Getting to Blacksburg
We recommend that conference participants fly into the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), approximately 45 minutes from Blacksburg.
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport offers a variety of major airlines to choose, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines, and that allows you to get from your destination to the airport closest to the Virginia Tech campus. Many domestic and international gateways are just one stop from Roanoke and include cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, NYC/LaGuardia, Philadelphia, St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Washington, D.C.
Some participants might prefer to fly into Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT), a 3 hour drive to Blacksburg, or Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, DC, a 4 hour drive.
Ground Transportation
Several car rental companies are available at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. Please visit the airport website for a listing of car rental companies. Additionally, limited limousine, taxi and the Smart Way Bus are available. Please visit www.flyroa.com/ground-transportation for a complete list of available options.
Lodging
Allocated Hotel Blocks
Two local hotels close to campus have set up allocated room blocks for the ILAS Conference, at a special reduced rates of $109 (excl. taxes) per night, including breakfast. These hotels are located close together, within a 15–20 minute walk to the main conference venue. To reserve in either of the allocated room blocks, follow the links below the hotel contact information. Be sure to enter the dates you intend to stay, as the default dates span a larger time window. Your reservation must be made no later than April 17, 2026 to receive the special rate. If you need to contact the hotel directly, please let them know you are part of the ILAS Conference group.
Hyatt Place Blacksburg/University
Address and Contact
650 University City Blvd
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Tel.: +1 (540) 552-7500
Room Block Reservation Link:
https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/CLTZB/G-VASM
Residence Inn by Mariott Blacksburg-University
Address and Contact
850 Prices Fork Rd
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Tel.: +1 (540) 750-4400
Room Block Reservation Link:
https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1761676881471&key=GRP&app=resvlink
Alternative Lodging Options
Blacksburg offers a number of alternative hotel options, if you prefer something different or find the conference hotels booked up. Below we have compiled a small list of suitable venues that are close to campus. Note that there is no negotiated room rate for these hotels.
- The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
Comfortable hotel located adjacent to campus.
15 minute walk to conference venue.Address and Contact
900 Prices Fork Rd
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Tel.: +1 (540) 231-8000
- Main Street Inn
Boutique hotel in downtown Blacksburg.
15–20 minute walk to conference venue.Address and Contact
205 South Main St
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Tel.: +1 (540) 552-6246
- Hilton Garden Inn Blacksburg University
30–40 minute walk to conference venue; on bus route.Address and Contact
900 Plantation Rd
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Tel.: +1 (540) 552-5005
- Home2 Suites by Hilton
40 minute walk to conference renue; on bus route.Address and Contact
1321 Rugby Ln
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Tel.: +1 (855) 618-4702
About Blacksburg
Blacksburg is a small town of 45,000 inhabitants located in the New River Valley, through which the nation's oldest river, the New River, runs. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail pass near the plateau where Blacksburg sits, between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains. The Valley is a quiet place surrounded by natural beauty and bountiful resources.
The New River Valley is filled with beautiful and historic locations to hike, swim, and explore; one definitely won’t be disappointed when venturing outside in the area. There are numerous opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities in the immediate vicinity. The Appalachian Trail, a famous hiking trail that runs from Georgia to Maine, passes west of Blacksburg (with easy access points at Pearisburg and Catawba); the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic motorway with excellent views of the valleys, passes to the east.
Virginia Tech maintains a comprehensive list of nearby activities.
Typical spring temperatures range between lows of 52°F (11°C) to highs of 73°F (23°C).
About Virginia Tech
Founded in 1872 as the land-grant Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, Virginia Tech is now a comprehensive, innovative research university with the largest full-time student population in Virginia. Through a combination of its three missions of learning, discovery, and engagement, Virginia Tech continually strives to accomplish the charge of its motto: Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
At a glance...
- Located in Blacksburg, Virginia,
- Nine colleges and a graduate school,
- 110+ undergraduate programs,
- 120+ master's and doctoral degree programs,
- 38,000+ full-time students,
- 2,500+ instructional faculty,
- Includes an 2,600 acres main campus, an innovation campus in northern Virginia, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, a study-abroad site in Switzerland and a 1,800 acres research farm,
- Adjacent corporate research center houses more than 220 companies.
Visit https://www.vt.edu/ for more information.
