A block of rooms has been reserved at the Grand Hyatt Seattle at a special rate for your convenience. Hotel Accommodations must be secured by May 2, 2016.

Rate: $205 single/double occupancy
Government rates are available, but rooms are limited.

Staying at the conference location offers you a more complete meeting experience by providing convenient access to technical session rooms and social functions, as well as informal networking opportunities with your conference colleagues. Your stay at the Grand Hyatt Seattle also includes complimentary standard internet access.

In addition to saving you time and money, the Grand Hyatt Seattle is just steps away from a number of restaurants, cafes, and local Seattle attractions. Coffee enthusiasts can experience a "one-of-a-kind coffee shrine" at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room, just three blocks from the hotel. Or, visit the original Starbucks store at Pike Place Market, just a 10-minute walk from the Grand Hyatt Seattle. This famous marketplace is home to not only coffee shops, but also a farmer’s market, crafts market, specialty food and collectibles stores, and a variety of local street performers. More information on Seattle’s attractions and culture is available on the Grand Hyatt Seattle website.

Despite its reputation for rainy weather, the average temperature for Seattle in May is 65° F, with an average of only two inches of rain for the month. And, by staying at the conference location, you can even leave your umbrella at home.

The Grand Hyatt Seattle is approximately 40 minutes from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC). Transportation options include:

• Seattle Link Light rail train: $3.00 each way
• Shuttle Express: $18.00 per person each way
• SpeediShuttle Seattle: $15.99 per person one way

Visit the Grand Hyatt Seattle website for more information on transportation options to and from the hotel.

For additional information on the Grand Hyatt Seattle and its amenities:
Grand Hyatt Seattle
721 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 774–1234
Fax: (206) 774–6311
Website: www.grandseattle.hyatt.com

Sunday, May 22, 2016
Hours: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Price: $45.00 per person
Includes: Narrated Seattle city tour, motorcoach transportation, all applicable gratuities, and Washington state sales tax

Sit back and enjoy the view as a local expert takes you through the city’s must-see attractions, famous landmarks, and beautiful sights. You will learn about Seattle’s history and culture, and get insider tips on special shopping and sightseeing areas.

Historic Pioneer Square and Seattle Waterfront
The tour begins with a drive through downtown to Seattle’s International District and historic Pioneer Square, Seattle’s oldest residential area. Next, you will drive along Seattle’s bustling Elliott Bay waterfront to view the exciting maritime activities, piers, ferry docks, souvenir shops, restaurants, boat cruises, the Seattle Aquarium, and other Puget Sound attractions.

Photo source: City of Seattle Parks and Recreation

Hiram Locks
Not to be missed is a stop at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, commonly called the Ballard Locks. Guests will have time to explore the grounds and watch as boats travel between the saltwater of the Puget Sound and the freshwater of the Ship Canal connecting to Lake Union and Lake Washington. Learn about the importance of the locks and how they operate so effectively. In addition to the botanical garden, a highlight of this stop is the fish ladder, built to allow salmon to pass between fresh- and saltwater.

Any tour of Seattle wouldn’t be complete without a drive by its most famous landmark: the Space Needle. Created for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle stands 605 feet tall and boasts fabulous 360-degree views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and the beautiful city of Seattle.

Pike Place Market
The final stop is Pike Place Market, known for its exciting sights, sounds, and aromas (not to mention those crazy fish throwers). Pike Place Market began on August 17, 1907 and has remained a vital part of Seattle's social and economic fabric for over 100 years. A variety of farmers, merchants, vendors, cafés, restaurants, and even the original Starbucks call this nine-acre historic district home. There will be time to shop and explore this fascinating area.

