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 12%, plus the city fee of US\$1/night. 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 UAH Math group. Cancellation and early checkout policies vary; be sure to check when you make your reservation.

Huntsville Marriott Hotel, 5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805; 256-830-2222; fax: 256-895-0904; US\$89/single or double (king or two doubles), coffee and coffee maker in room, high-speed Internet access (fee charged), free parking, fitness center with sauna and jacuzzi, indoor/outdoor heated pool, computer/printer in lobby to print boarding passes. Full service restaurant and lounge on premises. The hotel is located on the grounds of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the world's largest space museum. Deadline for reservations is October 3, 2008. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies.

Bevill Conference Center & Hotel, 550 Sparkman Drive, on the UAH campus; 256-721-9428 or 888-721-9428 toll-free; fax: 256-824-6679; US\$59/single or US\$62/doubles or one king (one or two people) includes complimentary deluxe continental buffet breakfast with hot items; mini-refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker in rooms; complimentary pass to the University Fitness Center; free wireless. Limited shuttle service to/from airport, restaurants, and local attractions (Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) Deadline for reservations is September 30, 2008. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies.

Food Service

Information will be available at the meeting.

Local Information

The university's website is http://www.uah.edu; the department of mathematics is at http://www.math.uah.edu.

Other Activities

Book Sales: Stop by the on-site AMS Bookstore and review the newest titles from the AMS, enter the free book drawing, enjoy up to 25% off all AMS publications, or take home an AMS t-shirt! 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

Participants are welcome to park in the lot adjacent to the Shelby Center where all sessions will take place.

Registration and Meeting Information

The meeting is on the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Invited Addresses, sessions, and registration will take place in the Shelby Center for Science and Technology.

The registration desk will be open Friday, October 24, noon to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 25, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; it will not be open on Sunday, October 26. 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.

Social Event

All participants are invited to a reception on Saturday evening, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Room 301 (Faculty/Staff Lounge) of the Shelby Center sponsored by the UAH Department of Mathematics. The AMS thanks the department for its warm and generous hospitality.

Travel, Campus Map, and Directions

A good campus map is found at http://www.uah.edu/map. The nearest airport is Huntsville International Airport, 1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd., Huntsville, AL 35824; 256-772-9395, fax: 256-772-0305 or info@hsvairport.org, and is just over ten miles from the university. A one-way taxi fare to campus is about US\$30 for the 20-minute ride.

Driving directions to campus from the airport: Go toward International Way, SW and take the ramp onto I-565 East toward Huntsville and proceed about 7.7 miles. Take exit #15/Madison Pike/Sparkman Drive/Bob Wallace Ave. toward Sparkman Dr. Continue on Sparkman until you see the university on your right.

Weather

October temperatures in Huntsville range from 50° F to 73° F. While October is one of the drier months averaging just 3.52" of rainfall, bringing an umbrella is advisable.

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.