Housing and Travel
About Tucson
Tucson (TOO-sahn) is a growing metropolis of 800,000 people that keeps getting better and better. The city's geography offers postcard-perfect images of cactus forests, rolling hills and craggy mountains.
Tucson lies in the borderlands, a region that blends the cultures of the United States and Mexico, and has a history of settlement by Native American peoples, Spanish explorers, and Anglo frontiersmen. In fact, the city is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the United States–native peoples began farming this valley some 3,000 years ago.
The climate is mild nearly all the time, just right for all kinds of fun activities.
Tucson History
Tucson was formally founded in 1775, about the time the nation's forefathers were signing the Declaration of Independence. Locally, the city is still known as the Old Pueblo for the adobe fortress or presidio that marked its early borders.
Over the past three centuries, Tucson has grown from Native American farming community to Spanish outpost to dusty frontier town to bustling, territorial days' railroad hub to the mature Southwestern metropolis it is today.
For a perfect introduction to Tucson and southern Arizona 's past, visit the Arizona Historical Society and the Arizona State Museum . Displays and artifacts chart regional history from the earliest inhabitants to Spanish conquistadors to statehood. For more history, take the self-guided Downtown Walking Tour and stroll through a restored 19th century neighborhood; see Sonoran architecture and the site of the original Spanish presidio. To learn about Tucson 's significant aviation history, visit Pima Air & Space Museum , the world's largest privately funded air museum.
For more information on Tucson visit the following sites:
City of Tucson, www.ci.tucson.az.us/
Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.visittucson.org/
Hotel Reservations
A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved for the convenience of OIC meeting attendees at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. The meeting rates are: .
The meeting rates are:
|
Single Room |
USD $ 145 |
| Double Room |
USD $ 165 |
| Extra Person Charge |
USD $ 25 |
Reservations may be made by calling the hotel toll-free at +1-866-563-9792 or direct at +1-520-299-2020 and requesting The Optical Society (OSA) group rate.
Reservations may be made by using the housing form (below), and faxing it directly to The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.
Download the Housing Form (PDF)
The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort must receive reservations no later than May 4, 2010. After this date, the balance of the rooms will be released to the hotel.
All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. Attendees canceling a reservation must cancel 24 hours before the scheduled day of arrival or one night room and tax will be charged.
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N. Resort Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85750
United States
Phone: +1 (520) 299-2020
Fax: +1 (520) 529-2980
www.loewshotels.com
Travel / Letters of Invitation:
Attention Nationals and Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries:
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
As of 12 January 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. This authorization may be obtained through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security though a U.S. government Web site.
Register Online for entry to the United States
Visa Waiver Program Frequently Asked Questions
Letters of Invitation:
The application process for an international visa can take up to six months or more. You will need to apply for your visa as early as possible, but no later than three months before you wish to enter the US.
One factor that increases the processing time is the personal interview, now required for most applicants as a standard part of visa processing. As soon as you know that you will need a visa for travel, you should contact the embassy or consulate to schedule an appointment for screening.
Individuals requiring letters of invitation to obtain travel visas may contact OSA directly by one of the following methods:
- Online: Letter of Invitation Request Form
- Fax: +1 202.416.6100
- Mail:
Optical Society of America, Meetings Department
2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
In all requests please include the following:
(When requesting letters for more than one individual, please include all information stated above for each person.)
- Your full name as it appears on your passport
- Your complete mailing address
- Your phone and fax numbers
- Indicate which meeting you will be attending
- If you are presenting a paper, include the title and the session in which that paper will be presented
- If you are exhibiting, please indicate that in your request
- Individuals from China should include the passport number, the date of birth and the gender of each person requesting an invitation letter
- Indicate which meeting you will be attending
All letters of invitation will be sent by airmail or by fax unless a Federal Express account number or credit card number with expiration date is provided on the original request. Please allow ample time for processing requests. OSA is not able to contact US or Canadian Embassies in support of an individual attempting to gain entry into the host country to attend an OSA meeting.
Weather:
June Weather in Tucson
Average High Temperature: 100 °F (38°Celsius)
Average Low Temperature: 67 °F (20°Celsius)
Average Rainfall: .27 inches
For the most current weather predictions, please visit here
Electricity:
Standard 120v/60c voltage electricity is used in hotels.
Time Zone
Tucson, Arizona is located in the Mountain Time Zone.
Currency:
The local currency is the US dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted. Traveler's checks are accepted at many businesses. For the latest currency exchange click here.
Transportation
Airline Travel
OSA has appointed American Airlines the official airlines for OIC in Tucson, AZ, June 6-11, 2010. Discounted air travel is available. You may visit the American Airlines website at www.aa.com to search for available flights and use the authorization code A9510AH to receive your discount. You may also call the American Airlines Meeting Services Desk directly at 1.800.433.1790 for assistance with reservations and ticket purchases.
Area Airport
The local airport is the Tucson International Airport. A taxi from the airport to the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is approximately $50 USD one-way.
The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Spa is located approximately 21 miles from the Tucson Airport. Attendees may use Arizona Stagecoach to travel from the airport to the hotel. The shuttle will cost approximately US $ 48 per person one-way, US $ 88 round-trip. Two people: US $ 55 one-way, US $ 102 round-trip. Seven people (full van): US $ 90 one-way, US $ 172 round-trip. Shuttle stops at numerous hotels. No reservations required. The terminal is located in baggage claim.
Rental Cars
Avis Rent-A-Car is pleased to offer low rates with unlimited mileage to participants attending the 2010 Optical Interference Coatings (OIC). For Avis contact 1.800.331.1600 and refer to the Avis Worldwide Discount Number D004076. Reservations may also be made online at Avis.
Driving Directions
From Tucson International Airport to Loews Ventana Canyon
- Depart Airport heading North on Tucson Boulevard
- Turn Right on Valencia Road and travel 2 miles
- Turn Left on Alvernon Way heading North
- Alvernon will feed into Golf Links Road East
- Follow Golf Links to Swan Road and turn Left
- Travel North about 8 miles to Sunrise Drive
- Turn Right on Sunrise to Kolb Road
- Turn Left on Kolb Road and travel 1.5 miles
- Loews Ventana Canyon is on the Right
- Turn Right on Estes Way
- Driving time is approximately 35 minutes
