July 18, 2002: III and final announcement to registered participants
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Monte Rosa International Conference
"GAIA spectroscopy, science and technology"
Sept. 9-12 2002, Gressoney St. Jean (Aosta)
http://ulisse.oapd.inaf.it/GAIA2002/
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Dear Participant and Colleague,
this is the third and final announcement for the "GAIA Spectroscopy,
Science and Technology" conference. The scientific registration and
hotel booking phases are now concluded. There are 88 registered
participants (+ 25 accompanying persons).
----- CONFERENCE PROGRAM
The SOC has formulated the conference program that can be accessed via the
Conference web page (it is attached to this message for your convenience).
There are: 26 30-min talks
28 15-min talks
26 posters
The 54 talks are divided into 7 session, of average duration 3 hour each
(+ coffee break). The Conference will end at 19:00 on Thursday Sept 12.
----- WARNINGS
The program is densely packed and to avoid delays please note that:
* 30 min talks are intended to last 25 min and to allow 5 min for questions
* 15 min talks are intended to last 12 min and to allow 3 min for questions
These limits are strict and the session chairmen will enforce them.
Note also that use of personal laptops for PowerPoint presentations will
not be allowed by the hardware: if you intend to present your talk with
PowerPoint, provide it on a CD-ROM or a 1.44MB diskette well before the
start of the session to LOC personnel. They will deal with them.
We will not provide facilities for mastering CD-ROMs at the Conference
or printing B&W/Color overheads, so prepare them in advance at home.
----- DEADLINES
Note also that the deadline for submission of the proceedings is Nov 8,
two months after the end of the Conference. You will be warned of the
coming deadline around Oct 15, but you will not be chased for your
contribution after the deadline has expired. If you want your contribution
to be included in the proceedings, you have to send it properly formatted
before Nov 8, because final assembling of the proceedings will begin
right the next day.
----- RVS MEETING
On Friday Sept 13 the Congress Center will host the Fourth RVS meeting,
that will last the whole day (contact: david.katz@obspm.fr).
----- DESKS
At the Conference Center you will be served by three desks (one next to
the other):
Registration/Science Desk: where to register, collect your gadgets and
confer to LOC personnel your PowerPoint presentations on CD-ROM
or diskette well before the start of the relevant session
(to have time to properly store it on the presentation media
and check its functionality)
La Residenza del Sole Desk: normal hotel reception desk for those
lodging at the Conference Center
La Serenissima Viaggi Desk: coordinating travel agency desk, where to
ask for Hotel matters, transfer to/from airports, support of
accompanying persons, other needs.
----- SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Social activities during the Conference are under shaping. Check the
Conference web page for updates, recommendations and further details.
Basic items are listed in the attached program and summarized below:
lunch breaks: the lunch break will be long enough to allow refreshing,
easy and scenic walks around the Congress Center. For
ex. a 25 min walk on flat grounds allows to pass next to
a Castle, to a park and its lake and reach the center of
the charming old Gressoney alpine village (XVII-XVIII
century) for a coffee before returning in time for the
beginning of afternoon session at 15:30.
swimming pool: the pool at the Congress Center will be open daily
in the afternoon (with assistance personnel) till
dinner time 20:00 (last entry allowed 30 min before
closing, at 19:30). Bathing-cap&shoes are required.
Sunday 8 morning: trekking to view point "Belvedere" 2209m (40 min from
and 160m higher that arrival station of the chair-lift)
and for those wishing something more, climb to scenic
peak "Cima Regina Margherita" 2388m (further 1 hour walk
from Belvedere and 340m higher than arrival station).
Trekking boots are highly recommended (see web page).
early afternoon: guided visit of Gressoney village and surroundings.
late afternoon: welcome cocktail in parallel with registration.
Monday 9 evening: after dinner a slide show will present Monte Rosa
and the Alps, Gressoney valley, local folklore,
flora and fauna.
Wednesday 11 afternoon: shortly after lunch we will leave by bus Gressoney
and move toward Aosta, main town of the region.
On the way we will stop to visit Fenis, one of the best
preserve medieval castles of Italy (XIII c.). We will
then reach Aosta where a guided tour will be offered
of the main remains of the Roman and medieval ages.
Free time will be available for shopping or relax.
From Aosta by bus we will then proceed to a nearby
restaurant for the social dinner themed on alpine
tradition. Return to Gressoney is scheduled for 23/23:30.
Thursday 12 evening: a gala dinner at the end of the Conference will be
offered at the restaurant of the Congress Center.
----- MONEY
A few participants had problems in paying with credit card or bank transfer
the registration fee. They will pay at the registration desk. Please note
that only cash payment in Euro currency will be accepted.
Also note that the Congress Center does not provide any currency change
service and Am.Express card is not accepted.
Down village Gressoney there are two banks and automatic cash tellers for
those in need.
----- POSTERS
Display area for each poster is 1 m (width) by 1.5 m (height). Numbering
will be communicated at the registration desk.