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. 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 Wesleyan University Department of Mathematics Meeting. Cancellation and early checkout penalties vary with each hotel; be sure to check the policy when you make your reservations.

N.B. The number of rooms available at these prices in these hotels is limited! Participants are encouraged to book a hotel room early as rooms may sell out.

The Inn at Middletown, Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457; 860-854-6300, toll free 800-637-9851; fax: 860-854-6301; http://www.innatmiddletown.com/. The hotel is approximately 7/10 of a mile walking distance of the meeting site; US\$125 for single/double. Rates quoted do not include the sales and occupancy tax of 12%. Amenities include a full-service restaurant, as well as a lounge on the premises, Internet access in sleeping room at no charge, free wireless access in the lobby and heated indoor pool/spa. Self-parking is complimentary although valet parking is US\$6 and US\$12 overnight. Deadline for reservations is September 10, 2008. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies. You will find there are a number of restaurants within walking distance.

The Courtyard by Marriott, Cromwell, 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, Connecticut 06416; 860-635-1001; fax: 860-635-0684; http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bdlhc-courtyard-hartford-cromwell/. The hotel is approximately six miles, about (a 15-20 minute drive) to the meeting site; US\$99 for single/double. Rates quoted do not include the sales and occupancy tax of 12%. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies. Amenities include a restaurant which serves breakfast and dinner, lounge, swimming pool, fitness center, 24-hour business center, wireless Internet in public areas, complimentary lobby computer, Starbuck's, and complimentary on-site parking. Deadline for reservations is September 10, 2008.

Comfort Inn in Cromwell, 111 Berlin Rd., Cromwell, Connecticut, 06416; 860-635-4100; fax: 860 632-9546; http://www.comfortinn.com/ires/en-US/html/ HotelInfo?hotel=CT032&promo=gglocal. The hotel is an approximate 10-minute drive to the meeting site; US\$79.99 single/double. Rates quoted do not include the sales and occupancy tax of 12%. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies. Amenities include complimentary high speed access in all rooms, free continental breakfast (6-10 a.m.), and complimentary parking. Deadline for reservations is September 10, 2008.

The Marriott Rocky Hill, 100 Capital Boulevard, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, 06067; 860-257-6000; toll-free: 800-228-9290; fax: 860-257-6060; http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/bdlrh-hartford-marriott-rocky-hill/. The hotel is approximately less than a 9-mile, 20-minute drive to the campus meeting site; US\$139 for single. Rates quoted do not include the sales and occupancy tax of 12%. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies. Amenities include complimentary wireless in public areas and high-speed in sleeping room, swimming pool, fitness center, and complimentary on-site parking. There is a restaurant on site which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Deadline for reservations is September 10, 2008.

Residence Inn by Marriott, 680 Cromwell Avenue, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, 06067; (rate program code: AMSS) telephone: 860-257-7500; fax: 860-529-6952; http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ bdlrr-residence-inn-hartford-rocky-hill/ the hotel is less than a 9-mile, 15-minute drive to the campus meeting site; US\$129.95 per room for one-bedroom suites and US\$199.95 per room for two-bedroom suites. Rates quoted do not include the sales and occupancy tax of 12%. Be sure to check cancellation and early checkout policies. Amenities include complimentary breakfast buffet served 7:00-10:00 a.m., complimentary wireless in lobby and complimentary high-speed Internet access in sleeping rooms, indoor pool, and whirlpool, 24/7 fitness center and complimentary on-site parking. Deadline for reservations is September 10, 2008.

Food Service

On campus: the Usdan Campus Center is open all day Saturday and Sunday. The PI cafe in the Exley Science Tower is open from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is also a cafe in the campus bookstore, Broad Street Books, 45 Broad Street.

Within walking distance one can find a variety of choices for an informal meal. Details at http://www.wesleyan.edu/about/restaurants.html; additional information and recommendations will be provided on site.

