>Was last year's conference held at the same hotel? I just checked with our travel agent and the price I was given was US$179 per night. If you stayed at this hotel last year can you confirm that this rate is in the ballpark or is there a special price for people attending the conference.

No, it was not in the same hotel and not in the same city. :) But, two years ago it was in San Diego, however in a different hotel.

You may check with your travel agency. There is suppose to be a few minutes free shuttle from other hotels which are close and have extremly low cost.