Congress Registration

The Congress will take place at the Denver Marriott City Center, in Denver, Colorado. Pre-registration is required. The registration fee for the World Renewable Energy Congress VIII is $600. Students with a verification certificate, $250; members of WREN, $400.

Hotel Information

The official hotel of the World Renewable Energy Congress is the Denver Marriott City Center. Participants shall organize their own hotel reservations either online or by telephone at 1-800-228-9290 or +303-297-1300. Hotel accommodations are not included in the conference registration. The WREC room rate is $127 for single/double/triple occupancy and shared accommodations are recommended.

Once you click on the above link to www.denvermarriott.com, follow these directions to book your room:

• Click on "Reserve a Room"
• Enter your "check in" and "check out" dates
• Scroll down the same page until you find "Group Code" and enter NWRNWRA
• Complete the following steps as indicated

The Super Shuttle offers a discounted fare from Denver International Airport for WREC VIII attendees. Present this coupon (PDF 125 KB) to the driver upon boarding.

For more registration information, please contact:

Ms. Ivilina Thornton
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
1617 Cole Boulevard, MS 1623
Golden, CO 80401
Tel: 303-275-3781
Fax: 303-275-4320
Email: ivilina_thornton@nrel.gov

Travel Information

Located in a spectacular setting at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is one of America's fastest growing cities — and one of its most exciting. The Mile High City entertains over 8.8 million visitors a year with people coming to enjoy the city's outstanding cultural attractions, museums, shopping, dining and nightlife.

Denver's location treats people to even more sunshine each year than Miami or San Diego, and the climate is considered mild, sunny, and semi-arid. The weather tends to be quite unpredictable. Cool, casual clothing is ideal for our warm, sunny summer days in Denver. Sunglasses are a must with more than 300 days of sunny Denver weather. When the sun goes down, the Denver weather may change. Evenings can be cool, so it might be advisable to have a light sweater on hand. Summer days in the mountains are quite pleasant. However, summer storms can arise suddenly and those who venture into the backcountry are strongly advised to have long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a warm jacket close at hand.

Denver is located some 5,280 feet above sea level. At this altitude, visitors can sometimes experience symptoms of altitude sickness. If you are coming from a lower altitude, please visit http://www.nrel.gov/visiting_nrel/altitude.html on the web.

All foreign participants must have a valid passport. Participants from countries where a visa is required to enter the United States of America are recommended to apply at the nearest U.S consulate in their country as soon as possible. For more information visit the U.S. Embassies and Consulates web site.

We strongly recommend that you bring a certain amount of U.S. currency on your trip. Although there is a foreign currency exchange counter at DIA you will find it helpful to be prepared for your trip. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops and hotels. Three of the leading U.S banks provide foreign currency exchange services as well as cashing of traveler's checks. Their offices in Downtown Denver are within walking distance of the Marriott City Center Hotel. All three of the banks are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

All payments at the Registration Desk must be done in U.S. dollars.

U.S. customs policies have been changing after the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. For most current and detailed information on U.S. customs go to the U.S. Customs Service web site.

Service is not included in your bill in the U.S.A. The customary tip is between 15% and 20% of the final bill.

The electrical supply in the U.S.A is 120 volts. The frequency is 60 cycles (Hz). Adaptors can be purchased at Radio Shack on the 16th Street Mall. Refer to the Hotel Reservations link for details on appliances provided by the hotel.

Denver is one of the most accessible cities in the U.S.A. The Denver International Airport is the 9th busiest in the world with the nation's best on time arrival record and 1300 daily flights including non-stops to 110 cities. Denver is only 340 miles west of the exact center of the Continental U.S., making Denver equal distance from everywhere.

Most rental companies have counters located on the Baggage Claim Level (5) of the main DIA terminal. Shuttle buses for all rental companies pick up patrons on both the East and the West sides at their designated spot of the Ground Transportation/ Commercial Vehicle Level (also level 5) of the terminal and load at their designated stop on each side.

The Marriott City Center Hotel is about 24 miles from DIA. Allow about 40 minutes for the drive. Directions to the Marriott City Center Hotel: Pena Blvd. to I-70 West to I-25 South. Exit at Colfax Avenue, after approximately one mile turn left (East direction, or away from the mountains) onto Welton, turn left on 18th Street and left on California. The hotel is immediately on your right.

The Super Shuttle provides ground transportation to the Marriott City Center Hotel. No reservations are necessary. The shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes and costs $18.00 per person for a one-way ticket, $32 for a return trip. How to find the shuttle? Exit the airport from the Baggage Claim door. The shuttle will arrive on the concrete platform, pick you up and take you directly to the Marriott City Center Hotel.

Two taxi companies (American Cab Company — 303-321-5555; Yellow Cab Company — 303-777-7777) are recommended. The typical cab fare from DIA to the Marriott City Center Hotel is $50.00, unless ridership is shared.

The Marriott City Center Hotel provides underground parking at a daily rate of $20.

Spousal Program

Around and About Tours and Events Company is offering two sightseeing tours on separate days during the World Congress — both will depart from the Congress hotel. These tours will include visits to popular Denver-area locations and allow time for shopping and lunch at local shopping malls. To book a tour, interested parties should contact the tour company for details including itineraries, costs, and how to make your payment directly to the tour vendor.

U.S. Visa Information

Don't miss out on this important event! Please apply for your U.S. visa early — many visas are taking at least three months to process in light of heightened security issues.

Machine-readable passports — The Secretary of State has granted a postponement until October 26, 2004, as the deadline whereby visa waiver program travelers from 21 VWP countries must present a machine-readable passport (MRP) at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa, otherwise a U.S visa is required. Starting October 1, 2003 visa waiver travelers from five countries must present either a machine-readable passport of a U.S. visa. For complete information, visit the Visa Waiver Program Web site.

The US VISIT brochure (PDF 107 KB) will help clarify questions you may have about new travel procedures upon arrival in the United States. For more information, the Homeland Security Travel & Transportation page may also provide answers to your questions.

This page updated on August, 24 2004