The 2019 March LIGO-Virgo Meeting will be held Monday through Thursday, 18-21 March 2019 at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Grand Geneva is located at 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and is about one hour drive from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and one and a half hours from Chicago. Parking is free on site. A satellite coatings workshop will be held on Friday, 22 March 2019 at the same location.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to stay at the Grand Geneva as a block of rooms has been reserved for this event. The conference rate in the Grand Geneva’s main lodge is $109 per night. Additional reduced room rates are also available at their Villas and Timber Ridge Lodge and Water Park. Reservation information and additional details can be found under Lodging below.

The Grand Geneva offers childcare at their Kids Are Grand recreational center.

Important Dates

15 Feb 2019: Hotel block
15 Feb 2019: Registration

Program

A detailed program will is available in the DCC; other general information is available in the LIGO wiki. The high-level structure is:

  • Mon, 18 March 2019:
  • Tue, 19 March 2019:
    • Working group face-to-face meetings.
    • Reception and poster session at 18:00 in the Evergreen Ballroom of the main lodge.
    • Public talk on Gravitational Waves - The New Astronomy at 19:00 in Linwood
  • Wed, 20 March 2019:
    • Plenary meeting
    • LSC Council Meetings (12:00-14:00 and 16:30-19:00)
    • Banquet at 19:00 in the Forum of the main lodge.
  • Thu, 21 March 2019:
    • Plenary meeting
  • Fri, 22 March 2019:
    • Coatings workshop
Daily sessions will be held in the Grand Geneva Convention Center. Floor plans for the meeting spaces can be found here.

Breakfast, lunch and snack breaks will be provided Monday through Thursday of the meeting. Please provide details on the registration form if you have any dietary restrictions or require other accommodations. The Grand Geneva offers several on-site restaurant options, including cafes and lounges, for other meals.

Free WiFi is available throughout the Grand Geneva and during the meetings. See the LIGO wiki for more information.

The Grand Geneva offers a variety of recreational facilities including a waterpark, skiing (snow permitting), and a spa. Childcare is available at the Kids Are Grand recreational center.

Registration

General Registration is $575 after December 15 and through February 18. Late Registration is $600 after February 18, 2019. Registration covers: breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day; a banquet dinner on Wed, 20 March 2019; audio-visual rentals; supplies and other miscellaneous expenses.

Registration is open!

If you need a letter of invitation to the meeting for visa purposes, please email cgca-events@uwm.edu.

Lodging

Please book rooms at reduced rates at the Grand Geneva, Villas or Timber Ridge Lodge by February 15, 2019. You can book your lodging through one of the following methods:

  • Online via the direct link
  • Online via the Grand Geneva website
  • By phone to the Grand Geneva Registration Office 262.248.8811. Mention the LIGO VIRGO Collaboration Meeting

The Grand Geneva Resort amenities can be found here. An on-property shuttle service is available between the different lodging properties.

Travel Info

Airport access: The meeting venue is The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, U.S.A. It is located at highways 50 East and 12 about one hour drive from Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (MKE), one and a half hours from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

Ground transportation: Airport shuttle service options are available through the Grand Geneva's online booking system, which partners with Go Riteway. Participants may want to group together to keep the cost down. Car rental is available at both airports. Parking is free on site and electric car charging stations are available. Here are links to driving directions from MKE and from ORD. If using a GPS navigation system or other online direction source, please use 7020 Grand Geneva Way as the destination address. Upon arrival, continue past Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark and proceed to the Lodge at Grand Geneva, located on the right hand side of Grand Geneva Way.

Travel Security: U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s air travel security rules remain in effect.

Other Info

  • Explore Lake Geneva for it’s winter activities, museums, tours, and shopping.
  • Bank/ATM - Chase Bank, 426 Center St., Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
  • Gas/Petrol Station - Mobil Station, 350 N. Edwards Blvd., Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
  • Pharmacy - Walgreens, 351 N. Edwards Blvd, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
  • Grocery Store - Piggly Wiggly, 100 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
  • General Store - Walmart Supercenter, 201, S. Edwards Blvd., Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (OPEN 24 HOURS)
  • Post Office - 672 W. Main St., Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
  • Urgent Care - Aurora Health Center, 146 E. Geneva Square, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
  • Emergency Room - Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center, N2950 State Road 67, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at Highways 50 and 67

    • Contact Heidi Matera at cgca-events@uwm.edu / +1-414-229-4960 with questions.