Photo source: City of Seattle

Monday, May 23, 2016
Hours: 5:00 p.m.–9:45 p.m.
Price: $145.00 per person
Includes: Motorcoach transportation, ferry cruise to Kiana Lodge, buffet dinner, all applicable gratuities, and Washington state sales tax
Please note: The buffet dinner will have a cash bar

Kiana Lodge is a private, six-acre waterfront retreat famous for its salmon dinner and scenic grounds. The rustic elegance of Kiana Lodge offers a perfect setting for the quintessential Northwest experience. Guests are invited to stroll along the beach, which is carpeted by white clam shells and delicate sand dollars, make s’mores over the bonfire, or simply wander among our fragrant cedars and enjoy the beauty of the extensive gardens.

Starting with the Suquamish descendants of Chief Sealth, for whom the city of Seattle was named, Kiana has been entertaining distinguished guests with traditional alder-roasted salmon dinners for over 200 years. Located on Agate Passage, just across from Bainbridge Island, Kiana's sandy beaches are still carpeted with white clam shells left by generations of Native Americans who inhabited the original Suquamish village where Chief Sealth lived, just two miles north. The lodge was purchased in 1946 by a private party and given the name "Kiana," meaning "Garden of the Gods" in the Native American language.

Photo Source: Kiana Lodge

Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Hours: 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Price: $72.00 per person
Includes: Motorcoach transportation, local tour guide, all applicable gratuities, and Washington state sales tax

Washington State is the nation’s second-largest wine producer and is ranked among the world’s top wine regions. Located just 30 minutes from Seattle, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Novelty Hill Januik are two of the area’s top attractions. Guests will enjoy private tours and tastings at these amazing locations.

Chateau Ste. Michelle
This award-winning winery is regularly voted as one of the top ten wineries in the United States. Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s founding Winery, with some of the oldest and most acclaimed vineyards in the Columbia Valley. While all of the vineyards are located on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, where the climate is dry and sunny, winemaker Bob Bertheau makes the award winning white wines in Woodinville. After viewing the art and science of wine-making and tasting exceptional wines, there will be plenty of time to visit the Chateau Ste. Michelle’s extensive wine and gift shop.
Photo source: Chateau Ste. Michelle

Novelty Hill Januik
Uniting innovation with tradition, Novelty Hill and family-owned Januik are two independent wineries that share a tasting room and production facility. The building’s contemporary design and surrounding landscape celebrate wine’s agrarian roots and the artistry of fine winemaking. Here you will sample wines from distinguished winemaker Mike Januik, recently named one of the world’s 10 "Masters of Merlot" by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Before starting his own winery in 1999, Januik was head winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle for 10 years and has been producing wine in the Columbia Valley since 1984.

Visa Application Process
Meeting attendees from countries that require a visa to enter the United States are reminded that the process of obtaining a visa takes a minimum of three months. You are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and begin the application process early.

The U.S. State Department website includes visa information concerning temporary visitors to the United States that may be helpful to you.

Please note that the Department of Homeland Security is implementing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which is expected to be mandatory for Visa Waiver Program travelers. Complete information is available on the Visa Waiver Program page of the U.S. State Department website.

How to Request a Visa Letter
To request an official visa invitation letter for the 13th International Symposium on Superalloys , please choose a button below. If you need additional assistance, contact Phyllis Roessler at 1-724-776-9000 ext. 256 or email proessler@tms.org.

Please note that this letter does not guarantee you will be granted a visa. TMS cannot send the letter to an embassy or consulate for you nor can we contact the embassy or consulate on your behalf. It is the sole responsibility of the attendee to obtain the necessary paperwork for entry to the U.S. It is crucial for the success of the application to apply at least three months in advance. TMS may contact program participants (abstract submitters) to follow-up on specific visa requirements and may provide customized letters and supporting documentation as needed.

TMS Members Only International Travel Resources
An extensive online library of tools is available on the TMS Members Only home page for help with acquiring a visa and preparing for travel to meetings or business events in the United States. Select "International Travel" from the tool bar on the left after logging in for access to articles and information, as well as links to official government and agency resources, updates, forms, and websites.