Professional Training Program in Wheeling, WV

October 27 – November 1, 2008
February 2-7, 2009
November 9-14, 2009

General Schedule

Please schedule travel to allow time for check-in and school registration prior to kickoff ceremonies, as well as completion of all course requirements.

Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, February 2, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Room check-in: begins at 3 p.m.
School registration: 4-6 p.m.
Opening ceremonies: 7 p.m.
(Immediately followed by class sessions)

Saturday, November 1, 2008
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Class sessions conclude: 5 p.m.
Closing ceremonies: End at 9 p.m.
(Silent auction, social and graduation banquet)

Travel

Airfare / Nearest Airport

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is the closest airport
(approximately 1 hour away).
Columbus Airport (CMH) is another full-service option
(approximately 2 hours away).
Pittsburgh airport is used by participants 99.9% of the time.
Columbus is a good alternative in bad weather when flights are canceled.

Driving

From Interstate 70, merge onto US-40 Spur/Mt De Chantal Road via exit 2A toward WV-88 north/Oglebay Park. Turn right onto National Road/RD-40 turn left onto WV-88/Bethany Pike.
End at Oglebay Park, Wheeling, West Virginia. Parking at the hotel is FREE.

Transportation Costs from Airport to Hotel

There are two preferred shuttle services:

Airport Limousine Plus $70 per person/one-way

Wheeling Limo Reservation form (in PDF)

First Class Limousine $69 per person/one-way

First Class Limousine Reservation form (in PDF)

Reservations are required by both companies. Please book your shuttle reservation as soon as possible. Once landing at the airport please allow at least 1.5 hours for transportation to Oglebay.
If you are sending more than one person it can sometimes be less expensive to rent a car for the week. This also allows the participants to drive into town for a greater variety of dining locations and prices if they have time.

You must have your reservation at least 5 business days prior to the course to honor the discounted Oglebay AZA school fare from/to the Pittsburgh Airport. Please note the fare amount does not include gratuity. Please indicate if you would like to include the gratuity for your driver to be charged to your card at the time of reservations. (15% is customary).

Wilson Lodge at Oglebay Resort

Route 88 North, Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
Telephone: 1-800-624-6988
Please Note: All reservations must be made using the lodging form sent with your acceptance letter. Please do not call the resort to make reservations. If you choose not stay at Oglebay Resort there will be a daily fee.

Participants must arrive at Oglebay Resort between 4:00-6:00pm for registration as class begins promptly at 7:00pm. International participants and some participant traveling long distances or with multiple layovers usually choose to travel on Sunday in order to arrive in time for registration on Monday. If a Sunday stay is necessary then please budget for seven nights.

A major expansion and renovation project at Wilson Lodge is completed. A new 53-room addition to the lodge opened 2006. The addition includes a king deluxe king suite, plus 2 king suites and 2 double queen suites. All the suites have fireplaces. The addition also includes 24 king rooms with fireplaces, and 24 double queen rooms. The exterior of the addition has the same architectural style as the existing lodge, utilizing the same stone and wood materials, but the rooms in the addition are larger and have updated furnishings. Phase 2 of this $15 million project at Wilson Lodge includes a complete redesign of the existing 212 rooms, providing all new furnishings and stunning décor.

Cottage Rental

Many students enjoy the relaxed social atmosphere of the cottages. Two, four and six bedroom cottages located within walking distance to Wilson Lodge and feature a full kitchen with microwave, living room with wood burning fireplace and more. Please note accommodations are semi-private (private bedroom but share a bathroom, living room/common area, and kitchen). Double room rates apply.

Reservations

Do not make reservations until you have received your acceptance packet from AZA. Once you have been accepted the Oglebay Lodging Request Form will be sent to you. Please fill out and fax it to Tracy Martinez at 1-304-243-4070. If students would like to find a roommate please note that on the lodging request form, Wilson Lodge will assist students in finding one. If students would like to share a room with someone they know please have both students fill out a lodging request form and note each other’s names as roommates.

If you would like a reservation confirmation email sent to you please note it on your lodging form. AZA cannot confirm your lodging; please contact Tracy Martinez or 1-800-624-6988 and ask for Tracy.

Recreation

All of the seasonal recreation activities at Oglebay Park — including zoo admission, indoor pool and fitness center — are available to registrants at no additional cost. For more infomation please visit Oglebay Park.

The massage therapy program at Wilson Lodge expanded with the addition of a new 5,000 sq. ft. spa! The brand new West Spa at Oglebay opened August 1st, 2008. If travel plans allow then don't be disappointed...advance reservations are required for all spa treatments please call 1-800-624-6988. For a list of spa treatments.

Meals

Breakfast and lunch for five days is included in the hotel room cost. Both are served buffet style with vegetarian options. If you have food allergies or special dietary needs please contact the AZA Training Department before arriving in Wheeling.

Coffee, tea, sodas, and light snacks (chips, cookies, etc) are served at breaks. There is also a gift shop located in the lobby of Wilson Lodge with a variety of snacks and drinks.

Most courses have two hours for dinner. Dinner options at Oglebay Lodge are limited to the Glassworks Grill and Ihlenfeld Dinning Room. With many people choosing Glassworks (the less expensive food option) sometimes quick is not possible during the dinner break. This results in people going to the Ihlenfeld Dining Room for a buffet or plated dinner which can be twice the price but without the wait. Pizza can be ordered from the pool for approximately $14.

Other dinner options require students traveling off of the resort and into town. This can only be done if you have a car or know someone who does. Students renting cottages can purchase groceries off of the resort and utilize their full kitchens. Many group dinners occur this way. The banquet dinner on Saturday night is included in your tuition.

Helpful Hints

If you like drinking coffee in the classroom, bring a travel mug with you to fill up during breaks. The coffee cups at the lodge don’t hold as much and might spill on your papers.

Speaking of papers…if you haven’t attended a class in a while, you will be taking notes. Don’t forget to bring a pad of paper and a writing utensil with you!

Dress in layers. The temperature fluctuates in the classrooms so please bring clothing layers in order to be comfortable during class.

Don’t know anyone? Don’t worry! Many people come to Wheeling not knowing anyone and leave with a whole group of new friends and colleagues! There will be over 300 people in the February session and approximately 100 people in the October/November sessions for you to meet.

Questions?