<%@ Language=VBScript %> IAPB2010 FAQ

Co-sponsored by:

Abstract Submission	Travel	Hotel	Downtown Hotel Map	Financial Aid
Invitation Letter	Seeing St. Louis On Your Own	See Who’s Coming	Other Conferences

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL MEETING

Where is the meeting going to be held?
The Congress will convene at the America’s Center convention complex located in downtown St. Louis. The main entrance to the complex is on Washington Avenue at Eighth Street. Entries are also available at Seventh Street and Convention Plaza and at the Edwards Jones Dome at America’s Center at Broadway and Convention Plaza and Broadway and Cole.

Will there be shuttle service between hotels?
Yes. Best Transportation has been contracted to run round trips between hotels more than one block away and America’s Center. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, June 6, from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday morning, from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Monday through Thursday evening, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

This shuttle will be free to our participants. Smoking will not be allowed on the shuttle.

Can I get a paper copy of the abstract book?
Yes. But since the complete abstract book will be downloaded to a flash drive and given to you, we will only print paper copies for attendees who are willing to pay an additional fee of $75. You must indicate on the registration form that you will be interested in purchasing this book.

Is there Wi-Fi capability at America’s Center?
We are told there is Wi-Fi capability in the hallways only, not in meeting rooms. But it can be somewhat unreliable and will not always work.

What if I do not have a laptop I can bring to the meeting?
Will there be a computer available for me? Yes. Computer stations will be available throughout the vendor exhibition area in Hall 2. Only a limited number of computers will be available so there may be a wait to use the equipment.

Will printers be available should I need one?
Yes. A limited number of printers will be located on the main level down from Hall 2.

Must I show proof of my student status?
Yes. A student ID will be required at registration if you indicated on the registration form that you are a student.

I am a student and would like to request financial aid. Where can I find that information?
Click on the registration link at top left of this page and scroll to the bottom. Determine if you are seeking reimbursement from IAPB or SIVB and choose the appropriate link. You may only request assistance from one organization (not both). Applying does not guarantee receipt of funds.

What if I need to cancel my registration?
Requests for refunds due to cancellation must be received in writing by May 1, 2010. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after May 1, 2010. Cancellations received by April 1, 2010 will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations received between April 2-May 1, 2010 will receive one-half of refund of registration fees. Send all refund requests to muconf2@missouri.edu

10.

I am an international traveler. Is there information for me on your website?
Please visit the travel link at the top of this page and scroll down to the “International Travel” section.

11.

What local transportation is available to me since I won’t have a car?
The travel link at the top of this page provides information on how best to get around St. Louis and between the airport and America’s Center.

Also, Best Transportation has been contracted to run round trips between hotels more than one block away and America’s Center. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, June 6, from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday morning, from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Monday through Thursday evening, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

This shuttle will be free to our participants. Smoking will not be allowed on the shuttle.

12.

I will be driving to the Congress. Does the website provide driving directions?
Yes. See the travel link at the top of this page and scroll down to the “Car” section.

WEBSITE

13.

What computer hardware is needed for the abstract and registration online submission?
You must have a forms-capable browser with cookies enabled; for example, MS Internet Explorer or Netscape.

14.

Can I bold, italicize, use superscripts, subscripts, and special characters during the abstract submission process?
Yes. Use the symbols toolbar provided in both the “Abstract Title” field and in the “Abstract Body” field.

15.

How do I best navigate the Congress website?
We hope you find this website user-friendly. The buttons on the left will show you the welcome page (lots of information there), the congress schedule, key dates, and registration. These buttons also provide information for sponsors/exhibitors and the media and how to contact us. The links across the top of the page should provide easy access to the abstract submission process, air and travel information, hotels and a downtown hotel map, how to request financial aid, an invitation letter should you need a visa, and other conferences you might be interested in attending. We plan to build a participant list which you’ll be able to access by the See Who’s Coming link. If you still need assistance to find a certain topic, use the search box on the left side of the site to find applicable pages and then use “control f” once you arrive on that page.

16.

Where do I find information about the speakers?
The Welcome page links speaker’s names to their webpage. The Congress schedule will include speaker names and titles as that information becomes available.

ST. LOUIS

17.

What kind of weather can I expect in St. Louis at the time of the conference?
Average temperatures in June: 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit; 21-32 degrees Celsius.

18.

What time zone does St. Louis fall in?
St. Louis will be on Central Daylight Savings Time.

19.

Where might I be able to exchange my currency for U.S. dollars?
1st Financial Floral Credit Union (314-231-5114)
1407 Washington Avenue
Mon., Tues. and Thurs.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Wed.: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri.: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(Foreign currency exchange available with several days advance notice)

Bank of America (314-466-4609)
100 North Broadway
Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

2nd Downtown Location:
800 Market Street (314-466-6117)
Mon – Fri: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Drive Up Window – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(Foreign currency exchange: Your total order for foreign currency and foreign currency traveler cheques must be $100 or more. If you are ordering multiple currencies, the minimum purchase amount for each currency is $25)

US Bank (314-418-2803)
(located directly across from America’s Center)
721 Locust Street
Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
(Foreign currency exchange offered at this location (Euros, British, Canadian, Japanese and Mexican) with a $300 limit for non-customers. Paper currency exchange only – no coins)

2nd Downtown Location:
301 North Tucker Boulevard
Mon – Fri: 8:30-4:30 (lobby); 8:00 – 5:00 (drive-thru window)

20.

Remind me again what the electrical voltage is in the U.S.
U.S. electrical voltage is 110-120 volts 60-cycle AC (alternating current). Plan on bringing your own converter.

21.

Whom should I tip and how much?
Gratuities are normally left to the discretion of the customer. However, do check your restaurant bill carefully as it is becoming more common for restaurants to include the tip (particularly when you are dining in a group). If a tip has not been automatically added, it is customary to leave a gratuity of 15%-20% of the bill before taxes are added. Gratuities for taxi fares are normally 15%. Porters at the airport and hotel expect $1US per suitcase. It is also customary to tip the following positions for exceptional service: bartenders, bell hops, cocktail servers, food and beverage servers, and valet parkers.

22.

How can I find out about tourist-type information while I’m visiting?
The Seeing St. Louis On Your Own link at the top of this page highlights some activities unique to St. Louis and surrounding areas. Your hotel will have information and, of course, there is always the Internet. If you don’t have any free time during your visit, there will be optional tours offered Wednesday afternoon during the Congress. These tours must be arranged for separately with tour provider, Destination St. Louis. See the Tours Wednesday Afternoon link at the top of this page.

MEMBERSHIP

23.

How do I become a member of IAPB? Can I renew my membership?
You have the ability to join or renew membership in the IAPB on the registration form in the “Membership Fee” section or contact your local national correspondent. See http://www.iapb-stl.org and click on “National Correspondent” to see who serves as the representative for your country.

24.

How do I become a member of SIVB? Can I renew my membership?
You have the ability to join or renew membership in the SIVB on the registration form in the “Membership Fee” section or contact the Society for In Vitro Biology at http://www.sivb.org for further information.