Principles of Biological Computation - Travel Information

Workshop Navigation Home Agenda Participants Travel Information

Please register for the Workshop by Friday 18 April 2008 using the web form located at:

<http://www.santafe.edu/education/application/pbe08>

Information about visiting SFI and all meeting logistics are detailed below.

If you have questions about logistical details, please feel free to contact me at (505) 946-2758 or via email at wayne@santafe.edu. I shall be pleased to assist with advice or with any of your needs or special arrangements.

CITIZENSHIP/VISA & TRAVEL INFORMATION

“Principles of Biological Computation"

19-21 May 2008

US Citizenship & Visas

Please contact Laura Ware (laura@santafe.edu - 505-946-2718) with the following information, even if you have provided us with it in the past. If you plan to have SFI reimburse any of your expenses or use SFI accounts to secure travel plans, we must have this information to comply with U.S. law:

1) Are you a U.S. citizen?

If not, 2) Are you a permanent resident alien?

If not, 3a) What type of visa will you have?

3b) What is your country of citizenship?

If you are not a U.S. citizen, we will need to make photocopies of your passport and visa documents for our reimbursement compliance files after your arrival at SFI.

This information will be kept confidential at SFI in the offices of Finance and Visa.

B VISA: If you are entering the U.S. on a B visa, please make sure the customs agent stamps your I-94 (little white card they'll give you) "B1" or "B1/B2" or writes or circles "B1" (B1 standing for business and B2 for tourism) because we CANNOT reimburse you for any expenses (airfare, housing, rental car, per diem, etc.) if it is merely stamped or written B2 or has only the B2 circled.

VISA WAIVER: If you are entering the U.S. on a Visa Waiver, please make sure the customs agent stamps your I-94 (little green card they'll give you) "WB" or "WB/WT" or circles "WB" (B standing for business and T for tourism) because we CANNOT reimburse you for any expenses (airfare, housing, rental car, per diem, etc.) if it is merely stamped or written WT or has only the WT circled.

Do contact Laura Ware (laura@santafe.edu - 505-946-2718) with any visa related questions.

Travel Planning

The major airport connection to Santa Fe is indeed Albuquerque International Sunport located approximately 60 miles south of Santa Fe in the Sandia Mountains. Should you choose not to rent your own car for your visit, you may conveniently travel to downtown Santa Fe from Albuquerque using one of several shuttle services. Details and schedules may be found at http://www.santafe.edu/about/contact-us.php.

For your travel planning, note that Workshop participants and their significant others are invited to a Welcome Reception from 7:00 – 9:00 pm on the evening of Sunday 18 May at the Hotel Santa Fe where all out-of-town participants will be housed.

The Workshop agenda will begin first thing in the morning on Monday 19 May at SFI with a heavy continental breakfast as with each morning.

For late flight arrivals on Sunday SFI would be pleased to organize complimentary Albuquerque airport hotel accommodations for that first night but ask that you plan your ground transportation on your own for early the following morning. (See shuttle information at the end of this section). Contact me personally to assist.

At this point in the planning official Workshop activities will conclude by 1:00 pm following lunch on Wednesday 21 May; flight arrangements out of Albuquerque International Sunport should be easily arranged for most west coast but few east coast bound participants.

Should your plans include an early Thursday morning flight departure, SFI would again be pleased to arrange complimentary airport hotel accommodations for you the night prior. Again, contact me personally to assist.

Reimbursement of Expenses

As a key part of the Workshop budget the Santa Fe Institute shall reimburse your economy class air fare up to $600.00 for domestic and Canadian flights and up to $1200.00 for flights from Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.

SFI shall also reimburse your ground transportation costs in New Mexico up to $50.00 -- two shuttle fares of $25.00 each -- or $60.00 toward your total car rental tariff -- and your ground transportation and parking costs at your point of departure up to a total of $80. 00. (Note shuttle information at the end of this section.)

We ask that you finalize all air and ground transportation plans on your own. Your receipts for all such charges shall be requested upon your arrival at the Institute; reimbursements shall be paid per aforementioned guidelines no later than thirty (30) days following the conclusion of the Workshop. For U.S. citizens who have not visited the Institute within the last two years, you may be asked to sign a form indicating you are a U.S. citizen.

As indicated above, your special accommodations will be provided at the Hotel Santa Fe for up to four (4) nights (Sunday through Wednesday inclusive).

