Visa Information

The sites http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov & http://travel.state.gov have information about obtaining a visa for those traveling to the United States. Both sites have links to websites for U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The embassy and consulate websites have very helpful information about procedures, timelines, communities served, required documentation, and fees.

International registrants should be particularly aware and careful about visa requirements, and should plan travel well in advance. All visa inquiries must be handled by ACM HQ. Please send your request for a letter in support of a visa application to supportletters@acm.org include your name, mailing address, and fax number, as well as the name of the conference you are attending. (Authors of papers/posters should also include the title). Please note that ACM does not issue formal ``letters of invitation'' to any of its conferences.

Hotel Information

IPSN and the CPSWeek Conferences will be held in the Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco, CA, USA, from April 13-15, 2008 (see below map). Please, register at the hotel registration website on or before (March 13, 2009) March 31, 2009.

IPSN has reserved a block of rooms in the conference hotel at a reduced rate ($149/night +Tax). The reduced prices are available from April 9-19 and the rooms have complimentary internet access. The cut-off date for the reduce rate is (March 20, 2009) March 31, 2009. The conference will be held in Parc Ballrooms I&II at the 4th floor of the hotel.

Hotel Registration

Online registration is available through the hotel registration website:

1. Please ensure that the IPSN "Group Code" (ACM) appears in the corresponding window;

2. If calling in (800-595-0507) to make your reservation, make sure you mention the abovementioned IPSN Group Code;

3. CPSWEEK (including RTAS, IPSN and HSCC) will be followed by a set of one-day Workshops and Tutorials on April 16th. If you plan to attend any of these workshops, make sure this is reflected in the hotel reservation dates. For a complete list of workshops, and more information on the topic, please see the CPSWEEK site.

Directions:

Powell St. station of the Bay Area Rapid Transmit (BART) subway system is located 1 block from the hotel. Please, use <http://transit.google.com> with "sfo" and "parc55, san francisco" and the desired departure time for schedule and pricing information. Hotel provides a shuttle service to and from SFO. Please, see the hotel location website for more information.

Local Attractions:

Golden Gate park: the third most visited park in United states, it packs attractions such as Japanese Tea garden, San Francisco botanical garden, Academy of Sciences, and many others.

The Golden Gate Bridge: one of the world's most beautiful bridges and with its tremendous towers, sweeping main cables and great span, it is a sensory beauty featuring color, sound, and light.

Fisherman's Wharf: is one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco. Visitors will experience unique shops, great seafood, and beautiful views.

California Academy of Sciences: is one of the ten largest museums of natural history in the world, and one of the oldest in the United States, consisting of a coral reef, a rainforest, a planetarium, aquarium and a living roof. Newly renovated and located in the Golden Gate park.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: is a dynamic center for modern and contemporary art. The Museum strives to engage and inspire a diverse range of audiences by pursuing an innovative program of exhibitions, education, publications, and collections activities.
MOMA is located in a close proximity to the Parc 55 hotel.

Alcatraz Island: once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, Alcatraz became one of the world's most legendary prisons. Take a short boat ride from San Francisco downtown to the most famous prison-island.

Cable Cars: San Francisco's famous cable cars, located just steps from the hotel, were made after a tragic horse drawn carriage necessitated the need for a safer form of transportation. Nowadays, they are a great way to experience the city of San Francisco for visitors and locals alike. Routes will take you from Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf.