Travel & Lodging

The 18^th annual National Association of Remedial Project Managers (NARPM) Annual Training Conference will be held Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11, 2008, at the Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center in Portland, Oregon.

General Information

This general information sheet provides additional details about the 2008 NARPM Annual Training Conference, including contact information, tips for what to pack, dining and entertainment options, and details for arranging ground transportation.

Lodging

A limited size block of rooms has been reserved at the Doubletree in Portland, Oregon.

The lodging rate is the prevailing government rate of $106 per night plus 12.5 percent sales tax. Reservations need to be made before Wednesday, June 18, 2008, to receive the government rate.

To make your reservation, please call the hotel at (800) 996-0510 or book your reservation online. If you make your reservation by telephone, be sure to mention that you are attending the EPA/NARPM. If you make your reservation online, be sure to enter NAR for the group/convention code.

Reservations at the Doubletree must be confirmed with a credit card. If your lodging is paid for by a government purchase order, you will still be responsible for covering incidental charges and guaranteeing your arrival with a credit card. If you have questions about payment for your lodging when you check in, please contact Mr. Gary Turner, EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.

Lodging for pre-approved EPA RPMs and pre-approved designated instructors staying at the host hotel will be paid by EPA Headquarters. All pre-approved attendees on EPA’s master account must have approved travel authorizations.

The available nights that EPA Headquarters will pay for EPA RPMs’ lodging are Sunday, July 6 through Thursday, July 10, 2008; and by EPA Headquarters approval, for the night of Friday, July 11. Friday, July 11, 2008, should be considered the travel day to return home for all attendees. E-mail requests for Friday night coverage must be sent by e-mail to Gary Turner at turner.gary@epa.gov no later than Friday, June 13, 2008. E-mail requests should include a brief explanation why your Friday night should be included on the master bill and type "Friday" in the subject line. You will be notified by Gary Turner if your request for EPA to pay lodging costs for Friday night has been approved.

For federal agency attendees not on EPA's master account, please download and complete the city of Portland's tax exempt form. Federal agency attendees still will be responsible for the one percent state sales tax.

You are responsible for cancelling your hotel reservation if you cannot attend. The Doubletree requires a notice of cancellation at least 72 hours before your scheduled arrival. If you fail to provide notice, one night’s lodging will be charged to your credit card. Upon check-in you will be asked to verify your departure date; if you check-out earlier from your verified departure date, an early departure fee of $25 will be charged to your credit card.

Hotel check-in begins after 3:00 p.m., and check-out time is at 12:00 p.m.

Hotel Amenities

The Doubletree offers several amenities, including a complimentary fitness center with rowing machines, stationary bicycles, treadmills, and an outdoor swimming pool.

For your convenience, the Doubletree offers several on-site restaurants. Multnomah Grille, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eduardo’s Mexican Grill, serves lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In-room dining also is available daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Travel Information

The Portland area is served by the Portland International Airport (PDX). PDX is located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Portland. Additional information is available at www.flypdx.com.

The Portland TriMet MAX light rail system provides access to downtown Portland. Trains leave PDX every 15 minutes and the ride is approximately 30 minutes each way. Fares are $2.05 one-way ($4.10 round trip). Light rail operates Monday through Saturday, 4:55 a.m. to 11:56 p.m. and Sunday and holidays, 4:57 a.m. to 11:37 p.m. Additional information about the Portland TriMet MAX light rail is available at www.trimet.org.

Roundtrip transportation to and from PDX also is available from Blue Star Shuttle Service. Upon arriving, proceed to the lower level baggage claim area. Proceed outside to the information booth located in the center aisle. Inform the attendant that you would like transportation to the Doubletree Hotel at Lloyd Center. Blue Star is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Reservations are not required. One-way fare between PDX and the Doubletree is approximately $14. Additional information about Blue Star is available at www.bluestarbus.com.

Taxi fare between PDX and the hotel is approximately $20 each way. Fare does not include gratuity.

Valet parking is available at the Doubletree for $22 per night, and self-parking is available for $5 per night.

Driving Directions

From Portland International Airport:

• Approximately 10.5 miles and about 20 minutes
• Follow Airport Way to I-205 South (Veterans Memorial Highway)
• Take exit 21B towards I-84 West/US-30 toward Portland
• After approximately 5 miles, take exit 1, Lloyd Boulevard
• Proceed to the second stop light off the exit
• At the second stop light take a right on Northeast 13th Avenue
• Turn left onto Northeast Multnomah Street to reach the entrance of the Doubletree hotel

Stipend for Meals

Lunch will be provided during one Federal-Agency Only working lunch on Monday, July 7, 2008. Remember to deduct $13 for Monday from your expense report if you attend the lunch.

Federal Per Diem Rates

The Federal lodging per diem rate for Portland is $106 per night and the meal per diem allowance is $49 per day. Further information about Federal per diem rates for Portland, Oregon can be found on the GSA Per Diem Web page for Portland, Oregon.

For More Information

For more information or if you require special assistance, please contact Tetra Tech at (703) 390-0702 or by e-mail at epanarpm@ttemi.com.