Quantum Information Processing 2017 hosted by Microsoft Research
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
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strong>Travel, visas, and local information
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Plan ahead! It is imperative that speakers and attendees allow sufficient time to obtain visas. International registrants should be particularly aware and careful about visa requirements, and should plan travel well in advance.
U.S. Visa Information
Information on United States visas can be found here. It is advisable to begin the application process as early as possible to avoid last minute problems. The time to obtain a visa can vary widely and has taken over three months for some individuals in the past. An interview at a consulate may also be required.
The US Department of Homeland Security has implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States. Please note that ESTA has become mandatory for all travelers from current Visa Waiver Program member countries.
Invitation Letters
Important: Requests for invitation letters need to be received by November 11, 2016.
Conference attendees who require a visa will typically need an invitation letter from the QIP Local Chair. To obtain a letter, contact jasmin@microsoft.com with email header “QIP 2017 Visa Letter Request”. To expedite the process, please provide as many of the following pieces of information as possible in your request:
◦Name
◦Mailing Address
◦Fax Number
◦If presenting a paper/poster/talk, include the title
◦An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) that includes, if applicable, a list of publications
◦A brief statement explaining your interests in the conference
◦A list of any recent QIP conferences you have attended
◦A reference in the quantum information community who has attended past QIP conferences.
We look forward to seeing you at QIP 2017 in Seattle!
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Traveling to Seattle
By Air: The Seattle-Tacoma (SeaTac) International Airport is located to the south of Seattle. It serves major domestic and international airlines and is easily accessible via taxi, bus, or light rail (see below for details).
By Train: Seattle can be conveniently reached by train (Amtrak Cascades line) from Portland, Oregon (3.5 hours), or Vancouver, B.C., Canada (4.5 hours).
Other options: There are many ways to travel to Seattle from Victoria and Vancouver, B.C., including the Victoria Clipper Service. For details see here.
Transportation to downtown Seattle
By Car: For a map and automobile transportation options to the downtown area from the airport or other locations in Seattle, please see here.
By Taxi: Seattle Yellow Cab is the exclusive provider of taxis for the only taxi stands at Seattle-Tacoma Airport. At the time of this writing, the cost to take a taxi from the airport to downtown is approximately $40. Cash and credit cards are accepted. See the Yellow Cab flat rate zone map. They have 8 to 10 passenger vans available for larger groups.
By Uber: There is an Uber pickup location at the airport. Please see their site for details.
By Light Rail: By far the easiest and least expensive way to get to downtown Seattle is via Sound Transit Light Rail. The train stops just a few blocks from Westin Hotel. The fair is $2.50 per person. Purchase your tickets at the automatic ticket dispensers; it will take VISA, MasterCard, or cash.
Transportation to the airport
By Taxi: For traveling to Sea-Tac airport from the Westin Hotel or other locations in the downtown Seattle hotel district, you have multiple taxi options. A flat rate fee of $32.00 is charged for this service by all taxicabs that operate in Seattle.
By Train: Sound Transit Light Rail, with a stop just a few blocks from Westin Hotel, provides service to SeaTac airport. The fare is $2.50 per person. Purchase your tickets at the automatic ticket dispensers; it will take VISA, MasterCard, or cash.
In the city
Public transportation within downtown Seattle and beyond is offered via Metro Transit buses or Sound Transit bus and light rail service.
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See accommodations at the Westin Downtown Seattle
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Welcome to Seattle! Here you will find a vibrant, sophisticated metropolis surrounded by pristine natural beauty and abundant recreation. For places to go and see please consult Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and Seattle City Government. TripAdvisor also has a nice list of top attractions in the city.
Here are a couple of recommendations from local Seattleites:
Pike Place Market
Directions from conference hotel: Walk 5 blocks down the hill on Madison. Turn Right onto 1st Ave. Walk 5 blocks to 1st and Pike St. You’re there! Look for the large red neon sign.
Once there, here are some tips:
◦Get freshly-made, hot mini-donuts (across from DeLaurenti’s); use a straw to spear them inside the bag.
◦Go to Beecher’s for fresh, handmade cheese. Free samples! (across the street from the main market building)
◦Don’t forget the Market’s 2nd and 3rd floors downstairs! Make sure you have 2 quarters and a penny.
◦Bring cash in small bills.
◦Don’t eat too much at any one place; dining through the market is the way to go!
◦Have a cup of Joe at the original Starbucks (also across the street from the main building).
EMP Museum (music + sci-fi + pop culture)
325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 · (206) 770-2700 (Ticket prices vary; winter hours: daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Seattle Center
Space needle, Key Arena, International Fountain, etc. Take the monorail between downtown and the Seattle Center.
Seattle Art Museum
1300 1st Ave, (206) 654-3137 ($15 Adults; Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Thursday and Friday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
If the weather is nice, also try the (free) Olympic Sculpture Park. It is outdoors along the water just down the street from the Seattle Center.
Seattle Aquarium
1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 386-4300 (206) 386-4300 (Adults $19/Child $12; 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily)
Underground Tour
608 1st Ave in Pioneer Square, between Cherry Street and James St.
Directions: walk down Madison to 5th. Turn Left onto 5th. Walk 3 blocks on 5th to Cherry. Turn Right onto Cherry. Walk 4 blocks down Cherry to 1st. Turn Left onto 1st. $16 Adults; roughly a 90-minute walk. Very fun! Highly recommended! Also take a look around Pioneer Square while you are there.
Food!
You know you are going to be hungry! Maybe even thirsty. Seattle has a lot of wonderful restaurants and bars to choose from, so go ahead and hit the town:
◦Matt’s in the Market, Fresh seafood, near 1st & Pike
◦Pink Door, In Post Alley, near the Pike Place Market
◦Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, corner of 4th & University, Call ahead for reservations, California wine country fare
◦Fran’s Chocolates, corner of Union & 1st, (on your way to/from the Pike Place Market), Salted caramels!
◦Pike Pub & Brewery, on 1st, just past Union, pub food; beer brewed on site
◦Library Bistro, 92 Madison Street
◦Cyclops, 2421 First Ave, Belltown
◦Baltic Room, 1207 East Pine St, Capitol Hill
◦One of Tom Douglas’ many restaurants
◦Salumi, 309 3rd Avenue South
◦Seattle’s Best Cafe’s (Alon Halevy recommends: Zoka, Vivace, and Allegro, and he really knows coffee)
QIP 2017 was held in Seattle, Washington at the Westin Downtown Seattle. Seattle is easily accessible by light rail and car from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).