Peter and I will be there!
Also, we will be organizing another Tucson Bead Symposium at the Sonoran Glass School (indoors) on February 5th, 7 to 9 pm (with reception and private opening of the Sonoran Glass Art show from 6 to 7 pm).
More info will be available soon, but I can tell you I think we have found great presenters.......
When it comes to a place to stay, it really depends on if you have a car available. If not, (like us) I have always preferred staying downtown-ish (close to the convention center). It gives you access to the shows along the I10, including the Pueblo show and the African Art Village, as well as easy access to many of the shuttles. Uber has made getting around a lot easier, and there are many available during gem show season.
If you do have a car, you can stay wherever you want. The University area is a nice area that not a lot of gem show people stay, but is nice in the evenings. Anything close to Congress street and 4th Avenue will be busy but fun.
Up north, there are really nice hotels that are more resort style. Further to drive, but very relaxing after a long day.
There is a rumor that the Ethnographic Group, along with the rest of the Silk Roads show, will be relocating to a place at the opposite end of Tucson from the Grand Luxe- namely the STAY TUCSON INN & SUITES. Also rumored is that the Ethnographic Group will stay at the Grand Luxe and everyone else will move.
I'll be there with at least one bead pal from Feb. 1 - 6. Keep checking the Tucson 2020 events sites since a few shows, notably the Gem Mall / Holidome, have reduced their run from over two weeks to about 10 days. So the "second week" of Tucson is shrinking. A few shows are open on Jan. 30 & 31, but the best strategy is to arrive in time to start on Feb. 1 and stay into the next week.
I suggest you use Airbnb to find a rental room, apartment or house. Look for places that are close to the I-10 "strip". Uber/Lyft rides are inexpensive if you don't rent a car - however the car rentals are pretty inexpensive if booked way ahead, and gas is REALLY cheap (at least compared to CA) in AZ. There are plenty of hotels but they get booked, so best to get something reserved fairly soon.
Reminder that Gem Mall requires a resale license for entry, and it's worth the time to pre-register since the lines are long on opening day.
Some show info in the link
https://xpopress.com/showcase/shows/1/tucson-gem-mineral-fossil-showcase?sort=date
This is a reduction from past years.
