SC09 Education Program Logistics

In a few days we will be in Portland! Bring your umbrella and your thirst for knowledge!

The agenda is available to view here: http://sc09.sc-education.org/conference/schedule.php

We are in the process of collecting materials from the instructors and they will be posted here as we receive them: http://sc09.sc-education.org/conference/materials.php.

We are very grateful to Intel for "loaning" us laptops for you to use during the four days in Portland. Laptops will be distributed Saturday morning, they will be your responsibility until you return them Tuesday afternoon. The Education Program’s computer infrastructure team is working hard to load the laptops with appropriate software, plus flash drives for additional items. There is no need to bring your own laptop as it will not be loaded with the correct software.

Surveys

One of the most important details for you is to complete the pre-conference, daily and post-conference surveys available via the National Computational Science Institute website.

Everyone should have filled out the pre-conference survey during August application review period, if not please do so. Then be sure to fill these out each day and after the conference as well. The instructors look at these each day and can make appropriate changes in their materials and presentations. Also, completing the surveys is also one of the requirements to getting your $250 commitment deposit back, along with attending and participating in all sessions and activities.

BOFs

Sunday and Monday evening there will be time to organize and attend several Birds of a Feather (BOF) sessions. If you would like to lead a BOF or have a particular topic you would like to see covered, please send a message to Dalma Hadziomerovic, dhadziomerovic@krellinst.org. There will be BOF sign ups available at the conference as well.

Exhibit Tour Volunteers

We have organized the schedule to visit the exhibit floor Tuesday, November 17 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. We are seeking volunteers to lead small groups of participants around the floor. If you are a returning Education Program participant and want to lead a group please contact Kathy Traxler at ktraxler@cct.lsu.edu.

Curriculum Fair

Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract for the curriculum fair. The poster abstracts are posted here: http://sc09.sc-education.org/conference/posters.php. Travel

Travel

Some people have asked me "when will we get our airline tickets?" Actually you will not receive paper tickets. You should have a confirmation from TravelOn. Print this confirmation and use it as your travel document. You can also check in online using your Airline Record Locator, usually found by opening the attachment sent with your confirmation. Beware there is a Booking Locator and an Airline Record Locator - you want the Airline Locator.

Housing

We are working out the final details of housing and making changes to match everyone arrival and departure dates. Keep checking your inbox for further details.

The Red Lion is located on Jantzen Beach, the address is 909 N. Hayden Island Drive, Portland; they can be reached by phone at 503-283-4466. The hotel is on an island and we have attached more information about the area. The hotel does offer a local shuttle service to get you around the island. For more information visit the Red Lion website.

Also keep in mind there are two Red Lion Hotels in Portland. Remember, Red Lion Hotel On The River – Jantzen Beach.

Hotel Airport Shuttle

The Red Lion Hotel On The River provides a complimentary shuttle and will be running every hour on Friday, November 13 and Wednesday, November 18 (our peak arrival and departure days).

After picking up your luggage at Baggage Claim, step outside and cross the drive to Island #2 – this is the hotel shuttle pick up island. Be sure you get on the Red Lion Hotel On The River shuttle. Remember there are two Red Lion hotels.

If you are arriving on Thursday, Saturday or Sunday the shuttle will not be as busy, so they will resume normal service, which is on demand. So when you arrive at the airport they suggest you give them a call and they will send a shuttle.

The hotel phone number is 503-283-4466.

Prior to your departure next week they request you stop by the front desk and sign up for your return shuttle to the airport. They have your departure time, but since some people may leave from the convention center they want an accurate account.

Registration

Don’t forget to stop by the lobby of the Red Lion Hotel On The River, Friday, November 13 from 6 pm – 9 pm to pick up your materials and badge. A welcome reception will also be held during the same time in the Washington Ballroom, lower level of the Red Lion Hotel. Light refreshments will be served.

For those who arrive later than 9 pm Friday, registration will be available at the Oregon Convention Center on Saturday, in Pre-Function C Lobby at the Education Program Booth.

Conference Shuttle

The Red Lion Hotel will be served by a conference shuttle to get us to and from the Oregon Convention Center. Here is the schedule:

  • Saturday: 7:00 am – 11:00 am; 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Sunday: 7:30 am – 11:30 am; 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Monday: 7:30 am – 11:30 am; 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 7:00 am – 11:00 am; 5:00 am – 9:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 7:00 am – 11:00 am; 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  • Thursday: 6:30 am – 10:30 am; 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
  • Friday: 7:30 am – 1:30 pm

Dress Code

We encourage everyone to be comfortable and encourage business casual attire. Remember that convention center meeting rooms can be chilly, so be prepared with appropriate jacket or sweater to keep warm.

Weather

I have looked at the 10-day forecast and it is calling for 50 degrees during the day, 40 degrees at night and rain. So be prepared for the cool, wet weather.