The conference will be held at the
Asilomar Conference Grounds
in Pacific Grove, California. This 107 acre protected
coastal state park is located on the Monterey Peninsula. With miles of trails
that lead you along the beautiful coastline as well as
through the park, it is the perfect environment in which to
learn, share research and meet with colleagues.
The housing fee is per person
and includes four nights accommodations and
meals beginning with dinner on Saturday, January 17 through lunch
on Wednesday, January 21. The housing fee does not include the
meeting registration fee. There will be no refunds for missed
meals.
Housing Fee
To enhance the retreat like
atmosphere, all participants are encouraged to stay at
Asilomar.
Housing Preference
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Fee
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Single
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$970
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Double
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$630
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Rates are per person.
Housing Cancellations
If you must cancel your housing,
please contact
mahoney@genetics-gsa.org immediately. Due to housing
guarantees, individuals who
cancel after November 17 will not be entitled to a
refund unless a substitution can be made.
Check-in
Check-in begins at 4:00 pm on
Saturday, January 17 in the Administration Building. Check-out
is at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 21.
Meals
If you plan to attend the conference
but will not be staying at Asilomar, you can purchase a meal
plan. The fee is $375. The meal plan
will include dinner on Saturday, January 17 through lunch on
Wednesday, January 21.
On Wednesday, January 21 box lunches will be available for those who reserve them in advance. Please indicate on the registration if you would like a box lunch instead of eating in the dining hall.
Guests
Guests are those who will not be participating in the conference but want to
stay at Asilomar with a meeting attendee. Guests need to
register for housing which includes all meals. Please note,
guests will not be permitted in any scientific sessions including the poster sessions.
Travel/Ground Transportation
Monterey is the closest commercial airport to
Asilomar. Taxis cost approximately $30. The airport is about
25 minutes from Asilomar. Ground transportation options
include:
Driving Directions
From San Francisco / San Jose
Asilomar is approximately 120 miles south of downtown San
Francisco (about 105 miles from San Francisco International
Airport) and about 75 miles south of San Jose. Take 101
south to 156 West. Take 156 West to Highway 1 South, through
Monterey to the Pebble Beach / Pacific Grove exit, turn
right on Holman Highway / 68 West. Stay on Highway 68
West/Holman Highway for 3.5 miles until it becomes a city
street called Forest Avenue. Continue on Forest Avenue for
about 1 mile and make a left turn onto Sinex Avenue. In just
under 1 mile, Sinex Avenue ends right at the front gates to
Asilomar.
From Los Angeles
Asilomar is approximately 325 miles from downtown Los
Angeles (about 310 miles from LAX). Take 101 North though
Salinas to 156 West. Take 156 West to Highway 1 South,
through Monterey to the Pebble Beach / Pacific Grove exit,
and Highway 68 West. For about 3-1/2 miles you will then be
on a portion of Highway 68 West that is also called the
Holman Highway. Stay on Highway 68 West/Holman Highway until
it becomes a city street called Forest Avenue. Continue on
Forest Avenue for about 1 mile and make a left turn onto
Sinex Avenue. In just under 1 mile, Sinex Avenue ends right
at the front gates to Asilomar.
From Salinas
Take Highway 68 West to Highway 1 South to Highway 68 West
to Pacific Grove. Just past the Monterey Peninsula Airport,
Highway 68 West overlaps Highway 1 for about 5 or 6 miles.
Stay on Highway 68 West/Highway 1 and take the Pacific Grove
exit. For about 3-1/2 miles you will then be on a portion of
Highway 68 West that is also called the Holman Highway. Stay
on Highway 68 West/Holman Highway until it becomes a city
street called Forest Avenue. Continue on Forest Avenue for
about 1 mile and make a left turn onto Sinex Avenue. In just
under 1 mile, Sinex Avenue ends right at the front gates to
Asilomar.
Phone, Packages and Parking
To enhance the retreat like atmosphere, there are no phones in the rooms. The address and phone
number is Asilomar Conference Center, Attendee Name, c/o
SCZI, PO Box 537, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, Phone: (831) 372-8016, Fax: (831) 372-7227.
Complimentary parking is available for those staying at Asilomar.
Roommate Bulletin Board
An electronic bulletin board will be available
when registration opens to facilitate finding a
roommate. Registrants can post messages regarding what type
of roommate they are looking for (male or female to share a
double, or triple) and the participants will respond directly to the registrant.
If an attendee would like to bring a guest, they guest must fill in a registration/housing reservation form and indicate their roommate on the form. Please be sure that both people indicate each other as roommates. The guest does not need to pay a meeting registration fee if they are not attending the meeting.
Visa & Passport Information
Meeting attendees are advised to apply for a visa as
early as possible (at least six months before visa is needed). Registration refunds will not be issued for denied visas.
Applications for visas are sent to the U.S. Department
of State for a security review. For further information, visit the
US Department of State. Please
check with your local U.S. consulate or embassy to find
out the earliest that you may apply for a visa.
You can also visit the "International Visitors Office" Web site at http://www.nationalacademies.org/visas.
Visitors traveling to the United States from all countries (including the visa waiver countries) are required to register personal details online at least three (3) days in advance of travel. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form you usually complete enroute to the United States. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. DHS recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin travel plans.
VISAS
To assist you with the Visa application process:
- Apply for a visa at least six (6) months in advance. For countries that are on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, the Department
of State suggests applying for a visa six (6) to eight (8) months in advance.
- Provide your entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of visa application.
- If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application.
- Provide proof of scientific status. For example, proof that you submitted an abstract for the meeting. Do not wait until you receive notification that your abstract has been accepted before applying for a visa. It is very rare that an abstract is denied. If your abstract followed the rules and guidelines, it will be programmed.
- Provide meeting website and a copy of your letter of invitation.
- Provide evidence that you are intending to return to your country of residence. This includes such things as:
- family ties in current country of residence
- property ownership
- bank account
- an employment contract or statement from employer showing that position will continue after the dates of the meeting
- Requirements vary by passport-issuing country and citizenship (not merely residency).
NOTE: Some consulates may have backlogs in scheduling visa interviews so applicants should first contact the consulate to determine what
wait times for interviews are.
VISA Problems
For applications that have not been approved 30 days after the interview you should complete an online questionnaire.
You will be asked to name the meeting (28th Fungal
Genetics Conference) and explain the purpose of your
visit.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP): The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
USA Visa Policy Resources
City Information
Visit the
Asilomar website
for information on what to do while you're in Pacific Grove,
California.
Weather
The weather is brisk (40-60◦ F) with
a possibility of rain. Bring warm clothing and a raincoat.
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