TACOMA INFORMATION

The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) and its Northwest chapter (NWAEP) cordially invite you to participate in the NAEP 43rd Annual Conference being held March 11-14, 2018 in Tacoma, WA at the Tacoma Convention Center. The theme of the NAEP 2018 Conference is Sound Leadership in Environmental Adaptation and Resiliency. A block of conference-rated sleeping rooms has been reserved at the Hotel Murano which is two short blocks away from the center.  Given the desirable location between Portland and Seattle, and success of prior conferences, over 400 environmental professionals from around the United States are expected to participate.  We hope that you will be able to join us for this exciting event.

 

TACOMA INFORMATION

 Situated on Commencement Bay, an inlet of Puget Sound, Tacoma lies at the foot of Mt. Rainier in the Puyallup River valley, bordered by the Cascade and Olympic mountains. Tacoma is about 36 miles south of Seattle and only 18 miles south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The climate is quite mild throughout the year.  Although the area has the reputation of being rainy, Tacoma actually receives less rain than New York City. 

Tacoma will offer 2018 NAEP National Conference attendees a variety of unique opportunities and venues to explore and visit.  Both the Hotel Murano, the conference hotel, and the Tacoma Convention Center, are in the very walkable downtown core.  Within steps of the hotel, you will find numerous cultural, dining, entertainment, and shopping options.

For those interested in glass art, stroll across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass and admire the work of Dale Chihuly, a Tacoma native, known world-wide for his glass masterpieces.  The Museum of Glass welcomes you with spectacular exhibits (both inside and out) and the opportunity to see glass artisans at work in the Hot Shop.  If this is intriguing, sign up to create your own individual art piece at one of the many hot shops in the area.

If automobiles appeal to you, tour the LeMay – America’s Car Museum.  Among the hundreds of vehicles, check out the 1925 Ford Model T roadster pickup truck, the 1940 Chrysler Crown Imperial limousine, the 1952 MG TD, the 1966 Buick Skylark GS (editorial comment:  baby blue; You know you wanted one of these…), and for the really young-at-heart, the 1994 FLINTMOBILE!!!

The Foss Waterway Seaport is Tacoma’s restored shipping warehouse and maritime heritage educational center.  One of the tours offered during the conference will highlight the Foss Waterway Superfund Site, a nearby environmental cleanup. A second tour offered at the conference will be by boat, offering waterside views of the Port of Tacoma facilities along the Commencement Bay waterways. However, there is much more at the Foss Waterway Complex than the NAEP tour will have time to highlight.

A variety of restaurants and entertainment venues are within easy walking distance or assessable via the complimentary light rail system, the Tacoma Link Light Rail.  The Link makes six stops and travels between the ends takes approximately twelve minutes.  Hop on…hop off…at no charge.  Fine dining, casual dining, breweries, pubs, shopping, and everything in between are waiting to welcome you.

As conference regulars know, the Dine Around Tacoma activity Tuesday evening will offer attendees the opportunity to dine in small groups at a variety of venues.  Part of the Dine Around Tacoma event will include an historic brewery tour, for those looking to learn a little more about Tacoma’s industrial past. For those who prefer to go out on their own, a world of dining opportunities is at the doorstep.

We hope to see you in Tacoma!  Your visit will be both educational and enjoyable.