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Hotel and Travel
Hotel and Reservations
ALERT - If you are contacted by a company that offers you a lower rate by giving them your credit card information, this is a scam. The only way to make a reservation is by calling the toll free number below or through the reservation link provided here.
Under no circumstances should an attendee offer credit card information to this or any similar organization.
The Conference will be held in Washington, DC. The Nation’s Capitol is one of the most popular destination cities in the United States visited by more than 15 million people each year. Home to countless monuments and museums, DC also has more than 150 embassies. With an excellent public transportation system (Metro) just steps from your hotel, seeing all the city has to offer is easy. And, since most museums and attractions are free, Washington is very affordable.
Hotel and Reservations
Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Reservations: 877-212-5752
The hotel room block and all Conference sessions are at the Marriott Wardman Park. The great location of the hotel blends charm and modern sophistication with an historical landmark setting. Having hosted a long list of U.S. Presidents, dignitaries and other VIPs, the Washington Marriott Wardman Park is the perfect choice among luxury hotels in downtown Washington DC. Situated on 16 acres of gorgeously maintained gardens, this hotel is just steps from some of Washington's most popular tourist attractions and neighborhoods. You'll also have your choice of restaurants with over 100 eateries within walking distance of the hotel.
To reserve a hotel room, you may make your reservations online or call the numbers above. Note that reservations will be accepted only when accompanied by a credit card guarantee or a deposit of the first night’s room and tax.
Deadline for receipt of reservations: March 13, 2013. When contacting the hotel by telephone, identify yourself as an attendee of the 54th Annual Drosophila Research Conference.
While neither the Marriott Wardman Park nor the GSA staff can assist in finding or assigning roommates, individuals looking for roommates may check the online bulletin board at the Drosophila Conference website.
The Marriott Wardman Park will process reservation requests on a first-come, first-served basis. For general information about the hotel go to the Marriott Wardman Park website
Again, the deadline for RECEIPT of hotel reservations is March 13, 2013. However, we encourage you to make your reservation as soon as possible as the block may sell out early.
Room Rates
Single (1 person) - $235 Double (2 persons) - $235 Additional Person in any room - $20
All rates are per room, per night and do not include local room tax (currently 14.5%) tax. Maximum occupancy per room is four people.
Room Reservation Guarantee and Cancellation
Reservation must be guaranteed with one-night’s room deposit by major credit card. It is the hotel’s policy to charge your credit card the one night's room and tax deposit at the time you make your reservation. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance of the day of arrival to obtain a refund of the deposit.
Though the Marriott Wardman Park is handicapped accessible, it is the guest’s responsibility to advise the hotel of special needs as far in advance as possible. Every effort will be made to accommodate special needs.
Ground Transportation
Ground Transportation
The hotel is uniquely situated close to three airports. If you are flying into Reagan National Airport, the hotel is currently less than a $3.00 fare via the Metro system. The hotel is on Metro’s Red Line and the stop is Woodley Park. If you fly into BWI you can take the Amtrak Train to Union Station (approximately $9) and connect to the Metro system. Shuttle van service and taxis are available at Reagan National, Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International Airports. The approximate costs for one way taxi or shuttle service from the airport to the Omni Shoreham Hotel are as follows:
The hotel offers detailed driving directions if attendees would like to drive to the meeting.
Parking
The hotel offers both valet (currently $39 daily) and self-park (currently $34 daily) Washington, DC is a very “walkable” city and the Metro system is easy to navigate so a car is generally not needed.
VISA & Passports
As part of security procedures, applications for visas are sent to the U.S. State Department for a security review. For further information, visit the State Department Web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa. You can also visit the "International Visitors Office" Web site at http://www.nationalacademies.org/visas.
Requests for Letters of Invitation
For security purposes, letters of invitation can only be sent to individuals that have registered for the meeting. After you have registered, you will be given a link to generate your letter of invitation. If you have questions, please contact Suzy Brown (sbrown@genetics-gsa.org).
NEW for International Visitors
Visitors traveling to the United States from all countries (including the visa waiver countries) are required to register personal details online at least three (3) days in advance of travel. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form you usually complete enroute to the United States. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. DHS recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin travel plans. Click here for further details.
VISAS LINKS
Meeting attendees are advised to apply for a visa as early as possible (at least three months before visa is needed). Registration refunds will not be issued for denied visas. As part of security procedures, applications for visas are sent to the U.S. State Department for a security review. For further information, visit the
State Department Web site. We advise scientists traveling to the United States to apply for a visa as early as possible (at least six months before the visa is needed). Please check with your local U.S. consulate or embassy to find out the earliest that you may apply for a visa. For further information and a list of your local US embassy (or consulate), please click
here.
To assist you with the Visa application process:
- Apply for visa at least six (6) months in advance. For countries that are on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, the State Department suggests applying for a visa six (6) to eight (8) months in advance.
- Provide your entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of visa application.
- If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application.
- Provide proof of scientific status. For example, proof that you submitted an abstract for the meeting. Do not wait until you receive notification that your abstract has been accepted before applying for a visa. It is very rare that an abstract is denied. If your abstract followed the rules and guidelines, it will be programmed.
- Provide meeting Web site (http://www.drosophila-conf.org/2013) and copy of your letter of invitation.
- Provide evidence that you are intending to return to your country of residence. This includes such things as:
- family ties in current country of residence
- property ownership
- bank account
- an employment contract or statement from employer showing that position will continue after the dates of the meeting
- Requirements vary by passport-issuing country and citizenship (not merely residency).
NOTE: Some consulates may have backlogs in scheduling visa interviews so applicants should first contact the consulate to determine what wait times for interviews are. Click
here for visa wait times.
VISA Problems
For applications that have not been approved 30 days after the interview you should complete an
online questionnaire. You will be asked to name the meeting (53rd Annual Drosophila Research Conference) and explain the purpose of your visit. Click
herefor visa wait times.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP): The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. To learn more about the VISA Waiver Program,
click here
USA Visa Policy Resources – click here.
PASSPORT INFORMATION
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