Media Advisory 1: 2008 Joint Assembly

27-30 May
Greater Fort Lauderdale — Broward County Convention Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

News Media registration opens, Hotel Rooms at Special Rates

Contents of this message:

Discover the latest in Earth and Space Sciences
Hotel Booking Now Open
U.S. Visa Regulations for International Reporters
News Media Registration Information
News Media Registration Form
Who's Coming

1. Discover the latest in Earth and Space Sciences

An estimated 2,500–3,000 scientists will present new findings in the Earth and space sciences in Fort Lauderdale at the 2008 Joint Assembly. Organizers of the meeting, from 27 to 30 May, are planning more than 140 scientific sessions on such topics as mercury in the human ecosystem; geophysical clues to the First Americans; the Sun's interactions with Earth, space, and our sister planets; Everglades restoration; climate change expectations and adaptations; the hows and whys of coastal flooding disasters; and new findings from planet Mercury.

All scientific sessions take place in the Greater Fort Lauderdale — Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

As suggested by the name “Joint Assembly,” the meeting will bring together researchers from 14 scientific organizations: the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and 13 sister scientific societies based in North and South America. For a complete list of sponsoring societies and links to their Web sites, see the 2008 Joint Assembly home page (and scroll down): http://www.agu.org/meetings/ja08.

AGU will operate a Press Room at the meeting. A series of press conferences, to be described in subsequent advisories, will highlight some of the newsworthy sessions at the 2008 Joint Assembly.

Information for members of the news media about this meeting, including links to advisories, are posted at: http://www.agu.org/meetings/ja08/?content=media.

2. Hotel Booking Now Open

Rooms can now be reserved at six hotels with special meeting rates. For single (or double occupancy), nightly charges range from $91 to $179 plus 11 percent state and local taxes.

The deadline for making hotel reservations is 28 April. For further information and to book rooms, see: http://www.agu.org/meetings/ja08/?content=travel.

3. U.S. Visa Regulations for International Reporters

All journalists who are not United States citizens or permanent residents need a visa to cover scientific meetings in the U.S. This applies equally to journalists from “Visa Waiver Program” countries (e.g., western Europe), who do not normally need visas to enter the U.S. as tourists.

The visa for journalists is an “I” visa, issued by the American Embassy or an American Consulate in your home country. If you are planning to cover Joint Assembly, please apply early for your “I” visa. The U.S. Department of State has posted a fact sheet about visas for journalists on its Web site at: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1276.html

4. News Media Registration Information

News Media registrants receive a badge that provides access to any of the scientific sessions of the meeting, as well as to the Press Room and Press Conference Room.

Eligibility for press registration is limited to the following persons:

Working press employed by bona fide news media: must present a press card, business card, or letter of introduction from an editor of a recognized publication.
Freelance science writers: must present a current membership card from NASW, a regional affiliate of NASW, CSWA, ISWA, or SEJ; or evidence of by-lined work pertaining to science intended for the general public and published in 2007 or 2008; or a letter from the editor of a recognized publication assigning you to cover Joint Assembly.
Public information officers of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies: must present a business card.

Note 1: Representatives of publishing houses, for-profit corporations, and the business side of news media must register at the main registration desk at the meeting and pay the appropriate fees, regardless of possession of any of the above documents. They are not accredited as News Media at the meeting.

Note 2: Scientists who are also reporters and who are presenting at this meeting (oral or poster session) may receive News Media credentials if they qualify (see above), but must also register for the meeting and pay the appropriate fee as a presenter.

5. News Media Registration Form

The News Media Registration Form is set up for online submission. Go to: http://www.agu.org/meetings/ja08/?content=media&show=pressReg_online.

The last day for advance News Media registration, assuring that your badge will be waiting for you when you arrive, is Friday, 16 May 2008. You may also register onsite in the Press Room.

6. Who's Coming

The online list of journalists who have preregistered for the Meeting is updated daily and may be seen at http://www.agu.org/meetings/ja08/?content=media (Scroll down to see list.).

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