For RAGBAI, speak with Leah and Pam. They will both be there and Pam usually has a very interesting talk. I will cheer you on from Philadelphia.
Everything downtown will be close, but sometimes pricy. One person told me she's staying at the Wyndham Hotel at 400 Arch Streets, about 7-9 blocks away, up Arch street, depending on the entrance they want us to use. Every Philadelphia block is 1/10th of a mile, so that is a quick walk or bike ride to Broad Street. She says price is good.
We also checked out the Hilton Garden Inn on 11th and Arch streets and they were selling out of rooms and the ones available were $350/night.
Andy C. from Pittsburgh and some others stay along the Schylkill River trail at one of the hotels and ride in. A nice 15 mile way to start the day. If anyone does this, contact me for info on riding thru Manyunk, about a one mile road part of the SRT. Everything else is off road.
Anything in historic district, center city, or Chinatown is very close.
I look forward to meeting everyone.
Roberta