SERC Visitor Guide

SERC Visitor Guide

ABOUT SERC

The electric grid is vital to our everyday lives. It is fundamental for the health, safety, and well-being of our communities, and provides the platform for our economy and our societal and techno- logical advancements. SERC’s mission is to reduce risks to the reliability and security of the electric grid (also known as the bulk power system), not only for today but also for the future. To achieve this mission, we maintain a diverse team of experts across numerous disciplines in order to address the complex, evolv- ing, and dynamic challenges facing the grid. Our team also partners with the best and brightest individuals from both the power industry and the federal government to understand and address the challenges facing the grid. These key partnerships make our work more informed, pragmatic, responsive, and impactful.

SERC Reliability Corporation 3701 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 300 | Charlotte, NC 28273 Phone: 704.357.7372 | Fax: 704.357.7914 www.serc1.org

Office Hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern)

Meeting Planner Matt Bigg Direct: 704.940.8232 | Cell: 704.465.1229

OFFICE LOGISTICS | TRANSPORTATION | LODGING | DINING | QUEEN CITY | METALMORPHOSIS

OFFICE LOGISTICS

Safety Information 

Please note the nearest exit.

 In an emergency, vacate the premises promptly.  Follow SERC staff to the official gathering location in the parking lot.  A First Aid Kit is available at the receptionist‘s desk.  Several SERC staff are trained in CPR and use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which is located behind the receptionist’s desk. Restrooms  From the front door of the conference area, restrooms are located to the right in the hall past the elevators (see floor plan). There is no smoking in the building. Signs out- side indicate the smoking area at the south end of the building. Please honor them.  Four phone rooms are indicated on the floor plan. See the receptionist for availability. Meeting Etiquette  Please ensure cell phones are set to vibrate or turned off.  To avoid static and interference, do not leave cell phones lying next to microphones.  Please take all calls outside the meeting room.  If attending via WebEx:  Please mute your phone when not speaking.  Please ensure there is no “hold music” when placing your phone on hold. Calling SERC SERC office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Calls received during non-office hours go to our automated “night service.” Office Environment 

Conference Center A variety of state-of-the-art meeting rooms are available on the first floor for use by SERC stakeholders. See the floor plan indicating room capacity and equipment availability for each room. To reserve a meeting space, contact SERC Meeting Planner, Matt Bigg (704.940.8232). Please note that Central Conference Room reservations require a 30-day advanced notice.

Building Access 

Doors open at 7:00 a.m.

 Doors and elevators lock at 6:00 p.m.

SERC Visitors  A visitor badge must be worn at all times while visiting the SERC office and conference facilities.  Visitors are asked to return badges when leaving the SERC facilities. A new badge will be provided when you return.  Non-public areas of the SERC office require a SERC staff escort.

FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOMS

SERC Conference Room - Capacity: 100 Computer | Crestron Video Conference Setup Four Display Projectors | Microphones | Camera

SERC Conference Room - Capacity: 8 Computer | Display TV HDMI Hook-up | Phone

SERC Conference Room - Capacity: 6 Computer | Display TV HDMI Hook-up | Conference Phone

SERC Phone Rooms - Telephone

Shared Conference Room with Building Tenants Capacity: 26 Display Projector | VGA Hook-up | Conference Phone

OFFICE LOGISTICS | TRANSPORTATION | LODGING | DINING | QUEEN CITY | METALMORPHOSIS

TRANSPORTATION

SERC provides shuttle service between select hotels and the SERC office on a meeting-by-meeting basis. See Events Details listed on the Upcoming Events page of the SERC website for availability.

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) Approximately 9.5 miles from the SERC office Ground Transportation from Airport Airline and Flight Information

Additional Ground Transportation Links provide online reservation capability. City Cab

704.333.3327

Crown Cab

704.334.6666

Yellow Cab of Charlotte

704.444.4444

Head east on Airport Loop Rd toward Josh Birmingham Pkwy Merge onto Josh Birmingham Pkwy Keep left to continue toward N Josh Birmingham Pkwy Continue onto N Josh Birmingham Pkwy Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto US-29 S/US-74 W/Wilkinson Blvd Turn left onto the ramp to Interstate 485 Outer S/Columbia Merge onto I-485 Outer Take exit 3 for Arrowood Rd

0.3 mi 0.4 mi 236 ft 0.4 mi 1.8 mi 0.6 mi 5.7 mi 0.3 mi 0.1 mi 0.2 mi

Turn right onto W Arrowood Rd Turn left onto Whitehall Park Dr

SERC is in the first building on the left that faces Whitehall Park Dr. There is ample free parking available at the SERC office.

LODGING

Rates are based on hotel availability and may change without notice. If assistance is needed reserving a room at these hotels, contact the SERC Meeting Planner, Matt Bigg (704.940.8232).

Hotel

SERC Corporate Rate?

