All conference attendees, even those planning to observe or who are registered for workshops, are welcome to join our Volunteer ranks and help make this year's NATC amazing for everyone! Volunteer opportunities are available for Equipment, Registration, Marketplace, Photo/Video, and Workshop Monitor tasks. Visit https://natc.ivolunteer.com/2019 for more information and to sign up for a shift.

Pro Tips

Check the shift times! Make sure you're not signing up during a timeframe that conflicts with a workshop you are attending or wish to observe. Some shifts span multiple workshop sessions.

Can't make the entire shift as listed? When you register, you'll have the opportunity to let us know what times you are free and able to lend a hand, if these don't exactly line up with the official shift times.

Any additional questions? Let us know by emailing: concierge@taikocommunityalliance.org

From PDX to PDU - Directions from the Airport

Per the PSU Website

Public Transportation

TriMet is Portland's public transportation system. TriMet consists of bus, MAX Train, Street Car, and WES Commuter Rail. To find out more about TriMet, please click here and note their memo about MAX service disruptions during the conference weekend, available here. 

If taking a MAX Train to PSU, shuttle buses will run between the airport and the Kenton/N Denver MAX Station along the MAX Yellow Line. The shuttle bus trip will take about 20 minutes and depart every 20 minutes. You can board the shuttle bus at the regular Line 272 bus stop on the lower arrivals level near the MAX station (Stop ID 13504). At Kenton/N Denver Ave Station, transfer to a MAX Yellow Line train and take this to PSU (the last stop on this line). Please be sure to check the MAX Service Disruption Notice for the most up-to-date travel information.

If you're arriving before Friday and don't intent to head directly to PSU,  the above MAX route will also serve to get you into the Downtown Portland area. Simply get off at a different station as suits your needs. The Union Station/NW 5th & Glisan MAX Station is your gateway to Downtown. For even more customization, Google Maps has been updated to accurately advise on routes currently available during the rail construction. Please be sure to check in at an Information Kiosk in PDX when planning your route to account for any unexpected service changes.

Click here for a Sample Route to PSU using the MAX Yellow Line (https://goo.gl/maps/c4Hanqj38FQ1MaNE7)

Click here for a Sample Route to PSU using the MAX Red Line (https://goo.gl/maps/UTSnUdJ8WzZEWpAf9)

Click here for a Sample Route to PSU using the MAX Blue Line (https://goo.gl/maps/SrTQcHPypHJvvm7f9)

Click here for a Sample Route to a Special Destination in Downtown Portland (https://goo.gl/maps/A1awR5W477sUt2P3A)

Blue Star Shuttle to Portland Downtown

The Blue Star Shuttle is the only shuttle to Downtown Portland and Lloyd Center. It leaves PDX every 30 minutes to hotels in Lloyd Center and Downtown Portland. The cost is $14 each way or $24 roundtrip per person. See the Blue Star Shuttle website for a detailed schedule of stops and contact information.

Taxi Cab

Hiring a taxi is your fastest (and most expensive) option. Taxis are always available at the airport and will charge about $40 for a ride to PSU. The ride will take 20-40 minutes. If heading directly to Registration, you can provide your driver with the address for the Smith Memorial Student Union, found below.

Conference Locations

On-Campus Housing Locations

Victor's Dining Center

(On-Campus Housing Guest Meals)
First Level of Ondine Residence Hall

https://goo.gl/maps/eaJgZwB64tMVoFEJ8

1912 SW 6th Ave

Portland, Oregon 97201

Any additional questions? Let us know by emailing: concierge@taikocommunityalliance.org

Disclaimer:

The North American Taiko Conference (NATC) is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse any transportation service provider that is listed above and utilized by any group or individual.

NATC does not indemnify any transportation services provider whatsoever, and does not provide transportation services insurance for third party providers.

Any group or individual who chooses to use any third party transportation services listed on this website does so at their own risk and responsibility without exception.

Both Daily and Hourly parking is available throughout PSU’s campus. Passes for both daily and hourly parking may be purchased via phone using an app called Parking Kitty. Please see the map of PSU Parking Locations below for more information, including locations and rates*.

Daily parking passes may be purchased in-person at the Summer Housing and Conferences desk, located in The Broadway Building, Suite 210. Conference guests who purchase passes through the Summer Housing and Conferences desk will be able to park in Structure 1. Guests who use Parking Kitty will still have the option to park in Structure 1, but the number of spaces will be limited; however, guests who use Parking Kitty will be able to take advantage of street parking, whereas permits purchased from the Summer Housing and Conferences desk are only valid for Parking Structure 1.

For a more detailed breakdown of PSU parking locations, rates*, and accepted forms of payment, please visit PSU’s Transportation and Parking Services website.

Conference locations include the Smith Memorial Student Union, Lincoln Hall, and for On-Campus Housing guests, The Broadway and Ondine. Please reference the map below to see how these buildings relate to available parking zones.

If you are interested in visiting other areas of Portland during your stay and would like to learn more about Parking Kitty for use outside of PSU parking zones, visit the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Parking’s website, which highlights Parking Kitty zones throughout the City of Portland.

