Philadelphia

The Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City Hotel

Hilton Garden Inn in Philadelphia Center City

The conference is being held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Philadelphia Center City. Address: 1100 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 (at the corner of 11th & Arch)
Hotel website: http://www.philadelphiacentercity.stayhgi.com. (See below for information on reserving a room & link to online reservations.)

The Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City hotel is part of the Gallery Mall with over 100 shops and restaurants. Reading Terminal Market, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the theater district are all within walking distance of the hotel.

Receive an additional discount by staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City. Staying at the conference hotel supports the system by offsetting the cost of the conference for the organization, allowing us to avoid increasing registration fees. Participants staying at the conference hotel in past years have told us they have a fuller conference experience with easier access to social activities & impromptu lobby gatherings, and the opportunity to grab a quick break in their room!

Our conference rate represents a significant saving, both on the regular hotel price and on alternative accommodations in the area at this busy time of year. Book early to get a room!

Rooms are available at $190.00 per night (plus tax) until February 19. Reference "SCTRI" or “Systems-Centered Training” for the special group rate. Hotel reservations can be made online or by calling the hotel at +1-215-923-0100 or US toll free +1-877-782-9444 or International +800 4445 8667.

If you are arriving before Thursday, March 21 or staying beyond Saturday, March 30, please contact Jan Vadell at jan@systemscentered.com with your date information. Because the hotel is fully booked before and after our Conference, room availability before and after our Conference is very limited and Jan will need to assist with reservations outside our normal meeting dates.


Getting to Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is served by all major airlines. The airport is 11 miles southwest of the Center City area.

Philadelphia is also served by Amtrak. The Hilton Garden Inn is 2 miles from Amtrak’s 30th Street Station.

Transport from Airport

Taxi:
Flat fee of $28.50 plus tip to the Center City area.
Taxis are outside baggage claim on the arrivals level. Allow at least a half hour, more during rush hour, for the trip between the airport and hotel.

Uber/Lyft:
UberX is $23-29 depending on time of day
Lyft is $25-30 depending on time of day
Uber/Lyft ride pickup is outside baggage claim on the arrivals level. Allow at least a half hour, more during rush hour, for the trip between the airport and hotel.

Shuttle:
Shuttle buses cost $10 and up per person and will make most requested stops downtown as well as to the suburbs. You can make shuttle arrangements at the centralized ground transportation counter in the baggage claim area on the arrivals level.

Public Transportation:
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) runs the Airport Rail Line R1, which leaves the airport every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to midnight. The trip to Center City takes about 25 minutes and costs $7.00 (cash only). The hotel is a ½ block northeast of the Market East station.
Maps and service schedules are available on the SEPTA website at http://www.septa.org/welcome/.

Additional details: http://www.visitphilly.com/getting-here/.

As you plan for your time in Philadelphia, be sure to consider taking advantage of all that the city has to offer. Chris Johnnidis, our Conference Local Resource Liaison, has compiled a guide to the local area with a focus on local sights, attractions, entertainment, and suggested walking routes. Click here to download the Local Attractions Guide.

Check out these Philadelphia visitor sites for more information:
www.visitphilly.com
www.discoverphl.com

Philadelphia’s vibrant restaurant scene is one of the best in the country & there are plenty of diverse dining options nearby. Chris Johnnidis, our Conference Local Resource Liaison, has put together a list of restaurants, grocery stores & other resources (banking, pharmacies, etc.) near the conference hotel. Several of the restaurants are recommended by members!
Click here to download the Local Resources & Restaurant Guide

Check out these Philadelphia visitor sites for more information:
www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/
www.visitphilly.com/food-drink/
www.discoverphl.com

Currency

If you are traveling from abroad, check with your bank for any transaction fees associated with using your debit card for withdrawals or purchases. There are ATM’s in the Philadelphia airport and throughout the city. The currency exchange services at most banks and airports (world-wide) are more expensive – avoid them if possible.

Many credit card companies charge foreign transaction fees. These fees are generally 1-3% of each purchase. Some credit cards, e.g., Capital One, do not charge foreign transaction fees. Check with your card provider for fees.

Notify your bank and credit card providers to let them know you will be travelling so that your credit and debit cards are not rejected and blocked when you use them. This can often be done through the providers’ websites.

Current exchange rates:*
1 GBP = 1.32 USD
1 EUR = 1.15 USD
1 SEK = 0.11 USD
1 JPY = 0.009 USD

* Rates as of October 2018. Rates fluctuate - check www.xe.com for current rates or download the app for your phone.

Transport in Philadelphia

Once here, you’ll have no trouble navigating around the region. The best ways to get around Center City (Philadelphia’s downtown) are by foot, taxi/Uber or public transportation. If you plan on visiting the surrounding countryside, regional rail and cars are your best bets. Additional details: www.visitphilly.com/getting-around/.

Electronics

Cell Phones – Check with your carrier for international rates for voice and text. You may need to purchase a SIMS card in the US in order to use your phone. Consider using skype or WhatsApp.

You will need a universal grounded adaptor plug for your electrical/electronic devices. The US runs on 110 V. Adaptors (or converters) are readily available at travel or electronics stores for about $10.

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