Venue & Local Amenities
Conference Venue
Nearly all conference activities, including pre-conference programs and workshops, most registration, plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and poster displays will be held in the Festival Conference and Student Center on the JMU Campus. Meals and refreshment breaks will also be served here. “The festival” is located on the upper campus and is about a 30 minute walk from the Grace Street Apartments and the Hotel Madison. Shuttle bus service will be provided (more details on the Local Site page).
Monday evening’s registration, keynote address and art exhibition will take place in Duke Hall, located across Grace Street from the Hotel Madison on North Campus.
JMU Campus Map & Conference Center Building Directory
Click below for a downloadable map of the JMU campus. Locations of the Festival Conference Center, Duke Hall, Hotel Madison, and Grace Street Apartments are indicated by a purple circle.
Festival Conference Center floor maps and building directory can be found here.
Festival Conference Center Guest Wi-Fi
Network: JMU-Visitors
Username: summer2023
Password: 955934
*Note: The above only works in the conference center; Grace Street Apartments and Hotel Madison have their own wifi.
Printing Services and Office Supplies
There are two main places for office supplies and printing services near or on campus:
FedEx Office Print & Ship Center - 1010 S. Main St. Harrisonburg, VA M-F 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm
JMU Book Store (supplies only, no printing) - 211 Bluestone Dr. Harrisonburg, VA (on JMU Campus) M-F 8am-5pm
Parking and Shuttle Information
Parking
Hotel Madison: Self-parking in the adjacent Mason Street Parking Deck is available at $5.00 per car per day for both overnight and day guests. Overnight guest parking will be placed on each guest’s folio; day guests may pay at the deck kiosk using a gate-issued ticket. Entry to the deck is located on Martin Luther Ling K Jr. Way/formerly Cantrell Boulevard. Electric car charging stations are available complimentary. A covered walkway is situated between the deck and the Hotel’s mezzanine entrance. Parking charges are subject to change without notice.
Grace Street Apartments: Guest parking at the Grace Street Apartments is free of charge. The parking lot (JMU Lot R-15) is conveniently located adjacent to the apartment building on West Grace Street just past the railroad tracks at the corner of West Grace St. and Chesapeake Ave. The address is: 320 Chesapeake Ave., Harrisonburg, VA.
On-Campus Parking (for those not using the COCE shuttle from Hotel Madison/Grace Street Apartments): To park on-campus you will need a temporary virtual parking permit. The permit is free. Activate this in advance if at all possible. We will also have QR Code access at registration.
To redeem your virtual permit, go to https://jmu.aimsparking.com and click on “Redeem Event Permit.” You will be prompted to select your event, enter the event code, and enter your vehicle information. Upon confirming the transaction, you will receive an email receipt. Directions for redeeming visitor permits can be found online at https://jmu.edu/parking/event-parking/event_redemptions.pdf.
YOUR EVENT NAME IS: 06/03/23 - 06/09/23 COCE - Conference on Communication and Environment
YOUR EVENT PERMIT CODE IS: 23COCE23
Note that the assigned permits do not allow your guests to park in specially designated spaces such as Service Vehicle spaces, accessible spaces without proper permit, or expired timed spaces. They are also prohibited from parking in Fire Lanes. Permits may only be redeemed by campus visitors. They may not be redeemed by anyone currently enrolled at, compensated by, or employed as an affiliate of James Madison University.
Use the online parking map to find the below lots: https://www.jmu.edu/parking/_files/parkingmap.pdf
Festival Conference and Student Center: Use Lot D3 or C12 (see parking map—7H).
Duke Hall (Opening Keynote & Artists Reception on Monday evening): Use Warsaw Parking Deck (see parking map —1C).
COCE Shuttle:
COCE is providing a shuttle bus every morning and afternoon to transport conference attendees to and from the Festival Conference Center and Grace Street Apartments/Hotel Madison.
- Morning shuttles (from Grace St. Apartments/Hotel Madison) will run from 7:30 until 8:45. Meet the shuttle at the bus stop near the corner of Grace St. and South Main St (look for the COCE Shuttle sign).
- Afternoon and Evening Shuttles (from Festival Conference Center to Grace St. Apartments/Hotel Madison) will run as follows:
- Monday (June 5): 15:30-17:15 (3:30-5:15pm): for return to Grace St. Apartments/Hotel Madison and Keynote Address & Artists Reception in Duke Hall
- Tuesday (June 6): 16:30- 18:30 (4:30-6:30pm): round trip—bringing people back to Festival for dinner and 21:00-22:00 (9:00-10:00pm): after the dinner for return to Grace Street Apartments/Hotel Madison
- Wednesday (June 7): 11:45-13:30 (11:45am-1:30pm): for return to Grace St. Apartments/Hotel Madison and excursion shuttles
- Thursday (June 8): 17:00-19:30 (5:00-7:30pm): round trip—bringing people back to Festival Conference Center for IECA board meeting and return to accommodations after board meeting.
