69^th Annual International Conference on Mass Properties Engineering
Virginia Beach, Virginia
May 22-26, 2010
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Sunday - 23 May 2010

Nauticus National Maritime Center and Naval Base Cruise
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Nauticus is a Maritime-themed Science Center containing interactive exhibits and The Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Enjoy a two-hour Naval Base Cruise aboard the Victory Rover while discovering the Hampton Roads harbor.

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is owned and operated by the United States Navy and located on level two of Nauticus. The museum houses a rich collection of authentic uniforms, weaponry, underwater artifacts, detailed ship models, artwork, and is currently host to one of the largest battleships in the world, the USS Wisconsin.

Berthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Explore its deck through a self-guided or audio tour that will take you back in time to experience this majestic Iowa-class ship that earned five battle stars during World War II.

Leave hotel at 9:00 am. Return to hotel at 3:00 pm.

Opening Reception
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Monday - 24 May 2010

Norfolk Botanical Gardens – Day Event
9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Enjoy the 155 acre Norfolk Botanical Garden with over 30 themed gardens. There is a 35-minute narrated boat tour for all. At the time of our conference, there should be nearly 70 types of plants in bloom. Roam the grounds on your own or take the 20-minute narrated tram tour. You may enjoy lunch on your own at the Garden Cafe?. This is the perfect choice for a bistro- style lunch. Guests can dine while enjoying the spectacular views from the terrace or you may choose to eat inside the cafe?.

Tuesday – 25 May 2010

Private Dinner Cruise - Evening Event
5:30 pm - 10:00 pm

This evening event will take you for a two-hour cruise on the Elizabeth River. You will be entertained with a guest speaker/author who is a civil war historian, John Quarstein. Mr. Quarstein will engage you as he relives the Battle of the Monitor/Merrimac. Enjoy a night of dancing while eating from the unlimited dinner buffet which includes unlimited beer and wine. This event promises to be a big hit, so bring your dancing shoes and enjoy an evening under the stars.

Leave hotel at 5:30 pm. Board ship at 6:30 pm. Cruise from 7-9 pm followed by return to hotel.

Wednesday – 26 May 2010

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center - Day Event
9:30 am - 3:00 pm

The Virginia Beach Aquarium is in Virginia Beach and contains two buildings – the Bay & Ocean Pavilion and the Marsh Pavilion – as well as the nature trail that connects them.

The Bay & Ocean Pavilion – from the rivers to the Chesapeake Bay and finally, into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, this journey of water through Virginia introduces you to the many aquatic animals and plants that are native to the state. See the largest collection of Chesapeake Bay fishes and meet a horseshoe crab at the Chesapeake Bay touch pool. Observe Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, and Green turtles in the Chesapeake Light Tower Aquarium. Watch in wonder as sharks, stingrays, and other ocean dwellers navigate Norfolk Canyon Aquarium. Learn about the science of oceanography through engaging, hands-on exhibits.

The Marsh Pavilion is home to river otters, seahorses, snakes, and other marsh dwellers. Take a closer look at life in the “macro-marsh,” where plants and animals are magnified up to ten times their normal size. Then walk outside on an elevated deck through a half-acre aviary to see 55 different species of native birds.

You can also enjoy an IMAX Show (on your own or included if there is a group of 15 or more registered guests). Enjoy lunch at the Aquarium’s Osprey Cafe? with an array of sandwiches, pizza, calzones, salads, hamburgers, etc., prepared by chefs on the premises. Dine inside or take a seat outside and enjoy the sights.

Awards Banquet
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Thursday – 27 May 2010

Military Aviation Museum - Day Event
8:30 am - 11:30 am

The Military Aviation Museum, located at the Virginia Beach Airport is a private airport used by the Fighter Factory to maintain, display and fly World War 2 and Korean War era fighters, bombers, trainers and seaplanes. The art deco building, grass landing strip, checkered water tower and hangars are home to one of the world’s largest private collection of vintage aircraft.

Many aircraft have been fully restored to their World War II condition and are available for flight demonstration, static display or movie production or commercials.

Transportation to and from the museum (approximately 20 minutes) will be via the museum’s authentic, double- decker London Bus. Upon arrival at the museum’s hangars, guests will be provided with a two-hour guided tour of the facilities and aircraft. Depending on restoration schedules, guests may be treated to a discussion of ongoing restoration work at the affiliated Fighter Factory in Suffolk, Virginia. The tour bus will return to the hotel at approximately noon.

Leave hotel at 8:30 am and return by 11:30 am.