Conference Overview

The purpose of this conference is to:
- Examine the threat to the sustainable development of US-Latin American Trade Corridors posed by natural and technological hazards;
- Promote self-sustaining research and training partnerships between US and Latin American scholars and institutions of higher learning; and to
- Promote partnerships both within and between public and private sector institutions working in the areas of international trade, transportation, public health, environmental resource management, and economic development.
June 13-15, 2002
Tampa, Florida (You must fly into Tampa as a final destination; flying into Miami as a final destination will not be close enough as it is a 6 hour drive between Miami and Tampa, where the conference will be held! Sometimes the name of our University, the University of South Florida, leads attendees from other countries to think that the University is near Miami, and it is not.)

Conference Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

Discuss threats to sustainable development of US-Latin American Trade Corridors;
Identify and classify relationships between natural and man made hazards;
Interpret the hazard risks affecting social, economic and environmental resiliency of Trade Corridors;
Utilize new knowledge of hazards toward effective preparedness, response, reconstruction and mitigation programs; and
Identify at least two potential partners for both research and training, and for business and industry.

Conference Sponsors

The Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CDMHA)
University of South Florida College of Public Health
Organization of American States

Target Audience

Academicians, international and governmental organizations, and the private sector working in international trade, transportation, public health, environmental resource management, and economic development

Exhibits

A feature of this conference is the exhibit hall and you are invited to exhibit. Please click here to view the Exhibitor Prospectus.

Agenda At a Glance

Wednesday, June 12, 2002

3:00 pm Registration Opens
6:00 pm Networking Reception (Light Refreshments) in the Exhibit Hall

Thursday, June 13, 2002

7:00 am Registration Opens
8:00 am General Sessions
12:00 pm Lunch in Exhibit Hall (lunch provided)
1:30 pm Workshop Sessions
5:00 pm Adjourn for the Day

Friday, June 14, 2002

8:00 am General Sessions
10:00 am Workshop Sessions
11:30 am Lunch - on your own
1:30 pm Workshop Sessions
3:30 pm General Sessions
5:00 pm Adjourn for the Day

Saturday, June 15, 2002

8:30 am General Sessions
12:00 pm Conference Adjourns

Agenda With Topics Inserted


Please click here to view the agenda.

An Explanation of Tracks

There are 4 “Tracks" that run as themes throughout the conference. The general sessions will provide an overview of the general topic, and then a series of four sets of four concurrent workshop sessions will highlight aspects of each of the four tracks.

The four tracks are:

Populations and Settlements
Water and Natural Resources
Information Infrastructure
Caribbean Issues (Note that this track will not have translation provided)

Thus, if you are interested in Populations and Settlements Track,
Please select workshops A1, B5, C9, and D13;

If you are interested in Water and Natural Resources Track,
Please select workshops A2, B6, C10, and D14;

If you are interested in Information Infrastructure Track,
Please select workshops A3, B7, C11, and D15; and

If you are interested in Caribbean Issues,
Please select workshops A4, B8, C12, and D16.

However, you may choose to move from one track to the other, and this is okay. Please indicate your selection of conference sessions when you register on the web.

Translation
This conference will be presented in either Spanish or English, depending on the preferred language of the presenter. Simultaneous translation of all general sessions and all tracks except the Caribbean Track (Breakout sessions A4, B8, C12, D16) which will be presented in English. Headsets will be made available to all attendees.

Tampa

For more information on the city where the conference will be held, go to www.TampaGuide.com.

Hotel Information

Key Hotel Information

All conference sessions will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tampa (Downtown NOT Westshore) at Two Tampa City Center, Tampa, Florida.
The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Tampa. The guest room rate is $89 single, $109 double, $129 triple, and $149 quad occupancy plus 12% tax. Call the hotel directly to make your reservations. These rates will be honored, based on availability, for three days before and after the conference. Call the hotel directly at 813-225-1234. You will NOT be able to access this rate from the Hyatt web site.
Make your reservation by FAX
- Complete the reservation form and FAX to 813-273-4964.

