Parking Information

 EVENTS THAT REQUIRE SHUTTLES/OFF-SITE PARKING

• “Compassion Meditation Conference” (10/18)
• “The Professor’s Office Hours” (10/19, morning) *
• “The Creative Journey” (10/19, afternoon) *

* If you have a ticket for the Creative Journey event, you may wish to purchase one of the very inexpensive tickets to the earlier Professor's Office Hours event (now available to the public) and enjoy both events (parking-and-riding only once). To purchase a ticket for that event visit, click here. If you are attending both, simply select "Professor's Office Hours" (you don't need to select a permit for both since you will stay in that lot for the afternoon event, too).  

EVENTS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE SHUTTLES/OFF-SITE PARKING

• “The Teaching to the Buddhist Community” (10/17, morning) – Free parking at the Michael Street Deck off Clifton Road at Houston Mill Road

• “The Interfaith Summit on Happiness” (10/17, afternoon) – Free parking at the Peavine Parking Structure directly across from the venue (Woodruff Physical Education Center).

For those attending the three events requiring shuttles, free off-site parking and shuttles are required because the events occur during regular work/school hours and the campus parking facilities cannot accommodate the additional 4,000 guests per event.  See below for directions to secure your permit.

If you are an Emory faculty/staff/student with an on-campus parking permit, you are welcome to park where you normally would on Monday and Tuesday and walk to the event venue to avoid having to use the off-site parking.  Those without Emory faculty/staff/student parking permits who attempt to park on campus are subject to ticketing and towing. The Cliff Campus shuttle service will run at normal hours/schedule.

You may also choose to attend the events through alternative transportation. The MARTA bus service runs near campus, bicycles are permitted on campus, and you can be dropped off near the campus perimeter and walk to the venue.  Registered guests at the Emory Conference Center Hotel can also use a shuttle running to and from the venue on Monday and Tuesday only.

If you require parking for the three events with off-site parking, you must complete the following very simple but important steps.

In order to ensure you have a space reserved, we request all attendees register for parking to receive a print-at-home-permit and customized driving directions. 

Please follow the step-by-step directions below:

1. START by clicking here

2. Select the day and the event you’ll be attending.  

   If you are attending both of the events on 10/19 (Professor’s Office Hours and the Creative Journey) you need only select the option for the first event (Professor’s Office Hours) since you will stay on campus during the short break between events.
   
   

3. Select ‘standard automobile’ vehicle type.

4. Enter the total number of people in your vehicle
   Why do we ask for the passenger total?  This total will assist in scheduling buses and staff to ensure we’re prepared for all ticketed participants.
   
   

5. You will now be taken to a page to confirm the parking location and view a map.  Select parking.

6. Confirm the selection and if needed select the additional event day to add to your current registration.

7. Fill out Account Information including name, email, zip code and password then enter the authorization letters and click “Create Account and Continue”.

8. Enter your contact information under the enter Shipping Address section.
   Why do we ask for your address when the permit is emailed:  We use the shipping address as the starting point for your customized driving directions.  Please remember that there will be a traffic management plan in place for this event and we strongly encourage you to follow the customized driving directions provided here.  You will have the opportunity to update the starting point for your driving directions if your point of origin changes. Please be aware that the system will only accept physical addresses (post office boxes won’t work).
   

9. Once you have submitted your information, a confirmation screen will appear with an Order ID number and registration details.  A link will show above the registration details to ‘complete your order’.  When you click on the link you’ll be able to retrieve your driving instructions.

10. The registration confirmation, customized routing directions and the ePermit (print-at-home permit) will be emailed to the email address used to create the account.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to have a parking permit to park on 10/18 and 10/19?

It is not 100% required, but it is extremely helpful to you and to us if you have one.  It is helpful to you because you will have reserved a space in the lot, you will not have to worry about being directed to an overflow lot, and you will have something for your dashboard that will allow parking attendants to guide you in to the correct parking areas.  It is helpful to us because it allows us to know precisely how many cars to expect at the lots so that we can provide the appropriate number of shuttles and staff.  If you register and forget your permit on the day of the event, just go to your scheduled parking lot.

