Actually, we’ll start by  talking about the Ember Grille, which is the Westin’s restaurant. Hotel restaurants get a bad rap, and sometimes this is for good reasons. Not so with the Ember Grille. It’s not cheap; entrees are $15-$22 for lunch, $18-$36 for dinner, and $18.99 for the breakfast buffet, but online reviewers, including the Yelp crowd, say Ember is generally worth it. Ember offers American food; sandwiches, steaks, fish, plus appetizers to share or for a light entree (hummus and veg, for example).

For cheaper eats that require no silverware, look to Matt’s Chicago Dog, at 435 Tyron Street. The address is a bit deceiving; Matt’s is located in a greenspace between several buildings and Tyron and College streets. To find it, go east from the Westin on College Street — a left turn from the front door. The greenspace will be in the block between Stonewall Street and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Reviewers praise the all-beef hot dogs and noticeably fresh produce toppings. There are sandwiches available as well.

Sushi and Asian fusion can be found at Room 112 at 112 Tyron Street. Make a left out of the Westin onto College Street, turn left on 4th Street, then make a right on Tyron. Note, Room 112 is closed on Sunday. If sushi isn’t your thing, there are soups, salads, noodles and wok dishes as well.

Just want a treat and willing to walk a bit for it? Go to Crave Dessert Bar, 500 West 5th Street. Turn left from the Westin on College Street. Turn left on 5th Street, then go five blocks. There’s a full bar in addition to a menu of salads, sandwiches, and of course cupcakes, cakes and cheesecakes, in addition to other yummies.

Are you looking for something–a wine bar, a show, a decent bagel? Let me know, and I’ll try to find a place that’s handy to the Westin Charlotte.

Our meetings and events manager, Lisa Martin, has made several trips to Charlotte while planning the 2010 conferences. She recommends Mert’s for their award-winning soul food. Mert’s is less out-of-the-way than some of the options below, so if you’re limited for time, this is a good option. At 214 College Street, it’s a straight 10-minute walk northeast from the Westin. Lisa warns that speed isn’t Mert’s selling point, but taste more than makes up for it.

My source for this list is RoadFood.com, a site maintained by Jane and Michael Stern, who travel the country looking for out-of-the-way places to enjoy hot cuisine, not haute cuisine. How do they make this dream life work? By telling the rest of us about it. They have written books and articles about their finds, and won three James Beard journalism awards for their work. Here’s their recommendations for Charlotte:

Bar B Q King: At this drive-in eatery that allows you to never leave your car, the Sterns recommend the fried seafood, in every form the restaurant offers. It gets a “worth planning a day around” rating.

Bill Spoon’s Barbecue: Spoon’s is known for its yellow mustard slaw, which adds color and crunch to pulled pork sandwiches. It seems the Sterns and their followers rate every menu item highly, from the barbecued chicken to the banana pudding. It is really hard to type “banana pudding” without having any of that yummy stuff handy.

John’s Country Kitchen: Breakfast is the way to go here; pancakes, fried livermush and grilled biscuits are popular.

Lupie’s: This is one of those places where macaroni and cheese is, somehow, considered a vegetable. However, vegetables are also vegetables, and very tasty at Lupie’s. They have a vegetarian chili, in addition to the meat version, which the Sterns recommend. If you follow the link to the Sterns’ website, you can see one of the most beautiful photographs ever taken of a bacon cheeseburger.

Old Hickory House: There was no energy wasted on the ambiance here, but after sampling the slow-smoked pork butt, crispy-oily hushpuppies and goopy, meaty Brunswick stew, no one seems to care.

Penguin Drive-In: Have you ever wanted to eat a burger as big as your head? The Penguin Drive-In offers you this opportunity. The burger will be tasty too, as will the fries and deep-fried pickle chips. Once again, clicking the link will show you pictures of beautiful, massive burgers. The Penguin Drive-In also gets the Sterns’ highest rating: “Worth driving from anyplace.”

Price’s Chicken Coop: Not surprisingly, the fried chicken is recommended, but the Sterns also enjoyed the sweet potato pie, fried apple pie (in case regular apple pie was too healthy for you) and the Cheerwine available from a vending machine. There’s no place to eat-in, and aside from eating your car, the only other handy option is to sit on the side of the road with your cardboard-packaged chicken dinner. But it seems to be worth it, as Price’s also gets a “Worth driving from anyplace” rating.

