Advance Registration Required for Conference Banquet

Accommodations

Participants should make their own arrangements directly with a hotel of their choice. Special rates have been negotiated at the hotels listed below but do not include the 8.5% occupancy tax. Participants should state that they will be attending the PSU-AMS Meeting at Pennsylvania State University. All rooms will be on a space available basis after the deadline given. The AMS is not responsible for rate changes or for the quality of the accommodations chosen. Because the Penn State area is a popular destination in the fall, participants should make reservations as early as possible. Be sure to check cancellation and checkout policies.

Days Inn, 240 South Pugh St., State College, PA 16801; Tel: 814-238-8454, Fax 814-237-1607; (http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=...). The hotel is located approximately one block from the meeting site. Rates start at US\$87 per night (you must reference group code CGAMSS). Amenities include free wireless Internet, indoor heated pool, complimentary parking and airport shuttle service. There is a full-service restaurant at the hotel. Deadline for reservations is September 23, 2009. Be sure to check cancellation and checkout policies.

Quality Inn (formerly Motel 6 as of May '09), 1274 North Atherton St., State College, PA 16801; Tel: 814-234-1600, Fax 814-234-6665. The hotel is located approximately five blocks from the meeting site. Rates start at US\$85 per night (you must reference group code #222819). Amenities include free 24-hour coffee, free high-speed wireless Internet access and parking. Deadline for reservations is September 23, 2009. Be sure to check cancellation and checkout policies.

Ramada Inn, 1450 South Atherton St. (Business Route 322), State College, PA 16801; Tel: 814-238-3001, Fax: 814-237-1527; http://www.ramadasc.com/. The hotel is approximately two miles from the meeting site. Rates start at US\$85 per night. Amenities include complimentary high speed Internet access in all guest rooms, free newspaper, cable TV, free HBO, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, seasonal outdoor pool, and recreation facility. There is casual dining on-site serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Complimentary parking and transportation from University Park Airport is available. Deadline for reservations is October 23, 2009. Be sure to check cancellation and checkout policies.

Sleep Inn, 111 Village Drive, State College, PA 16803; Tel: 814-235-1020, Fax: 814-235-1388; http://www. sleepinn.com/hotel-state_college-pennsylvania-PA421. The hotel is approximately three blocks from the meeting site. Rates start at US\$65 per night (you must reference group code AMS "09"). Complimentary amenities include wireless high-speed Internet access, deluxe continental breakfast, newspaper, local calls, parking, and a fitness center. Deadline for reservations is October 9, 2009. Be sure to check cancellation and checkout policies.

Atherton Hotel, 125 South Atherton St. (Business Route 322), State College, PA 16801; Tel: 814-231-2100, Fax: 814-237-1130; http://www.athertonhotel.net/. The hotel is approximately a half mile from the meeting site. Rates start at US\$90 per night. Complimentary amenities include LodgeNet Internet access, newspaper, room, parking, and complimentary shuttle service to airport and local businesses. There is casual dining on-site serving breakfast and dinner. Deadline for reservations is September 23, 2009. Be sure to check cancellation and checkout policies.

Hampton Inn, 1101 East College Ave., State College, PA 16801; Tel: 814-231-1590, Fax: 814-238-7320; http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=SCECLHX. The hotel is approximately a half mile from the meeting site. Rates start at US\$88 (you must reference group code AMS). Amenities include complimentary breakfast, fitness center, pool, wireless high-speed Internet, and parking. Deadline for reservations is September 25, 2009. Be sure to check cancellation and checkout policies.

Food Service

There is no dining on the campus. The closest eatery is at the HUB-Robeson Center (http://www.hfs.psu.edu/unionstreet/), a food service facility located on the ground floor of the HUB-Robeson Center, Union Street Marketplace, which features a wide selection of foods at each of its eleven units. Within a short walking distance to College Street there are a variety of choices for dining; see http://www.statecollege.com/dining/index.php. Additional information and recommendations will be provided on-site.

Local Information

The Penn State visitors guide featuring a campus map and parking areas can be found at http://www. campusmaps.psu.edu/print/. Additional information about the surrounding area can be found on the Downtown Map http://www.statecollegecentral.com/comm/maps/downtown.htm.

Other Activities

AMS Book Sale: Examine the newest titles from AMS. Most books will be available at a special 25% discount offered only at meetings. 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 drop by the book exhibit.

Parking

There are multiple parking garages located on campus. Parking is free on campus on the weekends, except in posted "24-hour restricted lots". The closest parking area to the meeting site is the Eisenhower Parking Deck just outside the Thomas Building. For a map, see http://www.campusmaps.psu.edu/print/pdf/main.pdf.

