Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the Symposium start and when does it end?
Registration for the symposium opens at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10. The formal activities begin first thing Monday morning, May 11th. The symposium will continue until the afternoon of Wednesday, May 13 (approximately 3:00 p.m.)
Q: Will meals be provided?
Starting on Monday May 11th, all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, will be provided during the symposium.
Q: How do I get to Sunriver?
A: The closest airport is Redmond (RDM) which is 45 minutes from Sunriver. Several airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta and United provide direct flight services to Redmond. Redmond offers daily direct flights to Denver, Portland, Los Angeles, San Fransicso, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.
Portland (PDX) is 3.5 hours from Sunriver and the drive from Portland along US 26 to Sunriver is very pleasant with good roads and beautiful scenery.
Additional information about traveling to Sunriver can be found on the resort's website: http://www.sunriver-resort.com/resort/sunriver-oregon-directions
Q: Does the resort offer airport shuttle service?
A: Shuttle service is available from the Bend/Redmond airport to Sunriver Resort. The resort will arrange for shuttles and pricing varies depending on the size of the group for each shuttle trip. Participants should consider utilizing the shuttle because once at the Sunriver Resort, there will be little need for a rental car. Reservations should be made at least 72 hours in advance.
For more information including cost and to make reservations call the front desk at: 541-593-1000 or contact Guest Services Manager, Megan Roe at 541-593-3840. You can also email your shuttle request to mroe@destinationhotels.com and include the following information:
· First and last name
· Number of guests
· Contact phone number
· Arrival flight number
· Arrival flight time
· Departure flight number
· Departure flight time
· Extra baggage information
To take advantage of cost savings, be sure to indicate that you are attending the Blue Waters Symposium and you are willing to share the shuttle with other guests who may be traveling at the same time.
There are also taxis that go from Redmond to Sunriver. Approximate cost is $65.00 one way.
Q: I am interested in carpooling to/from one of the airports that is farther away (e.g. Portland). How can I find someone who is driving to Sunriver and willing to take an extra rider?
A: To help attendees coordinate travel and take advantage of carpool opportunities, a simple and easy to use site has been set up. If you are willing to take riders, or looking for someone who can give you a ride, please visit: http://www.groupcarpool.com/t/gkifp6
Q: My spouse/significant other will be traveling with me. Can he/she attend the evening meals with me?
A: Yes, you may bring a guest to the evening meals as long as the symposium organizers have bee notified by May 1st. When you register onsite and pick up your badge you will be asked to provide a check to cover the cost of the meal(s). For more information or to reserve a spot for a guest, email sympsoium@ncsa.illinois.edu.
Q:Is there child care available?
A: The child care resources that guests of the Sunriver resort have used in past are:
Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: There is no registration fee for the 2015 Blue Waters Symposium.
Q: Is there financial support available to cover travel and room accommodations?
A: NCSA and the Blue Waters project do not offer any financial support for the symposium to anyone who is not already directly funded by the Blue Waters project. Since the the symposium serves as the official meeting for National Science Foundation Blue Waters principal investigators, projects that were funded through NSF may have NSF funds that can be used to cover travel expenses. As stated in the recent NSF PRAC solicitation "The project budget must include attendance by PI or co-PI at an annual PI meeting organized by the Blue Waters project where progress and results will be shared and discussed."
