Wednesday, June 29 - Saturday, July 2, 2011
Sea Grant, NMEA Board and other meetings take place on June 27-28.
There is also an optional Sea Perch ROV workshop on June 27-28.

The conference will take place at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston is the largest city in New England and home to countless cultural facilities, universities, and historical sites. The conference hub will be located in NU’s Curry Student Center. For additional information about Boston, visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/visitors/
For additional information about Northeastern University visit www.neu.edu. Campus map is available at http://www.northeastern.edu/campusmap/

Registration opens Tuesday afternoon at 2pm so you can get settled in before field trips start Wednesday morning. The conference begins Wednesday with field trips to a variety of cultural and marine science facilities and sites, followed by an evening welcome reception. Thursday starts with the Buddy Breakfast for new and seasoned conference attendees followed by a day of concurrent sessions. Thursday evening everyone will step aboard Boston’s Duck Boats for a tour of the city, both on land and in the water, ending outside the New England Aquarium. Grab dinner on your own from the various restaurants found near the Aquarium, including the famous Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. (Make sure to say it like a local – “Quinn-Z Market and “Fan-yule Hall”) After dinner join us at the Aquarium for dessert and open access to the exhibits. Friday is a day full of concurrent sessions. In the evening attendees will be bused to ferries that bring us out to Thompson Island in Boston Harbor for a traditional clambake, jazz, and the best views of Boston Harbor (bring layers!). Saturday is the third and final day of concurrent sessions. Saturday night is the silent and live auction (make sure to bring your checkbooks) and dancing. Sunday join your colleagues for one final breakfast gathering before the conference officially ends.

Make sure you consider extending your option to stay in the Northeastern dorms thought through the holiday weekend. Enjoy one of the best Independence Day celebrations in the country and be within walking distance or a short T ride (the subway system – officially the MBTA) of many of the main events!

For complete conference details see the Schedule page.

• Call for Presentations: February 18, 2011
• Scholarships applications due March 1, 2011
• Expanding Audiences stipend nominations due April 1, 2011
• Traditional Knowledge stipend nominations due April 1, 2011
• All award nominations due by April 1, 2011
• Advance Registration closes: April 15, 2011
• On-line Registration closes: June 24, 2011

Press this link to get to the registration page

Exhibitors can register for $200 for the two days that the Exhibit Hall will be open. Those days are Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2. You will register via the conference Registration Page.

The following meals are included in registration: cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on Wednesday evening at the welcome event, a dessert reception at the New England Aquarium on Thursday, and dinner on Saturday night at the live auction. During registration there is an option to include a meal plan. This plan costs $70 and will provide four breakfasts and three lunches (breakfast on Wed June 29, Thursday June 30, Friday July 1, and Saturday July 2 and lunch on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). During registration you can also opt to purchase a boxed lunch ($11) for the field trip on Wednesday and tickets to the clambake on Friday evening ($50 for attendees and $100 for guests) which includes the ferry ride and bus transportation. Dinner on Thursday night is on your own at one of the many restaurants around the New England Aquarium. We will offer a variety of foods throughout the conference. A vegetarian option will be available at all meals. Attendees staying off campus can still participate in the meal plan option. If you choose to not participate in the meal plan there are numerous food options near by. There is a food court in the Curry Student Center as well as numerous restaurants on Huntington Street, which borders Northeastern. Kenmore Square, just outside of Fenway Park is also within walking distance and offers many pubs and sports bars.

On-campus housing is located in Northeastern's newest dorm facility, International Village, for the conference at a rate of $67 per night. Private, single bedrooms with semi-private baths will be offered. Features/Amenities available include:
 * NU provides pillows, linens, towels, hangers and an amenities pack
 * Central air
 * Elevators
 * Laundry facilities
 * Vending Areas
 * TV/Study Lounges
 * 24/7 staffed proctor stations
If you do not wish to take advantage of the low prices of the dorms, there are many local hotels just blocks away. A block of rooms has been reserved at the MidTown Hotel (www.midtownhotel.com). If you do not register for housing at the Northeastern dorms you are responsible for making your own lodging accommodations. Make sure to book early since Boston hotels fill up for the July Fourth weekend and rates go up – another reason to take advantage of the dorm housing. You won’t be able to find better prices than the dorm rates anywhere in the city.

