Accommodations

Participants should make their own arrangements directly with a hotel of their choice as early as possible. Special rates (rates do not include any applicable taxes) have been negotiated with the hotels listed below. 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. Cancellation and early checkout penalties may apply; be sure to check the policy when you make your reservations. All rooms will be on a space available basis after the deadline given.

Doubletree Hotel Claremont, 555 West Foothill Blvd, Claremont, CA, 91711; 909-626-2411, fax: 909-624 0756; US\$189 per night, single/double. This is the only hotel within walking distance to the meeting. Deadline for reservations is April 1, 2008.

Due to other events taking place at the Claremont Colleges other hotels closest to campus (within walking distance) were unable to guarantee rooms for our group. The hotels listed below are near the Ontario International Airport and are not within walking distance to the meeting. The airport is approximately ten miles from the campus.

Best Western, 209 N. Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, CA 91764; 909-937-6800 or toll free 800-780-7234; US\$84 per night, single/double and includes a daily complimentary continental breakfast and airport shuttle (Ontario Airport). Deadline for reservations is April 14, 2008.

Doubletree Hotel Ontario Airport, 222 North Vineyard Ave, Ontario, CA 91764-4431; 909-937-0900, fax: 909-937-1999; US\$84 single/double, complimentary airport shuttle to/from Ontario Airport. Deadline for reservations is April 2, 2008.

Marriott Ontario Airport, 2200 E. Holt Boulevard, Ontario, CA 91761; 909-975-5000 or toll-free: 800-284-8811; US\$95 per night, single/double, complimentary airport shuttle to/from Ontario Airport. Reservations can also be made at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/AmericanMath. Deadline for reservations is April 3, 2008.

A list of additional hotels in the area for those interested can be found at: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/about/claremont-guide/lodging.php.

Food Service

Collins Dining Hall on CMC campus (see the campus map) should be open for brunch (10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.) and dinner (4:45 p.m.6:15 p.m.) on both Saturday and Sunday, and accessible to meeting participants. The dining hall only accepts cash as a form of payment. There is also a variety of restaurants in the center of Claremont, called The Village (Yale and Harvard Avenues between First Street and Bonita Avenue, as well as the adjacent Packing House area across the Indian Hill Boulevard), which is a 15-minute walk, or a very short drive away from campus. A list of local restaurants can be found at: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/about/claremont-guide/restaurants.php.

Local Information

For further information please consult the websites maintained by Claremont McKenna: http://www.cmc.edu/ and http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/about/. A detailed printable campus map can be found at: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/about/campusmaps/print/printmap.php. For additional area maps, see: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/about/maps-guides.php. For campus maps of other Claremont Colleges, see: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/about/campusmaps/.

Other Activities

AMS Book Sale (Founders Room, Bauer North): Stop by the on-site AMS Bookstore-review the newest titles from the AMS, enter the FREE book drawing, enjoy up to 25% off all titles, or even take home the new 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

Conference participants will be able to use the two parking lots adjacent to Bauer North and South buildings on the east side, the entrances to both of which are from Ninth Street (see the campus map). Parking should be free for conference participants, and the two lots should have sufficient space to accommodate everyone. There is additional street parking available along Mills Avenue, Columbia Avenue, and other local streets, especially west of campus.

Registration and Meeting Information

The meeting will be held at Claremont McKenna College (CMC). All of the activities for the meeting, including registration, invited lectures, special sessions, and book exhibit will take place in the adjacent buildings called Bauer North and Bauer South. All lecture rooms will be equipped with computer projectors and overhead projectors, screens, blackboards and/or white boards.

The registration desk will be in the lobby of Bauer North and will be open 7:30 a.m.4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, and 8:00 a.m.noon on Sunday, May 5. Fees are US\$40 for AMS or CMS members, US\$60 for nonmembers; and US\$5 for students/unemployed/emeritus, payable on site by cash, check or credit card.

Travel

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located approximately 40 miles from Claremont and is served by all major airlines. Shuttle service is available from LAX to the campus for approximately US\$104 round-trip. For reservations/information visit http://www.supershuttle.com/. Ontario International Airport is located approximately 10 miles from the Claremont McKenna campus. Taxi service is available and most hotels offer free shuttle service. Taxis in Claremont include: Byrd Limousine Service, 909-621-3502, http://www.byrdlimo.com, and Yellow Cab, 909-621-0699.

Driving

I-10 WESTBOUND (from San Bernardino)

Stay on I-10 West (toward Los Angeles) until you reach the Indian Hill/Claremont exit. Turn right (north) off the exit. You will be on Indian Hill; continue north on Indian Hill for 2 miles until you reach Foothill Blvd. Turn right onto Foothill Blvd. and follow it until you reach Claremont Blvd. Turn right on Claremont Blvd.-after a quarter of a mile you will see a sign which reads Claremont McKenna College/Pitzer College. Turn right at the entrance. Continue west past the parking lot for a couple of blocks; you will see Bauer Center (500 East 9th Street), a large three story building, on your left.

I-10 EASTBOUND (from Los Angeles)

Stay on I-10 East (toward San Bernardino) until you reach the Indian Hill/Claremont exit. Turn left (north) off the exit. You will be on Indian Hill; continue north on Indian Hill for 2 miles until you reach Foothill Blvd. Turn right onto Foothill Blvd. and follow it until you reach Claremont Blvd. Turn right on Claremont Blvd.-after a quarter of a mile you will see a sign which reads Claremont McKenna College/Pitzer College. Turn right at the entrance. Continue west past the parking lot for a couple of blocks; you will see Bauer Center (500 East 9th Street), a large three story building, on your left.

I-210 WESTBOUND (from San Bernardino)

Stay on the I-210 West (towards Pasadena) until you reach the Towne Avenue exit. Turn left off the exit. You will be on Towne; continue south for about one mile until you reach Foothill Blvd. Turn left on Foothill Blvd. Continue east on Foothill for about one and a quarter miles until you reach Claremont Blvd. Turn right on Claremont Blvd-after a quarter of a mile you will see a sign which reads Claremont McKenna College/Pitzer College. Turn right at the entrance. Continue west past the parking lot for a couple of blocks; you will see Bauer Center (500 East 9th Street), a large three story building, on your left.

I-210 EASTBOUND (from Pasadena)

Stay on the I-210 East (towards San Bernardino) until you reach the Towne Avenue exit. Turn right off the exit. You will be on Towne; continue south for about one mile until you reach Foothill Blvd. Turn left on Foothill Blvd. Continue east on Foothill for about one and a quarter miles until you reach Claremont Blvd. Turn right on Claremont Blvd-after a quarter of a mile you will see a sign which reads Claremont McKenna College/Pitzer College. Turn right at the entrance. Continue west past the parking lot for a couple of blocks; you will see Bauer Center (500 East 9th Street), a large three story building, on your left.

Car Rental

Avis is the official car rental company for the sectional meeting in Claremont. All rates include unlimited free mileage. Weekend daily rates are available from noon Thursday-Monday at 11:59 p.m. and start at US\$21.00 per day. Rates for this meeting are effective April 26, 2008 - May 11, 2008. 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 J098887.

Weather

Claremont's climate is semi-desert and in early October the days are warm and the nights are cool. The probability of precipitation is low.

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.