GETTING TO ANCHORAGE
Anchorage is served by both domestic and international airlines including Alaska Airlines, Continental, Northwest, Delta, United domestically and Condor, Korean Air, Air Canada and China Air internationally.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
IEEE Travel can assist you with your travel arrangements to and from Anchorage. They can be reached online at www.ieee.org/travelonline or toll free from the US and Canada at +1 800 TRY IEEE or +1 732 562-5387 for attendees from outside the US & Canada. To send an email inquiry or request, please send to ieee-travel@ieee.org.

TRAVEL MEDICAL / VISA / PASSPORT INFORMATION
No inoculations are required for entry into the United States unless you are arriving from or traveling in route through an area known to be suffering from an epidemic – particularly cholera or yellow fever. Australians need passport, visa and proof of onward passage. Canadians need proof of citizenship as well as an official (government issued) photo identification. Each attendee traveling internationally to attend ICC 2003 should verify documentation requirements with the international airline on which they will fly to and from the US. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Japan, and most western European countries traveling with a valid passport may not need a visa for stays of less than 90 days in the US, provided they hold a roundtrip or return ticket and enter the US on an airline participating in the visa waiver program. Citizens of countries not listed above, including citizens of Australia, must have two documents (a valid passport with an expiration date at least 6 months later than scheduled departure date from the US) and a visa; available from any US Consulate office.
IEEE will provide a letter to assist you with obtaining a visa to enter the US upon request. Be sure to allow enough time to obtain the visa. To request a visa letter from IEEE, send an email to icc2003@comsoc.org including: name, complete contact information, company, position and IEEE member number, if you are a speaker or attendee.

TRANSPORTATION IN ANCHORAGE
Taxi fare from the Anchorage Airport to the downtown hotels will cost approximately $25 per vehicle for up to 3-4 persons in the vehicle.
Rental Cars are available at the Anchorage Airport through numerous national companies including Avis, Hertz, Budget, Alamo, and National. A discount for conference attendees has been arranged through Alamo using a special conference ID number and rate code. Go to www.icc2003.com for booking details. Parking at the Hotel Captain Cook is $12/per night for self-park & $15/per night for valet parking with in/out privileges. The Marriott parking rates are $6/night for self-park & $10 for valet parking. Rates are as follows:

Sub compact	Daily	$30	Weekly	$109
Compact	Daily	$32	Weekly	$119
Mid Size	Daily	$34	Weekly	$135
Full Size	Daily	$36	Weekly	$155

Rates do not include taxes, airport fees, gasoline or insurance.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
The on site conference registration / information desks will be located on the street level of the Egan Convention Center, just outside of the ICC 2003 Exhibit Hall/ Internet Café (Ballroom A). Registration Desk hours are currently scheduled as follows:

Sunday, 11 May, 2003	7:00–14:00
Monday, 12 May, 2003	7:00–17:00
Tuesday, 13 May, 2003	7:30–17:00
Wednesday, 14 May, 2003	7:30–16:00
Thursday, 15 May, 2003	7:30–9:30

CONFERENCE SOCIAL EVENTS
Sunday
Opening Reception at the Anchorage Museum of History & Art. 18:30 – 20:00
Shuttles will operate from the Hotel Captain Cook and the Marriott Anchorage.

Monday
IEEE ComSoc Awards Luncheon -
Hotel Captain Cook 12:30–13:30

Alaska Native Heritage Center Dinner Event
(optional – additional fee) 18:30–21:30

Prince William Sound Dinner Glacier Cruise
(optional – additional fee) 17:15–23:00
Both the Monday evening social events have limited space available and will be sold on a first come first served basis. Register early to secure your choice, they will both sell out!

Tuesday
ICC 2003 Conference Banquet Anchorage Marriott 19:30–23:00
Pre- Banquet Reception 18:30–19:30 Banquet with 4-time Iditarod Sled Dog Race Champion Martin Buser

DRESS ATTIRE
Business casual is recommended for daytime conference sessions and evening ICC 2003 events.

EXHIBIT HALL
The ICC 2003 Exhibit Hall / Internet Café will be located on the street level of the Egan Convention Center. PC’s will be provided at the Internet Café for conference attendee usage. Hours of operation will be from 12:00 -18:00 on Sunday, 7:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:00 - 14:00 on Thursday.

INTERNET ACCESS
The ICC 2003 Exhibit Hall / Internet Café (wireless) will be open from noon to 18:00 on Sunday, 7:00–19:00 Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday and from 19:00 a.m. to 14:00 on Thursday. All guestrooms in both the Hotel Captain Cook and the Marriott Anchorage have data ports; most guestrooms are equipped with high-speed access for an additional fee. Computers with Internet access are available (for a fee) in both the Hotel Captain Cook and the Marriott Anchorage hotel Business Centers.

GUEST HOSPITALITY AND TOURS
Guests of conference attendees may take advantage of the ICC 2003 Guest Hospitality Suite. Enjoy light refreshments, rest your weary feet and enjoy the company of other guests. A local host will be on site in the hospitality suite to answer questions and provide suggestions for things to do in the local area for those who do not choose to purchase an optional tour. Recommended shopping & restaurant maps will be available there also. Hospitality suite will be located in the Hotel Captain Cook. Check the website before you arrive for exact location.

