General Conference FAQs
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Where will the Energy HPC & AI Conference be held?
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The conference will be held at the Rice University BioScience Research Collaborative Building (BRC).
BRC
Rice University
6500 Main Street
Houston, TX 77030-1402
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Where can I park?
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Guests staying in nearby hotels are encouraged to walk, take complimentary hotel shuttles, or utilize ride-share programs to get to the conference venue.
BRC Garage: For guests wanting to park onsite, there is an underground parking garage at the BRC facility with a $13 daily maximum. The BRC Garage entrance is off of Dryden Rd. Parking is limited and not guaranteed.
- Payment Method: Paid parking is via credit card only. Insert your credit card at the entrance gate to enter the garage. You will be charged when exiting; the card acts as a placeholder once you enter.
- Parking Receipt: To receive a parking receipt, you will need to press the 'receipt' button underneath the yellow mouth of the machine. Wait to press the button until the gate arm opens upon exiting the garage.
- Validations: Certain personnel may be issued a validation. First insert the validation at the exit gate, then reinsert the same credit card used upon entry.
- Garage Hours: Parking in the BRC Garage is limited to a maximum of 24 hours. Vehicles parked longer than 24 hours may be subject to towing at the owner’s expense. The garage stairwell entrance on Dryden Road is accessible until 9:00 PM. After 9:00 PM, please use the call button at the BRC main lobby entrance to contact Security for building access.
Additional Parking: If the BRC Garage is full, conference guests can try other paid lots or garages nearby the venue in the Texas Medical Center. All available lots and garages will require a credit card to access.
- Travis Street Lot: This Rice University surface lot is conveniently located next to the BRC building, at the corner of Travis St. and Dryden Rd. The lot also has a $13 maximum per day. A parking receipt can also be printed upon exiting the gate, with instructions similar to the BRC Garage.
- TMC Parking Garages: Additional garages are located in the Texas Medical Center, across Main St. and a short walk from the conference venue: Scurlock Tower Garage, and Smith Tower Parking Garage.
- What hotels are nearby the BRC?
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We encourage out-of-town guests to stay within walking distance of the BRC venue. Nearby hotels include the Marriott, Westin, Hilton, and InterContinental hotels in the Texas Medical Center.
Rice University guests can compare discounted Rice rates across participating hotels using this link. Please inquire with your hotel about complimentary shuttle services. If you experience issues booking a hotel with the Rice rate, contact us at kenkennedy@rice.edu.
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Is Wi-Fi available at the BRC?
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Yes. Guests can access the "Rice Visitors" network by agreeing to the Terms & Conditions when opening a web browser.
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How do I modify my registration?
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If you wish to modify your registration type, please contact the Ken Kennedy Institute team for assistance.
The quickest way to reach us is by emailing kenkennedy@rice.edu.
- Can I receive accommodations for a disability?
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We are committed to making efforts that ensure an inclusive event experience for all attendees. If you have an accommodation request for a disability or would like to inquire about possible modifications that might improve your experience, please contact us at kenkennedy@rice.edu.
Please note that some requested services may not be available. We recommend reaching out at least one month in advance of the conference.
Additional Resources: Rice University Disability Support Center
- What safety guidelines will there be?
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We uphold Rice University's standard of safety and emergency protocols. To ensure a safe and positive environment for all attendees, the conference venue will have building security available as well as campus security on-site. To learn about additional Rice University policies, please visit the following links:
Rice University Discrimination and Harassment Policy
Rice University Affirmative Action PolicyReporting:
Event participants can report incidents directly to on-site security or to our Ken Kennedy Institute staff by emailing kenkennedy@rice.edu. If you believe you have been subjected to any type of conduct prohibit by Rice University we urge you to report the incident immediately. All reports will be followed up with swiftly and sent to the appropriate offices at Rice University as warranted. Any participant found to be violating the standards may be expelled from the event at the discretion of the organizers. -
Houston visitor information