Should you wish to enjoy Santa Fe prior to or following the Workshop, the special Workshop rate at the Hotel Santa Fe for all other participants shall more than likely be available to you but at your own expense. SFI would be pleased to assist you with such arrangements.

Meals

In addition to the Welcome Reception with food sufficient to constitute dinner on Sunday 18 May, a Group Dinner is planned at one of Santa Fe's award-winning restaurants for all Workshop attendees and their spouses/significant others on Monday 19 May.

SFI would be happy to assist individuals or small groups with restaurant reservations on other evenings or offer guidance for those adventurous souls who wish to explore this the second oldest town in America with a wide variety of restaurant options.

A rich Continental breakfast, coffee breaks and buffet luncheons shall be offered at SFI to all attendees throughout the Workshop.

Reimbursement will not be provided for other meals or for any “per diem” expenses during your stay.

Please indicate any dietary requests on the registration link.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE OF HELP IN PLANNING YOUR VISIT:

Car Rental

SFI has entered into a valuable partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to provide a nationwide program to serve SFI visitors. Our negotiated pricing with Enterprise now includes both collision and liability coverage at no additional cost. To make a reservation you may book online at: http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=002&cust=34A1526

Shuttle Service from the Albuquerque Airport

You must check in at the Ground Transportation Desk across from the Southwest Airlines baggage claim area. Each trip is approximately 1 hour and 20 - 25 minutes. Reservations are recommended to ensure a seat. I would be happy to secure pre-paid reservations for you if you will supply me with airline names, flight numbers and arrival then departure times.

Sandia Shuttle Express - 1-505-474-5696 / 1-888-775-5696 www.sandiashuttle.com

Shuttle Service from the Santa Fe Airport

Should you choose to fly into Santa Fe Airport (more expensive and few flights) the Road Runner Shuttle runs between the Santa Fe airport and the downtown hotels. Please call (505) 424-3367 for reservations.

Local Taxi Service

Capital City Cab Co. (505) 438-0000

Driving Directions from the Albuquerque Airport to the Hotel Santa Fe, 1501 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 982-1200

From the airport take Sunport Drive to I-25 North, the main highway to Santa Fe.

Drive approximately 63 miles on I-25 to the Old Pecos Trail Exit 284.

At the end of the exit ramp, take a left onto Old Pecos Trail.

After the light at Zia Road stay in the right lane and veer to the right staying on Old Pecos Trail. Old Pecos Trail changes in name to Old Santa Fe Trail as you approach the downtown area.

At the large intersection of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta take a left. (The “Round House” – New Mexico’s State House – is across the intersection on the left.)

Continue on Paseo de Peralta for only two traffic lights; turn right onto Cerrillos Road – the main hotel entrance is immediately on the left.

Driving Directions from the Hotel Santa Fe to the Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road (505) 946 2700

Depart from the hotel’s parking lot through the gates directly onto Paseo de Peralta – ask staff for guidance.

Continue on around this circular road around the village to the sixth (6th) traffic light at Washington Street / Bishops Lodge Road (note a stop sign between the 5th and 6th light); the large and distinctively pink Masonic Temple is located on the far right corner.

Turn right.

Turn right again at the first light onto Artist Road.

Artist Road becomes Hyde Park Road at the top of the hill.

After passing the last of three gated communities on the left watch for the first public street called Gonzalez Street; slow down.

About 100 yards past Gonzalez Street, turn left through the Institute’s gates on the left.

Drive to the top of the drive to reach the traditional, territorial-style main building; park anywhere.

The Santa Fe Environment

Santa Fe is a unique and charming, small town with a variety of outstanding shops, museums, art galleries, performing arts events, outdoor activities – especially hiking – and restaurants. The town is situated at an altitude of 7,000 feet in a high dry desert valley surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Run and walk slowly at first….and plan to drink a lot of water while with us!

In May, temperatures in Santa Fe normally range from 42 to 68°F (6 to 20°C). At our altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level intense sun and exceptionally dry air sometimes makes one feel it is hotter.

For additional information about Santa Fe, please access the Santa Fe Visitors Bureau web site at http://www.santafe.org.

The environment at SFI is quite casual and participants are encouraged to dress comfortably.

Again, so that planning may proceed smoothly and on our effective timeline, may I ask again that you please indicate your interest in this Workshop by registering no later than Friday 18 April 2008.

We hope that you will join us!

Wayne J Cote

SFI Events Manager