On-Site Resources
Childcare
MLA members who are registered for the convention and use childcare services provided by one of the convention hotels or another on-site service are eligible for reimbursement. The MLA has funds available for reimbursement of up to $400 each to registered members who use childcare during convention hours. If more requests are received than can be reimbursed with available funds, preference will be given to graduate students and members in lower-income categories.
Members should submit a request for reimbursement, along with supporting documentation such as a receipt from a childcare service, no later than 28 January 2020 to Karin Bagnall, Director of Convention and Events, Modern Language Association, 85 Broad Street, suite 500, New York, NY 10004-2434.
Lactation Rooms. Space will be available in the Washington State Convention Center (Suites A and C, level 6) and Sheraton Grand Seattle (Chelan, Lobby level) during meeting hours for those who require it.
Convention App
The MLA 2020 convention app provides easy access to session information, maps, the list of exhibitors, and other convention details. Download the app to create a personal convention schedule, and communicate with fellow attendees, learn about session and schedule changes, and discover exhibit hall events and other late-breaking news.
Convention Guide
The Convention Guide, containing city and hotel maps and providing general information pertinent throughout the convention, will be available as a PDF on the MLA Web site and as a handout at the convention.
Disabilities, Facilities and Services for Persons with
The MLA is committed to making arrangements that allow all members of the association to participate in the convention. Stacey Courtney coordinates arrangements for persons with disabilities.
Desks for Attendees with Disabilities. There will be a desk in the MLA registration and welcome center at the Washington State Convention Center (Atrium, level 4) and one at the Sheraton Grand Seattle (Lobby level) staffed with personnel who can provide assistance to convention attendees with disabilities.
Meeting Rooms. Meeting rooms at the convention are accessible by elevator, and the doors are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.
Hotel Rooms. To reserve hotel rooms that are specifically equipped for persons with permanent or temporary disabilities, participants must check the appropriate boxes on the convention registration and housing reservation forms or contact Stacey Courtney by 13 November.
Transportation. Convention registrants who need accessible transportation during the convention are eligible to be reimbursed up to $150 for rides taken between official MLA locations during convention hours (9–12 January 2020). Refer to the Accessible Transportation flier or visit one of the accessibility desks for assistance. Receipts must include the travel date, time, and cost as well as the pickup and drop-off locations. Mail your reimbursement request and receipts by 22 January to Stacey Courtney, MLA, 85 Broad Street, Suite 500, New York, NY 10004.
Sessions. Speakers are asked to bring five copies of their papers, even in draft form, for the use of members who wish to follow the written text. Speakers who use handouts should prepare some copies in a large-print format (14- to 16-point type size). Speakers should indicate whether they want their papers and handouts returned. Sign language interpreters and real-time captioning may be requested in advance. The deadline to arrange for either service is 13 November, though the convention office will make every effort to accommodate late requests. To arrange for either of these services, write or call Stacey Courtney (scourtney@mla.org; 646 576-5263).
Service Animals. There is a designated pet relief area near the Washington State Convention Center, outside the level 4 Atrium in Freeway Park.
Scooter Rentals. To navigate the convention more easily, attendees can rent scooters in advance from Scootaround (888 441-7575 or locations.scootaround.com/MLA) or from Seattle-based Access Medical Equipment (206 365-7700 or www.accessmedicalequipment.com/).
Friends of Bill W.
Room 306 in the Washington State Convention Center (level 3) is set aside for the Friends of Bill W. throughout convention hours. Meeting dates and times will be listed closer to the convention.
Headquarters Offices
Headquarters offices will be located in the Washington State Convention Center (304, level 3) and the Sheraton Grand Seattle (Madrona, second floor). Members of the MLA convention staff will be available in the office to handle problems that might arise with meeting rooms or meeting facilities. Program organizers are asked to refer questions on such matters to the headquarters office, not to the venue management. More general questions will be answered by staff members at the MLA registration and welcome centers. The offices will be open on 9 January from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., on 10 and 11 January from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on 12 January from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lounges
An area furnished with comfortable chairs and tables where members may congregate for discussion or relaxation will be provided in the Washington State Convention Center (6E Lobby, level 6). A graduate student lounge will be located in the Washington State Convention Center (602, level 6).
MLA Registration and Welcome Center
The MLA registration and welcome center will be located in the Washington State Convention Center (Atrium, level 4). Visit the center for information about the convention and the association, registration and badges, and free copies of the Convention Guide. The center will be open on 9 January from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on 10 and 11 January from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on 12 January from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Press Office
The press office is located in the Washington State Convention Center (308, level 3).
Quiet Rooms
Quiet rooms will be located in the Washington State Convention Center (305, level 3) and Sheraton Grand Seattle (Everett, third floor). We invite convention attendees to drop in to these quiet spaces removed from traffic and noise. We ask that visitors to the rooms arrive fragrance-free and keep any discussion to a minimum and at a low volume.
Speaker Ready Room
Space in the Washington State Convention Center (309, level 3) has been reserved to allow speakers to run through their audiovisual presentations before their sessions. Those who have computer presentations are strongly encouraged to test their presentations in the speaker ready room during convention hours. Please contact Deirdre Henry with audiovisual questions. Requests for audiovisual equipment were due 1 April; we regret that we are unable to accommodate late requests.
Wi-Fi Access
The MLA is providing free wireless Internet access in the meeting rooms and public areas of the Sheraton Grand Seattle and in the Washington State Convention Center (except in the exhibit hall).