Venue and General Schedule
The 11th Ablation Workshop will be held September 16-17, 2019 at the University of Minnesota on the vibrant Twin-Cities campus (https://twin-cities.umn.edu/). A two-day open Workshop, with light breakfast and full lunch provided each day, will begin Monday morning, September 16, and end at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, September 17. The Workshop is open and no sessions will be ITAR.
All Workshop venues and activities are located on campus in close proximity. Rooms are available at the Graduate Minneapolis hotel at discounted rates for Workshop attendees. The Graduate hotel is located directly on the light-rail transportation line that connects campus to downtown Minneapolis and to the airport. Lunches on both days will be held at the Graduate hotel and the poster session (including wine and cheese) will also be held at the Graduate hotel on Monday afternoon. Technical sessions will be held on campus in the Coffman Theater, which is a five-minute walk from the Graduate hotel. Finally, a banquet has been organized for the evening of Monday September 16 in the Campus Club West Wing, overlooking the Mississippi river and downtown Minneapolis.
Transportation
Airport: Minneapolis/St-Paul airport (MSP) is a large international airport. Depending on your airline, you may arrive/depart from either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, although most flights arrive/depart from Terminal 1.
Airport to Ablation Workshop (University of Minnesota East-Bank Campus)
The most efficient and convenient way to travel between MSP airport and the Ablation Workshop venue is by the Light-Rail system. The Light-Rail system is fairly new, simple to use, and consists of just two lines (blue and green). The blue line has stops inside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the MSP airport.
Light-Rail directions: From MSP airport, take the blue line towards Minneapolis. Get off the tram at U.S. Bank Stadium exit. Walk a short distance to the green-line platform. Take the green line towards St. Paul. Get off the tram at the East Bank station. The Graduate hotel and conference venues are steps away from the East Bank station platform. When returning back to MSP airport after the workshop, simply do the reverse.
Light-Rail map: Blue line connects MSP airport terminals to downtown Minneapolis. Green line connects downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul. All Ablation Workshop venues are all located very close to the East Bank station on the green line.
Light-Rail Fares: A single fare/ticket is valid for both blue and green lines (no transfer ticket or additional fare is required). Fares can be purchased on the platform deck. A one-way fare from MSP airport to East Bank station is $3.
Taxi/Uber/Lift or Car Rental/Parking:
Taxis are available at both terminals. Average taxi fare from MSP to the Graduate Hotel is $45.
App-based ride services can also pickup and drop-off at both terminals (follow the “app-based ride service” signs). Average Uber/Lift fare is $35.
There are numerous car rental agencies at the MSP airport. Parking at the Graduate hotel can be arranged as part of your room booking (extra fee required). Parking on campus is somewhat expensive and is not recommended (use the Light-Rail to access campus). If you need parking on campus, please contact the local organizer (Prof. Tom Schwartzentruber) to make arrangements.
Around Campus (Workshop Venues/Activities)
All Ablation Workshop venues are located at the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota. The conference hotel, technical sessions, and breakfast/lunch/banquet locations, are all on campus, within a six-minute walk of each other. In addition, the Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM) department, the Recreation and Wellness Center, and many restaurants are within walking distance.
East Bank campus map – key locations:
Graduate hotel: Conference hotel, lunches and poster session held at the hotel.
Coffman Union: Technical sessions held in the Coffman Theater (first floor).
Coffman Union: Banquet held in the Campus Club West Wing (fourth floor).
East Bank Light Rail Station: Steps from the Graduate hotel. Connections to downtown St. Paul, downtown Minneapolis, and MSP airport.
Hotel accommodations:
A block of rooms has been reserved for Ablation Workshop attendees at the Graduate Hotel (https://www.graduatehotels.com/minneapolis/) with a reduced conference rate of $160 per night. Government per diem rate is available for government employees ($151 per night). Lunches on both days, as well as the poster session, will be held at the Graduate hotel in the Pinnacle ballroom (up the escalator on 2ndfloor). Room rates include complimentary wireless internet and access to the University Recreation Center (across the street). The hotel has a restaurant/bar, a game area, and is connected to both a Starbucks and an Applebee’s restaurant. The hotel is steps from the East Bank Light Rail station and within walking distance of numerous restaurants.
Refer to the “Hotels” tab on this website for further information, including information about alternate hotel options.
Technical sessions:
All technical sessions will be held in the Coffman Theater (https://sua.umn.edu/reserve-space/all-spaces/coffman-theater), located inside the Coffman Union building. Numerous types of laptop connections are provided, as well as podium and microphone. A light breakfast will be served in the entrance hall to the theater each morning. In addition, a number of coffee bars and take-out restaurants are located inside the Coffman Union.
Banquet:
The Ablation Workshop banquet has been organized for the evening of Monday September 16 in the Campus Club West Wing (https://campusclubumn.org/web/pages/west-wing), overlooking the Mississippi river and downtown Minneapolis.
Other activities in the Twin-Cities area:
Dining/entertainment/arts in Minneapolis and St. Paul
Uptown lakes area (biking trails, canoeing, running, etc.)
Dinky Town (East Bank campus student village)
Mall of America
Outdoor activities along the North Shore or in the Boundary Waters State Park