GENERAL INFORMATION

Hotel Information

The Town & Country Hotel is the official headquarters for the INFORMS Spring Meeting. A block of rooms has been reserved for attendees; conference rates are $75, $90 or $105 single and $85, $100 or $115 double. Space is limited and may not be available after the deadline; call 800-77-ATLAS or 800-772-8527 for reservations or fax the hotel reservation form to 619-291-3584.

INFORMS Online

The preliminary and final programs can be accessed on INFORMS Online at http://www.informs.org. Information will be updated periodically.

Job Placement Center

The INFORMS Job Placement Center, JPS, helps OR/MS professionals locate employment opportunities in academia, government and private industries. Employers from a wide variety of professional interest areas regularly participate in this program. It runs on a semi-annual basis, January-June and July-December.

The INFORMS JPS is now up and running for the Spring San Diego Meeting. Go to http://www.informs.org/JPS/ and check out:

• On-line registration for applicants and employers;
• 24-hour access to job listings and applicant files;
• On-site interviewing facilities at our national meeting;
• Hard copy booklets of all active participants;
• Low participation fees (free for student members).

To obtain additional information about this service, on-site interviewing arrangements or to obtain a paper copy application, you may contact our Customer Service Department at 800-446-3676 or by e-mail at JPS@mail.informs.org.

Professional Lounge

Registration

Cancellation & Refunds

Payments will be refunded only if a written cancellation is received in the INFORMS Rhode Island office postmarked no later than April 30. Cancellations may also be faxed to 401-274-3189 or e-mailed to tanya.skorohod@informs.org and must meet this deadline.

On-Site Registration

Meeting registration will be located in the Mission Foyer during the following hours:

Saturday, 5/3	3:00pm - 7:00pm
Sunday, 5/4	7:30am - 5:00pm
Monday, 5/5	7:30am - 5:00pm
Tuesday, 5/6	7:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday, 5/7	7:30am - 2:00pm

The registration fee allows admittance to all technical sessions, the General Reception and to the exhibit hall. Name badges MUST be worn to all INFORMS sessions, functions and events. Misplaced badges may be replaced at the registration desk by showing your receipt. Meals are not included in the registration fee. If you attend workshops or special paid functions, an additional fee is required. ALL ATTENDEES, INCLUDING SPEAKERS AND SESSION CHAIRS, MUST REGISTER AND PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE.

If you are presenting a contributed paper and have sent your abstract to the Rhode Island office in response to the Call for Papers, authors who paid the $65 abstract submission fee may deduct this amount from the balance of their registration payment.

Pre-Registration

Attendees are urged to pre-register for the conference; pre-registration is less expensive, quicker and easier than on-site registration. Complete the pre-registration form and mail to INFORMS San Diego, 2 Charles St., Ste. 300, Providence RI 02904 on or before April 9. Fees may be paid by credit card (MC/VISA only - fax to 401-274-3189) or by check or money order, payable to INFORMS San Diego '97. Registration payments may also be made via the Web at http://www.informs.org using your credit card; this is a secure server. The deadline for pre-registration will be strictly adhered to; all payments postmarked after the April 9 deadline will be charged the full, on-site registration fee. Registration materials may be picked up in the registration area.

Rates

	Before 4/9	After 4/9
INFORMS Members	$180	$205
Non-Members	$220	$245
Student/Retired	$65	$65
Teachers	$25	$25
Guests	$25	$25

Special Services/Assistance

Attendees requiring special accommodations or services for hotel rooms, session rooms or special events may contact Cynthia J. Rinaldi at 800-343-0062, ext. 203, by fax at 401-274-3189 or via e-mail at bulletin@mail.informs.org no later than two weeks prior to the meeting.

Transportation

San Diego is served by all major carriers. We have made arrangements for special air fares for attending this conference. The Town & Country Hotel is 6 miles from the San Diego International Airport. Taxi fares to the hotel are approximately $16-$18. Cloud 9 Shuttle is offering discounted round trip shuttle service to and from the Town & Country Hotel. The cost is $7 one way or $14 roundtrip. If you rent a car at the airport, take Harbor Drive East and follow signs directing you to I-5 North. At the Interstate 8 interchange, take I-8 East to the second Hotel Circle exit. At the bottom of the exit, make a left turn and follow Hotel Circle South around in a U-shape to Hotel Circle North. Town & Country is at 500 Hotel Circle North. Rental cars are available at the airport; guests can also arrange for a rental car after checking into the hotel. San Diego has both a bus and trolley system. The trolley goes as far south as Tijuana, Mexico and terminates at the train station near the docks in downtown San Diego. The bus system serves all of San Diego.

Audio/Visual Requirements

Each session room will be set up with an overhead projector and screen. A limited number of LCD panels will be available without charge if arrangements are made prior to April 1. There will be a $25 charge after April 1. Invited and sponsored session chairs should contact their speakers to determine if other special equipment is needed. Speakers will be responsible for the cost of special equipment. Contact Cynthia J. Rinaldi at 800-343-0062, ext. 203, by fax at 401-274-3189 or via e-mail at bulletin@mail.informs.org to order equipment.

The Program

The preliminary program was mailed to all speakers as a supplement to the February issue of OR/MS Today. The final program with abstracts will be distributed at the meeting. Members or speakers who do not attend may purchase the final program for $15 by calling 1-800-446-3676. Both the preliminary and final programs are on INFORMS Online, http://www.informs.org.

Child Care

Child care will be available from highly qualified, bonded, insured providers. Children from 6 weeks to 14 years may be enrolled. If you are interested in child care, contact the Rhode Island office at 800-343-0062, ext. 202 no later than March 14; firm commitments needed by April 1.