As I’ve grown in the field, I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities to serve that combined my skills, talent, and passion. Writing is an important piece of who I am; the opportunity to blog for ACUHO-I and several other professional blogs is an easy, fun way to contribute. I love social media; volunteering to teach people how to utilize Twitter at the conference was an engaging volunteer opportunity. Making connections and meeting new people is important to me; volunteering at registration was a good use of my time on Saturday morning.

Throughout the conference as I was thanked for things like those mentioned above, I noted that my reaction was almost always surprise. I’m surprised that people thank me for what I consider to be the opportunities given to me. I feel like I should be thanking them in turn (and often do) for what’s been given to me as a vehicle of professional and personal growth. I’m appreciative of these opportunities – they’ve helped me both expand and define who I am in our field.

I wrote last week about the 362 days a year that members of ACUHO-I aren’t at the Annual Conference and Exposition. I encouraged all of us – whether we attended ACE or not – to make the most of those 362 days and stay connected to our association. I’m taking my own challenge and intend to spend Day One demonstrating my gratitude by using time on the flight home from ACE to write thank you notes to the people who give me opportunities.

How will you spend Day One?

ACUHO-I Conference Romance Ends Abruptly

If you feel like you didn’t represent yourself well, this article may be helpful:

Blistex Executive Makes Fool of Himself at Lip-Balm Conference

You’ve probably heard the analogy that ACE is like a family reunion. This does not do justice to the enthusiastic, emotional reunions taking place all over the hotels and convention centers. Former classmates, staff members, supervisors all converging in one location lends itself to lots of reunions, many of them involving two or more people rushing at each other across a room to hug. Just like a family reunion, there are the loud uncles, the crazy aunts, the wound-up cousins… and you love them all for the character they bring to the event.

We all have a residence life and housing family. If we’re lucky, they have stayed in the field and are at conferences with us. They are the people who know our professional history and hold pieces of our stories. They reflect back to us how much we have grown as people and as professionals. They are invaluable to our own journey and development.

During her keynote speech, Dr. Bertice Berry said, “Everybody in this room is not your competition. They are the only people who understand what you do.”

As we grow in this profession, our families should, too. By introducing friends and colleagues to other friends and colleagues, we expand our networks and tighten our bonds. We create overlapping support systems for one another and ourselves. I smile every time I overhear someone say, “Have you met…” because I know a new connection was sparked.

It’s an incredible feeling to feel so supported by people whom I only met this week. With every story of a challenge or problem I’m facing, people are quick to offer not only suggestions, but support. Business cards are stuffed in the back of my name badge from new connections and there are notes jotted in my program book of presenters with whom to follow up.

It’s an amazing thing, this network of support we’ve created, and more amazing to see it in action in Austin this week.

“Perhaps no profession, save the Widget Makers Union of America, has a more desperate need for a professional organization than do college and university housing officers. For never has a profession been so misunderstood for so long by so many. Yet, there is hope. For three or four days a year we can associate freely with similarly inclined [albeit masochistic] individuals and avoid ‘that look.’ In the bosom of our peers, we can feel sane, normal, warm, and accepted. We can swap hall horror stories, cry over diminishing budgets, celebrate victories in our programming, and discuss the present and future of higher education all before lunch the first day.” (March 1991)

In the next few days, more than 900 registered members of the association will descend on Austin, Texas, from around the world. Certainly we’ll embrace the opportunity to exchange ideas, create new partnerships, and move our profession forward. But this quote is also a timely reminder that our association is more than the Annual Conference and Exposition. We spend three short days together; during the other 362 days a year, it is up to us to be ACUHO-I and all that it represents on our own campuses and in our regions.

For those of you not joining us in Austin, stay tuned to this space throughout the conference for updates (I’m planning to blog my way through my first ACE). Log in to Twitter and search #ACUHOI to find out what the hot topics area (and join the conversation)! Take a few minutes to check the rest of the ACUHO-I website for upcoming professional development opportunities, resources, and additional ways to connect outside of ACE.

