Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved for meeting participants at the Hyatt Regency Houston, a world-class hotel located in the heart of downtown. It is located at 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002. Special rates exclusively for meeting participants are \$95/single or double, an exceptional student rate of \$49/single or double, and \$60/triple. The hotel has a health club with heated outdoor pool, business center, restaurants, glass elevators, and rooms with full amenities that include data ports.

Within a few blocks of the Hyatt you will find an array of restaurants from inexpensive to fine dining, entertainment, shopping, and many of Houston's exciting attractions like the aquarium and the theater district. The light rail line scheduled to be completed in December 2003 will run three blocks away and offers inexpensive transportation to the museum district.

To make a reservation, please call the Hyatt Hotel directly at 713-654-1234 and ask for the group rate. Group rate will be available based on space availability.

Meeting registration is required in order to reserve a hotel room. Paper copies should be sent to MMSB, P. O. Box 6887, Providence, RI 02940, or faxed to 401-455-4004. Sorry, reservations cannot be taken by phone.

Book Sale and Editorial Activity

AMS Book Sale: Browse a list of the Titles on Display in Houston, featuring the newest publications from the AMS! Meeting participants can take advantage of special pricing discounts.

AMS Editorial Activity: An acquisitions editor from the AMS book program will be present to speak with prospective authors. If you have a book project that you would like to discuss with the AMS, please stop by the book exhibit.

Local Dining and Attractions

A list of area restaurants will be available at the meeting. Brochures of attractions, events, shopping, museums, etc., will also be available at the meeting. Also see http://www.houston-spacecityusa.com, the website maintained by the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as www.houston-guide.com.

Parking

Parking (multi-story garage connected via skywalk to the Hyatt) rates are: \$21 (valet with in/out privileges) and \$15 (self). There is also parking available across the street at the Towne Park Garage for \$6.

Registration and Meeting Information

All sessions and plenary lectures will take place in the Hyatt Regency Houston, beginning with an Invited Address on Wednesday evening and continuing all day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Registration fees are \$60/members and \$30/students, payable by cash, check, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). Please register at the meeting. On-site registration will take place in the Exhibit Hall on the lower level of the Hyatt on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Social Events

All registered participants are invited to a gala opening reception with cash bar to be held on Wednesday evening along with the opening ceremonies and the Erdös Lecture.

As a fitting culmination to the meeting, a time to toast renewed friendships and scientific discovery, a closing banquet is planned for Saturday evening. There will be entertainment and a cash bar; tickets are \$25, including tax and gratuity.

Thursday evening is free-admission night at most of the museums in the museum district. Choose one of Houston's famous museums and join your colleagues for a self-tour during this evening. Brochures will be available at the registration desk. The museum district is about twelve blocks from the Hyatt and is easily accessible via the light rail line.

Travel

By Air: Travelers to Houston may fly into either Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby (HOU) airport. See http://www.houstonairportsystem.org for useful information about the airports and ground transportation.

From Bush Intercontinental to the Hyatt: Taxi fare is about \$38; shuttle fare is about \$19. The #101 bus runs about every 26 minutes from Terminal C beginning at 5:07 a.m. and runs through midnight Monday through Saturday. The fare is \$1.50. Let the driver know you wish to get off the bus at the junction of Smith and Dallas Streets; the Hyatt will be one block to the east at 1200 Louisiana Street. The #102 bus also goes from the airport to the Hyatt about every 20 minutes beginning at 5:15 a.m. seven days a week, with more limited service on the weekend. Depending on traffic and the number of stops, the trip will take about an hour for the #101 bus and about 45 minutes for the #102 bus.

From Hobby: Taxi fare is about \$20; shuttle fare is \$14. The #50 bus runs about every 17 minutes to the downtown area beginning at 4:01 a.m. and runs through midnight seven days a week, with more limited service on the weekend. The fare is \$1. Ask the driver to let you off at the junction of Dallas and Louisiana Streets, where the Hyatt is located.

See http://www.hou-metro.harris.tx.us for extensive route and schedule information for Houston's METRO system.

Weather

May is a beautiful month in the Houston area, with temperatures ranging between 65°F and 85°F. You may also expect some days of high humidity, so plan to dress in cool, breathable clothing. Average rainfall in May is 5.6 inches