Greetings NORDP 2024 Attendees:
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the 2024 NORDP Conference in Bellevue, WA! Get ready for inspiring keynotes, fantastic presentations, and plentiful opportunities to grow connections with your RD colleagues. We have put together the following guide that we hope will be helpful as you prepare for your arrival in Bellevue.
🙂 NORDP Conference Concierge
The NORDP Conference Concierge (not to be confused with the Hyatt Concierge desk!) is located in the 2nd level of the Conference Space, outside the Grand Ballroom. It’s more than just a location! It will be staffed by event management professionals and our wonderful NORDP member volunteers. It’s a place to go when you have a question or problem to be solved, are unsure, or just need a break. For those of you who are new(er) to NORDP, the NORDP Concierge Desk is a great place to learn about NORDP as an organization (e.g., what committees are available to join? Who is on the Board? How can I get involved?).
Stop by the NORDP Conference Concierge Desk anytime during these hours:
- Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
In addition to the NORDP Concierge Desk, you can use the Whova App to directly message Conference Organizers. Find this feature under Community → Ask Organizers Anything.
🚙 Shuttle & Parking
NORDP Shuttle
- We are offering a shuttle bus to and from the conference venue and the Seattle/Tacoma International Airport on Sunday and Wednesday for any interested attendees.
- You can learn more about this option and register for a seat on the shuttle here. The cost per person for a one way trip is $25. Please note that there are limited public transportation options to the conference venue.
- To take the shuttle: The shuttle will be departing from the charter bus pickup lot at Seattle/Tacoma International Airport. To catch the shuttle: (1) Head to baggage claim 15&16. (2) Take the elevator one level up (parking garage level) and cross bridge 5 or 6 to reach the parking garage. (3) Once you arrive at the parking garage, follow the signs for charter buses to reach the charter bus pickup lot.
Parking at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside
- Self-parking is available at the hotel for $35/day with in and out privileges. Guests who are staying at the hotel on Friday and Saturday nights receive complimentary self-parking for those days. Upon check-in, please let the front desk know you have a vehicle to ensure you receive in and out privileges.
- Valet parking is available for $45/day with in and out privileges.
- For more information on how to access the parking lot, please visit the hotel webpage here.
Rideshare
- For rideshares such as Uber or Lyft from Seattle Tacoma International Airport to the hotel, the price is expected to range from $60-75 one way.
- There is a ‘Airport Ride Sharing’ thread in the Whova app under the Community section that you may use to coordinate with other attendees.
Rental Cars
- The Seattle Tacoma International Airport has a number of rental car services. For detailed information on how to get to the rental car facility, please visit this webpage here.
Light Rail
- For those looking to explore locally, Seattle’s East Link Light Rail, between South Bellevue to Redmond Technology Station, is opening April 27, 2024. The Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, (900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue WA) is conveniently situated near the Bellevue Downtown Station, (searchable in Maps) of this Line. This station is approximately a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
- Make sure to stop at the ticket kiosks upon arrival to purchase a round ticket pass for wherever you are going, (prices range from $3.00 to $6.50), and keep your ticket on your person.
For more driving and parking information, visit the conference website.
✅ Conference Check-In
Conference Check-in is 2:00–5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at the NORDP Concierge and Registration table, which is located outside the Grand Ballroom on the hotel’s Second Floor. If you are not arriving within that time frame, no worries. Simply come to the Concierge and Registration table on Monday or Tuesday (between 7 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) or Wednesday (between 7 – 10 a.m.) to check in.
To check-in:
- Approach the NORDP Concierge and Registration table to find large QR codes printed for check-in.
- Open the camera on your phone to scan the QR code. It will automatically direct you to the Whova app for check-in.
- Approach the staff and volunteers to collect your name badge.
- Registrants will have the opportunity to choose between a NORDP water bottle or a NORDP tote bag. Choices available while supplies last.
- NORDP lapel pins were given at last year’s conference. If you have one, bring it! Those new to NORDP or didn’t get a lapel pin last year, you can get one at the NORDP concierge desk (while supplies last).
- That’s it!
Note: if you are NOT using the Whova app, you can still access information about the conference via the Whova app website (https://whova.com/portal/webapp/nordu_202405/).
*On-site Registration: We will allow onsite registration for individuals to purchase tickets onsite through the Whova app which only accepts credit card payments.
Wi-fi Availability at Conference
To connect to wi-fi when in the conference spaces, look for wifi information cards visible in the conference spaces. If you cannot find an information card, visit the NORDP Concierge desk!
If you are staying in the hotel, your room wi-fi network will be different than the conference spaces. Follow the guest services instructions to connect to wi-fi in your guest rooms.
📱 Need help with the Whova App?
We are so excited to offer the Whova App for our entire conference community! The platform is a resource for attendees, speakers, sponsors, and the planning committee. Activity on the app has been ramping up over the last couple of weeks, and it’s been so fun watching all of you engage!
If you are not on the app yet, let us know and we can help. Just stop by the NORDP Concierge and Registration table, which is located outside the Grand Ballroom on the hotel’s Second Floor.
