Skip navigation

Logistics

Schedule

Click for the Schedule!

Location

Marriott Courtyard
630 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29201

The Autodidact Symposium will be held at the beautiful and newly renovated Marriott Courtyard located in downtown Columbia, SC. Here's the location on GoogleMaps.com!


The 189-room hotel features refrigerators and coffee-makers in every room and complimentary Wifi throughout the hotel. It also offers a business center, restaurant, lounge, fitness center, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour Marketplace where you can pick up your midnight snacks and sundries. Complimentary continental breakfast will be available for all Symposium attendees!


Funky and trendy local restaurants, an independent movie theater, the University of South Carolina, and the State Capitol are all in walking distance from the hotel. Beautiful Finlay Park (where Monday's picnic will be held), Five Points, The Vista, The State Museum, The Art Museum, Riverbanks Zoo, Maurice Sendak's monstrous downtown library, and other attractions are only a short drive or nice walk away. These are wonderful options for pre/post symposium fun!

Making Your Hotel Reservations

We have reserved a limited number of rooms at the Symposium rate of $105.00 per night for standard rooms, and $135.00 per night for suites for reservations made by February 9, 2010. Since the hotel has a limited number of rooms and suites available, make your reservations early! At past events, conference goers arrive early in the week and stay late to hang out with friends, other families, or just check out the city! So keep that option open!
After registering for an individual or a family on the Registration page, check out the hotel's Symposium webpage to book your hotel room!

*The hotel asks that we refrain from posting signs and stickers on our hotel room doors. I know this is a conference tradition, but please respect the hotel's request.

Driving

The Marriott Courtyard is conveniently located at the corner of Blossom and Assembly Streets at 630 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29201. For driving directions, here's GoogleMaps.com.

Parking

The Hotel offers one garage and one flat top lot for vehicles. Parking is available at no charge for one car per room. There is a charge of $35.00 per bus/camper/RV for overnight parking. Limited RV space is available at my house- a 20 minute drive from the hotel.

Air Travel

If you're flying into Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), the hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, which is a short 15-20 minute drive. Be sure to call the Marriott Courtyard, (803) 799 7800, to arrange your pick-up.

Local Information

Organic Markets
Earth Fare Super Market- Columbia, SC
Trader Joes - Charlotte, NC

Coffee Shops
Cool Beans - Columbia, SC
Immaculate Consumption- Columbia, SC

Attractions
Riverbanks Zoo - Columbia, SC
Columbia Museum of Art - Columbia, SC
Richland County Public Library - Columbia, SC

What to Bring

- Bathing Suit (Just in case!)
- Your Passion Basket
- Raffle Items
- Your workshop Materials (if you're hosting a workshop)
- Cash for the Raffle, Passion Baskets, and the Entrepreneurial fair
- Notebook and Pen for Presentations and Workshops
- Dancin' Shoes!
- White garments to Sharpie Tie Dye
- Journal for Journaling Workshop
- Broken Electronics/Appliances for the "Take-it-Apart" Workshop
- Board/Card games for Game Night
- Camera
- Yarn and Needles for Crocheting Workshop (for yourself and to contribute to the workshop)
- Baggy T-Shirts for T-Shirt Surgery Workshop
- Your Goods for the Entrepreneurial Fair
- Henna (for yourself and to contribute to the workshop)
- Scrap fabric for the Rag Rug
- Vegan Marshmallows (if that applies to you)
- Clothes to rip up for the Thriller Zombie workshop
- Yoga mat for early morning Yoga
- Supplies for ATC workshop: 2.5"x3.5" card stock, colored paper, magazines, fabric, buttons, paints, crayons, markers, pens, glue, tape, scissors, pencils, any craft supplies.
- Hot glue guns and glue