This is the final pre-conference mailing for all who have pre-registered for the "After the Dark Ages: When Galaxies Were Young (the Universe at 2 < z < 5)" conference.
The 9th Annual October Astrophysics Conference in Maryland will start on Monday, October 12 at the Inn and Conference Center of the University of Maryland. We have attempted to keep updated information on our conference website (http://www.astro.umd.edu/october/1998.html).
The following information is in the above noted sites and this is intended as a quick summary for registrants.
1. Registration
Registration will begin on Monday, October 13 at 7:00 am and at 7:30 am on Tuesday and Wednesday. Registration will be in the concourse of the Inn and Conference Center.
2. Science Sessions
All science sessions will be held in the Auditorium of the Inn and Conference Center. A detailed program is in the registration packet. Information on audio-visual support can be found in a later section.
3. Parking
There is a parking garage adjacent to the Inn and Conference Center. This is effectively the only nearby parking. The parking garage charges $.50 per hour. Alternatively, you may purchase day passes at the Inn and Conference Center front desk for $5.00 per day. This, of course, is only a bargain if you expect to be there longer than 10 hours. If you are staying at the Center, parking can be handled through the hotel.
Do NOT park in the open parking lots located to the rear of the Center. These are University parking lots and you will be ticketed.
If you are staying at either the Holiday Inn or the Quality
Inn, a shuttle bus service will be provided. Hard
copies of the schedules will be available at both
hotels and will be included in your registration packet. The shuttle
bus schedule is as follows:
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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 concourse of the Conference Center. This will be just outside the auditorium. Lunches on each day will be in the rooms across from the auditorium.
A reception will take place on Monday evening in the concourse and will provide time for reading the poster papers.
The banquet will take place Tuesday evening in the same area as the lunches. All of these are included in the registration costs. Your name tag will serve as your ticket of admission. Guests are welcome to come to the banquet; the cost is $25.00. Guest tickets can be purchased at the registration desk.
If you prefer, it will be possible to have a vegetarian entree at the banquet. Please inform someone at the registration desk. They will provide you with a ticket for this. Please give this ticket to your server at the dinner. There will be vegetarian selections at the lunches. In order to expedite this, we need to get an approximate count as soon as possible. Please inform persons at the registration desk.
5. Communications
Telephone calls and faxes should be directed to the Business Office of the Inn and Conference Center at 301-985-7652; FAX No. 301-985-7850. Messages will be posted on a Message Board at the meeting registration area. There are pay telephones available at several locations in the Center. There is no telephone available at the registration desk.
If you are staying at the Inn and Conference Center and have a laptop computer, it should be possible to access e-mail directly. They have a limited number of modems available at the hotel registration desk. There are also several connections available in the lobby. Once again, check at the hotel registration desk or the Business Office. If it is more convenient, you can use the computer facilities at the Department of Astronomy. However, these are a reasonable (15-20 min) walk from the conference site. Check with persons at the registration desk for details.
6. Posters
Space available for posters is 4' x 4'. The poster boards will be installed on Monday morning. It will be possible to put up posters by the lunch break on Monday, October 12th. Details about the location of the individual posters will be included with your registration materials.
7. Audio-visuals
Two overhead projectors and a 35mm projector will be available at all science sessions. It will be necessary to get your slides to the projectionist prior to the start of the session. No other AV equipment can be made available unless requested in advance.
8. Copiers
There is a pay copier available in the Business Office. This will only work effectively for small jobs. Some limited copying can be done at the Department of Astronomy but logistical problems associated with distance may make this impractical. Check at the Registration desk about this.
9. Luggage
Those persons making plane connections on Wednesday afternoon will have to check out of their hotel rooms in the morning. The hotels have arrangements for holding luggage until departure. The shuttle bus service will continue through Wednesday afternoon.
If it is necessary for you to bring your luggage to the Inn and Conference Center, they will be able to accomodate a limited amount of luggage there. You should check at the front desk for details. 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.
10. 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.
BWI Airport Conncection - 301-441-2345
Corporate Wheels - 1-800-915-6650 or 301-627-9297
Deluxe Transportation Limosine Services - 1-800-461-5466
or 301-587-5466