Situated in the High Eastern Sierra foothills on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada and only a short distance from Lake Tahoe, Reno has some of the most stunning views in the world. Inside the city limits, Reno proudly offers over 185 pieces of permanent and temporary public artworks throughout the city, plus multiple gallery spaces sharing year-round views of Reno’s art scene with exhibits of local and regional artists. In addition to the Art Museum, Reno offers the National Automobile Museum, Discovery hands-on Science Museum, Wilbur D. May Center and Arboretum, and WM Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum. Reno has a dynamic nightlife with plenty of options for gaming, entertainment, dining, and socializing, making it a popular destination for those looking to enjoy a night out. If you prefer to go out into nature, Reno offers numerous parks with hiking, horseback riding, and more. Travel to nearby Lake Tahoe or Truckee and enjoy paddleboarding, river rafting, fishing, and rock climbing! If you prefer shopping, Reno and nearby Sparks offer Meadowood Mall, the Outlets at Legends, the Reno Public Market, Dickerson Road, and the Summit Reno. There is no limit to what you can do in this “Biggest Little City in the World!”

Reno, Nevada, and its nearby environs also have a growing biotechnology industry, with companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Charles River Laboratories, Truckee Applied Genomics, Bioelectronica, Sierra Sciences LLC, RosVivo Therapeutics, Hamilton Company, and DxDiscovery all contributing to the sector. The University of Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources offers undergrad and graduate programs in biotechnology, agriculture, biochemistry, and molecular biology and their enthusiastic academics are thrilled to be welcoming SIVB to their city.

• The Peppermill Resort and Spa is the holder of various gaming licenses issued by the Nevada Gaming Commission. The use, possession, or sale of marijuana or marijuana-related products on the premises is strictly prohibited. This includes in the meeting space as well as the guest rooms. Please do not bring any marijuana products with you to the meeting for any purpose.
• The Hotel prohibits the wearing, transporting, storage, or presence of firearms or other dangerous weapons in Hotel facilities or on Hotel property.

The Society for In Vitro Biology will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities at the meeting. The Peppermill Resort is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please indicate your special needs when making your reservations at the hotel.

Begin the process as early as possible

The United States advises visa applicants apply at least three (3) to four (4) months before their travel date. Be aware that additional reviews may be required and this could add an additional four (4) to six (6) weeks to your visa processing time.

Organize your Visa Application Materials in advance

Organize your passport; proof of payment of fees; all required applications; and any supporting documentation, including information on current employment, your reason for travel, and your financial status. For more detailed information on visa requirements, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa site and the International Visitors Office of the National Academies which has developed a page on its website to collect detailed information about international scientists experiencing significant visa delays. This could prove useful to scientists still trying to cope with the many changes in protocol brought on by the SEVIS student-tracking system and the enhanced security of the US-VISIT program. Visa applications that are delayed by more than 20 days will be reported to the State Department.

Submitting Your Application

Wait times to schedule appointments may be longer than in prior years, so make your appointment as early as possible to visit your United States Embassy or Consulate. Make sure to ask if there are any fees required with the application and application process. Most fees must be paid before you have your appointment. Information on visa wait times can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.

Invitation letters

If you need a formal invitation letter for visa purposes, you may request an invitation by sending your name, address, and any other details you require in the correspondence to the SIVB Business Office. If you have been confirmed to make a presentation during the meeting, please include the name of your abstract and date of your presentation, if applicable.

As a reminder, attendees are required to make their own hotel reservations and register for the meeting.