Logistics

Workshop Details

As you make your travel plans, please remember that the workshop will begin on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 with a reception at 5:00 pm, and dinner at 5:45 pm. The workshop will conclude at 5:30 pm on Friday, June 16 after the closing program. Travel days for the Change Agents are Tuesday, June 13 and for most, Saturday, June 17 although some may choose to depart on Friday evening after the closing program.

Travel

We will cover your travel (economy air fare, ground transportation in Washington, and economy parking at the airport). We can book your flight through our travel agent, or you can make your own flight arrangements. If you choose to book your own flight, we cannot reimburse you until after the workshop takes place. It usually takes 4-5 weeks for reimbursements to be completed after all the necessary paperwork has been received, so it is advantageous for you if we book your flight. If you choose to book your own flight, please be sure to choose an economy fare.

If you are driving to the workshop, we can reimburse your mileage. Please note, if you choose to drive to the workshop and your driving expenses exceed the cost of an economy flight, we will only be able to reimburse you up to the cost of the economy fare.

Arriving by Air

If you arrive by air, it will take ~45 minutes to travel from the Seattle-Tacoma airport to the workshop location. We recommend you schedule your flight into Seattle to arrive no later than 3:30 pm so you will have enough time for travel from the airport to the hotel and check-in at the workshop. We will provide information so groups of participants whose flights are arriving close to each other can share a ride. Groups of participants can share a taxi (~$60/~45 minute ride). Other options would be for individuals to take the Shared Ride Van SuperShuttle (~$40 per person/~55 minute ride) or the Sound Transit Bus route 574 (~$4).

If you want us to book your flights, we ask that you submit your travel request information via the travel information form. Christy Bennett will communicate with you via email after we have information from the travel agent based on your request. We ask you to submit your travel information via the form anytime between now and April 19. If everyone on your team wants to travel on the same flight, please coordinate with each other before you submit your request via the form. All team members wishing to travel together should indicate that request on the travel information form and submit it within a day or two of each other.

If you are booking your own flight, please submit your flight information using the travel information form by April 19.

Arriving by Car

The hotel offers complimentary parking for our group on the second and third floor of the parking garage. Please stop by the front desk of the hotel to pick up a key for access to the parking garage. If you are driving to the workshop, please submit the information regarding your arrival and departure via the travel information form by April 19.

Hotel Check-in:

Workshop participants will be staying in single rooms at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacoma Downtown. Hotel check-in is at 3:00pm and check-out is at noon. Depending on availability, the hotel may allow you to check-in early if your room is ready. If you arrive early, you can inquire at the front desk to see if they are able to accommodate you. If your room is not ready, the hotel will hold your luggage at the front desk until you are able to check-in.

Please note: The hotel requires each guest to provide a credit card or debit card when they check-in. The hotel places a $25 per night hold for any incidental charges you may incur. They will release the hold within 3 to 8 days after checkout.

The hotel offers complimentary wifi and will provide a password at check-in.

Hotel Front Desk: 253-272-2434. Hotel Address: 2102 South C. Street, Tacoma, Washington 98402

What to bring:

Dress will be casual during the workshop. The weather might be variable. Please be prepared for cool air-conditioned buildings and warm or cool outdoors. Rain sometime during the week is possible.

Please bring a laptop computer and water bottle (we will not be providing bottled water).

Meals

All breakfasts will be provided at the hotel. The complimentary, expanded continental breakfast is served in the dining room located on the ground level. The hot breakfast includes bacon or sausage, omelets or scrambled eggs, a pancake maker and assorted bread, yogurt, and cereal. Lunches and dinners will either be catered, at a nearby restaurant, or on your own. All meals will include vegetarian offerings. Please provide information on the registration form if you require special meals. We expect to be able to satisfy most food preferences and restrictions.

What to expect

The workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacoma Downtown. Tacoma is a small city on Puget Sound, about 30 miles south of Seattle. The climate is typical of the Pacific Northwest. Plan to bring clothes you can layer. The meeting rooms may be air conditioned.

More information about the local area:

Several local attractions are within walking distance of the hotel and campus.

If you wish to explore the local geology before or after the workshop, some local field guides include: