TSLL Conference 2026

Thursday, October 15th, 2026

Friday, October 16th, 2026

Conference Registration

The 2026 hybrid conference will hold a combination of online and in person events at Iowa State University. Registration is required at no cost to attendees. Registration will open September 15th, 2026 and will stay available until October 11th, 2026, AoE (Anywhere on Earth).

Registration link COMING SOON! ?

Conference Venue

Ross Hall named in honor of Earle D. Ross, professor of history from 1923 to 1958 and an Iowa State historian

The in-person portion of the conference will be held at Ross Hall on Iowa State University’s (ISU) campus. Ross Hall is located at 527 Farm House Lane, Ames Iowa 50014. Ross Hall is close to Memorial Union (MU) and Campustown which are both within walking distance to numerous coffee shops and restaurants. The opposite side of the MU holds a patio and fountain that faces central campus with the campanile and open fields where students often lounge and relax. The MU houses a food court, a bookstore, and a convenience store. For detailed directions to the Memorial Union, see the Travel tab above.

Pay parking is available in the Memorial Union Parking Ramp, within walking distance to the conference venue. For more information, visit http://www.mu.iastate.edu/parking–maps/parking/

Other parking is available on campus by obtaining a Visitor Parking Permit, which would allow you to park in a General Staff or Student parking lot and walk to the Memorial Union. More information can be found at http://www.parking.iastate.edu/visitor.

Parking on campus on the weekend does not require a permit, but please make sure to check the signage at the entrance of each lot to ensure it is open for non-permitted vehicles.

Ross Hall is also accessible by bus. The 21-Cardinal and 23-Orange are the most direct and frequently running routes.

Air Travel

The closest airport to Iowa State University is Des Moines International Airport. Other major airports, including Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, and Omaha Airport. are within driving distance, but require renting a car.

Lyft & Uber

Both Lyft and Uber operate in Iowa and the Ames area. Note that rides may not be as abundant as they might be in a major city. Both services are available upon downloading the company’s app on your mobile device.

Car Rental

Car rental agencies are located in the baggage claim area in Des Moines International Airport.

Driving directions:

From Des Moines (≈ 35 minutes)
>35 North (34 miles)
>Exit 111B to US 30W (3 miles)
>Exit 146 to ISU
Des Moines to Iowa State University

Ames’ Bus System

Ames CyRide bus system offers safe, reliable, and friendly service for navigating around Ames. Please find a nice CyRide and Ames map here. The Iowa State “MyState” app offers a nice CyRide GPS interface that shows in real time where buses are with respect to your current location.

Getting to the Conference Venue

Conference sessions will be held on campus in Ross Hall next to the Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames Iowa 50014. Pay parking is available in the Memorial Union Parking Ramp, adjacent to the conference venue. For more information, visit http://www.mu.iastate.edu/parking–maps/parking/. More information about parking can be found at http://www.parking.iastate.edu/visitor.

Ames has a lot of hotel and accomodation options. Conference attendees will need to contact hotels directly to book rooms.

Hotel options:

Iowa House
405 Hayward Avenue
515-292-2474
www.iowahouseames.com
Starting rate: $95-$185
3 blocks from the campus
*Iowa House is a unique option. Formerly a fraternity house, it was converted to a hotel and is located in ISU’s “campus town” just a few blocks from the Memorial Union. It has received stellar reviews on trip advisor.

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center
2100 Green Hills Dr.
515-292-8600
http://gatewayames.com/
Starting rate: $109.00
CyRide Brown line serves this area, but only on weekdays.

Holiday Inn Ames Conference Center
2609 University Blvd
515-268-8808
www.holidayinn.com
Starting rate: $126
CyRide Brown line serves this area, but only on weekdays.

Sleep Inn & Suites
1310 Dickinson Ave
515-337-1171
www.sleepinnandsuites.com
Starting rate: $96
CyRide Red line serves this area.

AmericInn
2507 SE 16th St.
515-233-1005
www.americinn.com
Starting rate: $95

Hilton Garden Inn
1325 Dickinson Ave
515-233-8000
www.hiltongardeninn.com
Starting rate: $123
CyRide Red line serves this area.
*Near Sleep Inn (above) and served by the Red line which is the most frequently running line in town. Cafes, restaurants and conveniences stores within walking distance of this hotel.

