Transportation and Visa
Transportation
Airport
The nearby airport McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is the nearest for you airport consideration. Please note that there is no airport shuttle or local shuttle available to the Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University currently, sorry for the inconvenience. You can choose to get there through Taxi after arriving at the airport, which normally may take around $70.
Driving
Driving to the Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University is another choice.
From airports:
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) : Take 129 North to 1-40 East. Take Exit 388A-James White Parkway. Take Summit Hill Dr. exit off of Parkway. Turn right at the stoplight. Go through three stoplights. The hotel will be on your right.
Nashville International Airport (BNA) : Take I-40 East to Exit 388A-James White Parkway. Take Summit Hill Dr. exit off of Parkway. Turn right at the stoplight. Go through three stoplights. The hotel will be on your right.
Atlanta Hartsfield Airport (ATL) : I-75 North to I-40 East. Exit off of I-40 at exit #388A-James White Parkway. Take Summit Hill Drive exit off of parkway. Turn right at stoplight. Go through three stoplights. The hotel will be on the right.
From North:
Head south on I 75 S. Continue on I 275 S. Merge onto I 40 E toward Asheville. Use the right lane to take Exit 388A for TN 158 W, James White Pky toward Summit Hill Dr. Exit at Summit Hill Dr. Turn right onto E. Summit Hill Dr. SE. The hotel will be on your right.
From South:
Take US 129 N. Follow signs for I 40 E, I 275 N, Asheville, Lexington, and merge onto I 40 E. Take Exit 388A for TN 158 W, James White Pky toward Summit Hill Dr. Exit at Summit Hill Dr. Turn right onto E. Summit Hill Dr. SE. The hotel will be on your right.
From East:
Head west on I 40 W. Take Exit 389 for Hall of Fame Dr toward US 441 N, Broadway. Keep left to continue on Exit 388A. Continue onto TN 158 W. Use the right lane to take the Summit Hill Dr exit. Turn right onto E Summit Hill Dr. SE. The hotel will be on your right.
From West:
Head northeast on I 40 E. Use the right lane to take Exit 388A for TN 158 W, James White Pky toward Summit Hill Dr. Continue onto TN 158 W. Use the right lane to take the Summit Hill Dr exit. Turn right onto E Summit Hill Dr. SE. The hotel will be on your right.
Parking
Onsite Parking Available
the Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University offer self-parking in our well-lit parking garage. Oversized vehicles must contact hotel two business days prior to arrival to arrange street parking behind the hotel from the city $25 min.
Cost: 15 USD
Off-site Parking
Walk north on Walnut to Summit Hill Dr. Turn right half a block and hotel entrance across Summit Hill Dr on the left.
Onsite Valet
Cost: 25 USD
reference info: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/knoxville/tyssh/hoteldetail/directions
Visa
Prepare for Visa:
For every international participants, you need to pay attention and prepare your visa in advance. The United States has updated its visa policy for increased security. As a result, it now takes longer to obtain a visa. Advance planning by travelers is essential to avoid frustration and disappointment.
Normally, a international visitor should apply for a US visa at a US Consulate or Embassy in his/her country of residence following these simple steps:
Check if you need a visa (or renew a visa).
Choose the type of US visa you will apply for (such as J-1 Visa).
Fill in the Non-immigrant visa Application Form DS-160.
Pay your application fee.
Schedule visa interview.
Compile the document file.
Attend the visa interview.
Wait for processing.
Visa Letters
A visa support letter can be provided for authors and registered attendees upon request. To allow sufficient time for processing, please submit your requests for letters of support well in advance of your interview dates, to ende2025@egr.msu.edu All requests should include complete name (as in your passport) and current mailing address, email address, phone number as this information is to be included in the letter for submission to the US Consulate. Also please contact ende2025@egr.msu.edu for additional visa assistance queries.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of some countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. Since its inception in 1986, the VWP has evolved into a comprehensive security partnership with many of America’s closest allies. The VWP utilizes a risk-based, multi-layered approach to detect and prevent terrorists, serious criminals, and other mala fide actors from traveling to the United States. This approach incorporates regular, national-level risk assessments concerning the impact of each program country’s participation in the VWP on U.S. national security and law enforcement interests. It also includes comprehensive vetting of individual VWP travelers prior to their departure for the United States, upon arrival at U.S. ports of entry, and during any subsequent air travel within the United States.
Check the Waiver list on the official website with more information: Visa Waiver Program Requirements
Passports
Visitors traveling to the United States are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States. You can check with the website, https:/www.cbp.gov, to confirm that your passport is compliant. Temporary Passports will likely merit special scrutiny. To avoid complications, check with your local US consular offices, well ahead of your intended departure dates.
Citizens of some countries may be exempt from the six-month rule and need only to have a passport valid for their intended period of stay. You can find more information here: https://www.cbp.gov/document/bulletins/six-month-validity-update
Custom and Border Protection:
When you attempt to enter U.S. through the land border or international airport, you always need to pass through the Custom, which has many regulations and identity check for safety. Valid photo ID such as a passport, driver’s license, military ID card or other state or federally issued form of ID is usually needed to confirm your identity.
There are many reference information on the official website of Custom and Border Protection, you can use these two websites as references: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/know-before-you-visit, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors.