Presenters should have received an email from Sabree Lateef asking to upload bios and session information. Here’s a link to the Whova guide on how to upload your information.
Note: if you are NOT using the Whova app, you can still access information about the conference via the Whova app website (https://whova.com/portal/webapp/nordu_202405/).
👋 Welcome Reception
Join us on Sunday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for a Welcome Reception in the Grand Foyer. The Welcome Reception is sponsored by our Juniper sponsor, Thorn Run Partners. We are so excited to welcome you to NORDP 2024 with brief welcome remarks from the NORDP President! There will be small bites and drink tickets available.
🌟 NORDP Sponsors
Please make time to stop by our sponsor exhibits outside the Grand Ballroom on the hotel’s Second Floor to chat with them and find out what’s new in their businesses. Our sponsors make the conference happen! We will also be holding a Sponsor Expo on Tuesday, April 30 from 2:45 – 4:00 p.m. Please take this opportunity to check out the sponsor booths! As you visit the sponsors, remember to collect a ‘stamp’ from each sponsor you visit for the Passport Contest (in Whova). Attendees who collect 10 or more stamps will be entered into a raffle.
🔘 Code of Conduct
We have posted a NORDP 2024 Conference Code of Conduct in the Whova App and on the conference website. In both platforms, it can be found under Logistics → Inclusivity and Accessibility → Conference Code of Conduct. Please review it when you have time. If you witness any violations of the Code of Conduct during the conference, please report it using the reporting form linked in the Code of Conduct.
👕 Attire
Attire for the conference is business casual, and casual after hours. The room temperature in conference meeting spaces may differ from your personal preferences, so consider wearing layers that allow you to be comfortable.
Be sure to bring workout clothes/shoes if you’re planning on taking part in morning exercise activities.
The forecast for the local area is for warmer-than-average temperatures, warm during the day (65-75℉) and cooler at night (45-55℉), with humidity running between 55-89%. Historically, Bellevue has maximum temperatures around in the 60s and 70s, and minimum temperatures in the 40s and 50s. The Seattle area is rainy in the spring. You may consider bringing a rain jacket, rain boots, and/or an umbrella.
🍽️ Meals
Your registration fee covers the cost of breakfast and lunch on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the conference. We have made every effort to accommodate dietary restrictions and requests. Please find one of the service staff if you have any questions.
Dinners will be on your own—please check out the Whova App under Community → Meet-ups & Virtual Meets to find a Networking Dinner to sign up for, or grab dinner with a colleague or a friend. We have put together this map that provides multiple restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
🚰 Water bottles
In the interest of practicing sustainability, we ask that conference attendees bring their own water bottles to the conference. Attendees will also have the option of choosing a NORDP water bottle at registration (while supplies last). There will be water stations available at breakfast, breaks, lunch, and receptions to stay hydrated!
🎒 Bring a backpack or tote
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to choose between a NORDP water bottle or a NORDP tote bag (choices available while supplies last). Regardless, we encourage you to bring your own backpack or bag to use throughout the conference.
🏙️ Optional Social and Fitness Activities
In true NORDP fashion, you all have stepped up to lead amazing social and fitness activities. From walking to local coffee roasters, to enjoying an evening meal around a discussion topic, to swimming laps — there are many options to add some fun to your agenda. Find current options in the Whova App under Community → Meet-ups & Virtual Meets. Don’t see something that you’d like to do? Feel free to post something for others to join!
❤️ NORDP’s Got Heart
This year’s conference committee wanted to make an impact in the community where we are convening. To do this, we are partnering with The Sophia Way, a local organization that provides shelter, supportive services, and resources for women experiencing homelessness on Seattle’s Eastside. We will be collecting items and monetary donations during the conference until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Requested items, as a link for monetary donations, can be found on the Whova App and on the website under Logistics → NORDP’s Got Heart.
Check out the Whova App under Community → Meet-ups & Virtual Meets, as members will be organizing morning walks to CVS or other stores to purchase items for donation.
We will total both items and monetary donations and present all donations to a representative from The Sophia Way on Wednesday after our closing keynote.
🖼️ Presenting a poster
If you are presenting a poster, please try to find a time between 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 29 to hang your posters up on the display boards (located in room Evergreen F G H I on the lobby level). Posters will be up for the majority of the conference. Please take down your poster by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1. Any posters left after noon will be thrown away.
😷 COVID-19 awareness at the conference
We encourage all conference attendees to practice good hygiene. Best practices for conferences include frequent handwashing, mask-wearing if you are at risk or concerned about exposure for any reason, and communication through the event if someone at the conference tests positive for COVID. We refer to the latest CDC Guidance for Travel.
- In King County, Washington, the community level is Low (as of 4/22/2024) Feel free to keep an eye on this website for the latest information.
- Follow any prevention advice given to you by your healthcare provider.
- If wearing a mask is necessary and/or important to you, please bring the best mask for you.
- If you are interested in acquiring a mask or a COVID test while you are at the conference, there are several nearby places to purchase (CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid, and Safeway)
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