Joint Meetings Returns to San Francisco, Moscone West, January 13 - 16, 2010
Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about the meeting?

This page contains answers to commonly-asked questions about the joint meeting. Please check the 2010 Joint Mathematics Meetings home page for updated information.

Program

Registration

Housing

Exhibits

Convention Center

Travel

Other

Where will the meeting be held and when?
The meeting will be held at the Moscone West Convention Center (location of registration, exhibits. Employment Center, major talks, some social events, and some governance meetings). The headquarters hotel will be the Marriott San Francisco (location of most committee meetings, courses, and some social events).The actual dates of the meeting are January 13 — 16, 2010, Wednesday Saturday.

TOP

What are the deadlines for this meeting?
Click here for a full list of deadlines for this meeting.

TOP

What is the difference between a contributed paper (CP) session and a Special Session (SS)?
AMS Contributed Paper sessions consist of ten-minute talks contributed to the AMS program by the authors (speakers), grouped by related subject classifications into sessions by the AMS Associate Secretary responsible for the scientific program.

MAA Contributed Paper sessions consist of (usually) ten- or fifteen-minute talks organized by mathematicians on specific topics. The selection process is detailed below in "How do I submit an abstract for talks in the MAA sessions?"

AMS Special Sessions consist of talks (usually of twenty minutes' duration) organized by mathematicians on specific topics. It may be that all available places within a Special Session are taken by invitation; however, contributions can sometimes be accommodated. These are known as abstracts for consideration in Special Sessions and must be submitted by July 28, 2009. Any contribution that cannot be accommodated in a Special Session will be considered for presentation in an AMS Contributed Paper session if the author so indicates.

TOP

How do I submit an abstract for a talk in AMS sessions?
To submit an abstract for AMS, please go to http://www.ams.org/cgi-bin/abstracts/abstract.pl, select the San Francisco meeting and the number of authors, then click on "New Abstract". Follow the instructions and fill in the fields as required. Deadline for all abstract submissions is September 22, 2009.

All potential speakers should be aware that in order to be accepted for publication, an abstract must have mathematical research content. It should not contain libelous, defamatory or tasteless remarks, commercial promotions, nor political or religious arguments. Papers may not be presented if published in full before the date of the Society meeting or if previously presented to any learned society except the National Academy of Sciences or the Royal Society of Canada.

TOP

How do I submit an abstract for a talk in MAA sessions?

To submit an abstract for MAA, please go to http://www.ams.org/cgi-bin/abstracts/abstract.pl, select the San Francisco meeting and the number of authors, then click on "New Abstract". Follow the instructions and fill in the fields as required. Deadline for abstract submission WAS September 22, 2009. Abstracts can no longer be accepted.

All potential speakers should be aware that in order to be accepted for publication, an abstract must have mathematical research content. It should not contain libelous, defamatory or tasteless remarks, commercial promotions, nor political or religious arguments. Papers may not be presented if published in full before the date of the Society meeting or if previously presented to any learned society except the National Academy of Sciences or the Royal Society of Canada.

TOP

How do I present my talk?
Please see http://www.ams.org/meetings/guideline-present.html for guidelines.

TOP

How do I organize an AMS Special Session?
Please see http://www.ams.org/meetings/specialsessionmanual.html. The deadline for proposals was April 1, 2009.

TOP

How do I find out who organized a specific session?
Special sessions of the AMS are listed here. Invited papers of the MAA are listed here. When they are listed, you will find links to the special sessions of each group. The organizer(s) is listed in each session or paper listing. There is no separate listing of organizers.

TOP

When will the information about the scientific program be available?
Information to date about the scientific program can be found here.This information is updated on a regular basis.

TOP

Is videotaping allowed at the meeting?
The videotaping of any Joint Mathematics Meetings sponsored events, including but not limited to special sessions, contributed paper sessions, workshops, mini-courses, short- courses and colloquia, is strictly forbidden without the explicit written permission of the Director of Meetings and Conferences for the Joint Meetings.

TOP

When will the registration fees be published?
Information is posted at http://www.ams.org/amsmtgs/2124_reg.html.

TOP

When will hotel rates be published?
Information is posted at http://www.ams.org/amsmtgs/2124_hsg.html.

TOP

Who can exhibit at the meeting?
The Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibits are open to scientific publishers, computer hardware companies, software manufacturers, database services organizations, professional associations, government agencies, health and lifestyle companies, scientific games and learning aids companies, insurance companies, and anyone with a business that is geared toward reaching key educators and researchers in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or statistics. If you are interested in exhibiting and are not sure this is the market for you, send us email at mmsb@ams.org for further information.

Companies that wish to exhibit should click here for a copy of the "Exhibitor Invite" which includes information on sponsorships. Please contact the MMSB at mmsb@ams.org if there are any questions. All companies signed to date (including sponsors) are listed on http://www.ams.org/amsmtgs/2124_exhibits.html.