Airport Transportation: ACUHO-I has arranged for a 10% discount with SuperShuttle.  Look here for more information. Taxi fare will run you approximately $25 one-way, so SuperShuttle will definitely be the most economical choice. Reserve a spot online and then check in at the counter next to Baggage Claim #1.

Evening Activities: don’t forget to buy tickets now to the shows – this the only way you’ll guarantee to get in.  Check do512.com for a list of events happening over the next few days.  I’ve also added some events to my list on Google Docs and will keep adding to the list as I hear of new events.  Once you get to the conference, your complimentary copy of The Austin Chronicle will help you find fund stuff to do.

Conference Updates: There are two ways that you can get important conference updates.  1) check the electronic newsletter on the plasma screens in the Hospitality Lounge and outside Room 18, and 2) follow #acuhoi on twitter.  This is where we will post information about upcoming conference events, program changes and other news.

Learn More about Twitter: Our “twutors” can help you get started using this valuable networking tool! The twutors will be available in the Hospitality Lounge during the following times: Saturday (12:30-5:00), Sunday (12:15-2:15), and Monday (12:15-2:15). Then join us for the 1st Annual TweetUp on Tuesday after the Closing Reception.

Hop On the Bus, Gus: This falls into the category of “things I wanted to blog about, but didn’t get around to it.”  The #4-Montopolis Capital Metro bus runs east-west through downtown and can get you to some really great places (BookPeople, Waterloo Records, Whole Foods, Bess, Z’Tejas, Star Bar, Katz’s . . .). One-way fares are $1.  But: I’ve got a pair of 7-day bus passes to give away! The first registered conference attendee to email the phrase “another one rides the bus” to lellison@americancampus.com will win the pair! But hurry – the giveaway ends on Thursday, June 24th at Noon.

Take a Tour: The Division of Housing and Food Services at UT has graciously arranged tours of the Jester Center and San Jacinto Residence Hall for ACE attendees.  The tours will take place Saturday during the Opening Reception and will depart from the Alumni Center. If you aren’t able to attend the tours on Saturday, you can join in on the regularly-scheduled tours during the week.  The tour schedule will be available at the Local Arrangements Kiosk.

Hot Town, Summer in the City: And the back of my neck is definitely getting dirty and gritty.  The 10-day forecast for Austin: high in the mid-90s, sunny, 0% chance of precipitation.  Keep in mind that the indoor venues could get quite chilly, so plan to bring a light wrap in case the A/C is a little too much for you. And, the weather could change on a dime, so check before you finalize your packing.   As the old saying goes, “Don’t like the weather in Austin? Wait 10 minutes.”

Buy the Book: Sale prices all conference long in the ACUHO-I bookstore, on the 4th floor in the Hospitality Lounge. Add some titles to your student affairs library.

That’s all I’ve got, folks!  Be sure to stop by the Local Arrangements Kiosk on the 4th floor of the Convention Center for even MORE fabulous information about Austin.  The Local Arrangements Committee will be easily identifiable each day by either an official conference polo or tie-dyed “Keep Austin Weird” t-shirt.  Please feel free to stop us and ask a question or simply say “howdy”!

SAFE TRAVELS!  See you all in a few days!

My friend Kayla Hamilton (Emory University) is coming in a few days early for the conference and, of course, Tour Guide Lynn has a basic itinerary planned out.  Here’s a taste of what we plan to do (some of this will sound familiar to regular readers of my posts):

Wednesday, June 23: Kayla arrives; Geeks Who Drink pub trivia quiz at Waterloo Ice House

Thursday, June 24: While I’m in class, Kayla’s going to go to the Walter Cronkite exhibit at the LBJ museum

Friday, June 25: Shopping at the Prime and Tanger outlets in San Marcos before meeting some Tweeps for dinner; possible Glee-Along to follow

Saturday, June 26: Quick trip to San Antonio before the Opening Reception

Once the conference starts, we’ll be attending great sessions during the day and then hitting receptions in the evening.  We’ll wrap our conference experience up with the First Annual ACUHO-I Tweet Up on Tuesday after the closing banquet (more info to come on Twitter via #acuhoi, the conference hashtag).