*Rates are subject to change.

Registration Check-in will take place in the Smith Memorial Student Union on both Friday and Saturday, but will be shifting locations within the building to accommodate conference events. Please make a note of the following locations and times:

• Friday, August 9: Registration is open from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM in SMSU 296/298.
• Saturday, August 10: Registration is open from 8:00 AM to 12:00PM in SMSU Ballroom 355 Foyer.

Smith Memorial Student Union

https://goo.gl/maps/SUeMYipS9oqzf4r5A

1825 SW Broadway

Portland, OR 97201

If you are planning to attend the Taiko Ten reception on Friday, August 9, you must complete your Registration Check-in to receive your conference badge. Your conference badge will be required to gain entry to all conference spaces, including Taiko Ten.

At Registration, you can expect to receive the following items:

1. Your Registration Package, which includes:
   • The Conference Program
   • Name Tag and Badge Holder
   • Workshop Tickets (Only applies to Workshop and Mini-Intensive Participants)
2. Any pre-purchased add-ons (Taiko Jam tickets, T-Shirts)
3. Housing Check-in Information (if staying in the On-Campus dorms)
   *You will need to complete NATC Registration before checking in to the dorms!

On-Campus Housing Guests will receive your dorm assignment and check-in information when you sign in at NATC Registration. The earliest you can check in to housing is 1:00 PM on Friday, August 9, following the completion of your NATC Registration Check-in. Please note that linens will be provided in all rooms, but toiletries are not; all on-campus housing guests should bring their own soaps, shampoos, etc. as needed.

Workshop Participants: If you feel that a workshop placement isn’t a good match for your interests, please come by the registration desk and participate in our Workshop Swap! Tickets to workshops with available spaces will be posted on our Workshop Swap boards for you to peruse. Take a look, find a better-suited workshop, and then register your swap with the Workshop Swap attendant. Please note that Mini-Intensive Participants do not qualify for Workshop Swap.

Any additional questions? Let us know by emailing: concierge@taikocommunityalliance.org

On-Campus Housing Guests will receive your dorm assignment and check-in information when you sign in at NATC Registration. The earliest you can check in to housing is 1:00 PM on Friday, August 9, following the completion of your NATC Registration Check-in. 

Please note that linens will be provided in all rooms, but toiletries are not; all on-campus housing guests should bring their own soaps, shampoos, etc. as needed.

Registration Check-in, which includes On-Campus Housing Check-in, will take place in the Smith Memorial Student Union. On Friday, August 9, Registration opens at 1:00 PM in SMSU 296/298.

Smith Memorial Student Union

https://goo.gl/maps/SUeMYipS9oqzf4r5A

1825 SW Broadway

Portland, OR 97201

All NATC Attendees staying in Broadway and Ondine Residence Halls have a Meal Plan, which includes breakfasts and dinners served at Victor’s Dining Hall (located on first level of Ondine Residence Hall) at the below times. Admission to this space requires a conference registration badge with a Meal Plan indicator.

FRIDAY, August 9, 2019

• Dinner is 4:30 PM-7:30 PM
  *Planning to attend the Opening Session, Reception, and Taiko Ten Concert? We strongly encourage taking advantage of your Meal Plan prior to the start of the Opening Session at 6:00 PM. Only light refreshments will be served during the Reception.

SATURDAY, August 10, 2019

• Breakfast is 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
• Dinner is 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, August 11, 2019

• Breakfast is 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

An Important Note for Workshops: All workshop participants must bring their own bachi and/or shinobue as needed. This includes bachi for both Odaiko and Katsugi Okedo workshops. Most shime bachi are suitable for use on Katsugi Okedo. Similarly, shime bachi are acceptable for Uchiwa workshops; a limited supply of bachi for use with Uchiwa will be available for loan. For those taking chappa and/or atarigane workshops, instruments will be provided; however, you are also welcome (and encouraged!) to bring your own. Remember! If you are in need of taiko equipment, the Taiko Marketplace will open on Saturday, August 10 starting at 8:00 AM.

Clothing
ð A pair/pair(s) of sleeping clothes/pajamas
ð Clothing comfortable for exercise
RECOMMENDED: Bring extra clothes in case of emergency (extra socks, shirts, underwear, etc)
ð Comfortable shoes, preferably shoes used for exercise
ð Warm jacket/sweater and warm pants for cold weather/ambitious air conditioning

Toiletries
ð Shampoo/Body Soap/Conditioner/Face wash
ð Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Floss/Mouthwash

Miscellaneous
ð Cell phone charger/external charger
ð Laptop/laptop charger
ð Voltage Converter if traveling internationally
ð Glasses/Contacts/Eye drops
ð Reusable water bottle
ð Wallet/Money/ Personal Identification Card (I.D.)
ð Medication for personal illness
ð First Aid Kit

Taiko Stuff
ð Bachi!
ð Enthusiasm!! Excitement!!! Positivity!!!!
ð Sand paper
ð Taiko Costumes
ð Ear plugs