What about wheelchair or other disabilities/impairments?

Each of the satellite lots on 10/18 and 10/19 are equipped with vans which can accommodate wheelchairs and guests with mobility impairments.  Whenever possible, we ask that all those who are able to use the shuttle system.  We have limited parking spaces near the venue for those with accessibility concerns, and we need to reserve those spaces for those who cannot possibly use the shuttle system.  If you must use on-site drop-off and parking, proceed to the Peavine Parking Structure side of the venue and look for signs for Accessibility Concerns Entrance.  You can drop off directly at that door and relocate your vehicle to the limited number of accessible parking spaces in the Peavine Parking deck.  The person assisting the guest with an accessibility concern will be able to go with him/her to an elevator and special screening area.  Once inside the room, if wheelchair seating space is required, see an usher who will direct you to the appropriate location based on your ticket seating section.

Is there any cost to use the shuttles or off-campus parking lots?

No.

What time should I plan to arrive at the satellite lots?

For the 10/18 Compassion Meditation Conference, we recommend that you arrive at your scheduled lot between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. (buses begin running at 6:30 a.m.).  It is a 15-25 minute ride depending on traffic and there is still a significant security screening process when you arrive.  For the Professor’s Office Hours (10/19, morning) event, we recommend that you arrive between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m.  For the Creative Journey (10/19, afternoon) event, we recommend that you arrive between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. 

How late will the return buses run?

On both days, the last buses depart the facility at 5:30 p.m. (the last events end at 3:30 p.m.).

Can't I just....instead of riding the shuttle?

You are welcome to get to Emory however you choose, so long as you do not park on campus on Monday or Tuesday.  There is simply no room in the faculty/staff/student/patient parking facilities on these days.

Where will I pick up the return shuttle bus?

At the same location where you are dropped-off (Dickey Drive, just south of the event venue).

Are there restroom facilities at the parking lots?

No, but the buses are equipped with restroom facilities.

What should I bring to the event?  What is prohibited?

Your ticket and your car keys are the only thing that you need.  You are welcome to bring a cell phone and a single bottle of water into the venue.  Small purses are allowed, but will require additional screening and will be searched.  You should leave at home anything on your person which is made of metal since you will need to pass through airport-grade security screenings.  We recommend leaving all jewelry, coins, and excess keys at home to speed through the screening process.  Cameras (cell phone cameras are fine), umbrellas, and “stadium seats” are not permitted. Other prohibited items include weapons of any kind, recording devices, laptop computers, large purses, bags, backpacks, or other items posted at the shuttle stops or venue.  If it is raining, we recommend that you bring a disposable plastic poncho that you can discard upon entering the venue.   Please leave prohibited items at home.  If you lock them in your car, please be sure they are out of sight.  We are not responsible for lost or missing items.

How long will it take to get a shuttle back to the parking lots?

It will take longer to get back to your car than it did to arrive simply because more people need the service all at once.  We encourage those of you who can wait a little longer to peruse the Tibetan Bazaar located inside the event venue, or even strolling around Emory's beautiful campus for a few minutes while those who need to get to their cars quicker board the first buses back to satellite parking.  It is not anticipated that any wait for shuttles will exceed an hour to an hour-and-a-half in the worst-case scenario.  Traffic, detours, or other issues could delay the process.  We greatly appreciate your patience.

Where are the satellite parking lots?

When you register for your permit you will be automatically assigned a lot based on the next-available space.  Most will be directed to the North DeKalb Mall.  Some will be directed to the former Lou Sobh Ford dealership lot, the Decatur Village shopping center, or the New Beginning Church. 

What if I lose my permit?

The mandatory registration process allows you to access and reprint your permit any time you need to.

Other questions?  info@dalailama.emory.edu