TOP

When and how can exhibitors reserve space for the exhibits?
Invitations to Exhibit were sent out the first week of May. They included detailed information on booth fees, advertising fees, and sponsor opportunities plus instructions on how to reserve space. Spaces are still available. Click here for more details.

Please contact the MMSB at mmsb@ams.org if there are any questions. All companies signed to date (including sponsors) are listed on http://www.ams.org/amsmtgs/2124_exhibits.html.

TOP

How can I be a sponsor for the meeting?
Any company that provides a service or product to the mathematical community and wants to be in the spotlight at the Joint Mathematics Meetings can be a sponsor. Remaining sponsor opportunities are listed here. If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact the MMSB at mmsb@ams.org or 401-455-4137.

TOP

When can I register?
You can register now. Informatiion can be found on http://www.ams.org/amsmtgs/2124_reg.html.

TOP

Will registration packets be mailed before the meeting?

Participants registering by November 18, 2009 may opt to receive their badges, programs, and tickets (where applicable) by US mail approximately three weeks before the meetings. Packets will be mailed out during the week of December 7, 2009.

TOP

When can I reserve a hotel room?

Now. Housing information is listed at http://www.ams.org/amsmtgs/2124_hsg.html.

TOP

How do I find out what student activities will be held at this meeting?

A list of student activities can be found at http://www.ams.org/amsmtgs/2124_students.html.

TOP

How can I find a roommate?

Click here for the 2010 Roommate Search Board. Many participants use this board when looking for a roommate.

TOP

How do I fill out the internet form if I am sharing a room with another participant who will be registering?

1) One person requests the room, naming the second person as the roommate.

2) The second person selects "No" in answer to the question,
"I am reserving accommodations now. I will indicate my requests below"

and then put "I am sharing a room with so and so, who is requesting accommodations" in the "GENERAL COMMENT" field.

TOP

I did not ask for a hotel room when I registered. Now, I want to reserve a room. What should I do?

Send email to mmsb@ams.org giving your preference for hotels, arrival/departure dates, guarantee information, and any other special requests. The MMSB will add it to your record and you will receive a new confirmation.

TOP

How do I reserve rooms for a group of students?

The best way to do is to register yourself and reserve a group of rooms as early as possible, hopefully in September. If you don't initially know the names of the students, reserve the rooms in your own name. There is no penalty for cancelling a room reservation if you do it before the hotel's cancellation deadline. Later, when you know the students' names, register them, and inform the MMSB which students are occupying each room. Please remember that the less expensive hotels and the student rooms fill up quickly.

TOP

I am new to the Joint Mathematics Meetings. How can I find out about social and networking events?

Click here for a list of social events, and here for networking opportunities.

TOP

What is the Employment Center and when does it occur?
The Employment Center an interviewing program for (mostly) PhD-level mathematicians seeking employment and for employers, mainly academic, who wish to conduct brief interviews with them. It is held each January at this meeting and is a three-day program. It is most advantageous to register in advance. Please see a more detailed overview located at http://www.ams.org/emp-reg/#OVERVIEW. For information about the Employment Center and registration for it, please contact the Employment Center Staff at the AMS: Steven Ferrucci or Diane Boumenot, 800-321-4267, ext. 4113, or by e-mail: emp-info@ams.org
. Full instructions and registration will be available at http://www.ams.org/emp-reg/ after September 15.

TOP

How do I register for the Employment Center and how much does it cost?
For information about the Employment Center and registration for it, please contact the Employment Center Staff at the AMS: Steven Ferrucci or Diane Boumenot, 800-321-4267, ext. 4113, or by e-mail: emp-info@ams.org.
Full instructions and registration will be available at http://www.ams.org/emp-reg/ after September 15.

TOP

I had already registered for the Annual Meeting, but now I want to register for the Employment Center as an applicant (full service). What do I need to do?

For information about the Employment Center and registration for it, please contact the Employment Center Staff at the AMS: Steven Ferrucci or Diane Boumenot, 800-321-4267, ext. 4113, or by e-mail: emp-info@ams.org.

TOP

What is the topic of the AMS Short Course, when will it occur, and how much will it cost?

The topic of the AMS Short Course is Markov Chains and Mixing Times.The dates of this course are 1/11 -1/12, 2010. Registration fees are listed here. More information is posted here.

TOP

What is the topic of the MAA Short Course, when will it occur, and how much will it cost?

The topic of the MAA Short Course is Exploring the Great Books of Mathematics.The dates of this course are 1/11 - 1/12, 2010. Registration fees are listed here. More information is posted here.

TOP

What are the topics of the MAA Minicourses, when will they occur, and how much will they cost?
The topics and fees of the MAA Minicourses are posted here. More information is posted here.

TOP

Is there a timetable for this meeting?

Yes, click here to see the timetable. It is updated on a regular basis.

TOP

Is there any travel information?

Click here for travel information.

