Accommodations

Participants should make their own arrangements directly with a hotel of their choice as early as possible. Special rates have been negotiated with the hotels listed below. Rates quoted do not include sales tax of 13%. The AMS is not responsible for rate changes or for the quality of the accommodations. When making a reservation, participants should state that they are with the AMS Sectional Meeting/University of Arkansas Math Department. Cancellation and early checkout policies vary; be sure to check when you make your reservation.

Radisson Hotel Fayetteville, 70 North East Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701; phone: 479-442-5555, fax: 479-442-2105; US\$80/single or double; free high speed Internet, heated indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center, restaurant and lounge in hotel; other restaurants within walking distance; about one mile from the meeting rooms on campus. Deadline for reservations is October 5, 2006. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies.

Sleep Inn Fayetteville, 728 Millsap Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72703; 479-587-8700 (phone or fax); US\$29/single or double, some rooms available with refrigerator/microwave; rates include complimentary coffee and continental breakfast, free wireless Internet, adjacent to Chili's and Colton Steakhouse restaurants, several others about a block away; about 5 miles from the meeting rooms on campus, however, the free Razorback Bus (red route) passes near the hotel to the Union on campus (meeting buildings are about a five-minute walk from the Union). The bus leaves from the Garland Transit Facility hourly beginning at 7:00 a.m. (until 10:00 p.m.) and should pass by the hotel at about 7:15 a.m.; it's approximately a 40-minute ride to the Union; and there is no service either day between 11:00 a.m. and noon. Deadline for reservations is October 19, 2006. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies.

Inn at Carnall Hall, 465 N. Arkansas Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701; 479-582-0400 or 800-295-9118; \$95/single or double (Dept. of Math rate). Free Internet access and in-room coffee makers; directly on campus, about 1/4 mile from the meeting rooms. See www.innatcarnallhall.com. We have no special block of rooms at this hotel; those interested should book early as this property will most likely sell out because of limited availability.

Food Service

Information on several nearby dining experiences will be listed in the program.

Local Information

The university's website is http://www.uark.edu/home/; the department of mathematics is at http://www.uark.
edu/depts/mathinfo.

Other Activities

Book Sales: Examine the newest titles from the AMS! Many of the AMS books will be available at a special 50% discount available only at the meeting. Complimentary coffee will be served courtesy of AMS Membership Services.

AMS Editorial Activity: An acquisitions editor from the AMS book program will be present to speak with prospective authors. If you have a book project that you would like to discuss with the AMS, please stop by the book exhibit.

Parking

The most convenient parking to the meeting rooms is in the Harmon Avenue Parking Facility. The cost for hourly parking is US\$1 for up to 54 minutes or US\$10/day. If you leave within 20 minutes there is no charge (this allows drivers to conduct business at the Parking Office). Take a ticket from the dispenser upon entering and take this ticket with you. Upon returning, go to one of the pay stations on level one or six, insert your ticket to see what you owe, and pay the displayed amount. The machines take paper bills, coins, and credit or debit cards. Participants with valid handicap parking tags must pay the required amount and must also display a University of Arkansas handicap parking permit. See http://www.uark.edu/depts/parking/facilities/harmon_avenue.htm for instructions and other information for this facility.

Visitors to campus may purchase a temporary visitor permit at the Transit and Parking Department, 155 Razorback Road, Administrative Services Building, Room 131, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Administrative Services Building is located across Razorback Road from Bud Walton Arena. Visitors will need vehicle make, vehicle model, vehicle year, and vehicle license number in order to complete the registration form before purchasing a temporary visitor hangtag. These forms are available on site at the department or on the Parking webpage at http://www.uark.edu/depts/parking/. After the vehicle registration form is completed a cashier will issue a temporary one-day or multiple-day visitor hangtag.

Temporary visitor parking permits allow parking in the following University of Arkansas parking lots: Faculty/Staff (yellow signs), Student (green signs), Remote (orange signs), and parking meters (gray meters only) without paying the posted meter fee. Access to many of these areas may be very limited on Friday because classes are held. The temporary visitor parking permit DOES NOT allow parking in the following parking areas: Reserved (blue signs), Resident Reserved (red signs), twenty-four-hour reserved spaces, parking garages, or the gold parking meters (unless you pay the meter fee). See the parking map at www.uark.edu/depts/parking/control/parkmap06.pdf for the locations of all lots (the meeting buildings are RCED: quadrant 4­E, and SCEN: quadrant 4­F).

