The NCAA membership will assemble January 14-17 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center outside of Washington, D.C., for the 2009 Convention. Up the Potomac, a different constituency will amass to inaugurate the 44th president of the United States on January 20.

The impact of the inauguration on Convention attendees is expected to be minimal, but the membership should book travel arrangements and hotel accommodations early to avoid increased fees during the inaugural weekend. Registration is currently open and Damon Schoening, NCAA director of brand strategies and events, said the cost of accommodations and registration will increase by December 5. Schoening also said an increase in airfares is possible, likely due to the higher demand surrounding the inauguration.

Traffic congestion is another potential concern, but Schoening said the NCAA is working with a professional transportation company to ensure smooth transit to and from events taking place away from the Gaylord, such as the Honors Celebration.  

In all, Schoening said, “There won’t be much visible or detectable impact, but aspects of that event (inauguration) will have begun to take shape while we are there.”

Convention attendees who wish to stay in the area through the inauguration will be responsible for their own hotel accommodations. The NCAA’s room block extends only through January 17.

Because the Gaylord property is about 10 miles from the city, those who decide to remain in town for the weekend’s festivities may want to consider moving to a hotel closer to the city center.

The Presidential Inaugural Parade will kick off on January 20 with viewing stands extending from 3rd to 17th Streets. The parade follows the swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol steps.