- Friday (June 9): 12:45-13:30 (12:45-1:30pm); for return to Grace St. apartments/Madison Hotel
JMU Intercampus Shuttle Information:
The JMU Intercampus Shuttle will be running on a reduced summer schedule. Attendees need only to follow the schedule of Summer Shuttle 1. It runs from 7 am to 6 pm. This route covers Festival Conference Center, Grace Street Apartments/Hotel Madison, and Duke Hall without changing any bus or stop. The bus runs once every hour. Attendees can download the mobile app called Passio (https://passiogo.com/) for real time information about bus routes.
Walking/Biking from Grace Street Apartments/Hotel Madison to Festival Conference Center:
It takes about 30 minutes to walk from campus accommodations to the Festival Conference Center. Please be aware that it is an uphill walk. Most map apps (Google, Apple, etc.) can get you there.
From Grace St. Apartments/Hotel Madison: Follow Grace St. (uphill and around the Student Union) to the three-way intersection with Duke Drive and Bluestone Drive. Cross Duke Drive. Look to your left and take the walk/bike way (uphill) through “The Village Area” to Carrier Drive. Use the bridge to cross I-81 and follow Carrier Drive (uphill) to the “buff” James Madison statue at King Hall. Take the walk/bike way to the right and follow all the way to the Festival Conference Center at the top of the hill (look for rounded building with lots of windows).
Things to Eat, Drink, and See in Harrisonburg
The IECA and local COCE hosts encourage attendees to support small businesses and local NGOs. Expand the tabs below for recommended eateries, pubs, wineries/breweries, parks, and local sites.
All sites are indicated by distance from Hotel Madison or Grace Street Apartments.
*It is recommended that attendees use the Walk setting on your GPS to get around locally*
JMU Dining Locations & Menus: on-campus dining options, including menus and summer hours.
Grace+Main Coffee Shop ($$)- located in Hotel Madison; sit down or take out; coffee beverages and baked goods.
Montpelier Restaurant and Bar ($$$)- located in Hotel Madison; upscale casual, sit down, American cuisine.
Magpie Diner ($)- 30 minute walk or 10 minute Uber; sit down; full service breakfast and lunch.
The Little Grill Collective ($)- 45 minute walk or 10-15 minute Uber; sit down or take out; full service breakfast and lunch (vegan and vegetarian friendly)
Beyond Restaurant & Lounge ($$)- 15 minute walk or 5 minute Uber; sit down or take out; Asian fusion cuisine.
Cuban Burger ($$)- 15 minute walk or 5 minute Uber; sit down or take out; classic Cuban street food.
Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza ($$)- 15 minute walk or 5 minute Uber; sit down or take out; farm-fresh, wood-fired pizza.
Bella Gelato & Pastries ($)- 15 minute walk or 5 minute Uber; sit down or to-go; espresso bar, pastries, fresh gelato.
Mashita ($$)- 30 minute walk or 10 minute Uber; sit down or take out; Korean food.
Magnolia’s Taco & Tequila Bar ($)- 15 minute walk or 5 minute Uber; sit down or take out; modern Mexican cuisine and beverages
Taj of India ($$)- 20 minute walk or 5-10 minute Uber; sit down or take out; authentic Indian food.
Capital Ale House ($$$)- 25 minute walk or 10 minute Uber; sit down; American food.
Rocktown Kitchen ($$$$)- 20 minute walk or15 minute Uber; sit down; fine dining American food.
Joshua Wilton House ($$$$)- 5 minute walk or 2 minute Uber; built in 1888; offers bed and breakfast services, sit down dinner options and lounge/pub sitting areas.
Local Chop and Grill House ($$$$)- 30-40 minute walk or 5-10 minute Uber; locally sourced from family farms/vendors all over the Valley.
