The 2022 Blue Skies Forum is not open to the public. 

Individuals interested in viewing the Forum may do so by viewing the livestream.

• Rate: Room Block Rate is $96 per night + tax
• Room Types: Single King or Double Queen. NOTE: Additional fees are applicable to greater than single occupancy.
• Complimentary breakfast is provided to hotel guests.
• Deadline to make Reservations for Room Block at Group Rate: May 1, 2022
• Reservations can be made via the group reservation portal or by using the Group Code: SKY
  
  NOTES:
• The Embassy Suites at Hampton Convention Center is located 10 minutes from NASA’s Langley Research Center. Please plan to check in to the hotel before 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 1^st  so that you may check in for the competition by 8:30 PM Eastern.
• Check-in will be located in Embassy Suites lobby (near the elevators) from 7:00-8:30 PM Eastern. 
• The Forum ends at 10:00 PM on Friday, June 3^rd  – please plan to depart on Saturday, June 4^th.

Online Forum Registration is open!

• Each individual must register for the competition, including faculty advisors.
• Teams may bring up to 6 team members, plus an advisor.
• Due to security requirements at NASA Langley Research Center, attending team members must be U.S. Citizens or legal permanent residents (green card holders). No exceptions.

The registration and payment deadline is 11:59 PM Eastern on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Late registrations cannot be accommodated or accepted. No exceptions.

Teams wishing to pay via Group Payment may do so using our Group Payment Form.

• NOTE: Even when using the Group Payment option, all team members must still complete an individual registration form, including the faculty advisor. Instruct registrants to select the “To Be Paid via Group Payment” option at the bottom of their registration form (in the payment section). 
• When completing the Group Payment form, please include the names of all individuals the group payment is covering to ensure payment is applied appropriately to those individuals. 

Forum Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements, and for securing transportation to and from all of the Forum events in Hampton, VA.

NOTE: Uber/Lyft/Taxis are not allowed to access NASA Langley Research Center.

Arrival: Please plan to arrive no later than the evening of June 1, 2022.

• • Competition Check-In (Wednesday, June 1) – Competition check-in and NASA visitor badging will take place at the Embassy Suites from 7:00-8:30 PM on June 1 (look for us in the lobby near the elevators). Please plan your arrival accordingly, and bring your Gov’t-issued ID card to receive your NASA badge from us at this time. (Legal permanent residents must also bring their green cards). The NASA badge is required for entry to the NASA Langley Research Center.
    • If your flight is delayed and you arrive later than 8:30 PM, please call 970.368.3090 to make arrangements for getting your NASA badge to you before the staff depart for NASA in the morning. Blue Skies staff will also be staying at the Embassy Suites.

Departure: The competition officially ends at 9:30 PM Eastern on Friday, June 3, 2022.  Please make out-going travel plans accordingly.


LOCAL AIRPORTS:
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)
Closest Airport – approximately 15 minutes from hotel.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Located approximately 45 minutes from the hotel.
Expect lengthy travel delays during rush hour traffic (6:30 – 9:30 AM and 3:00 – 6:30 PM), due to the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) between Norfolk and Hampton. The HRBT is scheduled to be under construction during the Blue Skies Forum, contributing to even further delays.

Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Located approximately 1 hour from the hotel.
Expect travel delays during rush hour traffic on I-64.

NOTE: Participants must abide by the COVID Policy in place at the time of the event. 

In accordance with guidance and metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as revised policies of the National Institute of Aerospace and NASA Langley Research Center, the following COVID-19 Policy is in effect for the 2022 Gateways to Blue Skies Forum for all attendees, as of the date of April 1, 2022:

• Masks are not required for participation in this event, but are encouraged when practical. The decision to wear a mask is a personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk and comfort. Individual choices should be respected.
• Participants are asked to stay home and get tested if showing any COVID-19 related symptoms. Tests are available at most pharmacies. Free COVID-19 tests can be ordered at www.covid.gov/tests or may be available through your insurance provider. Symptoms may include:
  • Cough
  • Extreme Fatigue
  • Congestion
  • Runny Nose
  • Body Aches and Pains
  • Scratchy or Sore Throat
  • Loss of Taste or Smell
  • Fever or Chills

• Program staff will have a temperature gun available for participants to take their temperature if they are not feeling well. If any participant has a fever of more than 100.3, they will not be permitted to attend Blue Skies events.
• Participants in the Blue Skies Forum are encouraged to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines (i.e., a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s), when eligible).
• Participants are encouraged to practice proper and frequent hand-washing protocol.
• If a person has a recently confirmed case of COVID-19 (within 5 days prior to the Forum): 
  • Do not attend the Forum. 
  • Stay at home and isolate from other for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms or the date of the positive viral test for asymptomatic persons). Wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days. 
  • If unvaccinated: 
    • Get tested and self-quarantine for at least 5 full days if you have been exposed to someone that tested positive for COVID-19. 
    • Stay home and self-quarantine for a full 5 days after international travel. 
  • All travelers, vaccinated or unvaccinated, should get tested 3-5 days upon return from international travel and monitor for symptoms. 

This policy and requirements are subject to change at any time leading up to the Forum. Participants will be made aware of any changes to this policy. It is every participant’s responsibility to remain apprised of the policy and any changes prior to arrival in Hampton, VA.