Contents
1. Preliminary Press Conference List
2. Press room Update
3. Press Registration Information
4. Press Registration Form
5. Who's Coming

1. 1. Reminder: the deadline for hotel registration at meeting rates is April 15. Some hotels are already fully booked. See: www.agu.org/meetings/sm04/hotellist.shtml.

2. This message does not repeat important information in previous advisories: See: www.agu.org/sci_soc/prrl/prrl0417.html.

We are in the process of developing a series of press conferences to highlight some of the important science being presented at Joint Assembly. This list is subject to the usual caveats: some proposed press conferences may not take place, others may be added, emphasis may change.

• The latest from Mars
  The Spirit and Opportunity rover missions have been extended. Stephen Squyres will report on the latest discoveries at the time of the meeting.
  What have we learned recently about Mars, its composition, and its evolution?
• Global dimming: the what and why of a controversial hypothesis
• Ice cores and climate variability in the Arctic and Antarctic
• Extreme weather and its impact, from coastal areas to the summit of Everest
• Changing far northern climate--past, present, and future
• Endings and beginnings: geography, life, and climate ca. 540 million years ago
• What, exactly, is Canada (geophysically)? The POLARIS project is providing answers.
• The Earth's early crust--its formation and evolution
• Explosive volcanoes--why some are and some are not
• Special briefing and workshop for science writers on Aura, the third NASA satellite in the Earth Observing System (after Terra and Aqua). Aura will study air quality and climate.

A subsequent media advisory, around 10-14 days prior to Joint Assembly, will provide detailed information on all press conferences, including explanatory statements and full participant lists. Any changes after that will be announced in the Press Room (Room 521- B/C of the Palais des Congrès). All aspects of press conferences are subject to change.

All press conferences will take place in the Press Briefing room, which is Room 522-A of the Palais des Congrès.

The Press Room is Room 521-B/C. The phone number for incoming calls is +1-514-871-5822.

New: The Press Room will be equipped for wi-fi, enabling wireless connection to the Internet, if your laptop computer is equipped with the appropriate card.

All press conferences will be in Room 522-A, a short walk from the Press Room.

Press registrants receive a badge that provides access to any of the scientific sessions of the meeting, as well as to the Press Room and Briefing Room. No one will be admitted without a valid badge.

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 the publication.
• Freelance science writers: must present a current membership card from NASW (or other 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 2003 or 2004.
• Public information officers of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies: must present a business card.

Note: 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.

The Press Registration Form is set up for online submission, but includes a link to a version that can be printed out and faxed or mailed. Go to: www.agu.org/meetings/sm04/sm04pressreg_cgi.shtml.

The last day for advance press registration is May 10. You may also register onsite in the Press Room.

Gerri Barrer, CBC TV
Peter Calamai, Toronto Star
Lynn Chandler, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Rob Gutro, NASA's Earth Science News Team
Hannah Hoag, Freelance
Kevin Krajick, Freelance
Naomi Lubick, Geotimes
Barbara Moran, WGBH-NOVA
Madeleine Nash, Time
Mark Peplow, Nature Science Update
Sid Perkins, Science News
Krishna Ramanujan, NASA Earth Science News Team
Chantal Srivastava, Radio-Canada
Curt Stager, North Country Public Radio
Elvia Thomson, NASA Headquarters
Dan Vergano, USA Today

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