Clementine Cafe: food, drinks, outdoor seating, and live music. 15 minute walk; 5 minute Uber
Jack Brown’s/Billie Jacks: neighborhood bars with great food and outdoor seating. 15 minute walk; 5 minute Uber
Ruby’s Arcade Woodfired Pizza & BBQ: pub food/drinks with games and outdoor seating. 15 minute walk; 5 minute Uber
The Golden Pony: two floors, two bars; fun drinks and food; indoor and outdoor seating. 20 minute walk; 10 minute Uber
Capital Ale House: hundreds of beers on tap, food, outdoor seating. 20 minute walk
Jimmy Madison’s: cocktails and whiskey flights, food. 10 minute walk
Pale Fire Brewing: beers on tap, light food & pizza, outdoor seating. 15 minute walk; 10-15 minute Uber
Three Notch’d Valley Collab House: brand new beer tapped locally every week. 20 minute walk; 10-15 minute Uber
Friendly Fermenter Craft Brewery: Harrisonburg’s only Nano-brewery ( scaled-down micro-brewery, producing three barrels or less beer batches). 20 minute walk; 5-10 minute Uber
Restless Moons Brewing: fun space with outdoor seating. 20 minute walk; 5-10 minute Uber
Brother Craft Brewing: variety of beers and hard seltzers; great atmosphere. 30 minute walk; 10-15 minute Uber
Sage Bird Ciderworks: locally sourced, handcrafted; fun environment. 30 minute walk; 10-15 minute Uber
Old Hill Cidery at Showalter’s Orchard: ciders made from apples in the orchard; great views of the Valley. NOT within walking distance of Hotel Madison or Grace Street; 30 minute Uber/car ride.
Bluestone Vineyards: best wine in the Valley, wine tastings with a fantastic view of the mountains; snacks available (recommend bringing your own food, or have a pizza delivered). NOT within walking distance of Hotel Madison or Grace Street; 20 minute Uber/car ride.
CrossKeys Vineyards: vast wine menu with tastings, flights and wine tours; serves lunch and dinner at their gourmet Bistro. NOT within walking distance of Hotel Madison or Grace Street; 20 minute Uber/car ride
Marceline Vineyard: great views of the valley; live music on the weekends. NOT in walking distance from Hotel Madison or Grace Street; 20 minute Uber/car ride.
White Oak Lavender Farm and The Purple WOLF Tasting Room: lavender infused wine; over 100 handmade, lavender products in their gift shop; visit the discovery area and pet the farm animals. NOT within walking distance from Hotel Madison or Grace Street; 20 minute Uber/car ride.
JMU Campus: grab a blanket or a frisbee and relax on The Quad; take the campus Environmental Stewardship Tour. 5-10 minute walk; Uber not needed
JMU Edith J. Carrier Arboretum: visit the public urban garden with forested greenspace meant to preserve native plant species; provide opportunities to promote botanical knowledge; meant for all ages with a natural playground. 20-30 minute walk across JMU campus; 5 minute Uber.
City Parks: Hillandale Park, Purcell Park, Westover Park, and more. Public parks with walking/biking trails and children’s playground. 20-40 minute walk; 5-10 minute Uber
Shenandoah National Park: explore the scenic views of the Valley; entry fee of $30 per vehicle. Recommended hikes: High Top Hike on Appalachian Trail (nearest hike to Swift Run Gap entrance), Harry F. Byrd, Sr./Big Meadows Visitor Center for park history exhibit and access to iconic Dark Hallow Falls Trail. NOT within walking distance from Hotel Madison or Grace Street; 30-45 car ride
Natural Chimneys Park and Campground: incredible geology, short hikes and streams to explore. 40 minute Uber/car ride
The Caverns of the Valley: Luray Caverns (45 minute Uber/car ride); Shenandoah Caverns (30 minute Uber/car ride); Endless Caverns (25 minute Uber/car ride); Melrose Caverns (Civil War tunnels; 15-20 minute Uber/car ride); Natural Bridge State Park: see the Natural Bridge and easy walking trails. Approx. 1 hour by vehicle.
Virginia Quilt Museum: the official quilt museum of Virginia; educational tours and historical exhibits. 5-10 minute walk; 5 minute Uber
Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center: State-certified visitor center; Civil War Orientation Center, Craftsmen Showroom and Turnpike Museum. 5-10 minute walk; 5 minute Uber
Roots Run Deep, Harrisonburg, VA: An African American History Tour. Created by the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project
Frontier Culture Museum (Staunton, VA): see early American schoolhouses, farms and of pioneer culture; great for families. NOT within in walking distance from Hotel Madison and Grace Street; 45 minute Uber/ car ride.
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum (Staunton, VA): ;earn about the life and presidency of Woodrow Wilson. NOT within walking distance from Hotel Madison and Grace Street; 45 minute Uber/ car ride
James Madison’s Montpelier (Orange County, just north of Charlottesville, VA): tour the home of James Madison, Memorial to the Enslaved Community and exhibits of American history. Recommend reserving tickets in advance. NOT within walking distance from Hotel Madison and Grace Street; 1 hour and 20 minute Uber/car ride.
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello (Charlottesville, VA): the home of Thomas Jefferson. Recommend reserving tickets in advance. NOT within walking distance from Hotel Madison and Grace Street; 1 hour Uber/car ride
James Monroe’s Highland (Charlottesville, VA): the home of James Monroe; book tours of the property or walk leisurely. Recommend reserving tickets in advance. NOT within walking distance from Hotel Madison and Grace Street; 1 hour Uber/car ride.