LANGUAGE
All Conference Sessions and Publications will be in English.

SPEAKER BREAKFASTS
Presenters are encouraged to take advantage of the Speakers' Breakfasts, on Monday (from 6:30-7:30), Tuesday, and Wednesday (from 7:00-8:00) in the Artega Room of the Convention Center.
Technical Symposium Speakers & Presenters are invited to attend the speakers breakfast on the morning of their
presentation(s).

SPEAKER REHEARSAL ROOM – EGAN CENTER
A speaker rehearsal room with LCD projector will be available Sunday – Thursday from 7:30–17:00 for any presenters who wish to rehearse and prepare for their presentations. ICC 2003 strongly advises all speakers to test out their presentation in the speaker’s rehearsal room prior to their session.

BANKING HOURS
Monday-Friday 10:00–18:00
Currency (Money)
The US monetary system is one American dollar $1.00 = 100 cents. Traveler’s checks denominated in US dollars are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and large stores. ATMs are located inside most downtown banks (within walking distance from Captain Cook). There is an ATM onsite at the Marriott located next to the business office on the lobby floor. Most ATMs accept major bankcards from banks that are part of such international banking networks as Cirrus and Plus, and credit cards (if you obtain a PIN prior to travel). ATMs dispense US currency at the going rate of exchange. However, do not rely on just one debit or credit card to obtain cash.

ELECTRICITY
The US uses 110-120 volts, 60 Hz.


TIME
Alaska Daylight Savings Time is Greenwich Mean Time (UTC) minus eight hours, and four hours earlier than Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

TIPPING
This is part of the American way of life, based on the principle that you should reward good service from those who earn minimum wages. Standard examples include: bartenders: 10-15%, Restaurant Wait Staff 15-20%, Hotel Porters/Bellmen: $1-2 per bag, Taxi drivers: 15% of the fare, Airport Porters: $1 per bag, Valet parking attendants: $1-2.

TRANSPORTATION (within the city of Anchorage)
Public Buses - Operates seven days. Fare is $1.50 regardless of distance traveled. Free transfers to connecting buses. Bus stops are located near street corners, and can be identified by tall signs displaying bus emblems and route numbers. Buses stop every 2 to 3 blocks. Free Bus Maps are usually available at the downtown bus depot (6th Ave between G & H Streets) or in many hotels.
Taxicabs – Available at the airport outside baggage claim. You can locate taxicab companies in the Anchorage Phone Book under Transportation. They will pick up and drop off at most any location in Anchorage. Most rides may cost less than $10 within the downtown area.

CONFERENCE MEALS
Tickets for the Awards Luncheon on Monday and the Conference Reception & Banquet on Tuesday are included in the Full Registration fee. Individual tickets (limited supply) are available for an additional fee for guests and other conference attendees. Tickets for the Monday night optional events, The Prince William Sound Dinner Cruise or the Alaska Native Heritage Center dinner will also be available for purchase at time of registration. These events will sell out so register early if you will want to take advantage of either of these exciting events! See the Social Events section for additional information on the Monday night options. Both the conference hotels offer dining options. The Marriott has a large restaurant on the lobby floor and the Hotel Captain Cook offers a variety of dining options in the hotel. There are many great restaurants located within walking distance of both hotels featuring a variety of cuisines and fresh Alaskan seafoods.

ADVANCE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Take advantage of advance registration discounts when you register on or before April 10, 2003. Simply complete the registration form in this program or for immediate confirmation, register online at www.icc2003.com/registration.html

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
ICC 2003 has reserved a block of rooms at the conference headquarter hotel, the Hotel Captain Cook with an additional block of rooms at the Marriott Anchorage located just a block away. The Captain Cook rooms are $135-145 per night and the Marriott $135. Anchorage has an eight percent hotel tax. See the hotel page for additional information. To register for your hotel room, you may do so through the ICC 2003 website at www.icc2003.com/registration.html or by filling out the hotel registration form in this advance program and submitting it to Alaska Destination Specialists. Please note that ALL rooms at the conference rate for both conference hotels will be available for reservations ONLY THROUGH Alaska Destination Specialists. The hotel’s reservations offices will not be able to reserve rooms in the conference block at the conference rates. For questions or additional information, you may email to: icc2003@alaskadestinations.com

WEATHER
Mid-May temperatures in Anchorage range between 3 and 12 degrees celsius (37-54F). It is recommended that you have a light jacket and a raincoat or waterproof jacket. Temperatures throughout the day may vary so it is best to layer your clothing for outdoor activities. Comfortable shoes are recommended for tours and outdoor activities.

SPECIAL NEEDS
There is a section in the written registration form as well as on the online registration site. Please advise us at the time of your registration should you have any special needs. We will be happy to answer any questions or concerns regarding your special needs. You may call us Alaska Destination Specialists at +1-800-387-3474 or +1-907-276-5550 or send an email to icc2003@alaskadestinations.com

WATER
Anchorage tap water is pure, refreshing, and healthful. It is safe to drink the water.

SPEAKERS BREAKFASTS
Presenters are encouraged to take advantage of the Speakers' Breakfasts, on
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, in the Artega Room of the Convention Center.