Directions to the Hotel

From Interstate 75 North or South
- Take Exit #50 (Leroy Selman Expressway) to Exit #8 (Kennedy Boulevard). Follow for 8 traffic lights and turn left at Tampa Street. The Hyatt is on the left at Tampa and Jackson Streets.
From Interstate 275 North or South
- Take Exit #25 (Tampa Downtown West / Ashley Street). Stay to your left as the road forks and you will be on Tampa Street. Follow for 8 traffic lights and see the Hyatt on the left at the corner of Tampa and Jackson Streets.
From Interstate 4 West
- Take Interstate 4 to Interstate 275 South.
- Take Exit #25 (Tampa Downtown West / Ashley Street). Stay to your left as the road forks and you will be on Tampa Street. Follow for 8 traffic lights and see the Hyatt on the left at the corner of Tampa and Jackson Streets.

Additional Hotel Information

Business Plan Rooms cost an additional $20 per day and include the following additional amenities: In-room fax machines (in which calls cost about $3.00 per minute); Room Telephone with no access charges on local, credit card, or toll-free calls; Computer data ports; Complimentary Express Continental Breakfast served 6:30 am - 11:00 am in the Avanzare Coffee Bar; Complimentary copy of USA Today; 24-hour access to business center on 16^th Floor, Complimentary access to the Health Club on the 5^th Floor.
Cash Paying Guests: In the event that a hotel guest does not have a major credit card to secure his/her room, the Hyatt Regency Tampa will require full payment in advance for room and tax, along with a $25 refundable deposit for incidentals. If a guest does not wish to establish credit for incidentals, the guest room phone will be restricted with the exception of room-to-room calls. All room folio charges from the Food and Beverage outlets, movie charges, and in-room dining will also be restricted and all items purchased from these outlets must be paid for at the time of purchase.
Guests who smoke should remember to specifically request a smoking room.
Check In – Check Out Times
- Check in is after 3:00 pm, based on availability
- Check out is 12:00 noon
Early Departure Fee: When you check in you will be asked to confirm your check out date. If you then check out earlier, there will be an early departure charge of $25.
Credit Cards accepted at the hotel include: American Express, VISA, Carte Blanche/Diners Club, JCB, Discover, MasterCard, En Route.
Concierge for information on local attractions and services is available in the lobby between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm daily.
Guest Rooms are equipped with two telephones, large dresser, AM/FM clock radio, 25" televisions with remote controls, pay-per-view movies, and secure locks. Amenities include: shampoo, conditioner, soap, mending kit, shower cap, shoe shine cloth, coffee maker with coffee and tea, hair dryer, iron.
Safety deposit boxes are available at the hotel front desk on a first come, first served basis.
There is a health club with exercise equipment, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a whirlpool available at no extra cost to hotel patrons.
Shipping packages to the hotel will incur a cost of at least $3.00 per package to the receiver.

Travel Information

Air: The Tampa Bay Area is served by two airports: Tampa International (TPA) www.tampaairport.com, and St. Petersburg Clearwater International (PIE) www.fly2pie.com. Please plan to fly into one of these airports.


Ground Transportation: For transportation from either airport to the hotel we recommend The LIMO. At the time of this publication, round trip rates from Tampa International are $18.00 per person, and one-way rates are $10 per person. Round trip rates from St. Pete / Clearwater International are $38.00 per person, and one-way rates are $20.00 per person.

Car Rental: Both airports offer car rental services. However, parking at the Hyatt Regency is costly.

Parking: The Hyatt offers valet parking for guests based on availability for $11.00 per day, which is added to the guest's hotel charges. Adjacent to the hotel is Fort Brooke Municipal Parking Garage and a covered walkway connects the garage to the hotel via the garage's third floor. Rates are $8.00 per day.

Amtrak: Amtrak services the Tampa area via the Tampa Train Station located just minutes away from the Hyatt Regency Tampa. Taxi transportation is available from the train station to the Hyatt at a low cost.

Registration Information

Fees: The registration fee for this conference is USD $270 and early registration is encouraged. Student registrations at $150 are available with a valid student identification card. This means that any enrolled student with proof of enrollment, no matter what University or what country, may use this student discounted rate as long as you include proof of enrollment with your registration. Proof may be a student identification card or a letter from your Department.

