We are excited you will be joining us at the 2015 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma! Please review the important information provided below as you prepare for your trip.
Read this information carefully, as this year’s Symposium is set up differently than in previous years. The conference will take place at both the Hyatt Regency Bethesda and the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
MONDAY
The conference begins on Monday, March 2. On Monday morning, the first thing to do is catch the shuttle to the NIH. Shuttles will leave from the hotel’s main entrance at 7:00am and 8:30am. If you are attending our regular sessions (this applies to patients, caregivers, bereaved), feel free to take the 8:30am shuttle, as your sessions begin at 9:30am. If you are attending our sessions for scientists and medical professionals, you will need to take the 7:00am shuttle, as your sessions begin at 8:00am.
Breakfast will be provided to both groups upon arrival at the NIH, and you can pick up your name tag and packet at the conference registration table. If you miss the shuttles to the NIH, you will need to use other means of transportation, such as a taxi or the metro.
On Monday evening, shuttles will leave the NIH at 5:00pm to take attendees back to the Hyatt Regency Bethesda. This will allow you some free time to get ready for the Awards Dinner, which will begin at the hotel at 7:00pm in the Crystal Ballroom.
TUESDAY
On Tuesday, March 3, the morning will again start with shuttles to the NIH. Shuttles will leave from the hotel’s main entrance at 7:00am and 8:30am. If you are attending our regular sessions (this applies to patients, caregivers, bereaved), feel free to take the 8:30am shuttle, as your sessions begin at 9:30am. If you are attending our sessions for scientists and medical professionals, you will need to take the 7:00am shuttle, as your sessions begin at 8:00am.
Breakfast will be provided to both groups upon arrival at the NIH.
On Tuesday evening, shuttles will leave the NIH at 5:00pm to take attendees back to the Hyatt Regency Bethesda. This will allow you some free time to get ready for the Community Dinner, which will begin at the hotel at 7:00pm in the Crystal Ballroom.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, March 4 is Advocacy Day. Breakfast will be provided at 7:30am in the Haverford and Baccarat Ballrooms at the hotel. At this location, advocacy training and schedules will be handed out beginning at8:00am.
Shuttles will leave from the hotel’s main entrance at 8:45am to bring Advocacy Day participants to Capitol Hill. The shuttle will drop off on the Hill at Garfield Circle. In the evening, the shuttle will leave from the Peace Circle at 5:30pm to bring attendees back to the hotel. If you will be leaving directly from Advocacy Day, luggage will be stored at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill at 400 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
When you arrive to the DC area, you will want to navigate to the Hyatt Regency Bethesda. The hotel is located at One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD 20814. A map and directions to the hotel are available here.
Please consult the forecast as you pack for your trip. The DC area can still be cold in early March, and nothing is worse than packing tank tops when you really need a sweater!
The Symposium dress code is casual to business casual. Some community members take the opportunity to dress up for the Awards Dinner, which will be held on Monday evening. Nonetheless, we encourage you to dress comfortably. If you will be participating in Advocacy Day, be sure to pack a business professional outfit and nice (but comfortable) shoes.
More information about the Symposium can be found at curemeso.org/symposium.
