About Minneapolis
Minneapolis is considered to be one of the safest big cities in the country. Ease of transportation, pedestrian and bike friendly access is abundant, and with over 40,000 people living downtown, that is a natural vibrancy within the city throughout regardless of time of year.
That said, as with anywhere you travel, being aware of your surroundings and not being careless with your belongings is suggested. In June, there is typically a baseball game or Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) game taking place in the evening in the warehouse district and most shopping/restaurants are open and active well into the evening. It stays light out until about 9:00pm at that time of year with dusk lasting until near 9:30/10:00pm.
Whether you want to check out nearby Minneapolis entertainment districts or explore fun things to do in the Twin Cities, our convenient location on Nicollet Mall puts you in the heart of it all. Located steps from Target Center, Target Field, and the new US Bank Stadium, we make it easy to see a variety of professional sporting events, including the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, and Lynx. While relaxing at the hotel, you can take a refreshing swim in the indoor heated pool or workout in the 32,000 sq. ft. StayFit™ Gym, open 24-hours a day.
You can find various local attractions here to occupy your free time.
Welcome Reception
A Welcome Reception will be held on Sunday, June 2nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Join us in the Nicollet Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel (the conference venue) where you can meet and make new friends and catch up with your colleagues. Light food and refreshments will be served.
Social Event
The NAACL 2019 Social Event will be held on Tuesday, June 4th, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at The Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Inspiring wonder through the power of art. The Minneapolis Institute of Art enriches the community by collecting, preserving, and making accessible outstanding works of art from the world’s diverse cultures.
Join us for a cultural event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and enjoy gallery-themed food and drinks, numerous galleries which include African, Asian, and European, plus the traveling Hearts of Our People presented in close cooperation with top Native women artists and scholars. This first major exhibition of artwork by Native women celebrates the achievements of over 115 artists from the United States and Canada spanning over 1,000 years. And, of course, music!
One entrance ticket will be included with registration but please note that space is limited to the first 1700 participants. We are expecting a very large conference, so it is important to let us know on the registration form whether or not you plan to attend the social event.
To get to the event, catch the shuttle bus outside of the Hyatt Regency (the conference hotel) between 6:45 pm and 7:15 pm.
Transportation
There is light rail service from both airport terminals to within a few blocks of the conference hotel, for $2 each way. Tickets are purchased from vending machines at the stations, and trains run every 10 minutes from 6am-7:30pm, and then 3-4 times an hour 7:30pm to midnight.
Specifically, you want the BLUE line Northbound toward downtown (the other direction will take you to the Mall of America). Take it to the Nicollet Mall Station stop (30min ride), which is at 5th & Nicollet. From there, you can walk the half mile along Nicollet to the hotel (12th & Nicollet), or take any of the 10,11,17 or 18 bus lines (the 10 and 18 are free along this route).
Accommodation
We have secured accommodation for participants at NAACL-HLT 2019 discounted rates at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis which is also the conference venue. You can learn more about the hotel here.
- Located 12 miles from MSP International Airport.
- Complimentary Wi-fi in all guest rooms.
- Single/Double Room: $199, Triple Room: $224, Quad Room: $249.
Quoted rates will be possible up to 3 days pre- and post-conference, based on hotel availability. ACL discounted rates are available through Saturday, May 11, 2019. Reservation requests received after the cut-off date will be based on standard room type availability at the contracted group rate.
Students
We have also booked a small number of rooms specifically for students at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Minneapolis at the super-discounted rates of $119 per night (1-2 people), $139 (3 people) and $159 (4 people). We strongly encourage students to share rooms to the extent possible.
The ACL Office will accept your reservation request and make the reservations on your behalf. Room sharing is recommended since only a limited number of rooms are available at the discounted rates. If you would like to share, you will need to specify the total number of people who will be sharing the room including yourself (i.e., yourself plus 1 to 3 others). Please be aware that rooms typically come with two beds so any more than two people may have to share a bed.
Please complete the Student Accommodation Request Form to make your reservation request. We will do our best to honor your request on a first-come first-served basis. All requests must be received no later than Wednesday, May 1, 2019 by the ACL Office.
The Doubletree Suites by Hilton Minneapolis is located just minutes from the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (the conference venue).
Remote Presentation
This year, NAACL is introducing the option of remote presentations for presenters who cannot otherwise attend the conference. More details are available in this blog post authored by the remote presentation chairs.
To apply for a remote presentation slot at NAACL-2019, please fill out and e-mail it to contact@naacl2019.org. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Visa Information
The following questions will help you in determining whether and how to apply for a U.S. visa to attend the conference.
Can I travel to the U.S. without a visa?
Please see this page to determine whether you are eligible to apply for an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) instead, which might be cheaper and easier. This is usually allowed if you hold a passport from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, but there are some exceptions. Be sure to apply for the ESTA at least 72 hours in advance. Do not purchase your ESTA from any website other than the one linked above.
What kind of visa do I need?
To attend the conference, you should apply for a nonimmigrant B-1 visa. (This also permits you to engage in tourism during your trip.)
How do I apply for a visa?
Please apply well in advance. Visa applications can take from 1–4 months to be approved and normally require an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For details, begin here and navigate to the website for the embassy or consulate nearest you for further visa instructions.
How much will it cost?
The non-refundable visa application fee is approximately $160 in local currency. Depending on your nationality, you may also have to pay a visa issuance fee.
Why should I request a visa invitation letter?
A letter is not specifically required. However, you are supposed to bring documentation to your visa interview. Bringing a letter from the conference organizers can help to establish the purpose of your trip: for example, we can document that you are coming to present a paper. You can request such a letter here.
In addition, if you have already paid for your registration, bringing your receipt can help to establish your ability to pay. In some countries, it may also be wise to bring a letter from your own institution that authorizes you to attend the conference.
What other documents may be needed in the visa interview?
The answer to this question varies by the country where the interview is conducted, and perhaps also by your nationality. Typically you will be asked to bring:
- your visa interview appointment letter
- suitable photos or digital images
- your passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of stay in the U.S.
- DS-160 application confirmation page
- application fee payment receipt
You may also bring other documentation that will help you answer the interviewer’s questions. The interviewer is particularly interested to establish:
- The purpose of your trip. See the previous question. You may also be asked to bring your CV.
- Your intent to depart the United States after your trip. You may wish to show your return ticket, and evidence of your work and family responsibilities outside the U.S.
- Your ability to pay all costs of the trip. You may wish to show your bank statement, or evidence of travel grants or sponsorships, etc.
- Your U.S. stay address. You may wish to bring your hotel booking information.
Is it safe to go ahead and register for the conference before I have a visa?
Yes. If your visa application is denied, you are entitled to request a full refund of your conference registration fees.