Amenities

From SERC

Hampton Inn, I-77 & Arrowood 9110 Southern Pine Blvd Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 525-3333

$129 For online reservations, click “Add Special Rate Codes” from hotel home page. Enter 0002696456 as the corporate account, then click Check Rooms and Rates.

In-room internet access Hot Breakfast

3.5 miles

Hyatt Place Charlotte/Arrowood 7900 Forest Point Blvd Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 522-8400 Fairfield & Suites Charlotte Arrowood 7920 Arrowridge Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 319-5100 Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Arrowood 8925 Red Oak Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28217 (704) 561-7499 Springhill Suites Charlotte Southwest Whitehall Corporate Center 3950 Arco Corporate Drive Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 702-0500

$129 Corporate Account code: 36990

In-room internet access Continental breakfast

3.5 miles

$119: King/double Queen $124: Extended King Suite $134: Executive King Suite Online Reservations

Internet throughout the hotel Continental Breakfast

3.5 miles

Internet throughout hotel 24-Hour Business Center 24-Hour Fitness Center

$119 Hotel Rate Flyer

3.5 miles

$164

Hot breakfast buffet Shuttle within five-mile radius with reservation High-speed internet throughout hotel 24-hour Business Center Fitness Center Complimentary HBO, NetFlix, and HULU

0.3 miles Six-minute walk

Online Reservations

Continued on Next Page

OFFICE LOGISTICS | TRANSPORTATION | LODGING | DINING | QUEEN CITY | METALMORPHOSIS

LODGING

Rates are based on hotel availability and may change without notice. If assistance is needed reserving a room at these hotels, contact the SERC Meeting Planner, Matt Bigg (704.940.8232).

Hotel

SERC Corporate Rate?

Amenities

From SERC

Homewood Suites by Hilton Charlotte/Ayrsley 1921 Ayrsley Town Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 970-5500

Call hotel for rate information

Internet throughout the hotel Continental Breakfast Evening Social Monday-Thursday

1.7 miles

Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Ayrsley 1920 Ayrsley Town Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 970-5000 Embassy Suites Charlotte/Ayrsley 1917 Ayrsley Town Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 970-5400 Tru By Hilton Charlotte/Ayrsley 9233 Kings Parade Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 970-5400

Call hotel for rate information

Internet throughout the hotel

1.7 miles

Call hotel for rate information

Internet throughout the hotel Hot Breakfast Evening Reception

1.7 miles

Call hotel for rate information

Internet throughout the hotel Continental Breakfast Business Center

1.7 miles

OFFICE LOGISTICS | TRANSPORTATION | LODGING | DINING | QUEEN CITY | METALMORPHOSIS

DINING

Near SERC

Chili’s Grill & Bar

8164 South Tryon St.

704.583.5490

Don Pedro’s Mexican Grill

8943 South Tryon St.

704.504.5037

Fortune Cookie II

8943 South Tryon St.

704.504.8188

Luigi’s Pizza

8170 South Tryon St.

704.504.2015

Mac’s Speed Shop

2414 Sandy Porter Rd.

704.504.8500

McAlister’s Deli

8943 South Tryon St.

704.714.5300

Ayrsley

Harry’s Grille and Tavern

2127 Ayrsley Town Blvd. #103

704.499.9494

Portofino’s Italian Restaurant

2127 Ayrsley Town Blvd.

704.297.7090

Salsa’s Mexican Grill

2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd.

704.910.2129

Wild Wing Café

2132 Ayrsley Town Blvd.

704.297.7000

All restaurants listed are within two miles of the SERC office, and located in Charlotte, NC 28273.

THE QUEEN CITY

How the “Queen City” Got Its Name

Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city’s 2014 population at 809,958. The Charlotte metropolitan area is part of a 16-county market region. The city is a major U.S. financial center, the second largest financial center by assets following New York City. Bank of America

and the East Coast operations of Wells Fargo are headquartered in the city. Charlotte is also home of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association, Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Area Attractions

Carowinds Amusement Park admission offers 14 world-class roller coasters including the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, Fury 325, with speeds of up to 95 mph, and a premier water park. NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. It is located in Uptown, also known as Charlotte City Center, where there are a number of dining and entertainment venues. Charlotte Motor Speedway and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area. The 2,000 acre complex also features ZMAX Dragway, the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the country. Check the schedule for events.

U.S. National White Water Center is a non-profit outdoor recreation and athletic training facility for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. Located one exit away from the SERC office off I-485, the Charlotte Premium Outlets offer a collection of 100 designer and name brands at savings of up to 65 percent every day.

METALMORPHOSIS

The name of the art structure outside SERC’s office is Metalmorphosis. Created by Czech Republic sculptor, David Černý, there has been a lot of interest in “the spitting head”.

Here are a few links with additional information and to see it in action. Visual News Yelp You Tube

OFFICE LOGISTICS | TRANSPORTATION | LODGING | DINING | QUEEN CITY | METALMORPHOSIS