The Web Site Evolution 2006 conference will be held in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The city is a wonderful Historic Place, and the birth place of the United States. We are sure that you will enjoy your stay for the conference as well as the city.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city of elegance, historical beauty, and modern inspiration. Philadelphia is where American independence began, with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall on July 4, 1776. The city itself was founded by William Penn, a believer of people living in harmony and freedom of religion. The word Philadelphia is of Greek origin and translates into “city of brotherly love” a term quite fitting for a city that would become the temporary capital of the new United States and the symbol of independence.

Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the United States and the second largest city on the East Coast. Geographically, Philadelphia is about 60 miles inland and is spread over 129 square miles. Philadelphia is the home of some 1.5 million residents and is the country’s busiest freshwater port. It’s prime location serves as a great stopping place between New York and Washington D.C. Philadelphia is a dynamic place and as the popular adage goes, Philadelphia is the place that loves you back! Philadelphia is not only the birthplace of American independence and home of the Liberty Bell, but it is also a mélange of rich historical and modern attractions. Philadelphia has a lot to offer its tourists, from fine dining and smart shops to professional sports and Italian marketplaces.

Philadelphia International Airport

The Philadelphia International Airport serves all flights into Philadelphia. The airport is located at the southwest corner of the city. The Philadelphia International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the country. For airport information call (215) 937-6800 or visit www.phl.org for more details.

Philadelphia offers a high-speed rail that provides direct transportation between the airport and the city center. The rail runs every 30 minutes between the hours of 5:30am and 11:25pm. The rail is about a 30-minute trip and costs $5.50 for adults, $1.50 for children, and $16 for a family fare. You can purchase your ticket with cash either at a ticket machine on the train platform or from a conductor on the train.

In addition to the rail, taxi rides from the airport to the city center take approximately 25 minutes and cost a flat fee of $20.00 plus tip. Taxi dispatch is available 24 hours a day at the airport. An alternate travel option would be car-rental. All major car-rental operations have desks at the airport for convenience. The following is a list of available car-rental services available:
Alamo (800) 327-9633 www.alamo.com
Avis (800) 331-1212 www.avis.com
Budget (800) 527-0700 www.budget.com
Dollar (800) 800-4000 www.dollar.com
Hertz (215) 654-3131 www.hertz.com
National (800) 227-7368 www.nationalcar.com

Other major airports are Newark, located in New Jersey, and JFK in New York. From JFK you can take the subway or a taxi to New York City’s Penn Station. From Newark you can take a connecting train to the airport rail station. You can then either catch an Amtrak train or a NJ transit train and SEPTA train to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. See www.amtrak.org, www.septa.org, or www.njtransit.com for more information on fares and schedules. Expect the trains to Philadelphia to add several extra hours to your journey.

The Sheraton Society Hill

Located in America's most historic square mile, the Sheraton Society Hill is just four blocks from Independence Hall and steps away from world-class restaurants, shopping, galleries, and theaters. Relics from the past 200 years, discovered in an archaeological dig prior to construction, are on display around the hotel. Become a part of history and stay where some of the most influential people in Philadelphia's history once lived.

All of the meeting rooms are located at the lobby level for your added convenience. Ten private meeting rooms are also available for smaller gatherings, with most offering garden views and natural light. You can visit the Sheratoon Society Hill website at www.sheraton.com/societyhill.

(source: ICSM 2006 website: http://icsm2006.cs.drexel.edu/)