The Society of Rheology: 75th Annual Meeting (Oct 2003) General Information

Location

The 75th Annual Meeting of the Society of Rheology will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, from October 12 to 16, 2003; the associated optional Short Course will be offered on October 11 and 12. Plan to attend to make this 75th a meeting to remember until we reach the 100th! All sessions will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel, a recently renovated, modern full-service hotel located in Station Square, opposite the confluence of the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers and the central “Golden Triangle” of Pittsburgh.

A block of rooms will be available in the Sheraton Station Square Hotel for the participants of the meeting. Attractions in the Pittsburgh area, many easily reached from the hotel.

For more information, please visit the following web sites:

About Station Square Area
	http://www.stationsquare.com
About *Pittsburgh*
	http://www.Pittsburgh.net
	http://www.carnegielibrary.org/subject/pgh/

Photo by M.G. Ellis

Point at Night
Photo by Jeff Greenberg

Transportation

Pittsburgh is served by the Pittsburgh International Airport, which offers direct flights to most major locations in the USA and Canada, as well as direct flights to several locations in Europe. The conference site at Station Square is about 15 miles from the Airport and across the river from the downtown area. The Sheraton does NOT run a shuttle directly to the airport but there are several modes of transportation to the Sheraton Station Square:

The hotel may be reached by shuttle service from the airport operating hourly (Airport Express, 412 321-4990 – departs from baggage claim on the hour, tickets are $17 each way and can be purchased at the Airport Express booth in the Baggage Claim area).
Other shuttles and limousine services run to downtown Pittsburgh and operate more frequently. These would need to be coupled with a short taxi ride to Station Square from any downtown hotel. Ask for details at the Information booth in baggage claim.
Taxis are available outside baggage claim for transport directly to the hotel from the airport (approximately $34 - $45 each way).
The hotel can arrange for Town Car pick-up at Baggage Claim. Please call the hotel ahead of time to arrange this - $40 each way.
The city bus system provides regular transport from the airport to downtown. Catch the 28X “Airport Flyer” outside baggage claim ($1.95). It is possible to walk (across the Smithfield Bridge) from downtown stops to the hotel – be sure to have a map and take a 20 – 30 minute walk. We do not suggest this if arriving late at night.

Driving Instructions

From Airport: Follow airport signs to Pittsburgh. Exit the Parkway at EXIT 7B, West End By-Pass, to arrive on Carson Street. Station Square will be on the left after a short distance.

From I-79: Follow the signs to Pittsburgh Exit Eastbound, and then follow the preceding directions.

From I-376 Westbound: Follow the signs to Pittsburgh via Exit 6, Monroeville, to I-376 Westbound. Exit at Grant Street, immediate left at traffic signal, one block to left on Smithfield Bridge to Station Square.

Registration

Conference registration includes access to all technical sessions and the vendor display, the program and abstract booklets, four receptions, and coffee breaks. The registration fee does not include the Banquet, which is subject to limited seating. Please see details on the meeting registration page.

On-site registration will be held on Sunday, October 12th, from 2 PM to 7 PM, in the lobby of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. Registration will continue each day, Monday through Wednesday, starting at 8 AM.

Welcoming Reception

A welcoming reception will be held on Sunday, October 12th, from 7 PM to 9 PM in Reflections/Waterfront of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

Bingham Award Banquet

A reception sponsored by Thermo Electron Corporation will be held in Reflections/Waterfront of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel beginning at 7 PM on Monday, October 13th, prior to the Bingham Award Banquet. The Banquet will be held in Admiral of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. Dinner will be served at 8 PM.

Society Business Meeting

All attendees are encouraged to attend the annual business meeting of The Society of Rheology on Tuesday, October 14th. This meeting will start at approximately 5:30 PM in Grand Station III of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

Tuesday Night Reception

TA Instruments is hosting an excursion and dinner cruise on the three rivers that define the "Pittsburgh Point". The cruise will begin at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 14th, at the Gateway Clipper Docks, adjacent to the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. The excursion, on a chartered vessel of the Gateway Clipper Fleet, will begin with a short trip up the Monongahela, turn and proceed around the Point to go up the Allegheny, and then turn and proceed back to the Point for a trip down the Ohio, before returning to the dock. The cruise offers outstanding views of the Pittsburgh skyline, both in daylight and at night.

Poster Session

There will be a reception in conjunction with the Poster Session on Wednesday, October 15th. This event will start at 6 PM and end at 8 PM. Posters will be displayed in Reflections/Waterfront of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. Refreshment at the Poster Session will be sponsored by Paar Physica USA.

Exhibits

Vendors will demonstrate their products in Reflections/Waterfront of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Monday through Wednesday, starting at 8 AM. Coffee and refreshments will be served in this room.