SCHEDULE AND CONFERENCE FAQS

AAAS 2010 Conference - Austin, Texas
Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
April 7 - 10


CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The latest 2010 AAAS Austin Program is now available (last updated March 29, 2010).

PRESENTER AND CONFERENCE FAQs

Q: What accommodations are available for presenters and attendees with disabilities?
A: If you require accessibility assistance due to wheelchair use or hearing impairments, please contact the Secretariat with requests by filling out our online contact form. Presenters can accommodate fellow attendees with disabilities by offering handouts in accessible format. This includes: 1) at least two copies of your handouts in large print and, 2) at least 2 computer disks containing your handouts in text files so that it may converted to Braille if requested. For assistance with making handouts in alternate format, refer to the TASH website under the heading of Making Handouts Accessible ( http://www.tash.org/tash2005/speakers/materials.htm). Whenever possible, please use large print and use language that is appropriate for a wide variety of audience participants.

Q: Will badges and program booklets be mailed?
A: No, badges and conference programs will not be mailed in advance of the conference.

Q: Where and when do I pick up my badge?
A: You can pick up your badge and conference materials at the on-site registration desk on-site beginning Wednesday, April 7, 2010. You can also pay registration and membership fees directly on-site at the conference.

Q: When will registration be open?
Wednesday, April 7: 1:00PM - 5:00PM
Thursday, April 8: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday, April 9: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday, April 10: 8:00AM - 12:00PM

Q: How can I get a formal invitation letter for my VISA application?
A: You can request this letter from AAAS by contacting piaseng@illinois.edu or gclutar2@illinois.edu.

Q: What are the registration requirements for presenting at the conference?
A: It is Association policy that all those who wish to submit proposals must be members of AAAS. If you are not an association member at the time of the submission deadline of November 5, 2009, you will have until January 1, 2010 to join by sending your payment and completed annual membership form to The John Hopkins University Press, the publisher of the association’s journal. The membership form is available on the AAAS website by clicking here.
NOTE: Although panelists and discussants do not need to be AAAS members they must pay the non-member conference registration fee prior to the conference in order to be included in the printed conference program. Cash, personal check, and credit cards (VISA, MC, American Express, Discover) are all accepted.

Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: All registrants who cancel prior to the conference or do not attend the conference forfeit their entire registration fee. Once you submit your registration you are not entitled to a refund. Please remember that canceling your conference registration does not automatically cancel your hotel and travel arrangements, individuals are responsible for canceling their own hotel and travel reservations.

Q: What is the Anita Affeldt Graduate Fund and why should I donate?
A: The Anita Affeldt Graduate Fund was officially begun in 2004 in honor of Anita Affeldt. The Secretariat of the Association for Asian American Studies has been located in Cornell University's Asian American Studies Program for many years. Anita Affeldt, the Administrative Manager of the Asian American Studies Program, also took on that function in relation to the business of the Secretariat. Her enormous contributions to AAAS over more than a decade were recognized through the creation of this fund. The fund defrays financial expenses for graduate students each year by covering hotel expenses and waiving the conference registration fee. Donations made to the fund are tax deductible, and may be given in any amount. A separate area exists on both the conference registration form and membership form to donate to the fund. Payments can also be made to: AAAS Secretariat, 120 Swanlund Administration Building, 601 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820.

Q: If I am unable to attend, how can someone take my place at the conference?
A: Substitutions are allowed by email request submitted to the 2010 Program Committee Chairs, Madeline Hsu (myhsu@mail.utexas.edu) and Cathy Schlund-Vials (cathy.schlund-vials@uconn.edu). You may submit your request via e-mail, fax or regular/overnight mail; e-mail: piaseng@illinois.edu; fax: 217-265-6235; AAAS, Secretariat, 1208 W. Nevada, Urbana, IL 61801.

Travel and Housing Questions

Q: Where can I find information on the conference hotel?
A: The Omni Austin Hotel Downtown is the officially endorsed hotel for 2010. Please visit: http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/AustinDowntown.aspx for more information.

Q: Is transportation available to and from the airport? What types of local transportation exist?
A: By car: From the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) head north on Presidential Blvd toward E State Hwy 71 Service Rd, turn left at E State Hwy 71 Service Rd, take the ramp on the left onto TX-71 W, take the exit onto I-35 N/US-290 E toward Waco, take exit 234C toward 6th-12th Sts, merge onto I-35 Frontage Rd N, turn left at E 6th St, turn right at Trinity St, turn left at the 2nd cross street onto E 8th St, take the 1st left onto San Jacinto Blvd, the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown will be on the right.

AUSTIN-BERGSTRUM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Distance from Hotel: 10.4 miles
Drive time: 16 Minutes

Transportation to and from the Airport
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/transportation.htm

Q: Is parking available?
A: Parking is not included in your registration fee. Valet parking in underground, secured lot (approx. $25 per day plus tax) includes in/out privileges. Self-parking in secured, underground garage (approx. $18 per day plus tax). Oversized vehicle parking is available at an off-site lot approximately 3 blocks away. Airport shuttle service available through Super Shuttle (fee) - call (512) 258-3826. Capital Metro Bus service furnishes public transportation throughout the city (1 block from hotel). Dillo Dash offers complimentary transportation in the downtown area during afternoon hours (weekdays only)

General Conference Questions

Q: What is the expected attendance?
A: Attendance for 2010 is expected to exceed 500 attendees.

Q: What types of A/V are available for panel sessions?
A: If you requested any audio-visual equipment in your initial proposal, it will be available for your panel in the designated room. AAAS provides TV/VCR/DVD, overhead and slide projectors. We have a limited number of LCD projectors for panels. Please note that the deadline to request use of these projectors is November 5, 2009. If you did not contact the Secretariat about your request for an LCD projector, these will not be available for your session. If you would like to bring your own equipment, please contact the Secretariat for pricing arrangements. The hotel does not allow attendees to use their own equipment unless prior arrangements are made with the in-house A/V company. A set-up and operational fee is charged for personal equipment in the meeting room.

Q: Are meals included in the cost of registration?
A: No meals are included in the registration cost. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, Ancho’s, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at conference receptions and at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

Programming Questions

Q: When are the caucus and committee meetings scheduled?
If you wish to convene a caucus meeting at the 2010 conference in Austin, please let us know by January 15, 2010 so we can schedule a meeting place and time for you and your colleagues. Contact piaseng@illinois.edu to notify us of your request.

*Note: After this date, only those who have made specific requests for caucus meeting space will be assigned breakout rooms. Others who wish to hold caucuses may do so in an unofficial capacity in the hotel reception area or off-site. The AAAS offers a bulletin board at the registration desk to post announcements for those who wish to host caucus meetings but have not made official arrangements with the Secretariat or the Program Committee.