Travel Health Notice
Measles Vaccination
As of last update (2025-05-31), the CDC states that Texas’ measles outbreak shows signs of slowing, with fewer than 10 newly reported cases in the last week.
"This outbreak does appear to be leveling off, but the affected states remain hypervigilant, and that’s because it’s travel season,” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention incident manager Dr. Manisha Patel said Thursday of the southwestern outbreak, which also affects New Mexico and Oklahoma.
IREC Participants should verify they are fully vaccinated against measles and seek vaccination if they are not. The US CDC measles vaccination protocol recommends two doses, one month apart, with the second dose occurring at least 2 weeks before travel. Vaccination provides immunity for life and is safe and effective.
If you were born on or before 1968 in the US (exact date varies around the world) there may have been no vaccine or the vaccine/dosing schedule may have been less effective than today. Consult with your doctor to determine if you are a candidate for additional vaccination. More CDC vaccine information is here:
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html
The Texas Department of State Health Services tracks Texas measles cases in its dashboard here:
https://dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025
"This outbreak does appear to be leveling off, but the affected states remain hypervigilant, and that’s because it’s travel season,” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention incident manager Dr. Manisha Patel said Thursday of the southwestern outbreak, which also affects New Mexico and Oklahoma.
IREC Participants should verify they are fully vaccinated against measles and seek vaccination if they are not. The US CDC measles vaccination protocol recommends two doses, one month apart, with the second dose occurring at least 2 weeks before travel. Vaccination provides immunity for life and is safe and effective.
If you were born on or before 1968 in the US (exact date varies around the world) there may have been no vaccine or the vaccine/dosing schedule may have been less effective than today. Consult with your doctor to determine if you are a candidate for additional vaccination. More CDC vaccine information is here:
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html
The Texas Department of State Health Services tracks Texas measles cases in its dashboard here:
https://dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025
Specific Event Location Details
Monday, June 9, 2025 beginning at 9 AM until 4 PM
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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 beginning at 7 AM
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Optional Launch Livestream viewing in Midland at the Blakemore Planetarium
Beginning at 7 AM until 4:30 PM
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Blakemore Planetarium at Museum of the Southwest
1705 W. Missouri Ave. Midland, Texas 79701 Phone: (432) 683-2882 https://www.museumsw.org/planetarium |
Saturday, June 14, 2025, doors open at 6 PM, ceremony begins at 7 PM
Final Awards Ceremony
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George Bush Convention Center
105 North Main Street Midland, TX 79701 Phone: (432) 687-8250 https://www.bushconventioncenter.com/ |
Traveling to Midland, Texas by Air
The closest airport to Midland, Texas is the Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF).
The Lubbock (LBB), Abilene (ABI), and San Angelo (SJT) airports also have commercial air service and are within a 2.5 hour drive.
The nearest major international airports are El Paso (ELP) at 4.5 hour drive and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) at a 5 hour drive.
The Lubbock (LBB), Abilene (ABI), and San Angelo (SJT) airports also have commercial air service and are within a 2.5 hour drive.
The nearest major international airports are El Paso (ELP) at 4.5 hour drive and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) at a 5 hour drive.
Hotels & Lodging Information
The following hotels have graciously offered group rates for the week of the competition in
Midland, Texas
June 9th-14th, 2025.
Please use the links provided to make your reservations.
This information is updated regularly.
Midland, Texas
June 9th-14th, 2025.
Please use the links provided to make your reservations.
This information is updated regularly.
Hotel Name |
Link for Details |
Discount Rate |
$139 |
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Holiday Inn Express South I-20 900 Crump Street, Midland, TX Your Group Code is: IRE Book your group rate here |
$199 |
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Home2 Suites Midland East 4104 N. Big Spring St., Midland, TX |
$227 |
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott Midland South/I-20 912 Crump Street Midland, TX |
$292 |
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Midland Plaza Hotel 117 W Wall St, Midland, TX |
$136 |
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Comfort Suites Midland West 5606 Westridge Blvd, Midland, TX |
$98 |
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$139 |
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Hampton Inn 5011 West Loop 250 North, Midland, TX |
$196 |
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$214 |
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Home2 Suites by Hilton 1401 Catalina, Midland, TX |
$229 |
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$222 |
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Holiday Inn Express and Suites Loop 250 5309 West Loop 250 North, Midland, TX Your Group Code is: IRE Book your group rate here |
$188 |
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Residence Inn by Marriott 5509 Deauville Boulevard Midland, TX Book your group rate here Last Day to Book : Friday, May 16, 2025 |
$114 |
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$123 |
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TownPlace Suites by Marriott 5508 Deauville Boulevard Midland, TX Book your group rate Last Day to Book : Friday, May 16, 2025 |
$132 |
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Midland North 2606 North Loop 250 West Midland, TX |
No Rooms Available |
N/A |
Courtyard Midland 1505 Tradewind Blvd Midland, TX Book your group rate Last Day to Book : Wednesday, May 07, 2025 |
$89 |
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SpringHill Suites Midland Odessa 5716 Deauville Boulevard Midland, TX Your Group Code is: IRE Book your group rate Last Day to Book : Sunday, May 25, 2025 |
$189 |
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La Quinta - Odessa 4118 Faudree Road, Odessa, TX |
No Rooms Available |
N/A |
~$100 |
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Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Midland 5708 Starboard Drive, Midland, Tx |
No Rooms Available |
N/A |
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Odessa 4300 East 50th Street, Odessa, TX |
No Rooms Available |
N/A |
Courtyard Odessa 7241 Tres Hermanas Boulevard Odessa, TX Book your group rate Last Day to Book: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
$149 |
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Residence Inn Odessa 7261 Tres Hermanas Boulevard Odessa, TX Book your group rate Last Day to Book: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
$149 |
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$178 |
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$130 |
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$129 |
Other Texas related travel websites of interest:
- Visit Midland - Midland, Texas Visitors Guide
- Discover Odessa - Odessa, Texas Visitors Guide
- National Park Service
- Tour Texas
- Texas Time Travel
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