Full refunds will be made, minus a $50 processing fee, before May 29, 2011.
Due to the deposits and attendance-based orders that need to be made with caterers, transportation companies and other conference service providers, no refunds will be given after May 29, 2011.

Yes, you will be able to request a roommate. If you do not request a specific roommate you will be placed with someone of the same gender. All dorm rooms contain two private bedrooms with a shared common area and bathroom.

You can check into your room by going to the dorm, most likely International Village (refer to the campus map at http://www.northeastern.edu/campusmap/). Once there your name will be on a list and you can receive your key. Conference registration takes place in the Curry Student Center.

The general sessions will take place in the Curry Student Center (http://www.northeastern.edu/campusmap/). This is just steps away from the dorms and located in the middle of Northeastern’s campus. Unlike many other city campuses, Northeastern has an actual campus away from busy downtown streets. Keynote sessions will occur in Matthews Arena, a five minute walk from Curry Student Center. The Curry Student Center will be the central location of our conference.

Field trips will take place on Wednesday June 29th. Make sure to sign up during registration. Field trips may get canceled if there are not enough people signed up by a set date – so don’t wait!

Yes, you may bring your family. Boston is a fun, family destination and there is a lot to keep your family busy while you are attending sessions. While we do not recommend bringing children to sessions, we will have family rate tickets available for the evening events. There are many museums, cultural attractions, and historical attractions within walking distance or public transportation of Northeastern. The Freedom Trail is a highlight and costs nothing unless you opt for a guided tour (http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/). Northeastern is also located just blocks from historic Fenway Park and was actually the site of the first World Series. Make sure to find the home plate on campus commemorating that historic event. The Red Sox are out of town during much of the conference, but games are available days after the conference. If you want to get in a game – start looking now. Every home game since 2003 has sold out. However tours are available of America’s oldest and most famous ballpark, even if the Sox are out of town.

Boston is accessible by three major airports as well as multiple bus and train lines. It is also accessible via I-90, and I-93. Public transportation from Logan Airport eliminates the need to rent a car. See full travel details below.

Airports:
Boston Logan is the closest airport and is only a short T (subway) ride away. Most major airlines service Logan airport. Also check Manchester Boston Regional Airport located in southern New Hampshire or TF Green International Airport just outside of Providence, Rhode Island. These airports sometimes offer a cheaper fair, but are 1 to 1.5 hours drive away from Boston or have shuttle service to and from Boston or Amtrak options. See details about a free shuttle service to Boston from Manchester Boston Regional Airport below.

Train/Bus:
Amtrak as well as most major bus lines run into both North Station and South Station - the two major commuter hubs in Boston. Both stations are on the T and only a short ride away from Northeastern University via the subway or a cab. See “Getting to Northeastern via public transportation” below.

Public transportation:
The MBTA, or Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is the public transportation provider of Boston. The subway, locally known as “the T” is an easy and efficient way to get around and has two lines (orange and green) that have stops on Northeastern’s campus. The MBTA also offers bus service, commuter rail service, as well as ferry service. Single trip, daily or weekly passes can be purchased and are called “Charlie Cards”. Visit www.mbta.com for more information. If buying fare cards, make sure to notice if you are purchasing a card that is good for the bus, the subway, the commuter rail or a combination. Most likely the standard subway/bus pass will meet your needs.

Driving Directions to Northeastern University

VISITOR DIRECTIONS AND PARKING, MAIN CAMPUS
From the north (via Route I-93 or Route 1)
Take the Storrow Drive exit, and proceed to the Fenway exit. Follow signs for Boylston Street inbound, and bear right onto Westland Avenue. Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue, proceed to the third traffic light, and turn right onto Columbus Avenue. The Renaissance Parking Garage is at 835 Columbus Avenue.

From the west (via Route I-90, Massachusetts Turnpike)
Take Exit 22 (Copley Square), and bear right. Proceed to the first traffic light, and turn right onto Dartmouth Street. Take the next right onto Columbus Avenue. The Renaissance Parking Garage is at 835 Columbus Avenue.

From the west (via Route 9)
Proceed east on Route 9; it will become Huntington Avenue. Turn right onto Ruggles Street. At the fourth traffic light, turn left onto Tremont Street. At the second set of lights, turn left onto Melnea Cass Boulevard, and then turn left onto Columbus Avenue. The Renaissance Parking Garage is at 835 Columbus Avenue.

