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Travel and Housing

Conference Venue

San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk
101 Bowie Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter hotel room

Rooming Block is Full

The pre-negotiated rooming block at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk is now full. You may contact the hotel directly to inquire about available rooms. 

Low-Cost Student Housing

To help make GC&E 2026 more accessible for students, we are partnering with The University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) in San Antonio, Texas, to offer low‑cost, apartment‑style student housing in the Laurel Village Unit. These on-campus apartments offer a safe, affordable, and community-oriented lodging option for students attending the conference.

The Laurel Village Unit is located on the UTSA campus, approximately 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio and the conference venue by car or rideshare. There will be shuttles provided. 

DETAILS

  • Who: Student housing is for undergraduate, graduate students, and post-doctoral scholars.* 

  • Room Type:  Private single rooms in an apartment-style setup.

  • Cost: $45 per night per room

  • Configuration:  Four bedrooms with 2 bathrooms per unit and two bedrooms with 1 bathroom per unit. 

Registration for student housing will close on May 29. Spaces are filling up fast, so secure your space as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

*Note: Participants must be at least 18 years old to stay in student housing. While staying in student housing is not mandatory, it offers a more affordable and a potential option for students.*

Register for Student Housing (Credit Card)
Photo of student room with bed, desk, closet, window, and nightstand.

The University of San Antonio (UTSA) includes fully furnished two-bedroom or four-bedroom suites with a shared living area, kitchenette, and bathroom. They include private bedrooms with full beds. It has neighborhood centers that include full kitchens, billiards and foosball tables, and laundry rooms. They’re popular places for residents to hang out, cook dinner together, hold meetings and events, or relax.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Those staying in student housing will need to bring their own sleeping essentials, such as bed sheets, a pillow, and a blanket. You are welcome to bring items you already have at home- a sleeping bag or larger-size sheets are also perfectly acceptable for bedding. UTSA does not provide bedding, so please plan accordingly.

Student Housing Location

Laurel Village Apartments

One UTSA Circle
6904 N Loop 1604 W

San Antonio, Texas, 78249

Laurel Village offers apartment-style student housing, fostering a comfortable and communal environment. You can explore the floor plans or take a virtual tour by visiting the housing website linked here.

What to Bring ?

Here are some recommendations to help you prepare for your student housing stay:

  • Bedding (Bed Sheets, Pillow, Light Blanket)
  • Personal toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
  • Towels: Bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth.

Note: There will be no kitchenware or typical toiletries you will have at a hotel. 

Weather in San Antonio in mid‑to‑late June is typically hot and humid, with daytime highs in the 80s & low‑ 90s °F and overnight lows in the low‑ to mid‑70s °F. Sunshine is abundant, and humidity can make temperatures feel warmer, particularly during the afternoon hours.

However, note that every place is very well air-conditioned, so keep this in mind as well. 

Consider these items when packing:

  • Reusable water bottle (Water fountains at student housing and hydration stations at the conference venue).

  • Comfortable, breathable clothing and shoes for walking and attending sessions.

  • Rain gear: An umbrella or lightweight rain jacket, as summer showers are possible.

  • Sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself during outdoor activities or commutes.

Registration Instructions

Payment Instructions

  1. Click one of the links based on your payment method. 
  2. On the page, select the quantity, which represents the number of nights you will be staying in student housing.
    • One quantity = one night
  3. Click “Add to Cart,” then “Checkout.”
  4. Enter your personal and payment information and submit payment to complete registration.

Example

If you are staying from June 15 through June 19:

  • June 15 (check‑in) → June 19 (check‑out)
  • Total stay = 4 nights
    ➡️ Select Quantity = 4

Tip: Do not count your check‑out day as an overnight stay.

If you have any questions or run into issues with the payment system, please reach out and we’ll be happy to help.

Register for Student Housing (E-Check)

Getting to Know San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas is a safe, diverse, vibrant, and historic city. Did you know:

Major U.S. City
San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the United States. Major industries include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, bioscience, alternative energy, healthcare, and military.
Higher Education Hub
San Antonio is home several universities including campuses of the University of Texas, Texas A&M, as well as St. Mary’s University, Trinity University, and San Antonio College.
Inclusive Culture
The city is known for its welcoming and inclusive culture, where over 75% of local residents identify with diverse backgrounds.
San Antonio, Texas
“San Antonio Downtown | Pano” by Brandon Watts, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
River Walk
River Walk Venue
The beautiful downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and safe. The GC&E Conference will be located along the River Walk—a beautiful tree-lined network of walkways along the San Antonio River, filled with restraurants, shops, and enterainment.
Authentic Eats
San Antonio has a thriving food scene—from authentic Tex-Mex to upscale dinning—and has a unique distinction of being a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Historic Missions

Founded by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century, the historic mission buildings, including the Alamo, are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Alamo was a key landmark in the 1836 war for independence from Mexico.

Airport Accessible
Downtown is just 15 mintues from San Antonio International Airport.

International Travel

Do I need a personal letter of invitation?

Personal letters of invitation are not necessary to attend this conference; however, they are available upon request to those who may need them.

If you submitted an abstract that was accepted for a presentation, you can obtain a letter of invitation through the online Meeting Abstracts Programming Service (MAPS). Visa letters can be found under Messages. If you are not submitting an abstract but require a letter of invitation for visa purposes, send us your request via email. You must provide your full legal name, institution/business with complete address, and date of birth. A letter of invitation will be sent to you via email. If you need a hard copy letter (and printing the letter sent to you via email will not suffice), we will invoice you for applicable international mailing costs. Once your payment is received, the letter will be posted to you.

I need a Visa. What should I do?

For information on applying for a visa

ACS GCI recommends that you start this process as soon as possible. If you are submitting an abstract, you will notified of its acceptance by the end of March 2026.

IMPORTANT: All applicants must be able to qualify for a visa on their own merits under the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The American Chemical Society cannot intervene with the U.S. State Department or an American embassy in another country on behalf of any meeting participant. We are unable to call or generate personal letters to the embassy or consulate on your behalf.

Do you provide financial support?

ACS GCI does not provide financial support to conference participants. All registration fees, airfares, ground transportation, hotel, meals, travel insurance, and any other expenses are the sole responsibility of each conference attendee.

Do I have to register if I am speaking?

Yes, all attendees, including speakers and poster presenters, are REQUIRED to register for the conference to allow them to participate in the technical sessions and/or attend the exposition. The early registration deadline is April 30, 2026.

If you are coming from Visa Waiver Program countries, be aware:

Inbound travelers to the United States from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries may be denied boarding by the airlines if they haven’t complied with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization program. ESTA, introduced in January 2009, requires all international travelers from VWP countries to register in an online database.

Previously, international travelers had to fill out an I-94W form before each trip, but ESTA seeks to streamline and update the process. Now, international travelers to the United States must go to the ESTA website and fill out an application before entering the country by air or sea.

If approved, the authorization is good for two years and can be renewed. Travelers no longer have to fill out an I-94W form before each trip. U.S. officials say ESTA will speed up the process for travelers, enable customs officials to screen passengers in advance, and improve security.

International Travel

Sustainability at the Venue

Certifications
  • Green Key Eco-Rating Program Certified
Footprints
  • Carbon Footprint: 32.67 kg per room night
  • Water Footprint: 602.42 liters per room night
Environmental Practices
  • Guest Room Recycling