Short Course
Participant Information
Welcome to Ames, Iowa and the Iowa State University campus!
Participants in the STB Short Course are not exempt from campus parking regulations. If you are planning to park on campus during the Short Course, you will be emailed a free visitor permit to be used in the General Staff campus parking lots.
Visitor Permit
Approximately one week before the beginning of the Short Course, a visitor parking permit will be emailed to you to print and place in your vehicle. Visitor parking permits are valid only when placed in the driver’s side of the front windshield facing forward. The permit is granted to the person registered for the Short Course and is not transferable to any other person or vehicle.
- Visitor permits are only valid for the days printed on the permit.
- Visitor permits are only valid in General Staff lots – Map. (Suggested lots for the STB Short Course: #41, 79, 68)
- Not valid in red reserve lots/spaces or in RH Staff lots.
Pay for Parking
Pay for parking is also an option on the Iowa State University campus.
- Pay for parking can be located at the Memorial Union Parking Ramp. Entrances are from the south off of Lincoln Way and from the North off of Union Drive. Map
- There are also three main lots on campus that are pay-by-the-hour (indicated in green on the map):
- Lot 100 is on the east side of campus near the Lied Rec Center.
- Lot 21 is on the west side of campus, next to the Armory.
- The East Campus Parking Deck is located on Union Drive near Forker Building, or across from East and Heady Halls.
- There are also meters in several of the lots on campus. Please read the signs and time limits on the meters carefully.
Hotel Accommodations*:
There are many hotels to choose from in Ames, Iowa. However, for your convenience, we have a limited number of rooms reserved for the Seed Science & Technology Short Course and Seed Business Management Short Course participants at the Best Western Plus in Ames. If you choose to take advantage of their discount, please contact them to make your reservation ahead of time and ask for the appropriate Short Course block to receive the discounted room rate of $79/per night plus tax and fees. This discounted rate is offered for up to 30-days before each short course and there are a limited number of rooms available. Check-in is at 3:00 p.m. and check-out is at 12:00 p.m. Complimentary breakfast is provided.
*Please note that hotel/overnight accommodations are not included in your registration fee.
- Best Western Reservations – Seed Business Management – April 2020
- Best Western Reservations – Seed Science & Technology Short Course – Nov 2020
Best Western Plus
2500 University Boulevard
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: (515) 296-2500
Driving Directions to Best Western Plus: Exit 111B off of I-35 to head westbound on Hwy 30, travel west to Exit 146 and head south on University Boulevard. The Best Western Plus is on the East side of the road.
Alternative Accommodations:
X
Transportation will be provided by the STB Short Course staff from the Best Western Plus hotel to the ISU Seed Science Center before class each day and a return trip to the Best Western Plus hotel at the end of class each day. If you require additional transportation please check with your hotel front desk for availability. You may also refer to the CyRide, Cyclone Cab or Uber local transportation information below.
Bus Transportation – CyRide
The city of Ames and the ISU campus have a comprehensive bus service available for a nominal fee. You can check out the CyRide schedule and service times on their website.
Taxi Service – Cyclone Cab
Ames taxi service, Cyclone Cab
Uber
There is limited Uber service available in Ames, IA get.Uber.com
Lyft
There is limited Lyft service available in Ames, IA lyft.com
ZipCar
Membership required. For more information or to join visit ZipCar.com
Iowa State University has two Zipcar rentals parked in the Stange Road parking lot just north of the railroad tracks (Lot 119-highlighted in blue on the map, North of central campus) and another parked west of the Martin residence hall (Lot 59A-highlighted in gold on the map, SW of central campus). The Zipcar reserved stalls are identified with signs. Current Enterprise CarShare members may join Zipcar for free through the Zipcar’s Iowa State website.
Des Moines International Airport
5800 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
515-256-5050
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702.505.8888 |
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800.223.5436 |
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800.221.1212 |
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801.401.9000 |
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800.435.9792 |
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800.864.8331 |
Executive Express and Limousines/Ride Share offers individual and shared ride airport shuttle services.
All car rental agencies are inside the terminal in the baggage claim area.
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877.222.9075 | |
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800.230.4898 | |
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800.527.0700 | |
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800.800.3665 | |
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800.261.7331 | |
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800.654.3131 | |
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877.222.9058 | |
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800.847.4389 |
Information for International Travelers:
If you are planning to attend either of the STB Short Courses and you live outside of the United States, you may need to apply for a Visitor Visa. The type of Visa you apply for will be determined by your individual situation.
We highly encourage you to apply for your Visitor Visa as soon as possible after completing your short course registration. Applicants for Visitor Visas should generally apply at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where they live. It is important to apply for a Visa well in advance of the travel departure date.
The following resources may help to answer any questions:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/PDF-other/VisaFlyer_B1B2_March_2015.pdf
Short Course Dates
Seed Business Management
April 5-9, 2021
*Due to Covid-19, the SBM short course is moving to a FREE Virtual Webinar Series for April 2021. You can find out more and register HERE.
Seed Science & Technology
Dates: TBD
Registration Fee
$2,550/person
Cancellation & Minimum Attendance Policy
Location
Seed Science Center
Iowa State University
2115 Osborn Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011
Questions?
Please contact:
Cindy Robertson
STB Short Course Coordinator
515.294.6947
cindyr@iastate.edu
Educational Credit
You can earn CEU and CCA credit at this program.
Previous Short Courses
November 2019
February 2019
November 2018
February 2018
November 2017