A special welcome is extended to all new participants of these meetings!
These meetings are sponsored by the American Mathematical Society (AMS) and the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). This is the 100th annual winter meeting of MAA and the 123rd annual meeting of AMS. They will again host sessions by the Association for Symbolic Logic (ASL), the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM), the National Association for Mathematicians (NAM), and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM).
We don't want you to be overwhelmed by your first meeting experience, so here are some tips on how to get the most out of your time at the meeting and at future meetings.
It is best to register in advance and take advantage of the lowest registration rates (30% higher on site) and the best pick of hotel rooms at specially negotiated low prices. Those who register early enough also qualify for the room lottery and the lucky winners get a free stay at selected hotels. Most participants elect to receive their badge and program by mail in advance so they can plan their time.
All pertinent information on advance registration is located on this site as well as in the October issues of the Notices and FOCUS. The Mathematics Meetings Service Bureau (MMSB) is the service arm of the meetings. Registrations and room reservations are handled there. Don't hesitate to call (1-800-321-4267, ext. 4137 or 4144) when you have any questions or special needs. Remember to be thorough, accurate, and legible when filling out your form, and avoid delays by double-checking your credit card number or be certain your check is enclosed, where applicable. You are advised to reserve your hotel room as early as possible to ensure that you get the hotel of your choice.
There are a variety of social events, some requiring tickets. Ticket prices, where applicable, can be found in the program. It is recommended that you purchase tickets through advance registration since many events sell out.
Directory of Registrants
Starting in mid December, a Directory of Registrants will be posted on this site and updated frequently until the end of the meeting. Check it frequently to see who's attending the meetings. There will also be a message board in the networking center at the meeting so you may leave personal messages for other participants.
Registration Desk
If you received your badge, program, and social events tickets in the mail, you may not need to come by the Registration Desk at all except to say hello. Among the services offered at the Registration Desk are:
Be sure to download the JMM app in early December. This app will will give you the ability to create a personal schedule, search the program instantaneously, have the program at your finger tips, network with fellow participants, find restaurants, look at floor plans, find exhibitors, and much much more.
You will receive an updated copy of JointMeetingNews each day by email. This meeting newsletter will includes up-to-the-minute program changes and other important information.
Once you have your program in hand (either by mail through advance registration or by registering on site) put your name on the cover! We have to charge US\$5 to cover the cost of replacing a lost program; however, if your copy is turned in to the "Lost and Found" at the cashier station, you may be able to retrieve it if you've written your name on it. Replacement copies of the timetable are available at no charge.
Become familiar with the scientific program. (There is a mobile app for this meeting and details on how to download it are located in the program book.)
The AMS Employment Center is an in-person interviewing program for positions in the mathematical sciences (mostly requiring a PhD). The Employment Center provides tables for employers for interviewing purposes. Interviews are conducted over a period of three and one-half days. See details here.
Are you interested in giving a 10-minute talk at an AMS contributed paper session? The AMS requires that you submit an abstract of your talk on the appropriate form well in advance of the meeting. If accepted, your paper will be scheduled with others on the same or a similar topic. Also review the list of Special Sessions for the meeting. If you feel your paper would be appropriate for one of them, please submit it by the early deadline. See the January Notices for general information.
The MAA accepts contributed papers on specific topics which are announced in FOCUS and the Notices several months before the meeting. MAA also offers a general contributed paper session. Follow the instructions and submit your paper on the appropriate form. The deadline for submitting a paper is usually early September. See also the deadlines page.
The session organizers may schedule these presentations for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, but they are often 10 or 15 minutes long because of the large numbers of papers accepted. After review by the Associate Secretary, and the session organizer when appropriate, your paper will be scheduled. Abstract submission deadlines are rigorously enforced. All speakers will receive a notice by mail giving the date and time the talk is scheduled approximately eight weeks before the meeting.
A projection screen is included as standard audio-visual equipment in all session rooms. Invited 50-minute speakers are automatically provided with an ELMO visual presenter (document camera/projector), and a laptop projector; AMS Special Sessions and Contributed Papers, and MAA Invited and Contributed Paper Sessions, are provided with a screen and a laptop projector. Blackboards are not available, nor are Internet connections in session rooms. Any request for additional equipment should be sent to meet@ams.org and received by November 1, 2015.
Don't miss the Exhibits! There are many booths featuring commercial exhibits of books and journals, computer hardware and software, and various other products of interest, often available at special discounts for meeting participants.
The AMS Book Sale offers the newest AMS books. AMS staff members are available to answer questions about journals, books, and AMS electronic products. The AMS Membership booth offers renewals, new memberships, and help with any AMS program such as travel grants, employment services, and student programs. Stop by to renew your membership or join AMS for the first time. You may also pick up some mathematical awareness materials and posters to bring home.
There’s much to do at the MAA Pavilion in the Exhibit Hall. You can browse MAA’s broad selection of publications—books, journals, and magazines—or get an introduction to the open-source homework system WeBWorK. Learn more about the MAA American Mathematics Competitions or talk with Project NExT fellows. Stop by to renew your membership or join MAA for the first time. Check out the MAA merchandise on display, including the latest winner of the annual T-shirt contest.
There are many opportunities to network at the meeting, including in the Social Events and Special Interest Groups of the MAA (SIGMAAs). Days and times of all events are listed in the program prose and timetable.
Sessions, talks, and activities suitable for students are listed on the students page. Students are encouraged to participate in the MAA Student Poster Session and the Grad School Fair. They are also encouraged to visit the Student Hospitality and Information Center at the meeting for relaxation and camaraderie. And you never know when some famous mathematician will drop by for a chat!
Comments on any aspect of the meetings are always welcome and may be entered in the log located at the Transparencies section of the Registration Desk, or forwarded to the AMS Director of Meetings, AMS, P. O. Box 6887, Providence, RI 02940 or emailed to meet@ams.org.