The 59th International Congress on Medieval Studies takes place in a hybrid format Thursday, May 9, through Saturday, May 11, 2024. The Congress includes traditional in-person sessions, virtual sessions via our online platform and some hybrid sessions that make it possible for speakers to present and audiences to attend both in-person and online.
Kalamazoo is located at the crossroads of Interstate-94 and US Route 131 in southwest Michigan, roughly halfway between Chicago and Detroit.
Air travel
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) is served by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Detroit and Minneapolis (Delta) and Chicago (American) are the major hubs offering air connections.
Some Congress attendees find it convenient to fly to Grand Rapids, South Bend, Detroit or Chicago and rent a car. Driving time from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR, Grand Rapids) and from South Bend Regional Airport (SBN) is less than two hours. Driving time from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) is about two and a half hours, from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at least three hours. Kalamazoo (Eastern Time) is always one hour ahead of Chicago (Central Time). Metro Cars (1-800-456-1701) offers car service from Detroit Metro Airport to Kalamazoo (ca. $448.80 plus gratuity; advance reservation 24 hours in advance required) and Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Kalamazoo (1-616-957-1835, ca. $187.20 plus gratuity). Advance reservation 24 hours in advance recommended.
Ground transportation from the airport
Medieval Institute buses meet all incoming flights at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport on Wednesday and Thursday and transport passengers to Congress registration.
The Radisson Plaza Hotel and the Delta by Marriott provide shuttle service to and from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.
Taxi service is also available at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.
Train and bus travel
Amtrak trains (Chicago–Detroit–Pontiac and Chicago–East Lansing–Port Huron routes), as well as Greyhound and Indian Trails buses, serve Kalamazoo daily, arriving at the Kalamazoo Downtown Transportation Center.
On Wednesday, Medieval Institute shuttle buses travel between selected Congress locations on the Western Michigan University campus and the Radisson Plaza Hotel, a three-block walk on Rose Street from the Downtown Transportation Center (483 meters, 6 minutes).
Kalamazoo Metro Transit bus #16 (departing from the transportation center) stops near Congress registration (limited Sunday service), and taxi service is also available at the transportation center.
Driving to WMU
Kalamazoo is located at the crossroads of Interstate-94 and US Route 131 in southwest Michigan, a two-and-a-half hour drive from Chicago or Detroit.
Driving from I-94 to Congress registration
The street address for Congress registration is 162 E 3rd St, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. From I-94, take exit 74B onto US-131 north. Travel 2.8 miles on US-131 to exit 36 (Stadium Drive). Take Stadium Drive east (right) 2.2 miles to Howard Street. Turn left onto Howard Street and travel one mile to Goldsworth Valley Drive. Turn right onto Goldsworth Valley Drive into the WMU campus, turn left onto Ring Road West, and follow the signs to Congress registration.
You can see the location of any WMU building on WMU campus maps. To find Congress registration on the map, choose "Building" from the dropdown menu at the top left of the map, then type "Eldridge" or "Fox." Keep in mind, however, that parking is extremely limited near Congress registration.
Parking
Parking for Congress attendees is available in selected parking lots near Congress venues on campus for all registered participants. Please do not park at meters or in prohibited areas.