2011 Conference Details
Registration, Lodging, and Travel
EXHIBITORS
There are table-top exhibit spaces available for corporations, agencies, centers and university/college programs to market themselves to FDRS Participants. Exhibit space will be featured in a prime location for maximizing visibility to participants. Space is limited, thus reserve your exhibit space today! For additional information about exhibit space please contact Mike Schroder at 410-704-3742 or mschroder@towson.edu
Exhibits can be set-up as early as 8 am on Saturday, October 15th. Those interested in marketing to the students participating in the food marketing challenge should set-up early. All exhibits should be set-up by 6 pm on Sunday, October 16th and must be taken down by Tuesday, October 18th by 1:00 pm.
Those interested in registering for exhibit space can use the same registration form for participants. A section for the exhibit fees has been included on the registration form.
POSTER DISPLAYS
Research posters accepted will be displayed in the Hotel Conference Function area starting Monday, October 17th at 8:00 am. Authors will be available at their posters for discussion on Monday, October 17th and Tuesday, October 18th during the breaks and before and after lunch on Monday.
For Poster Authors: Set-up for posters on the 4’x 8’ poster boards will be on Monday morning from 7:30 am – 8:00 am. Please have one of the authors of the poster available for discussion during the breaks on Monday and Tuesday and before/after lunch Monday. Posters can be displayed until Tuesday, 1:00 pm, please have your poster removed by this time.
LODGING AND ROOM RATES
A block of lodging rooms is being held at the hotel at the special conference rate of $149 plus tax per room per night for single-quad occupancy rooms. Please make your reservation with the FDRS or Food Distribution Room-Block (the conference is committed to filling so many rooms at the hotel so please make sure you mention this particular room block).
To reserve a room, please call 1-800-HILTONS (445-8667). Be sure you tell them that you are with the FOOD DISTRIBUTION RESEARCH SOCIETY/FDRS Conference or you can do you reservation online at the website set-up from Hilton Portland for FDRS:
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/P/PDXPHHH-FRS-20111010/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
Rooms at the conference rate are available beginning with check-in as early as Tuesday, October 11th through Sunday, October 23rd (check-out). Check-in time is 3:00 PM; check-out time is 12:00 pm.
Please make your reservations before September 10, 2011. After this date, the room block will be dropped, and the conference rate can no longer be guaranteed and if the hotel FDRS room block fills up prior to this date check the web-site or contact the hotel for additional lodgng options.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
All attendees, including speakers, are required to register for the conference. A number of fee options are available, and are listed on the registration form.
There are three ways you can register:
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1.Fill in the form in the conference brochure (COMING SOON), clip and mail with check or credit card payment to:
Attn. Mike Schroder,
Extended Education and Online Learning (EEOL)
7400 York Rd., Suite 401
Towson, MD 21204
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2.Fax the form with your credit card payment to the Conference Registrar at (410) 296-7482, or
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3.Register online and pay by credit card on our secure website hosted by Towson University by going to:
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https://extendeded.towson.edu/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?~~11FDRS00-001
To qualify for the early fees, your registration and payment must be received by September 1, 2011.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Refund and Cancellation Policy: Requests for refunds will be honored if received no later than seven calendar days prior to the start of the conference, less a $100 administrative charge. However, another person may be substituted at any time for this program. In the unlikely event that this program is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, your registration fee will be refunded minus the $100 administrative fee. FDRS nor Towson University cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including cancellation or change charges assessed by airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organization.
Towson University and FDRS does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services, or special accommodations for this program please discuss your needs with Mike Schroder at 410-704-3742 or mschroder@towson.edu before August 1, 2011.
TRAVEL
To arrange for ground transportation visit the following website (there are many options – recommend that if you don’t need a car to do the train/rail. Parking at the hotel is $20 self-park per night and $27 valet per night)
http://www.portofportland.com/PDX_Grnd_Trnsprtn.aspx
Visit the following website for exact driving directions:
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/PDXPHHH-Hilton-Portland-Executive-Tower-Oregon/directions.do
Directions to Hilton Portland and Executive Tower
**PLEASE NOTE: the hotel consists of two buildings (Main & Executive Tower). Please review your reservation room type for building assignment. For your convenience, if your room assignment states EXECUTIVE TOWER, you may arrive and park there directly.
The Executive Tower's entrance is located at 545 SW Taylor between 5th and 6th Avenues.
From the Airport - Take I-205 SOUTH and exit onto I-84 WEST. At the end of I-84 West you will reach a junction of I-5 North and South. Go SOUTH toward Salem (to your left). Immediately follow the City Center signs, which will take you across the Morrison Bridge. Head STRAIGHT through the traffic light near the end of the bridge onto SW Washington St. Take Washington 1 block and then turn LEFT onto 3rd Avenue. Take 3rd Avenue 4 blocks and then turn RIGHT onto SW Taylor St. Take Taylor 3 blocks and our front doors for the Executive Tower will be on your right-hand side.
** To arrive at the MAIN building, continue on SW Taylor 1 block and turn LEFT onto SW Broadway, LEFT on Salmon Street, LEFT on SW 6th Avenue, our Main building front doors are on left hand side of 6th Avenue.
From the North (Seattle) Southbound on I-5
Take exit 300B off of I-5 Southbound. After exiting, follow the City Center signs which will take you across the Morrison Bridge. Head STRAIGHT through the traffic light near the end of the bridge onto SW Washington St. Take Washington 1 block and then turn LEFT onto 3rd Avenue. Take 3rd Avenue 4 blocks and then turn RIGHT onto SW Taylor St. Take Taylor 3 blocks and our front doors for the Executive Tower will be on your right-hand side.
** To arrive at the MAIN building, continue on SW Taylor 1 block and turn LEFT onto SW Broadway, LEFT on Salmon Street, LEFT on SW 6th Avenue, our Main building front doors are on left hand side of the 6th Avenue.
Portland International Airport (PDX)
http://www.portofportland.com/flights.aspx
Distance from hotel: 9 miles
Directions: Airport Way: RT on HWY 205 South; RT on I-84 west; Approx. 4 miles, Follow signs to City Center/Morrison St. Go over Morrison Bridge; Go straight 5 blocks; LT on SW Broadway; LT on Salmon, LT on SW 6th Ave. Front doors will be on the left.
Transportation to and from the Airport
Limousine, typical minimum charge 50.00 USD
Super Shuttle, typical minimum charge 14.00 USD
Rental Car, typical minimum charge 40.00 USD
Subway/Rail, typical minimum charge 2.40 USD
Taxi, typical minimum charge 35.00 USD
McNary Field
Distance from hotel: 52 miles
Drive time: approx. 1.5 hours
Directions: Take Interstate 5, exit to interstate 405 (only one direction available). Exit 6th Avenue. Follow 6th Ave for 12 blocks. Hotel front doors and valet service will be on the left, just passed Salmon street.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Distance from hotel: 175 miles
Drive time: approx. 2.5 hours
Airline Reservation Information
For assistance with airline reservations, check out the direct webpage for the airline you will be flying or these other travel web sites at
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
University educators, researchers, food industry executives and managers, food consultants, and government analysts, government agency personnel, food safety personnel, farmer/flower/wine market owners and managers, extension personnel, economists and food lobbyists are the primary audience for this conference. Students interested in the food industry and commodity promotion evaluation are encouraged to attend.
