	8:00 am	8:30 am	10:00 am
	Bus 2	10:00 am	10:30 am	12:00 pm
	Bus 3	1:30 pm	2:00 pm	3:30 pm

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING HOTEL BOOKINGS

Please note that the reserved block of hotel rooms will be released after Friday, September 27. Additionally, the online booking portal, accessible via the Travel and Accommodations webpage, will close on this date. Attendees who have not secured accommodations by this deadline will need to contact the resort’s reservations department directly at 844-241-6361 and provide the group code 1024ISS. While the conference rate will no longer be guaranteed after September 27, attendees may still receive the discounted rate, subject to room availability, by referencing the group code when booking.

Travel to French Lick, Indiana, USA

French Lick is in the southeastern portion of Indiana near Ohio and Kentucky. The closest airport to the resort is the Louisville International Airport (SDF) in Louisville, KY. Shuttle service will be available to conference attendees between this airport and the resort on October 27 and October 31 for a fee. For attendees traveling outside of these dates, you may contact the transportation department at French Lick Resort via email at FLRC-Transportation@frenchlick.com to arrange transportation.

Following the early bird registration deadline (September 15), conference hosts will reach out to attendees indicating interest in the shuttle service to acquire flight times. These times will be used to set the shuttle schedule. The schedule will then be made available to all attendees with an option to book and prepay for a seat on the shuttle. For budget approval, you may use $50 USD as the estimated cost. Actual cost will be dependent on the number of seats filled on the shuttle (i.e. the fuller the shuttle the lower the seat cost).

Travel between the Louisville airport and the resort will take just over an hour; this is similar to the amount of time required to travel shorter distances in urban traffic. The route provides a much more enjoyable and relaxing trip through scenic rolling hills along Indiana’s Historic Pathways (a national scenic byway).

Attendees choosing to drive either a rental car or their own vehicle to French Lick Resort will receive complimentary parking for the duration of their stay. The resort is conveniently located for attendees residing in multiple large cities around the Midwest: Cincinnati, Ohio (~3 hours travel); Indianapolis, Indiana (~2 hours travel); St. Louis, Missouri (~3.5 hours travel); Nashville, Tennessee (~3.5 hours travel); and Chicago, Illinois (~4.5 hours travel).

Conference Venue

This year’s conference venue offers attendees a physical embodiment of our conference theme: Recognizing Impact and Reinvigorating Practice. While all of the conference sessions will be held in the conference center of the French Lick Springs Hotel, attendees may choose to book a hotel room at any of the three hotels located on site: French Lick Springs, West Baden Springs, or Valley Tower. A complementary trolley and walking paths are available for attendees staying at West Baden Springs and Valley Tower to get to the conference center at French Lick Springs.

An array of on-site activities that support reflection and rejuvenation are available, including: two spas; three golf courses; a fitness center; horse stables; indoor and heated outdoor pools; hiking trails; gardens; bike rentals; historic tours; shopping; a casino; and a bowling alley & arcade. All your conference and recreation needs can be met on-site, allowing you to be fully present for ISSOTL24. Should you choose to venture off-site, the resort offers complimentary shuttle service to local restaurants and attractions.

Reserving Your Hotel Room

The conference rate for guest rooms at French Lick Resort ranges between $169-$229 per night. Booking early guarantees that you will have a choice among the three hotels on the property, as well as a choice of room type.

You may book your hotel room using the website login information below or by calling the reservations department directly at +1-844-241-6361 and using group code 1024ISS. The last day to make reservations at the conference rate is September 26, 2024. We encourage you to reserve your room as soon as you know you will attend the conference so that we have an accurate headcount and can increase our room reservation block if needed.

• Website: French Lick Resort (rguest.com)
• Group Code: 1024ISS
• Password: 1024ISS
• Important notes about booking your room: 
  • When you search for a room, you must enter your arrival and departure dates to bring up the available rooms. (You’ll enter those dates in the top left field after you sign in. See screenshot below.) 
  • The types of rooms available will vary, depending on the dates you choose:
    • • From October 27 to October 31 (the conference dates), all room types will be available at the conference rate. If you require accommodation before October 27, please call the hotel directly.
      • Before the conference, fewer rooms and room types are available at the conference rate, so you’ll see some room types displayed (available at conference rate) and others marked as “Sold Out” (unavailable at conference rate).
      • If you need a room type outside of what’s available on the website, please call +1-844-241-6361.