If your itinerary includes some live music, theatre or other special events, you should start planning now.  I’ve started a list on Google Docs of events around town from June 23-30.  I recommend checking this list now and then before you leave so that you can buy tickets to any events you’d like to attend.  It’s entirely possible that events like the Anthony Bourdain Q&A, Mingo Fishtrap and the Justin Timberlake Sing-Along will sell out – getting tickets now will ensure that you get in.  If I hear of other cool events, I’ll add them to the list.

Most of the events were pulled from the Austin American-Stateman’s excellent city guide, Austin360.  There’s a ton of information on this site about events, restaurants and other happenings in town.  The Austin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has an events widget powered by do512.com that provides live music shows by date. Do512.com’s event listings are incredibly diverse and I’m sure you’ll find an awesome event there.  All ACE attendees will get a copy of the Austin Chronicle, which will also help you plan your evening activities.

Once you get here, the Local Arrangements Committee will be happy to answer your questions or to make suggestions.  We’ll announce each day how you can identify the committee members.  I’ll leave you with this tease: tie-dye is involved.

Foodies should be in absolute heaven in Austin. The Austin Chronicle prints restaurant guides and has a comprehensive restaurant guide online that allows you to filter results by neighborhood and by cuisine. Some of the restaurants you’ll find within a six block radius of the hotel include:

• Carmelo’s Restaurant (Italian – $40+)
• Iron Cactus Mexican Grill (Tex-Mex, $10-$25)
• Chez Nous (French, $25-$40)
• The Old Pecan Street Café (American Cafe, $25-$40)
• Paradise (American Café, $10-$25)
• Fogo de Chao (Brazilian steakhouse, $40+)
• Finn & Porter (steak and seafood, $40+)
• Eddie V’s (seafood, $40+)
• PF Chang’s (Chinese, $10-$25)
• Mongolian Grille (Chinese, $10-$25)

We have a few 2010 James Beard Award semi-finalists in town. I’m not a foodie, but I do watch Top Chef and, as I understand it, the James Beard Award is a Big Deal. La Condesa serves interior Mexican cuisine and was a semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant. It’s about nine blocks southwest of the hotel and entrées run from $25-$40. Uchi, a sushi restaurant, was a semi-finalist in two categories: Outstanding Pastry Chef (Philip Speer) and Best Chef/Southwest (Tyson Cole). It’s about 2 miles away from the hotel on S. Lamar. Reservations are recommended for both restaurants.

Don’t worry, there are some less expensive options. The Chronicle’s restaurant guide can help you find a spot near the hotel to fit your budget.

The latest food trend in Austin is trailer eateries. Hey Cupcake! got it all started in 2007 and since then, food carts (usually an Airstream) have popped up all over town. There are two epicenters for trailer park eateries: South Congress and South 1st. Both are a few miles from the hotel. However, if you’re planning to spend some time shopping on SoCo, it’s VERY easy to grab some trailer food while you’re down there.

South Congress features: The Mighty Cone (pictured), Muck-n-Dave’s Texas BBQ, Austin Frigid Frog shaved ice, Hey Cupcake! and Cutie Pies. Personally, I recommend The Mighty Cone’s chicken cone (a popular menu item at the ACL Festival) and Hey Cupcake’s Sweetberry cupcake. I can’t wait to try Cutie Pies’ buttermilk pie (may have to make a run after work today). On South 1st, you’ll find the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery. Grab some queso and a taco from Torchy’s (I’m fond of The Democrat), and then have a frozen hot chocolate or cake shake from Holy Cacao for dessert.

I’ve only scratched the surface of Austin’s varied dining options. The good eats start at the opening reception, which will include ice cream from Amy’s Ice Cream (complete with Amy’s signature servers).

I suggest you bring stretchy pants to ACE as you’ll need ‘em.

Of course, if you want to see the Stadium of Champions, you’ll need to head about 700 miles east to Tuscaloosa and Bryant-Denny Stadium, the home of the Alabama Crimson Tide (oh, yeah! I said it! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!!).

But seriously, it’s a very cool stadium and well worth checking out during the Opening Reception. The reception will be in the Alumni Center, which is directly across the street from the stadium. Between 7:15-8:45 on Saturday the 26th, you can go over at your leisure to view the stadium by entering through gate 14. The viewing will be accessible.

It’s going to be a fun night at the Alumni Center and this is just the icing on the cake!