NORDP 2019: What to Know Before You Go

Greetings NORDP 2019 Attendees:

Are you ready for #NORDP2019? We’re  looking forward to welcoming you to the Omni Providence, where we have a sold-out crowd for our 11th Annual Conference! This is our first full-three-day event, so get ready for more speakers, more sponsors, more hours of valuable content, and more fun.

Here are a few important details that should help you prepare for your arrival in Providence, RI.

Getting There:
T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is 10 miles from the Omni Providence Hotel. Logan Airport (BOS) is 50 miles from the hotel.

Ground transportation

• Taxi: From PVD to the Omni Providence, the cost is approximately $35.
• Lyft: Taking a Lyft from PVD will cost $12-17, on average.
• Bus from BOS: Peter Pan Bus Company from Logan Airport to Kennedy Plaza, Providence, will cost $24.
• Train: Amtrak offers daily service between Providence Station and Boston South Station ($22-45); Providence Station is a 10-minute walk to the Omni.

Parking:
The Omni Providence has valet parking onsite. Overnight valet is $32 with unlimited in/out privileges. There are additional fees for late pick-up after 3 p.m. on the day of departure.

Valet Parking Rates:

• Up to 90 minutes: $9
• 90 mins to 2.5 hours: $12
• 2.5 hours to 10 hours: $16

Self-parking is available at the Rhode Island Convention Center next door; rates may vary.

Conference Program
As in past years, in our effort to maintain greener standards, we will not be providing a printed program. If you prefer a paper version, the full conference program is now available on our website. Download it here, or refer to the detailed program schedule on our handy mobile app.

NORDP Conference Mobile App!
Partnering with Attendify, we have created a conference app for your convenience at NORDP 2019. To access, go to your app store, and search for and download the ATTENDIFY app. Then search for “NORDP 2019” and click on “Join.” You will need to create a profile. You will then be connected to your fellow conference attendees, receive push notifications about happenings and updates during the conference, locate sessions and rooms, find information on sponsors and speakers, and create your personal schedule! Download the app today on your smartphone or tablet, and see how informative and easy to use it is.

WIFI
Complementary WiFi is available throughout the Omni Providence meeting rooms. To access:

• Connect to Omni Meeting
• Launch your Internet browser and go to a webpage; you will be automatically directed to login to Omni Meeting Room
• Enter access code: NORDP2019!
• Select “Access Internet”

Conference Attire
Attire for the conference is business casual, and casual after hours. Remember workout clothes/shoes if you’ll take part in morning exercise. The forecast is for seasonal temperatures; Northeast springs are cool during the day and night (62/45 F), with rain  possible.

Stay Connected on Social Media
Do you Tweet? Follow NORDP on Twitter @NORDP_official, and connect with other conference attendees by Tweeting with the hashtag #NORDP2019. A prize will be awarded on Wednesday at the conference for the attendee who Tweets the most using the hashtag! You can also sign up to be a Social Media Volunteer at the conference.

Conference Career Center
Employers and recruiters will be onsite to speak to you about career opportunities. For more information, to view posted jobs or to request an interview, please see the NORDP website.

NORDP Store
Get your NORDP-branded gear in Providence, including t-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs. Visit us Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, noon-6 pm. We accept Venmo payments (@NORDP-Treasurer) or personal checks to NORDP; no cash payments please. The pop-up store will have limited stock onsite, but additional colors/sizes/styles can be ordered online until May 10.

SUNDAY EVENTS:
2:30-4:30 pm  Committee Meetings
4:30-5:30 pm  Concurrent Events:

• New Member & First-Time Attendee Orientation
• Mentoring Meet-up
• PUI Affinity Group Kick-Off

5:30-7 pm  Welcome Reception
Please join us in the Ballroom at 5:30 on Sunday evening to meet and greet other NORDP 2019 attendees!

Morning Walk/Run/Swim/Bike/Stress Reduction
As in past years, you can meet up with fellow conference-goers for morning exercise or meditation. Groups will meet in the hotel lobby at 6 am, unless otherwise posted. Don’t forget your workout clothes and shoes. A limited number of bikes will be available near the hotel, and we encourage you to bring your own yoga mat for the stress-reduction class.

• Volunteer to Lead a Walk/Run/Bike
• Volunteer to Help at Stress Reduction Class
• Join a Walk/Run/Bike/Swim/Stress Reduction Class

A Conference Favorite: The Idea Showcase and Reception, Tuesday, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
We highly encourage you to attend this afternoon event: The Idea Showcase is a poster session designed for individuals or small teams to present their own approaches to problems and solutions in research development, to showcase best practices, or to introduce innovative ideas. Get a glass of wine, visit with presenters, meet-and-greet candidates for the Board of Directors, chat with current Board members and explore options to get involved with NORDP’s many standing committees.

Optional Networking Dinners
Join other conference attendees for dinner at some great local establishments on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Some dinners will also feature an informal discussion around a research development topic of interest. Each dinner guest pays his or her own way and groups are limited in size. Registration is required. Please visit the following links to sign up:
Monday, April 29
Tuesday, April 30

NORDP Sponsors
Please make time to stop by our sponsor exhibits in the Ballroom to chat with them and find out what’s new in their businesses to enhance your RD activities.  There will be fantastic sponsor giveaways.  Our sponsors make the conference happen!

Evaluation: Make the annual Research Development conferences better every year!
NORDP conference planners need your feedback! Each day during the conference, you will receive an e-mail asking you about that day’s activities.  To continue to provide you with the most valuable conference experience possible, the surveys will have questions about session content and format, as well as the venue and its services.  We’ll want to know if the sessions are relevant to you, and what your suggestions are for future meetings. If you complete your daily survey, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win cool stuff.

Do you have time to sightsee? Need restaurant recommendations?
Check out the website and the awesome Interactive Map created by our local planning team, or get the details for shopping, restaurants and attractions right in the conference app!

Thank you for registering, and we look forward to seeing you there!

The NORDP 2019 Planning Team