Getting to the symposium
Both days of the symposium take place in the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institutes' Ahmadieh Family Lecture Hall (Smith Warehouse, Bay 4, C105). It is close to the intersection between Main Street and N Buchanan Blvd., and about 16 min walking away from the Hilton Garden Inn hotel.
The best airport to fly into is the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). It is about 30 min from Duke area by car.
Other fun and/or necessary things
The hotel neighbors grocery stores and is across the street from a fun gastropub called Local 22. There are also many places to eat on 9th street. The boss lady at Kiichi Ramen is very nice.
Sarah Duke Gardens is a good spot for Sunday afternoon walks, if you are into that sort of thing.