-------------------------------------- SOCIAL PROGRAM AND TOURS --------------------------------------- BANQUET AT MICROSOFT Enjoy an open-air, Pacific Northwest dinner at the heart of Microsoft's Redmond campus on Tuesday evening, July 11th from 7:00 to 10:00. Microsoft Library and Museum, as well as its "Home of the Future," will open before and after dinner for the banquet guests. Additional tickets are available for $50.00, with a limited number of student tickets available for $25.00. MOUNT RAINIER TOUR Mount Rainier stands 14,411 feet above sea level, and is one of Washington State's greatest attractions. The drive up the mountain includes a stop at Narada Falls before arriving at Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park. In this area, lush with wild flowers, are the Visitors Center with its panoramic view and Paradise Lodge built in 1916 of Alaskan cedar. The return trip through Stevens Canyon with a stop at Box Canyon to view the Cowlitz River cutting deep into the earth, completes the trip around this magnificent mountain. Be sure to bring your camera. (Please note: Mt. Rainier is a 2.5 hours ride from Seattle.) The bus will leave the Sheraton at 8:00 a.m. and return about 6:00 p.m. Cost of the tour is $48.00 and includes a box lunch en route. TILLICUM VILLAGE TOUR AND DINNER Tillicum Village is located at the Blake Island Marine State Park, and is the birthplace of Chief Sealth, whose name, slightly changed, was chosen to mark Seattle in the 1800's. It is styled after the native "Longhouse" and remains one of the Northwest's most natural settings to achieve the true Native American experience. The tour departs from Seattle's Pier 56 to a scenic and informative cruise of the inner harbor of Elliot Bay. Upon arrival, visitors will go to a display of Indian ceremonial longhouses, potlatches, war canoes, and Indian art. A traditional Northwest feast will follow with steamed clams and nectar, a buffet which features alder-smoked salmon and Indian bread, and a cultural event in which a narrator tells stories of the Indian land, customs, and their creation, while Northwest Native American performers portray their ancient folklore through a series of costumed dances. After the show, visitors can browse through the gift shop or walk along the nature trails on Blake Island. The bus will leave the Sheraton at 6:00 p.m. and return at approximately 10:45 p.m. Cost of the tour and dinner is $52.00. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON TOUR Attendees of the conference are invited to visit several sites of interest on the campus of the University of Washington. One of the highlights of the tour is the Human Interface Technology Laboratory. Information about additional sites will be available at the conference's final program. The Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HITL) was founded five years ago. It is a center of excellence for the research and development of advanced interface technology. Its mission is to empower humans by creating better ways of interacting with advanced machines. To this end, it has created a balanced team of accomplished professionals, and equipped a substantial lab space with the latest research facilities. Located on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle, HITL forms a bridge be tween academia and industry. It maintains its industrial focus via the Virtual Worlds Consortium, and it maintains contacts with academia by training students and teaching courses. The lab's position within the University system gives it access to a pool of exceptional faculty and students throughout the State of Washington. The combination of personnel, focus, and research facilities makes HITL a unique environment for conducting research. A presentation describing some of the lab infrastructure, and providing a brief overview of some of the lab' s activities and accomplishments, will precede the tour of the facility. Registration will take place at the conference. VICTORIA, BC TOUR The lives of Indians, British, Scots, Americans and Chinese are intertwined in the history of Vancouver Island, but it is the British influence that has prevailed in Victoria. This once bustling international port has become instead a languid and charming city of flowers and afternoon tea. Transportation to and from Victoria will be by first class service Victoria Clipper jet catamaran. This 300-passenger cruiser will take you on a 2.5 hour voyage through the Pacific Northwest's scenic coastline and the San Juan Islands to Victoria, B.C. The Clipper offers snacks and bar service along with duty-free shopping, enclosed viewing decks, with comfortable seating and concierge service. Once in Victoria, visitors are free to plan their own tours; they may want to just walk in the streets and enjoy the architecture and atmosphere, visit the Provincial Museum with its excellent collection of Native Canadian Art, take the bus to the famous Butchart Gardens, take any of the many city tours on a double-decker bus, or enjoy high tea at the Empress Hotel. A certified guide will be available to assist visitors in their plans. The bus will leave the Sheraton at 7:00 a.m. and return at 10:00 p.m. Cost of the tour is $98.00. Proof of citizenship will be required. Non-U.S. citizens need an American visa that allows them to re-enter the U.S. Tours may be cancelled if minimums are not met. Additional information on local attractions, events and restaurants will be included in your conference registration packet. --------------------------------------- SIGIR'95 IN SEATTLE --------------------------------------- Seattle is located in western Washington State, with snow-capped mountain ranges on both sides. This beautiful city is built on seven hills along the shores of Puget Sound, an inland body of water connected to the Pacific Ocean. The lush greenery and over 4,000 acres of city parks, allow visitors year round to enjoy outdoor activities. With bountiful natural beauty, Seattle offers plenty of cultural opportunities as well. Several of its numerous art galleries and museums emphasize Native American and Asian art. Artistic performances are given by the Seattle Opera, its Symphony, the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company and by many theaters. Locals and visitors enjoy the Pike Place Farmer's Market, and the excellent bookstores and restaurants. The month of July promises temperatures in the mid-70's (lower 20's C), and a variety of food, wine, and music festivals.