Accommodations

Participants should make their own arrangements directly with the properties listed below. Special rates for the meeting have been negotiated and are available at the properties shown below for the period of March 9-11, 2012. When making reservations participants should state that they are with the American Mathematical Society and cite the reservation code AMSUSF. Room blocks in the following hotels may sell out, so please book early. Hotels have varying cancellation or early checkout penalties; be sure to ask for details when making your reservation. The room rates listed do not include applicable taxes; the current tax rate on hotel rooms is 12%.

Embassy Suites-USF/Busch Gardens, 3705 Spectrum Blvd. (on the USF campus), Tampa, FL 33612; phone: 813-977-7066 ext. 2099 or 800-362-2779;fax: 813-903-6600. http://www.embassysuitesusf.com. US\$139 for single/double/triple. Rooms are equipped with a microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Rates include free wireless Internet access (public areas; charge for sleeping room), complimentary full breakfast, manager's reception, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, and complimentary shuttle service within five miles of the hotel. The Oak Tree Lounge (cocktails) and Mangrove's Grill are located on premises. A variety of restaurants (including Vietnamese, contemporary American, Indian, Italian, etc.) are within walking distance, or you are welcome to take the free shuttle service to over 50 restaurants within five miles. Distance to the meeting site is .8 mile. Hotels have varying cancellation or early checkout penalties; be sure to ask for details when making your reservation. The deadline for reservations is February 8, 2012.

Wingate Inn-Busch Gardens Area, 3751 East Fowler Ave. (across from USF campus), Tampa, Florida 33612; phone: 813-979-2828 or 800-228-1000; fax: 813-977-1818. http://www.wingatetampa.com. US\$108 for single/double. Rooms are equipped with a coffee maker, microwave, and small refrigerator. Rates include complimentary hot breakfast buffet, free wired/wireless Internet access, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, indoor hot tub, and complimentary shuttle service within three miles of the hotel. A wine/beer lounge and a business center is located in the hotel. A variety of restaurants (including Vietnamese, contemporary American, Indian, Italian, etc.) are within walking distance, or you are welcome to take the free shuttle service to over 50 restaurants within three miles. Distance to the meeting site is .7 mile. Hotels have varying cancellation or early checkout penalties; be sure to ask for details when making your reservation. The deadline for reservations is February 15, 2012.

Clarion Hotel and Conference Center 2701 East Fowler Ave., (near USF campus and Busch Gardens), Tampa, Florida 33612; phone: 813-971-4710;fax: 813-910-8038. US\$69 for single/double. Rooms are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers. Rates include complimentary full American breakfast buffet, free wireless access, heated outdoor pool, and on-site fitness room. University Mall is across the street; a variety of restaurants and cocktail lounges are within easy walking distance (Friday’s is next door). Distance to the meeting site is 1.5 mi.; complimentary shuttle to the campus is based on availability. Hotels have varying cancellation or early checkout penalties; be sure to ask for details when making your reservation. The deadline for reservations is February 15, 2012.

La Quinta Inn & Suites USF (near Busch Gardens), 9202 North 30th Street, Tampa, Florida 33612; phone: 813-930-6900; fax: 813-930-0563. US\$79 for single/double. Rates include complimentary breakfast including hot and cold items, free high-speed Internet access, and outdoor swimming pool. Rooms are equipped with coffee makers. Busch's Family Sports Bar & Grill is adjacent to the hotel. The distance to the meeting site is 2.8 mi. Hotels have varying cancellation or early checkout penalties; be sure to ask for details when making your reservation. The deadline for reservations is February 9, 2012.

Additional hotels near campus:

La Quinta Inn & Suites USF,3701 East Fowler Ave. (across from USF campus), Tampa, Florida 33612; phone: 813-910-7500 or 800-531-5900; fax: 813-910-7600.

Hyatt Place Busch Gardens (near USF and Busch Gardens), 11408 North 30th St., Tampa, FL 33612; phone 813-979-1922.

Grand Suites Tampa Bay (near Busch Gardens), 11310 North 30th St.,Tampa, FL 33612; phone: 813-971-7690.

Wingate Inn-Tampa North 17301 Dona Michelle Dr., Tampa, FL 33647; phone: 813-971-7676.

Dining near Campus

There are a number of restaurants adjacent to campus and nearby. A handy list will be available at the meeting registration desk.

Local Information and Maps

The USF Department of Mathematics and Statistics website is found at http://math.usf.edu. Our hosts also plan to post a website with more meeting details at http://math.usf.edu/research/conferences. A campus map is found at http://usfweb2.usf.edu/parking_services/maps/Visitor_Map.pdf.

Other Activities

AMS Book Sale: Stop by the on-site AMS bookstore and review the newest titles from the AMS, 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

Free parking on Saturday and Sunday is across the street from the College of Business Administration (COBA) Building where the meeting will be held.

Registration and Meeting Information

The meeting will take place on the main campus of the University of Southern Florida, Tampa, FL. Registration and sessions will be held in the College of Business Administration (COBA) . The registration desk will be open Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-noon. Fees are US\$52 for AMS members, US\$72 for nonmembers; and US\$5 for students, unemployed mathematicians, and emeritus members. Fees are payable on-site by cash, check, or credit card.

Travel Information

The nearest airport is Tampa International Airport (TPA), http://www.tampaairport.com, 5507 W. Spruce St.,Tampa, FL 33607.The airport is about 14 miles from the campus, a 25-minute drive under optimal conditions. A few hotels offer a free shuttle service from TPA; participants should ask about this service when making a hotel reservation.Bay Shuttle, Inc., 1-813-259-9998 offers transportation services between the airport (TPA) and the meeting hotels for US\$25 each way. Reservations are required by phone or through the website at http://www.tampabayshuttle.com.

Alternative shuttle services, airport limos, and taxis are also available (See http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_transportation.)

The second nearest airport is Saint Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE),14700 Terminal Blvd # 221, Clearwater, FL 33762. PIE is about 26 miles away and you will need to rent a car to get to campus and the hotels.

Getting to the campus by car

From the east: Take I-4 west to exit 9/I-75 north. Travel north on I-75 for 3.8 miles to Exit 265/Fowler Avenue. Head west on Fowler Avenue 4.4 miles to the university's main entrance at Leroy Collins Boulevard.

From the west/Tampa International Airport: Take I-275 North to Exit 45B/I-4 East. Travel east on I-4 for 8.1 miles to Exit 9/I-75 North. Travel north on I-75 for 3.8 miles to Exit 265/Fowler Avenue. Head west on Fowler Avenue 4.4 miles to the university's main entrance at Leroy Collins Boulevard.

Car Rental

Hertz is the official car rental company for the meeting. To make a reservation accessing our special meeting rates online at www.hertz.com, click on the box "I have a discount", and type in our convention number (CV): 04N30002. You can also call Hertz directly at 800-654-2240 (U.S. and Canada) or 405-749-4434 (other countries). At the time of reservation, the meeting rates will be automatically compared to other Hertz rates and you will be quoted the best comparable rate available.

Weather

Spring is definitely in the air in March and the weather is sunny, dry, and wonderful. Temperatures vary from 76° F to 56° F and the water temperature for the Gulf of Mexico (West Coast) and the Atlantic Ocean (East Coast) range from the low 60s to middle 70s.

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 information about traveling to the U.S. found at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/biso/visas/ and http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.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 websites above for the most up-to-date information.