1. Passport Information You will need a passport to enter the country. Proceed to customs and immigration. If necessary, please be prepared to show your MARS invitation letter and other travel/TDY documentation.

2. Airport Transfers Ground transportation services are available outside the baggage claim at Reagan National Airport (DCA). A DKI APCSS staff member will greet you at the airport baggage claim exit and escort you to ground transportation. Please take the Embassy Suites-Crystal City shuttle to the hotel. This complimentary shuttle runs every 20 minutes. If you are arriving via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), you will need to arrange transportation to the hotel. Fellows are responsible for transportation costs to and from Dulles airport.

3. MARS Schedule Overview and Dress Attire Requirements

• Sunday, 7 September 2025 (1300-1930) – Registration, course welcome, and dinner
  o Business Casual: Button-down shirts, blouses, sweaters, or polo shirts. Slacks or business dress pants, khakis, chinos, knee-length skirts, no jeans
• Monday, 8 September 2025 (0800-1900) – Panels, seminar time, and cultural event
  o MARS Casual: MARS polo. Beige chinos or khakis, no jeans. Close-toed shoes such as loafers, oxfords, or flats
• Tuesday, 9 September 2025 (0730-1730) – Capitol Day, site visit, and seminar time
  o Capitol, Business: Jacket, tie, collared shirts, dress slacks, long dress, close-toed dress shoes. Hotel (afternoon): Business Casual
• Wednesday, 10 September 2025 (0645-1700) – Transition to Philadelphia and site visit
  o MARS Casual: MARS polo, khakis, close-toed shoes
• Thursday, 11 September 2025 (0800-2100) – Site visits and baseball game
  o MARS Casual: MARS polo, khakis, close-toed shoes; comfort casual for the game
• Friday, 12 September 2025 (0800-1730) – Return to Washington, D.C., site visits, and conclusion of first week
  o MARS Casual: MARS polo. Beige chinos or khakis, no jeans. Close-toed shoes such as loafers, oxfords, or flats

*Sturdy enclosed flat shoes and long pants or slacks are essential at site visits. PPE will be provided during on-site visits. Please have identification on your person at each site (I.e., CAC, passport, driver’s license).

4. Meals
DKI APCSS covers lunches, refreshments, and some dinners during the seminar. Breakfast is included with your room charge ONLY at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Breakfast is NOT included in the cost of the room at the Hilton Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. Fellows are responsible for meals not listed on the agenda.

5. Ground Transportation
A full-sized coach will transport Fellows to all site visits and the round-trip excursion to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Daily pick-up is at Embassy Suites Crystal City National Airport Hotel (times listed in the agenda). The coach will return to Washington, D.C. on Friday, 12 September. A DKI APCSS staff member will assist with ground transportation, and no additional cost is required.

6. Payment of Landing Fees and Miscellaneous Charges
If you haven’t already, please submit your landing fee to Mr. Gary Robinson promptly. Fellows are responsible for miscellaneous charges during MARS, including hotel incidentals (e.g., room service, laundry, in-room entertainment), meals not covered by DKI APCSS (see agenda), and souvenirs from site visits. All charges must be settled at checkout or at the venue. Unresolved charges will result in an invoice from DKI APCSS after the course concludes.

7. Pre-Reading, Course Management, and Online Materials All seminar materials including reading material, participant biographies, agenda, and flyers are available at https://dkiapcss.edu/MARS25-1. This password-protected page is updated regularly, and login details will be emailed separately. We recommend bringing a personal device (e.g., phone, laptop, tablet) to access the website. Wi-Fi is available at the hotels.

8. Photographs During the MARS course, we will capture moments to share with Fellows and for DKI APCSS publications. If you prefer not to be photographed, please notify Ms. Ruth Butler.

9. Attendance Policy The MARS course requires Fellows’ full commitment for its duration. Fellows should avoid scheduling other meetings or appointments during this time. If unable to attend or continue, Fellows must notify the DKI APCSS team immediately. Withdrawal notices must be submitted via email at least 10 working days before the course start date.

10. Security/Passes/Identification Fellows must carry a photographic ID (e.g., CAC, passport, driver’s license) at all times and follow site entry protocols. In rare cases, venues may have restrictions, such as security clearance or conflicts of interest. Your understanding and compliance are appreciated. Alternative arrangements will be provided if needed.

11. Behavior Expectations

• Alcohol – Fellows may purchase alcohol during evening meals and personal time but are fully responsible for their conduct. All Fellows are expected to behave responsibly and remain mindful of their representative role throughout the course.
• Code of Conduct – Fellows are expected to act with purpose by being adaptable, innovative, and agile. Fellows collaborate and are team-focused by being accountable and trustworthy. Fellows will reflect, learn, and improve by being inclusive and valuing others.
• Electronic Devices – We kindly ask that mobile phones be switched to silent or turned off during programmed activities. They should only be used during breaks or at the end of the day. It is particularly important that electronic devices are off during presentations, as this avoids the temptation to answer a call or read texts. Laptops and tablets should only be used for note-taking during programmed activities.
• Social Media – Please seek approval from DKI APCSS before posting any images or names of personnel on social media. Certain aspects of this course cannot be posted on social media. Please follow the instructions of our presenters, industry visit hosts, and base personnel.
• Business Cards – Fellows are encouraged to bring approximately 100 business cards for networking opportunities.

12. Non-Attribution Policy
To enable participants to speak candidly and frankly, the organizers assure that all discussions and comments will be on a non-attribution basis. This policy is binding for all attendees.

13. Medical
Fellows are individually responsible for seeking medical advice from their own medical practitioners on the advisability of participating in the MARS course and for carrying any medications with them for the duration. If you are feeling unwell and/or display symptoms indicative of COVID or the flu, you must notify DKI APCSS staff. Please be considerate of others when you’re feeling unwell.

14. MARS DKI APCSS Staff All further administrative inquiries should be directed to the DKI APCSS staff. Please advise us as early as possible of any issues so that the team can take appropriate action, preferably without incurring additional costs. DKI APCSS will use WhatsApp to communicate any updates or reminders to the cohort in a convenient and timely manner. This will be a one-way chat from staff to the cohort. Please ensure you download WhatsApp and scan the QR code below prior to the commencement of Week One. This will allow us to add you to the group discussion chat.