Registration and Meeting Information

Invited Addresses, all sessions, Registration and Book Exhibit will be held in Thomas Building. Registration and the Book Exhibit will take place on the first floor in the lobby of Thomas Building on Saturday, October 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday, October 25, from 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.

Computer Labs

Computer labs are available in the McAllister building in rooms 103 and 105 to check email and access the Internet. The rooms are open from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. More details will be provided at registration.

Banquet

There will be a banquet Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Days Inn, 240 South Pugh St., State College, PA 16801, from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The cost is US\$35 per person including tax and gratuity. If you wish to attend the banquet please send an email to Hope Shaffer as soon as possible and send your check payable to Penn State University, c/o Hope Shaffer by October 15, 2009. Reservations will not be taken after this date and no money for the banquet will be accepted during the meeting.

Hope Shaffer, Staff Assistant
The Pennsylvania State University
Department of Mathematics
107A McAllister Building
University Park, PA 16802
shaffer@math.psu.edu

The dinner buffet includes a create-your-own-salad station with mixed seasonal greens, assorted fresh garden vegetables, mixed olives, and assorted cheeses, with home style croutons and choice of dressings; grilled marinated strip steak with sautéed wild mushrooms and natural reduction; oven baked chicken breast with parmesan cream; stuffed flounder with crab-laced white wine cream; freshly prepared seasonal vegetables and accompaniments; select artisan style rolls and breads; coffee (regular and decaf), tea, iced tea; chocolate cake and New York cheesecake.

Travel

Pennsylvania State University at University Park is located approximately in the geographic center of the state, in the town of State College. All modes of public transportation and several major highways service the university, making it easily accessible from metropolitan areas.

By Air: Airlines serve the State College area through the University Park Airport (SCE) located five miles from campus.

Limousine or taxi service is available from the airport to campus. The approximate cost from the airport to Penn State campus is about US\$20. For taxi service call 814-353- 6001 or 814-238-4901; limousine service is available by calling 814-353-6000.

By Bus: Bus service on and around campus is provided by CATA. Maps and schedules are available at http://www.catabus.com/, at the information desks in the HUB-Robeson Center and Kern Graduate Building. For schedule information, call 814-238-CATA (814-238-2282). Trailways, 814-238-7362, and Greyhound Lines, 814-237-5865, provide connections to and from State College. The bus station is about two blocks from the meeting rooms on Penn State campus.

Driving directions: University Park (State College) is readily accessible from both ends of the state via Interstate 80(I-80):

From New York City: Take the George Washington Bridge to I-80 West, which becomes the Keystone Shortway. Take Exit #161 (Bellefonte) and follow Route 220 South to State College exit #74.

From Philadelphia: Take the northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to I-80. Take Exit #161 (Bellefonte) and follow Route 220 South to State College exit #74. Or, you may take Philadelphia Schuylkill Expressway to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, leave the Turnpike at Exit #247 (Harrisburg East), and follow I-283 to I-83 and proceed north on I-83 to the I-81 interchange. Then follow I-81 west to Route 322, 22 West exit. Proceed west on Route 322 through Lewistown to State College exit #74.

From Pittsburgh: Follow Route 22 East to Duncansville, I-99/Route 220 North to Route 322 East to Mt. Nittany Expressway/State College Exit #73. Or you may follow Route 22 East beyond Duncansville to Water Street, Route 45 East to Pine Grove Mills, and Route 26 North to State College.

From Washington D.C.: Take Route 270 to Frederick then Route 70 to the Breezewood, PA turnpike (Exit #161). Then go one exit west to Bedford (Exit #146); take I-99 North to Rt. 220 to Route 322 East to State College Exit #74. Or take I-95 or the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to Baltimore, West loop I-695 to I-83 North. Continue on I-83 North to the I-81 interchange. Then follow I-81 west to Route 322, 22 Exit. Proceed west on Route 322 to Lewistown and State College.

From the West: Take I-80 to Exit #123 (Woodland) just east of Clearfield, then Route 322 East to State College. Or, one may also Exit I-80 at Exit #161 (Bellefonte) and follow Route 220 South to State College Exit #74.

Car Rental: Avis is the official car rental company for the sectional meeting in State College. All rates include unlimited free mileage. Weekend daily rates are available from noon Thursday to Monday at 11:59 p.m. 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. For the best available rate and to make a reservation please call Avis at 800-331-1600 or go online at http://www.avis.com. Please use the AMS meeting Avis Discount Number J098887.

Weather

The weather at Penn State during the end of October is typically cool with possible rain showers and high temperatures around 60 degrees and lows about 40 degrees.

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.