2021 Travel

Getting To Philadelphia

See information here about getting to Philadelphia: https://www.visitphilly.com/getting-here/#intro

By Air

Philadelphia is accessible via Philadelphia International Airport , has 25 airlines that offer nearly 500 daily departures to more than 130 destinations worldwide.

(International Travelers – See the information at the bottom of this page.)

By Railway

There is an Amtrak station with routes to and from several major cities.

By Bus

Mega bus information
Bolt bus information – Operating by Greyhound

By Car

Philadelphia is served by the PA Turnpike (I-276), I-76, I-476, I-95, US-1 and the New Jersey Turnpike.

From East
• Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 4.
• Proceed on Highway 73 North to Highway 38 West.
• Continue to Highway 38 West over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
• After crossing the bridge, continue on Vine Street.
• Turn left onto 17th Street.
• The hotel is located 1 block further on the left.

From West
• Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Exit 24.
• Proceed on Highway 76 East to Exit 344 which is 676 East/Central Philadelphia Exit.
• Continue to the Broad Street/Central Philadelphia Exit.
• Turn right onto 15th Street.
• Proceed one block to Spring Street and turn right.
• Continue 1 block to 16th Street and turn right.
• The hotel is located 0.25 blocks down on the left.

From Interstate 95 South (North/South)
• Take Interstate 95 South to Exit 22.
• Proceed on Highway 676 West to the Broad Street Exit. This will take you to 15th Street.
• Continue 0.5 blocks to Spring Street and turn right.
• Proceed 1 block and turn right onto 16th Street.
• The hotel is 0.25 blocks further on the left.

Map of surrounding area of Philadelphia

Getting Around Philadelphia

The conference will take place at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown: 201 North 17th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, (215) 448-2000 USA). Click here for information on how to get to and around Philadelphia.

By Taxi

PHL Airport to Center City (Downtown)
$28.50 per one-way trip for one (1) passenger. A $1.00 per passenger surcharge for each additional passenger after the first will be added to the meter after the flat rate fee is engaged on the meter by the driver after leaving the Airport. For more information about taxis, click here.

By SEPTA (Regional Subway/Rail)

  • You may purchase fares online Base cash fare for SEPTA buses, trolleys and subways is $2.50; transfers are $1. Get the SEPTA Key Card and put money in the Travel Wallet and enjoy the discounted $2 fare when you tap to ride. One Day Convenience Passes are good for 8 rides on transit routes taken by one person in one day for $9.
  • Septa Regional Rail serves the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. The system has 13 branches and more than 150 active stations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, its suburbs and satellite towns and cities, including a line directly to PHL International Airport. Stations within downtown Philadelphia are:
    • 30th Street Station, 30th Street and Market Street
    • Suburban Station, 16th Street and JFK Boulevard (this is the closest station to the hotel, about a block and a half)
    • Jefferson Station, 10th and Market streets (directly attached to the Pennsylvania Convention Center)
  • SEPTA Website: Click here

Parking

The Hotel has offered us a discounted parking rate of $25/day for VALET parking, so drive up to the Hotel Lobby entrance.

Directions to Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown

Directions to Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown

International Travelers / VISAs

Meeting attendees from outside the United States are advised to begin their visa application process as soon as possible (at least six (6) months before visa is needed is recommended). Consultants in some countries take several months to process applications. Obtaining visas are the responsibility of attendees and other participants. As part of security procedures, applications for visas are sent to the U.S. State Department for a security review. For further information, visit the State Department Website. Please check with the local U.S. consulate or embassy to find out the earliest that you may apply for a visa. Find your local U.S. embassy or consulate.

Important Steps to Remember

  • Review your visa status and find out if you need a U.S. visa or renewal Official United States Visa Website.
  • Provide your entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of visa application.
  • If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of application.
  • Provide proof of scientific status.  For example, proof that you submitted an abstract for the meeting.  Do not wait until you receive notification that your abstract has been accepted before applying for a visa.
  • Provide meeting http://www.pmena.org/pmena-2021/ copy of your registration confirmation or letter of invitation (see below for details)
  • Provide evidence that you are intending to return to your country of residence.  This can include things such as:
    • Family ties in current country of residence
    • Property ownership
    • Bank account
    • An employment contract or statement from employer showing that position will continue after the dates of the meeting
  • Requirements vary by passport-issuing country and citizenship (not merely residency)
  • The United States is expanding the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which enables citizens of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.  The Patriot Act legislated that all Visa Waiver Program travelers must have a machine-readable passport.
  • Visa Waiver Program (VWP) nationals need to submit an application to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before coming to the United States.  Visitors traveling to the United States from all countries (including the visa wavier countries) are required to register personal details at least three (3) days in advance of travel.  ESTA if approved, this authorization is good for two years from the date of authorization or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
  • If an ESTA application is denied and you still want to come to the conference, you will need to apply for a non-immigrant visa at an U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  • Review the visa wait time information on the U.S. Department of State Website for interview appointments and visa processing times at each embassy and consular section.  Visit the embassy or consular website where you will apply for your visa to find out how to schedule interview appointment, pay fees and any other instructions.
  • Plan on an interview at the embassy or consulate, which is required for most visa applicants.  As part of the visa interview, quick inkless fingerprints scans should be expected.  Some visa applications require additional administrative processing, which requires some additional time

Attendance Verification Documentation

  • There are two types of verification generated through the registration process:
    • Registration Confirmation:  Once you have registered for the symposium, you will receive an e-mail or printed confirmation that you can refer to during your visa interview.
    • Official Letter of Invitation for Meeting Attendees:  This letter will be generated only if requested after your registration has been confirmed.  You can submit this letter with your visa application to verify the name, dates, location and purpose of travel.
  • All letters of invitation will be issued from __ in pdf format and emailed unless otherwise requested.  To Request an Invitation Letter for a Visa after Receiving __ Symposium Registration Confirmation
  • For the rare occasion that attendees require a letter prior to registration, please submit this request via muconf2@missouri.edu with your name, title, organization, supervisor, address, email, phone, fax, date of birth, country issuing your passport, and passport number.

Visa Problems/Denials

  • Visa Problems
    • For applications that have not been approved 30 days after the interview, you should complete an online questionnaire. You will be asked to name the meeting (International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences) and explain the purpose of your visit. Click here for visa wait times.
  • Registration Refunds Due to a Visa Denial:
    • Visa processing may require long lead times. Please plan accordingly. If your visa has been denied and you would like to be considered for a registration refund, please make sure you have either an official denial document from the U.S. consulate or a stamped copy of your application form, showing the date when you applied and the date your visa application has been denied. Not all requests for a refund may be approved.

Helpful Tools

U.S. Point of Contact Information (for visa application purposes)

PME-NA 43 2021 Organizers c/o Widener University