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 15.5%. 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 American Mathematical Society (AMS) Meeting at Davidson College group. Cancellation and early checkout policies vary; be sure to check when you make your reservation.

N.B. The number of hotel rooms in Davidson proper is very limited. All of the following hotels are about five miles from campus at exit 25 off of Interstate 77 on the same side of the highway, and within walking distance of several dining options. Blocks of rooms at each hotel are limited, so be sure to call early to obtain your first choice. Participants are encouraged to use personal/rental cars to facilitate transportation to and from hotels, campus, and restaurants.

Country Suites by Carlson, 16617 Statesville Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-895-6565 (phone) or 704-895-5456 (fax), US\$109/single or double, an all-suites hotel (separate bedroom/parlor) with microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast with hot entrees (make your own waffles!), free high-speed Internet, free wireless in lobby; free parking; fitness center, indoor heated pool. Deadline for reservations is February 2, 2007. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies.

Hawthorne Suites, 16905 Caldwell Creek Dr., Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-892-9487 (phone), 704-892-9402 (fax); US\$84/single or double in a studio suite (upgrades available at a higher rate); an all-suites hotel with in-room coffee maker, microfridge; outdoor pool, exercise room; complimentary hot breakfast buffet, complimentary wireless access. Deadline for reservations is February 2, 2007. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies.

Quality Inn, 16825 Caldwell Creek Dr., Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-892-6597 (phone), 704-892-1628 (fax); US\$69/single or double; complimentary continental breakfast. Deadline for reservations is February 2, 2007. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout penalties.

Food Service

There are numerous restaurants within walking distance of campus:

Bonsai Grill and Sushi Bar: Extensive à la carte menu; lunch specials US\$6 – 7; entrées US\$9 – 22.

The Brickhouse Tavern: Large restaurant; American; salads and sandwiches US\$6 – 10; pizzas US\$10 – 14; entrées US\$11 – 22.

Davino's Restaurant and Bar: Italian; burgers, subs, and salads US\$5 – 8; pizzas US\$9 – 16; lunch entrées US\$6 – 8; dinner entrées US\$10 – 13.

Fuel Pizza Café: Slices US\$2 – 3; subs US\$6 – 7; pizzas US\$9 – 16.

Jasper's at Davidson: Eclectic; soups and salads US\$5 – 8; dinner entrées US\$15 – 28.

Kudzu on the Green: Eclectic; lunch entrées US\$7 – 9; dinner entrées US\$15 – 23.

Palermo's Pizza: Slices US\$2 – 3; subs US\$6 – 7; pizzas US\$9 – 16.

The Soda Shop: Small, historic restaurant; American; sandwiches US\$4 – 7.

A more extensive list, including restaurants near the hotels we have contracted with for sleeping rooms, will be available on site.

Local Information

The university's website is www.davidson.edu; the department of mathematics is at www.davidson.edu/math. The hotels where the AMS has contracted blocks of sleeping rooms are in the Lake Norman area; see www.lakenormancvb.org for information about the area.

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

Parking will be available in the visitor parking lot of the Baker Sports Complex, as indicated on the campus map. There is no charge. See the links below for directions.

Registration and Meeting Information

The meeting is on the campus of Davidson College. Sessions and Invited Addresses will take place in the Chambers Building and the Performance Hall of the Knobloch Campus Center. See a campus map at http://www2.davidson.edu/welcome/wel_imgs/g_dcmapcolor03.gif.

The registration desk will be in the Chambers Building and will be open Saturday, March 3, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 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; debit cards are not accepted.

Travel, Campus Map, and Directions

The nearest airport is in Charlotte, NC (CLT) and is about 25 miles from campus. Cabs and shuttles may be found at the curbside of the lower baggage claim level. Shuttles may be reserved with Lake Norman Airport Transportation, 704-892-8879 (office) or 704-506-0788 (cell). The fare for a one-way cab or shuttle trip is about US\$50. Driving directions to campus from the airport: Exit onto Josh Birmingham Parkway. At the end of the parkway choose the path to I-85; you will then be traveling north on the Billy Graham Parkway. As you approach the interstate interchange, take the ramp on the right for I-85 north. Continue on and then take exit 38 for I-77 north. Davidson College is located at exit 30, while the hotels the AMS has contracted with are located at Exit 25.

For driving directions from major arteries to Davidson and the Baker Sports Complex parking lot see the directions and detailed map that prints nicely at http://www2.davidson.edu/welcome/wel_maps.asp.

Car Rental

Avis is the official car rental company for the sectional meeting in Davidson, North Carolina.

All rates include unlimited free mileage. Weekend daily rates are available from noon Thursday – Monday at 11:59 P.M. Rates for this meeting are effective February 24, 2007 – March 11, 2007 and begin at US\$25/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 www.avis.com. Meeting Avis Discount Number B159266.

Weather

March temperatures in Davidson range from 40° F. to 60° F. An umbrella may be desirable.

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 informationabout 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 web sites above for the most up-to-date information.