Getting to Columbia
The boot camp seminars often fill up as the camp dates approach. Before you make your travel arrangements, please make sure that you have a spot in the camp by calling the IRE office at 573-882-2042.
By air:
You can fly with most major airlines to either Kansas City or St. Louis (each city is about a two-hour drive from Columbia), or you can fly directly to Columbia Regional Airport with Delta Airlines. Columbia's airport code is COU.
Airport Shuttle Service: Mo-X (877-669-4826) offers round-trip shuttle service between the St. Louis and Kansas City airports. Note: Mo-X offers a discount for reservations made on-line.
Rental Cars at the Airports: Most major rental car companies have counters and/or shuttle service at the Kansas City and St. Louis airports. Please consult their national Web sites and/or toll-free numbers for more information and rates: The Kansas City Airport Web site, Lambert St. Louis Airport Web site.
By land:
From the Kansas City Airport: Take I-435 East (toward St. Louis) for approx. 25 miles, and take Exit 65B onto I-70 East (toward St. Louis - exit is on the left-hand side). Columbia is approximately 120 miles down I-70 (the entire trip is about 2 1/2 hours).
From St. Louis Airport: Take I-70 West about 110 miles to Columbia (approx. 2 hours).
From Columbia Regional Airport: Take Highway 63 north approx. 9 miles; then take Interstate 70 West (the trip takes about half an hour).
Directions from Interstate 70 to the Missouri School of Journalism (seminar location):From I-70, take the Providence Road exit (Exit #126). Go South on Providence Road (left turn from points east; right turn from points west) for about 1.4 miles. At stoplight at Elm Street, turn left. Missouri School of Journalism is at the intersection of Elm and Ninth Street.
Parking in Columbia: If you will be driving, please e-mail Amy Johnston at amy@ire.org for a parking pass.
Maps:
Map of University of Missouri-Columbia
Map of IRE Offices at S. 9th St. At Elm St., Columbia, MO 65201
Lodging:
Make your hotel reservations right away!
Hotel with discounted room block:
Stoney Creek Inn (10-minute drive to campus): $89, plus tax, for standard rooms. To make a reservation, call 573-442-6400 or 800-659-2220. When calling, please ask for the "Investigative Reporters and Editors" room block. The discounted room block is available until three weeks prior to the Boot Camp; after the block expires ask for the University of Missouri rate.
Stoney Creek Inn offers free in-room, high speed Internet access, a fitness center including a small workout room and a large indoor/outdoor pool, and free breakfast. In addition, the hotel will provide shuttle service to and from the seminar location each day on a set schedule - if you are interested in this service, please e-mail amy@ire.org.
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia (10-minute drive to campus): 573-443-8000. Full-service hotel with on-site Bennigan's Restaurant.
Other recommended lodging:
Hampton Inn and Suites (10-15 minute walk to campus): 573-214-2222. Located next to Faurot Filed and across from University Hospital, the Hampton Inn and Suites is the closest full-service hotel on-campus. They offer a quick-start breakfast, fitness center, business center and on-site restaurant.
The Gathering Place 573-443-4301. Rates start at $159 and include full breakfast.
Also visit Columbia's Convention and Visitors Bureau.