The registration fee includes participation in all conference sessions, translation in general sessions and all but the Caribbean Track (which will be presented exclusively in English), entrance to the exhibit hall and networking events including an opening networking event Wednesday, June 12, 2002.

International Attendees: You are required to provide an email address for communication needs of the conference logistical office. If there is no email address you can use, please provide a fax number with country code.

Payments Accepted in US Dollars ONLY: Payment may be made by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, and American Express), check, money order, or cash. No purchase orders will be accepted for this conference. Electronic Transfers can also be accepted; call 813-974-3179 for details and scheduling. If you submit your registration form over the web or by FAX, please do not send duplicate copy in the mail. Pre-registration is highly preferred.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be requested in writing (fax and e-mail are acceptable) and received (not postmarked) in our office by June 6, 2002. A cancellation fee will be assessed to cover administrative costs. Written cancellations received after June 6, will be assessed the cancellation fee plus the per person food service costs. “No Shows" will be billed the full registration fee. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for “no shows;" however, substitutions are welcome without penalty.

Confirmations: To the best of our ability we confirm receipt of registrations with 24 working hours via fax or e-mail. In addition, written confirmations and receipt will be faxed or mailed to all participants with USA addresses if those registrations are received in our office before June 6, 2002. Non-USA attendees will receive their formal confirmations and receipts in their packets when they arrive on site.

How To Register

Web: The easiest way to register is with a credit card on our secure web site which is www.pware.com/1303. Use Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

FAX: You may also FAX in your complete registration form if you complete the credit card portion. It is safe to fax credit card information into our office.

A NOTE ABOUT CASH: If your country will send you with cash to pay on site, please:

Complete the web form and in the space at the very end for Purchase Orders, simply write in CASH ON SITE, OR
Complete the FAXable form and write in the same note.
IF YOU ARE PAYING WITH CASH AND FIND YOU MUST CANCEL, KINDLY email a message to bhossler@hsc.usf.edu with your name and that you must cancel. This way we will be able to avoid paying for food service you will not be there to eat.


Mail: You may mail the completed registration form, along with a check or money order to the following address:

Make payable to USF MSSC, our Federal ID number is 59-2944683

USF MSSC Continuing Professional Education
Attn: GP 2002072/1180
PO Box 917590
Orlando FL 32891-7590

Non-Discrimination

Events, activities, programs and facilities of the University of South Florida are available to all without regard to race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, Vietnam or disabled veteran status as provided by law and in accordance with the University's respect for personal dignity.

Special Information

Dress: The dress for this conference is business casual. This means that men are encouraged to wear dress shirts and perhaps sport coats, but ties are not required. Women are encouraged to wear professional clothing, but not formal professional attire. Both are encouraged to select garments with jackets or sweaters, as the air conditioning in hotels is often quite chilly. Weather in Tampa in June is quite warm and somewhat humid. Daytime lows range from around 70 to 90 degrees F.

Smoking: The State of Florida has restrictive smoking policies. Many restaurants are non-smoking and many buildings also have a non-smoking policy. The Hyatt has a non-smoking policy in all of the space where the conference sessions will be held, even in the lobby areas. The only inside smoking area is the lounge. Smoking guests should also be specific about whether they smoke when registering at the hotel so that they request a smoking sleeping room.

Special Dietary Requirements: The registration form asks if you are a vegetarian or if you have any food allergies or special restrictions. Please be sure to complete this section of the form carefully.

Americans with Disabilities Act: A Federal law requires that we provide reasonable accommodation to participants with disabilities. Please let us know when you register if you have a disability and we will contact you.

In-Conjunction-With Events: It is possible that as the time for the conference draws nearer, people who are planning to attend may discover that because others in their same group, industry, organization, or profession may wish to have a meeting while everyone is already at this event. If you wish to do so, kindly contact conference management, Ginger Phillips, at gphillip@hsc.usf.edu or 813-974-6695, for coordination of your request with the hotel and our conference agenda.

Disclaimer: The opinions of the speakers do not necessarily represent the opinions or policy of the University of South Florida.