Days Inn Ames
229 S Duff Ave
515-232-0280
www.daysinn.com
Starting rate: $55
CyRide Blue line serves this area.
*Days Inn is about a 10-minute walk to Ames downtown Main Street which features shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and a farmers market on Saturday mornings. CyRide Red and Green lines go between Main Street and campus.

Dinning Options

On Campus

For a complete list of on-campus restaurants and cafés: https://www.dining.iastate.edu/hours-menus/

• Carlos’ Quesadillas ($). Food truck outside Kildee Hall. Mexican food: Quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, burritos.
• MU Market & Café ($). 2229 Lincoln Way. Convenience store, grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, bakery, and coffee. Vegan and vegetarian options.
• Caribou Coffee & Hub Grill & Café ($). Across from Parks Library. Deli and bakery, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and coffee. Vegan and vegetarian options.
• Bookends Café ($). 0184 Parks Library. Grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, bakery, and coffee. Vegan and vegetarian options.

Campus Town

Restaurants and cafés are within walking distance from the Memorial Union.

• Potbelly Sandwich Shop ($). 2310 Lincoln Way. 9am-10pm. Made to order toasted sandwiches, salads, and ice cream shakes. Vegetarian options.
• Blaze Pizza ($). 2320 Lincoln Way. 10:30am-10:30pm. Wood-fired pizza; make your own pizza. Vegetarian options.
• Jeff’s Pizza Shop ($). 2402 Lincoln Way. 10:30am-1am. Pizza, sandwiches, lasagna, salads, chips, and brownies.
• Smokin’ Oak wood-fired pizza ($).: 2420 Lincoln Way. 10:30am-10:30pm.
• Cafe Baudelaire ($$). 2504 Lincoln Way. 10am-1:30am Brazilian fusion cuisine, hamburgers, omelets, salads, desserts.
• Mr. Burrito ($). 2508 Lincoln Way. 11am-9pm Mexican food: Burritos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas, Mexican drinks including horchata.
• Taste Place ($). 2512 Lincoln Way. Chinese food
• Arcadia Café ($). 116 Welch Ave. 7am-8pm. Sandwiches, small plates, soup, salad, desserts; vegetarian & gluten-free options.
• Indian Delights ($). 120 Welch Ave. Kofta, curry dishes, chicken, lamb, shrimp, salmon; vegetarian options; desserts.
• Jimmy John’s ($). 135 Welch Ave. 10:30am-3am. Plain slims, sub sandwiches, club sandwiches.
• Thai Kitchen ($$). 2410 Chamberlain St. 11am-8pm. Thai food: Yums, soups, noodles, fried rice, pad, and curry dishes.
• Pizza Pit ($). 207 Welch Ave. 11am-12 midnight. Pizza, chicken wings, hot sandwiches.
• Stomping Grounds ($$). 303 Welch Ave.7am-12am. Regular and toasted sandwiches, salads, pasta, soups, crepes, desserts, coffee. Outside patio area.

Downtown Ames

How to get there: Take Cyride #1 Red East or #2 Green East from campus. For a full list of downtown Ames restaurants, cafés, and events, access http://www.amesdowntown.org/

• Wheatsfield Cooperative Grocery & Deli ($).413 Northwestern Ave. 7am-9pm Breakfast burritos, salad bar, hot bar, soups, bakery, desserts; vegetarian options.
• Depot Deli & Cookies ($). 526 Main Street. Sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts; vegetarian options; lunch & dinner combos.
• Aunt Maude’s ($$$). 547 Main St. 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm. Salads, soups, omelets, sandwiches, bistro, salmon, chicken, beef.
• The Spice ($$). 402 Main St. 11am-2:15pm, 5pm-8:45pm. Thai cuisine: Spring rolls, dumplings, soup, curry, noodles, fried rice, chicken, pork, seafood, desserts; vegetarian options; tea, fruit juices.
• Chocolaterie Stam ($). 230 Main Street. 8:30am-8pm. Bonbons, chocolate treats, cookies, wafers, gelato, licorice.
• Café Diem ($). 229 Main Street. 7am-10pm Coffee, pastries, salads; wi-fi.
• Little Woods Herbal tea shop and tea house ($). 136 Main St. Herbs, spices, loose leaf teas, medicinal herbs, artisan wellness blends.
• Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company($). 129 Main St. 11am-2pm, 4:30pm-12am Pizza, sandwiches, salads, desserts.
• The Grove Café ($). 124 Main. 6am-2pm. Breakfast & lunch menu: Omelets, pancakes, French toast, hamburgers, hot sandwiches, desserts.
• The Mandarin ($$). 415 Lincoln Way. 11am-2pm, 5-9pm. Beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, & vegetable lunch entrées; seafood; dinner specials for 2-10 persons; soups
• Cornbred Barbecue ($$). 526 Main St Suite. 11am-…. Beef, pork, turkey, sausage.

