16th Annual October Astrophysics Conference in Maryland

Gamma Ray Bursts in the Swift Era

November 29 - December 2, 2005
Washington, DC


The following is a quick list of useful information for conference registrants.


1. Registration

Registration will begin on Monday, November 28th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and 7:00 am on Tuesday, and 7:30 am each additional day in the ballroom foyer at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.

2. Science Sessions

All science sessions will be held in Ballroom A/B/C of the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.  A detailed program can be found in the booklet in your registration packet.  Information on audio-visual support is addressed below.

3. Parking

There is a parking garage located directly under the hotel.  Overnight valet guest parking is $25.00 with unlimited in-and-out privileges within the 24-hour period.  Self-Park is also available at $16.00, with no in-and-out privileges within the 24-hour period.  For those guests attending the meeting, but who do not have overnight accommodations with the hotel, the $16.00 rate is being extended for an all day pass, or $7.00 per hour.

4. Meals

Coffee and pastries will be available prior to the start of the morning sessions.  Additional coffee services will be available at the morning and afternoon breaks.  The coffee service will be located in the ballroom foyer area of the Hotel just outside the ballroom.  Lunch is not provided.

A reception will be held on Tuesday evening in the Ballroom Foyer and Solarium area and will provide time for reading the poster papers.

The banquet will take place Wednesday evening at the Italian Embassy. There is a $30.00 cost per person for the banquet.  Guests are welcome to attend the banquet.  Guest tickets can be purchased at the registration desk for $30.00.  You will be required to present a government picture ID to the Embassy security officers in order to enter the Embassy and attend the banquet (driver's license, passport, etc.).  

5. Communications

Telephone calls and faxes should be directed to the Front Desk of the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel at 202-484-1000; Fax No. 202-646-4456.  Incoming calls and messages should state the intended recipient is attending the Swift conference.  Messages will be posted on a Message Board near the meeting registration area.  There are pay telephones available at several locations in the Hotel.  There is no telephone available at the registration desk.

Wireless Internet Access is being provided in the Ballroom.  We will also have a workroom with 4 pc's available to attendees for internet access.  Check with persons at the registration desk for details. 

6. Posters

Space available for posters is 4' x 4'. Poster boards will be installed on Tuesday morning allowing you to put up posters by the lunch break on Tuesday, November 29th.  Details about the location of individual posters will be included with your registration materials. Push pins will be provided.

7. Audio-visuals

There will be one overhead projector available for all sessions.  There will also be an LCD projector and a laptop available at all sessions.  The preferred mode is to load your talk onto the conference laptop.  This will help expedite the transition between talks.  Please see that your talk is installed on the laptop prior to the session.  We will have USB memory sticks available at the conference to help with this.  If you prefer to use your own laptop, please let us know in advance.  There will not be a 35 mm projector available.  If you need such a projector, please inform us in advance.

8.  Luggage

Those persons making plane connections on Friday evening will have to check out of their hotel rooms in the morning.  Check at the hotel front desk for information on holding luggage until departure.  

While we do have space available to us for storage, it is usually not locked during the day and so provides little in the way of security.

9.  Airport Shuttle Transportation

The following are some area airport shuttle services.  Please contact them directly.  They often require reservations and it is advised that you call 24 hours in advance.

SuperShuttle - 1-800-BLUE-VAN
Washington Flyer - 1-888-WASH-FLY



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Last updated on 11-18-05 by Susan Lehr.
october@astro.umd.edu