From the south (via I-93, Route 3)
Take Exit 18 (Massachusetts Avenue/Roxbury/Frontage Road). Turn left at the third light, staying in one of the two left lanes. Proceed straight onto Melnea Cass Boulevard. Continue for approximately two miles and turn left onto Columbus Avenue. The Renaissance Parking Garage is at 835 Columbus Avenue.

From Logan Airport
Exiting Logan Airport, merge onto Route I-90 West/Mass Pike/Ted Williams Tunnel. Proceed about 1.5 miles, and then take Exit 24 toward Route I-93. Merge onto Route I-93 South via the exit on the left. Take Exit 18, Massachusetts Avenue, toward Andrew Square. Bear right onto the Massachusetts Avenue connector. Proceed straight on the connector, which becomes Melnea Cass Boulevard. Continue for approximately two miles and turn left onto Columbus Avenue. The Renaissance Parking Garage is at 835 Columbus Avenue.

From Manchester (NH)-Boston Regional Airport
Via automobile:
Exiting the airport, follow the signs to I-93 South, then follow driving directions to campus from the North via I-93.

Via public transportation:
The Manchester Airport Shuttle is a regularly scheduled bus service offered free of charge for Manchester-Boston Regional Airport's ticketed airline passengers. All passengers must show an airline ticket, boarding pass, or printed travel itinerary into or out of Manchester to be eligible to use this free service.
Buses depart from the outer curb adjacent to the main entrance walkway of the terminal. The bus service operates every two hours, 24-hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays), between the airport and the Sullivan Square MBTA Subway Station.
At the Sullivan Square station, take the MBTA Orange Line (Inbound towards Forest Hills), getting off at Ruggles Station.

Getting to Northeastern via public transportation
Northeastern is accessible by subway via the Green Line of the MBTA. From downtown Boston, take an “E” train outbound to the Northeastern stop, the first stop above ground. The campus can also be reached from downtown via the Orange Line by taking any train going outbound to Forest Hills and getting off at Ruggles Station. Commuter rail lines connect with the Orange Line at Ruggles Station, Back Bay Station, and North Station.
MBTA directions from Logan Airport to Ruggles Station at Northeastern University

Parking
Campus parking will be made available to conference attendees, through the campus parking office. Please indicate on the registration form that you will need a parking pass for the conference. This is a better rate and is a better guarantee of a place to park. Parking is also available in the Renaissance garage located on 835 Columbus Street right next to the Ruggles T stop. This garage does occasionally fill up. Daily parking rates do apply. To see the current parking rates visit http://www.northeastern.edu/parking/fees.html

Yes. Transportation to events will be provided. In addition Northeastern has two T stations as well as numerous bus lines and taxi services. Walking is also an option to many major Boston sites.

Boston can be hot in July with an average high of 82 and average low of 65. Evenings can be cool, even in the middle of the summer especially by the water. Make sure to bring warm clothes for evening events by the water or on ferry rides – it can get quite chilly sometimes. Layers will most likely be needed for evening ferry trips, for example to Thompson Island for the clambake.

Yes. Due to the timing of this conference we hope many people will choose to stay and take advantage of one of the biggest and best Independence Day celebrations in our country. You are able to extend your stay at Northeastern with a checkout date of Tuesday July 5th for the same low conference rates. Hotels in Boston during the holiday weekend typically reach $250+ per night. You will also be within walking distance of the firework display, as well as the famous Boston Pops July Fourth concert along the Charles River. Visit http://www.july4th.org/ for more details. You can check in as early as Sunday June 26th.

For a complete list of activities see the Things To Do page (This page will be posted shortly).

The Sea Grand Educators meeting wil be held across the river (about 1 mile) away from Northeastern at MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Contact Sea Grant for meeting specifics. The MBTA Bus #1 runs from MIT to parts of Northeastern via Cambridge Street or there are T stations at both universities.

The Sea Perch workshop is a great opportunity at a great price to create your own remotely operated vehicle, and learn how to teach the process to students. Participants will leave with their own ROVs, construction manual and curriculum. Tuesday is a full day, 8:30 – 4:30 and lunch is provided. Wednesday is a half day, 9:00 – 1:00, during which you will test your ROV in water. A snack will be provided. The fee for the workshop is $75.

Contact either tracy.hajduk@noaa.gov or robertc.rocha@gmail.com