For all Bay Area transit agencies, and traveler information including weather, traffic conditions, and parking, call TravInfo at (415) 817-1717 or visit 511: The Bay Area Travel Guide.

TOP

Does the convention center have wireless access and how much does it cost?

Yes, wireless access is available in all 3 lobbies and it is free of charge (in lobbies only).

All lobbies and other common areas in Moscone West have granular WiFi which you can purchase online or at the Business Center in time slots of one hour or one day (24 hours).

TOP

Does the Marriott have wireless access and how much does it cost?

The Marriott San Francisco has wireless access in the lobby and public areas. Costs are:

  • $12.95 Guest Rooms/per day/Wired only
  • $12.95 Wireless or Wired in Lobby and Public Areas/Daily

Information is also available on the hotelpage located here.

TOP

Where can I get Visa information?

International participants should view the important information about traveling to the United States at www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Traveling_to_US.html.

Because of increased scrutiny of visa applicants, many potential attendees of scientific meetings in the United States have experienced unusual delays in obtaining travel visas. If you need a letter of invitation from the AMS and have not yet requested it, please send email to meet@ams.org and an invitation will be forwarded as soon as possible. In order to compose and send your letter, we will need your document number, email address, and your complete mailing address. Also see this very informative document from the U.S. Department of State which lists answers to frequently asked questions about the processing of visas (www.ams.org/amsmtgs/FAQ-Bus-1-Visa.pdf). You should also be aware that this meeting has been registered with the U.S. Department of State.

Machine Readable Passports Required by June 26, 2005: The Department of Homeland Security reminds travelers from the 27 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries (see the website cited above for a list) that as of June 26, 2005, they must have a machine-readable passport to enter the United States without a visa. Beginning June 26, 2005, transportation carriers will be fined US$3,300, per violation, for transporting any VWP traveler to the United States without a machine-readable passport. Similarly, VWP travelers arriving in the United States on that date without a machine-readable passport should not anticipate being granted one-time entry into the country. As an alternative for persons with immediate travel plans who are unable to obtain a machine-readable passport in time, the individual may apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad.

TOP

What is a cvv number?
The cvv number is the "Credit Verification Value" number. For VISA, MasterCard and Discover, this number is the last three digits of the string of numbers found on the back of your credit card. For American Express, this number is the four digits that are above and to the right of your credit card number on the front of your card.

TOP

What is the standard audio-visual setup in the session rooms?
Standard equipment in all AMS Special Session, AMS Contributed Paper, and MAA Contributed Paper rooms is one overhead projector, one laptop projector with VGA cable (you must bring your own laptop and any special adaptors) and screen. (Invited 50-minute speakers are automatically provided with two overhead projectors, and a laptop projector.) Blackboards are not available. Internet access will not be provided because of the exorbitant access fees charged by hotels and convention centers.

TOP

Will daycare be offered for this meeting?

Yes, daycare will be offered at this meeting and registration is open. Detailed information is posted here.

TOP

Is there a list of restaurants in San Francisco?

For restaurant and dining help, click here. Some restaurant information can also be found here. A restaurant booth will be available onsite on Wednesday 1/13/10 and Thursday 1/14/10 (to be located next to the registration desk).

TOP

Will there be any special raffles at this meeting?

Currently, there are no plans to hold raffles. (Many raffles take place in the exhibits, however.)

TOP

How much is parking at the convention center and the Marriott?

Moscone West

There are no designated parking spaces at Moscone West Center.  The two closest garages are:

Fifth & Mission / Yerba Buena Garage ( located behind the Center)
San Francisco, California
(between Fourth & Fifth streets, adjacent to Moscone West)
Daily parking rates are (in USD)*:

0-1 Hrs - $3.00
1-2 Hrs - $6.00
2-3 Hrs - $9.00
3-4 Hrs - $12.00
4-5 Hrs - $15.00
5-6 Hrs - $18.00
6-7 Hrs - $21.00
7-12 Hrs - $25.00
12-24 Hrs - $30.00
Lost Ticket - $30.00
Motorcycle - $5.00

*All parking rates in the area will be going up on July1.  The daily max will be $32.00.

Moscone Center Garage
255 Third Street (Folsom & Howard, across the street from Moscone South's Esplanade Ballroom) – rates are in the process of being updated.

View this parking map to find a parking garage.

Marriott

  • On-site parking, fee: $13 USD hourly, $55.86 USD daily
  • Valet parking, fee: $55.86 USD daily
  • Off-site parking, fee: $3 USD hourly, $30 USD daily
  • Limited valet and area parking. No oversized vehicles. In/out priv included.

TOP

How can I give a suggestion for an Invited Address speaker? The AMS and MAA welcome suggestions for Invited Address speakers. Please send your suggestions for AMS speakers to: AMS Secretary at secretary@ams.org. Please send your suggestions for MAA speakers to: Gerard A Venema at venema@calvin.edu

TOP

My question is not listed here. Where can I send email to ask a question not listed here?
Send email to meet@ams.org.

TOP