News Archive

Gene Carbaugh, Cochair, Spokane Local Arrangements Committee
Spokane photos courtesy of Mary Walchuk

The 67th Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting is being held in Spokane, Washington, 17–21 July 2022.

Look Fashionable: Wear an Official Meeting Polo Shirt!

Official Spokane meeting polo shirts are now available and can be ordered online. We are offering the shirts in both men's and ladies' styles and in your choice of three colors—ultramarine blue, steel gray, and orange—all having the embroidered meeting logo. Price (before tax and shipping) is $35. If you choose to pick up your shirt at the Spokane meeting, you can save the shipping cost. Otherwise, the shirt will be shipped directly to you within about two weeks of your order. Check out the shirts and order here.

Science and Tours and Fun, Oh My!

The Spokane meeting is nigh upon us. Registration is now open, so be sure to take advantage of the preregistration discounts. And while you're perusing and choosing the various PEP classes to attend, be sure to take your pick of the scheduled social activities. Two local Spokane bus tours provide opportunities to experience the local history, scenic landmarks, and sample local specialties. After a hiatus of online/hybrid meetings, the ever-popular 5K Fun Run/Walk is back following a scenic course through downtown Spokane. The Pub Crawl will offer a wine trail as well as beer and spirits trails. And the Wednesday Night Out featuring a pub dinner and Songs and Stories of the Pacific Northwest presented by professional folk singer Hank Cramer is something all ages will enjoy. The Hanford B-Reactor tour will take you to where history was made 77 years ago at the first large-scale production reactor (they called them "atomic piles" back then). There are no limitations on age, citizenship, or photography on that tour. Descriptions of the various tours and events can be found at Program/Social Tours at the 67th Annual HPS Meeting website. Events have minimums and maximums, so sign up early to make sure you get a place.

Enjoy Riverfront Park

If you just need a break from a busy, mind-boggling day of technical sessions, committee meetings, and exhibitor discussions or just want some fresh air and enjoyable walking, step outside the Spokane Convention Center and cross the bridge into Riverfront Park. Within a 5- or 10-minute walk, you will be refreshed by gorgeous waterfalls, scenic architecture dating back to days of yore, works of art, and friendly people. Nestled throughout the river front you'll find sculptures and statues commemorating the people and lives of the Spokane Valley. Besides the obvious Childhood Express (a giant red wagon), see if you can find the miner, the astronaut, the fountain (there's more than one), the garbage-eating goat, the runners, the Vietnam veteran, and many others described in the Spokane Sculpture Walk brochure.

Ride your favorite wooden horse at the 1909 Looff Carrousel. Architecture? Enjoy the Clocktower, located in the middle of the park, which is all that remains of the 1902 train depot.

For more modern examples, see how the structures of the 1974 World's Fair have been adapted for their current functions. Watch the children play in the spray fountains.

Finding it difficult to enjoy the scenery by walking? Not a problem! You can still catch the sights throughout Riverfront Park by riding the Spokane Falls Northern Railway Tour Train (a 30-minute narrated ride during which the conductor will highlight historical facts and points of interest.

Extend your walk to Huntington Park at the Lower Spokane River Falls, where you can experience the roar and thunder of the Lower Falls up close, see artifacts of early hydropower, and find sculptures of the Salmon Chief and Women Drying Salmon. Take time to enjoy the outdoors … and maybe even treat yourself to a snow cone or bag of popcorn while exploring.

There are over 100 eating and drinking establishments within easy walking distance of the Spokane Convention Center and the Grand Hotel, including steaks, seafood, Italian, Irish, Indian, Mexican, French, Japanese, sushi, and of course, hamburgers and pizza. A short car ride opens up many more opportunities, including Moroccan, German, and Greek.

More to Do

Need more vacation or tour ideas? Check out the Visit Spokane website. Spokane is a rich vacationland with activities and resources available for all ages. Plan on having a day or two (or more) before or after the meeting to experience the Great Northwest.