Local Information

The Wesleyan University visitor's guide can be found at http://www.wesleyan.edu/about/.

Other Activities

AMS Book Sale: 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 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

All campus lots are available for parking on the weekend; there is no fee for parking. The lot behind Exley is small; there are larger parking lots nearby, one at the corner of Lawn and High Street, and another on Pine Street a block south of campus. There is also on-street parking south of Exley, e.g., on Lawn, Brainard, Pine, and Home Streets.

Registration and Meeting Information

The meeting will be held in the Exley Science Center, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT. Meeting registration, exhibits and the Invited Addresses will all take place in Exley. Registration will be held on Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – noon. Fees are US\$40 for AMS or CMS members; US\$60/ nonmembers; and US\$5 students, unemployed mathematicians, and emeritus members. Fees are payable on site by cash, check, or credit card. Sessions will be held in both Exley (Bldg. #34 on the campus map) and in the Public Affairs Center (Bldg #66). See the map at http://www.wesleyan.edu/about/campusmap.html.

Social Event

All participants are welcome to attend a reception hosted by Wesleyan University at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Beckham Room, Fayerweather Hall (next to Usdan Campus Center). The AMS thanks the university for its generous hospitality.

Travel and Campus Information (as of April 2008 and subject to change)

Wesleyan campus map at http://www.wesleyan.edu/about/campusmap.html.

Car Rental: Avis is the official car rental company for the sectional meeting in Middletown, CT. All rates include unlimited free mileage. Weekend daily rates are effective from noon Thursday, October 8, 2008, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2008, and rates start at US\$30 per day. 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 1-800-331-1600 or online at http://www.avis.com and use the Avis Meeting Discount Number J098887.

All the major car rental companies can be found at the airport.

By Air: Bradley International Airport (BDL) is physically located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and is the closest airport to the Wesleyan University campus (approximately 32 miles and about a 40-minute drive). Taxi fare from the airport is about US\$75. All the major car rental companies can be found at the airport.

By Train: The closest AMTRAK (800-872-7245) station is in Meriden, CT (7 miles from Middletown). Amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com) arrives and departs from Meriden train station (7 miles from campus). However, Union Station, in New Haven, CT, is a larger train station with more service than the Meriden station. It offers service from New York's Grand Central Metronorth 800-638-7646 as well as from AMTRAK from Boston and New York's Penn Station. Taxi fare from the New Haven train station is about US\$75. There is an Avis rental office at the New Haven train station.

Driving directions:

From Hartford and points north: Take I-91 south to Exit 22 for Route 9 southbound. At exit 15, turn right onto Route 66 West (Washington Street), turn left onto High Street.

From New Haven, New York, and points south: Take I-95 North to I-91 North. At exit 18, take Route 691/66 East. Route 66 becomes Washington Street in Middletown. Take right onto High Street. Or, take I-95 north to the Merritt/Wilbur Cross Parkway (Route 15 North) to Route 66 Eastbound. Take right onto High Street.

From Waterbury and points west: Take I-84 East. Take exit 27 to Route 691/66 East. Route 66 becomes Washington Street in Middletown. Take right onto High Street.

From Boston and points northeast: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West to Exit 9 for I-84 West to Hartford. Take exit 57 over the Charter Oak Bridge and follow the signs to I-91 South. Take I-91 south to exit 22 for Route 9 Southbound, At exit 15, turn right onto Route 66 West (Washington Street), turn left onto High Street. Or, take I-95 South through Providence, then take Exit 69 to Route 9 North (approximately 26 miles to Middletown). At exit 15, turn left.

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.

Weather

In this region of Connecticut, the averages for the month of October are normally mild at approximately 59° F and lows of 40° F. Precipitation in October averages 3 inches and snow is not expected (but you never know!). New England weather varies considerably. It would be wise to consult the weather forecast on the web (e.g. http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/ findweather/getForecast?query=06459 or http://www.weather.com).