Registration and Meeting Information

The meeting is on the campus of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Invited Addresses will take place in the Reynolds Center (RCED) and Special Sessions will be scheduled in the Science and Engineering Building (SCEN). See http://rced.uark.edu/default.asp?show=map for a map.

The registration desk will be on the third floor of the Science and Engineering Building and will be open Friday, November 3, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 4, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Fees are US\$40 for AMS or CMS members, US\$60 for nonmembers; and US\$5 for students, unemployed mathematicians, and emeritus members. Fees are payable on site by cash, check, or credit card.

Travel and Campus Map

Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) is about 26 miles from Fayetteville and is serviced by U.S. Airways, Northwest, Delta, and American Airlines. Check www.nwara.com for current information about the airport and its services, and answers to frequently asked questions. Under the “Buses, Shuttle, and Taxis” section of the airport website you will find services which offer transportation to Fayetteville hotels and the campus. At the time this announcement was published, the Express Shuttle Service (479-205-0011; 866-535-0127) cost was US\$38 one way or US\$74 round trip, and the C.T.S. service (479-841-9813) was US\$45 each way for one to three people. Advance reservations are recommended.

Getting to the University by Car: For general directions and a map of the area see http://advancement.uark.edu/info/directions.html. A campus map is at http://cavern.uark.edu/rd_vcad/urel/info/campus_map/.

From the airport to campus: Turn east (left at airport exit) and go to Cave Springs. From Cave Springs, continue traveling east six miles on Hwy 264 to I-540. See directions from the North driving on I-540 South.

From the North: After Bella Vista, take I-540 South all the way to Fayetteville. From I-540, take the Hwy 112 exit (exit 66). Turn right on Hwy 112 and travel south for two miles until you reach the campus entrance at the corner of Garland Avenue and Cleveland Street. (After crossing the North Street intersection, Hwy 112 becomes Garland Avenue.)

From the East: Take Hwy 412 to I-540. See directions from North.

From the West: Take Hwy 412 east via Cherokee Turnpike from Tulsa, OK, to I-540 South. See directions from North.

From the South: Take I-40 to I-540 North (exit 7). From I-540 North to Razorback Road (exit 61). Turn right on Razorback Road, heading north. The campus entrance is located at the corner of Razorback Road and Sixth Street.

Car Rental

Avis is the official car rental company for the sectional meeting in Fayetteville, AR. All rates include unlimited free mileage. Weekend daily rates are available from noon Thursday­Monday at 11:59 p.m. Rates for this meeting are effective October 27, 2006­November 11, 2006 and begin at US\$26.99/day (weekend rate). Should a lower qualifying rate become available at the time of booking, Avis is pleased to offer a 5% discount off the lower qualifying rate or the meeting rate, whichever is lowest. Rates do not include any state or local surcharges, tax, optional coverages, or gas refueling charges. Renters must meet Avis' age, driver, and credit requirements. Reservations can be made by calling 800-331-1600 or online at http://www.avis.com. Meeting Avis Discount Number B159266.

Information for International Participants

Visa regulations are continually changing for travel to the United States. Visa applications may take from three to four months to process and require a personal interview, as well as specific personal information. International participants should view the important information about traveling to the U.S. found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Traveling_to_US.html and http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html. If you need a preliminary conference invitation in order to secure a visa, please send your request to dls@ams.org.

If you discover you do need a visa, the National Academies website (see above) provides these tips for successful visa applications:

* Visa applicants are expected to provide evidence that they are intending to return to their country of residence. Therefore, applicants should provide proof of "binding" or sufficient ties to their home country or permanent residence abroad. This may include documentation of the following:

* family ties in home country or country of legal permanent residence

* property ownership

* bank accounts

* employment contract or statement from employer stating that the position will continue when the employee returns;

* Visa applications are more likely to be successful if done in a visitor's home country than in a third country;

* Applicants should present their entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of their visa application;

* Include a letter of invitation from the meeting organizer or the U.S. host, specifying the subject, location and dates of the activity, and how travel and local expenses will be covered;

* If travel plans will depend on early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application;

* Provide proof of professional scientific and/or educational status (students should provide a university transcript). This list is not to be considered complete. Please visit the websites above for the most up-to-date information.

Weather

Weather conditions in Fayetteville during early November are mild. Temperatures range from around 63° F. during the day to around 53° F at night. However, weather conditions can vary greatly so layered clothing is suggested.