West Ames

How to get there: Take Cyride #1 Red West from campus.

• Pammel Grocery & Deli ($). 113 Colorado Ave. 11am-8pm. Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern food. Halal & vegetarian options: Gyros, kabobs, falafel, samosas, kofta.
• Szechuan House ($). 3605 Lincoln Way. 11am-10pm. Chinese food: Chicken, duck, lamb, pork, seafood; soups, lunch specials; vegetarian options.
• Shogun Japanese Steakhouse ($$). 3704 Lincoln Way. 11am-9:30pm. Soups, salads, teriyaki, yakisoba, tempura, hibachi, sushi, sashimi, udon, shabu shabu, hibachi.
• Provisions Lot F ($$$). 2400 N Loop Dr. 7am-8pm. Salads, soups, omelets, sandwiches, bistro, salmon, chicken, beef.
• Lockwood Café ($). 625 Reliable St. 8am-3pm. Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant.

North Ames

How to get there: Take Cyride #6 Brown North from campus.

• The Café ($$). 2616 Northridge Pkwy. 7am-9pm. Omelets, pancakes, soups, salads, hamburgers, sandwiches, steak, fish, pizza, pasta.
• +39 Italian Restaurant & Cantina ($$). 2640 Stange Rd. 11am-2pm, 5pm-9:30pm. Pasta, pizza, soups, salads, sandwiches; chicken, beef, fish; gluten-free options.
• Brick City Grill ($$). 2704 Stange Rd. 11am-12am. Hamburgers, sandwiches, entrées (chicken, pork, salmon), nachos, salads; gluten-free options.
• El Azteca ($$). 2727 Stange Rd. 11am-9pm. Mexican food: Quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, special dinners, soups, salads, desserts.
• Wallaby’s Bar & Grille ($$). 2733 Stange Rd. 11am-11pm. Salads, soups, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, nachos,entrées.
• Los Altos Mexican Restaurant ($$): 823 Wheeler St. #5. 11am-9:30pm. Quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, burritos; vegetarian options; desserts.
• Ge Angelo’s Italian Restaurant & Lounge ($$). 4-9pm. 823 Wheeler St. #9. Salads, pizza, calzone, pasta, chicken, cod; vegetarian options; build your own pizza; desserts.

South Ames

How to get there: Take Cyride #3 Blue South from campus.

• Hickory Park Restaurant Co. ($$). 1404 S. Duff Ave. 10am-9pm. Barbecue, meat dinners, hamburgers, deli and smoked sandwiches, ice cream menu; teas.
• Fuji Japanese Steakhouse ($$$). 1614 S Kellogg Ave. #101. 11am-2pm, 4-9:30pm Hibachi, teriyaki, tempura, udon, soba, rolls, sushi bar entrées, katsu, don buri, desserts.

Cultural Attractions & Entertainment

On Campus

How do I get there? Everything on campus is within a walking distance.

• ISU’s Museums. Around campus
• The Maintenance Shop. Memorial Union. Stand-up comedy, open mic nights, theater performances.
• Farm House Museum. Near Ross Hall. M-F 12-4pm. Lake Laverne: Just outside the Memorial Union (MU). Created in 1916. Home to the swans Lancelot and Elaine.
• Reiman Gardens: 1407 University Blvd. 9am-4:30pm.

All Ames Parks: http://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-i-z/parks-recreation/park-system

• Brookside Park. 1325 6th Street (near campus).
• Ada Hayden Heritage Park. 5205 Grand Ave.
• Inis Grove Park. 2500 Duff Ave.
• Main Street Cultural District
• Octagon Center for the Arts. 427 Douglas Ave. 10am-5pm.
• Ames Public Library. M-Th 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 1-5pm.
• Cinemark Movies 12. 1317 Buckeye Ave.