    

    International Travelers

    If you are from a country for which the US requires a visa, we advise you to apply for the visa as soon as possible. Even if you have not received a decision on your conference proposal yet, we suggest that you apply for a visa in advance since scheduling a visa interview may take a long time. For more information, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html. Even if you don’t need a visa, you may still require pre-registration via the ESTA program to enter the US. Learn more at https://www.usa.gov/visa-waiver-esta.

    Please note that as per US law, the conference organizers have no authority or influence over the visa application process. Indiana University will provide a presenter letter to attendees who need one for their visa application. It is a frequent practice for applicants to submit various forms of documentation, such as acceptance letters for presenting a paper or registration confirmation to prove that they are registered for the conference. However, a formal invitation letter is not required, unlike in some other situations or countries nor can it be submitted with the initial application for a visitor visa. It is recommended you bring your proof of acceptance and/or registration to your visa interview.

    Visa Application Information

    The U.S. (United States) State Department maintains an overview of the Visa application process and relevant definitions. Additionally, the following key information may be of use:

    • • • List of eligibility criteria for visa waivers
        • U.S. Visa FAQ
        • The Visa Wizard can help you determine the correct type of visa for your visit
        • Visa Appointment Wait Times by embassy/consulate. Please note that the wait times are not always accurate and change often. Find the location for a visa interview from the official list of U.S. embassies and consulates

    About French Lick, Indiana, USA

    French Lick, is a resort town, located in the southeastern portion of Indiana. It lies 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Louisville, Kentucky and is nearly encircled by the Hoosier National Forest. Founded in 1811, the settlement was named for an 18th-century French trading post in the area and an animal (salt) lick within the town boundaries. In 1845, Dr. William Bowles, a physician from nearby Paoli, Indiana, built a three-story wooden framed hotel he named French Lick Springs Hotel. Bowles used his knowledge as a physician to explore the healing properties of the abundant mineral springs in this area.

    For visitors interested in learning more about the area, the French Lick West Baden Museum details the history of the area, from when the indigenous Miami, Piankashaw, and Shawnee peoples followed the Buffalo Trace, to displays featuring famous French Lick native, basketball player Larry Bird, as well as the World’s Largest Circus Diorama.

    A mild average daily temperature between 42-68F (6-20C) and the peak of fall foliage season during the second half of October, make it a great time to be outside in Indiana. The French Lick Resort offers visitors plenty of ways to do this without leaving the property. For those who would like to venture into the town of French Lick, a complimentary shuttle is available. You can locate additional recreational opportunities in the area here.

    About Indiana University

    Indiana University (IU) is a prestigious public research university in the United States. With a rich history from its founding in 1820, IU has grown into a leading institution known for its academic excellence, diverse programs, and vibrant campus life. It provides a global learning environment where students can pursue their passions, engage in cutting-edge research, and contribute to their communities.

    Indiana University is comprised of 7 campuses: the main campus in Bloomington; Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI); IU East; Kokomo; Northwest; South Bend; Southeast; and two regional centers: Columbus; and Fort Wayne. University-wide, more than 21,000 faculty and staff support over 89,000 students (undergraduate, graduate, professional) in more than 930 academic programs. This requires 20,000+ classes to be offered each semester!

    Indiana University is committed to community engagement and service. Through various outreach programs, students and faculty contribute to the local community and beyond, addressing societal challenges and making a positive impact.

    In addition to academic programming, IU is a top-tier research institution, consistently contributing to advancements in various fields. The university is home to more than 200 cutting-edge research centers, institutes, and museums fostering innovation and collaboration among faculty and students. 10 Nobel prize winners have called IU home.

    Indiana University attracts a diverse and global student body, with 7,200 international students from 164 countries. This international community enriches the learning environment and promotes cultural exchange along with the 380 study-abroad programs offered in more than 70 countries.

    IU offers many opportunities for students to engage in the campus community beyond the academic realm.

    Students may participate in one (or more) of the 1,500+ student clubs and organizations across all IU campuses. They may enjoy a performance from the globally renowned Jacobs School of Music, the IU Auditorium, or First Thursdays (festivals showcasing the diversity of arts and humanities at IU Bloomington, encouraging community members to explore new creative outlets). Sports fans might take in an event from one of the 40 Division I sports teams on the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses (likely basketball).

    If you would like to visit Indiana University in Bloomington during your time in Indiana, you may consider flying in and/or out of Indianapolis International Airport (IND). Bloomington is the midway point between IND and French Lick.