FAQs: You've got questions? We have answers!

General | Travel | Registration/Scholarships | Poster Presentations |Sponsor | Workshops | Lodging/Roommates | Field Trips/Activities | Business Center/Internet

General Questions

Q: What is the River Rally?
A: River Rally 2012 is a joint event of River Network and Waterkeeper Alliance. It is an international gathering of water conservationists, with a focus on education, inspiration and celebration. Staff, board members, volunteers, agencies, tribal representatives, and individuals interested in watershed conservation should all consider attending the event.

Oh - and don't let the name confuse you. River Rally is not just for rivers; it's for everyone. So, if you work on estuaries, bays, lakes, ponds, inlets, coasts, puddles, groundwater, streams or any issue involving the combination of 2 parts hydrogen and 1-part oxygen, you really ought to join us. After all, we do all live downstream.

To help demonstrate the inclusivity of the River Rally, in 2012 weare also hosting a "Bridge Day" with the National Water Quality Monitoring Council on May 4th.

Q: Where is River Rally 2012?
A: River Rally 2012 will be held May 4-7 in Portland, Oregon. Getting there

Q: How should I dress for the conference?
A: Dress for the conference is casual - very much so. Not business casual, just casual. Come as you please and be comfortable, but do remember that Oregon has a reputation for the "occasional" rainy day; Gortex and fleece are our city's unofficial uniform.

Q: Should I bring an instrument?
A: Yes - especially if you know how to play it. Even better if you can tune it. There are numerous planned and spontaneous opportunities to play music with fellow Rally-goers.

Poster Session

Q: Can I bring information to display?
A: Not formally. In the past, attendee organizations were allotted shared table space to display organizational information. However, folks on average tended to bring too many materials and then leave them behind; every year it was embarrassing the amount of paper we had to toss into the recycling bins. So, you are still welcome to bring materials to share, we just are not able to provide table space.

Travel

Q: How do I get to River Rally?
A: The best way to get to River Rally is safely. Additionally, if you are traveling by plane, plan to fly into Portland International Airport (PDX). Public transportation - via Max, Portland's light-rail - is available directly to the Portland Doubletree. Portland is also serviced by Amtrack and Greyhound. Learn more - including how to carpool - here.

Q: What MAX line do I take?
MAX is Portland's light-rail system. The good news is: if you are traveling directly from the airport (PDX), you can't muck this up. There is only one line (the 'red line') that services PDX, and it happens to be the very train that will also deliver you to the Doubletree. Please note that while it is called the 'red-line' - the train itself is not likely to be painted red; it may be white and blue/yellow or white and brown/orange. Don't let this confuse you; the 'line' is stated at the front/back of each train and will display something obvious like: Red Line; Yellow Line; Green Line or Blue Line. As a test, try it at the airport and you'll see the train (regardless of its color) will say: Red Line.

Q: What if I drive?
A: Watch for cyclists and puddles on the road, and consider car-pooling. You can park at the Doubletree for $5/night. And remember, you can't pump your own gas in Oregon; that may be the one thing we have in common with New Jersey. Not that there is anything wrong with New Jersey.

Sponsorships and Exhibits

Q: I want to support the River Rally and/or Exhibit
A: Excellent - thank you! Matt Burke will be happy to sign you up as a Sponsor, give you details on a wide-range of benefit packages and set you up to exhibit your products and services. Contact Matt at 503-542-8383 or email him today!

Workshops

Q: What types of workshops/training are available?
A: Workshops will be posted online in late December. Topics covered include Clean Water Act at 40; water quality and quantity; habitat; land use; building and development; energy use and climate change; public health and organizational health.

Q: How Can I be a Presenter?
*A: River Rally 2012 hosted an open Call for Workshops; the deadline was October 14 and netted 190 proposals. Applicants will be notified by the end of the year.

Registration & Scholarships

Q: What is the cost of attending River Rally?
A: Our Rates vary depending on your status as a River Network Partner/Waterkeeper Alliance member, although if you want to become a Partner you can do so online at any time. We will have both double and single occupancy rates, daily rates, a discount during the first three business weeks of registration and partial scholarships. Regardless of how many days you will attend, River Rally is the best value for your training dollars!

Q: How do I apply for a scholarship?
A: The scholarship process is embedded in the registration process. To apply for a scholarship, you must be a current staff, volunteer or board member of a River Network Partner and register for River Rally by March 9. All scholarship recipients must agree to the Terms of Agreement.

Q: What does a scholarship cover?
A: Scholarships provided by River Network can be used to help cover the cost of registration. Full scholarships are not available; the average award is $300. Scholarships can not be used to cover travel, field trips, single-rooms, bar tabs, bail, umbrellas, additional food, guests, or any other incidentals.

Lodging/Roommates

Q: How are roommates determined?
A: During the registration process: if you request double-occupancy, list a roommate and that roommate lists you, you will be placed together. If not, you'll be placed with another River Rally attendee of the same sex, and most likely leave with a new friend.

Q: If I register for River Rally and pay for River Rally Lodging/Workshops & Meals - do I need to
contact the hotel regarding my room reservation?
A: No. If you've registered and requested a room, we'll take care of the rest. All you need to do is pay your fees through River Network, arrange your travel and arrive in Portland, Oregon. We'll have your room waiting for you.

Field Trips/Activities

Q: What are my field trip options?
A: Excellent question - thanks for asking! River Network is working to arrange a wide variety of excursions to give you a taste of Portland's waterways and history. Read all about your options here.

Q: When are the field trips?
A: Most River Rally field trips will leave the Portland Doubletree on Sunday afternoon at about 12:30pm. Some will be combined with a morning workshop and may depart earlier. All field trips will return to the Doubletree by 5:30pm.

Q: How do I sign up for a field trip?
A: You can sign up for a field trip when you register. Field trips do have additional fees. Please know that because we must reserve shuttles and guides, field trips are non-refundable.

Q: Must I go on a field trip?
A: No, you mustn't. Field trips are optional. If you elect to not go on the field trip, you can opt to catch up on sleep, catch up on email (not recommended) or explore the Portland-area on your own.

Business Center/Internet

Q: Will I have internet access during River Rally?
A: Hotel guests receive complimentary internet access in their rooms and the hotel lobby.