July 18, 2002: III and final announcement to registered participants ================================================ Monte Rosa International Conference "GAIA spectroscopy, science and technology" Sept. 9-12 2002, Gressoney St. Jean (Aosta) http://ulisse.oapd.inaf.it/GAIA2002/ ================================================ 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.