Registration & General Information
Registration Details:
Full Registration includes proceedings, opening reception, refreshment breaks, three luncheons, and two evening social events.
Attendance at a pre-conference workshop requires an additional fee.
New this Year - TEAM Discounts
Save money by registering your entire staff at a substantial discount. Discounts apply as follows:
- If registering 2 – 5 individuals from the same organization/agency, each additional registration (after the first one) will be discounted $50 US;
- If registering 6 – 10 individuals from the same organization/agency, each additional registration (after the first one) will be discounted $75 US;
- Contact URISA for further group discount details, if registering more than 10 individuals.
All team registrations must be for the full conference and must be submitted together along with payment to receive the discount. Team registrations must be submitted by August 1, 2008.
ESRI Training Registration - Monday and Tuesday, August 25-26, 2008
$400 Fee (Note that this opportunity is available only to those individuals who register for the full URISA conference. No more than two individuals from an organization may register for the ESRI course in order to give people from all over the region the opportunity to participate.)
Pre-Conference Workshop Registration — Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Workshop Registration $125; Student Workshop Registration $50
Full Conference Registration: Early $295 Regular $345
Student (must provide proof of full-time student status) Early $60 Regular $85
One-Day Registration (there is no one-day registration option for students) $200
The registration fees for a single day registration includes the Conference Proceedings, attendance at the educational sessions, exhibition and social events for that day only.
Spouse/Guest Registration: URISA will organize a separate registration fee for spouses and guests to participate in conference social activities. Details to come.
Note: All accepted presenters must register and pay the early/regular conference registration fee.
Acceptance as a presenter does not register you for the conference — registration fees are required. Presenters must register by July 2, 2008.
Conference Site
Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, Seven Mile Beach
Situated on 144 acres stretching sea-to sea from the Caribbean to the North Sound, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is a AAA Five Diamond Property. It is home to the Seven Wonders on Seven Mile Beach, an unmatched collection of exceptional resort amenities from the leaders in their respective fields.
- Five restaurants including one by Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin
- Silver Rain, a La Prairie Spa
- A tennis center by Nick Bollettieri
- Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau
- Blue Tip, a Greg Norman-designed nine-hole golf course
- More than 13,000 square feet of meeting space including the island’s largest ballroom
- An executive business center
- Two outdoor pools and an oceanfront Jacuzzi
- Comprehensive water sports program
Discounted Conference Hotel Room Rate – single or double occupancy:
$169US garden view/ $179US resort view / $229US ocean view
(Note that the regular rate is typically more than $400 a night!)
There will be an additional charge of $60 per day for each additional person over age 18 and/or over two (2) adults in a guestroom. The maximum number of people per guest room is three (3) adults or two (2) adults and two (2) children. A maximum of two (2) children under the age of 18 per room is complimentary. All rates are based on the European plan (excludes meals), single or double occupancy and are subject to all applicable taxes and service charges. Currently the room tax is 10% and the service charge is an additional 10%. Both are subject to change.
In addition to the room rate, there is a 10% service fee charged per day. The service charge includes round trip baggage handling, room attendant and access to the Fitness Center.
Hotel Reservations:
Reservations can be made by calling 1-345-943-9000 or 1-800-241-3333. Be sure to reference “URISA Caribbean GIS Conference” to obtain the discounted group rate. You may also make reservations via the Ritz Carlton’s Reservations page:
1. Log onto web site – www.ritzcarlton.com/grandcayman
2. Select – reservations and packages
3. Go to check rates and availability:
4. Select – dates
5. Go to Additional information
6. Check mark group code – input group code (URI) and code for requested room type (URIJ or URIA or URIB)
eg. URIURIJ (Garden View at $169 plus taxes per night)
URIURIA (Resort View at $179 plus taxes per night)
URIURIB (Ocean View at$229 plus taxes per night)
7. Select check rates and availability. The requested room type and rates will appear for booking.
The URISA conference rate is only available until July 24, 2008. Be sure to make your room reservations by that date.
Travel: The Owen Roberts International Airport is 15 minutes (4 miles) from the Ritz Carlton. Taxis are readily available at the airport and cost approximately $20 US each way to the hotel.
Airline Discounts
Air Jamaica
Applicable dates of travel: August 17 through September 6, 2008
8% discount off published economy fare. Call Air Jamaica reservations (800) 523-5585 and reference the Caribbean GIS Conference / Deal Code CSM109
Note Air Jamaica's current schedule between Kingston and Grand Cayman:
Mondays & Thursdays .. dep. @ 3:45p / arr. @ 4:45p and from Grand Cayman to Kingston on Fridays & Sundays .. dep. @ 9:45a / arr. 10:40a.
American Airlines
Applicable dates of travel: August 21 through September 3, 2008
5% discount off published fares. Make reservations using group code A1188AP via www.aa.com or call (800) 433-1790.
Cayman Airways
Applicable dates of travel: August 22 through September 1, 2008
5% discount off published fares.To make your reservations, contact booking agent, Windson Anderson , 1-800-422-9226 EXT 8623.
The discount code is URI08 and attendees will need to mention this in order to receive the 5% discount.
Visa Process
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The Cayman Islands Government and Immigration Department looks forward to welcoming delegates to the Cayman Islands for the 2008 URISA Caribbean GIS conference. Efforts are and will be made to ensure efficient processing during the process of arrival and departure. Nationals from Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti require visas to visit the Cayman Islands. Certain special arrangements have been put in place to assist delegates arriving from Jamaica. Delegates departing from Haiti and Cuba will need to deal direct with the local UK Embassy. Jamaicans applying for visas should note the following:
The Cayman Islands Chief Immigration Officer and all his staff wish all visiting delegates a wonderful stay and a rewarding experience at the URISA conference. |
Car Rental Discount
Conference attendees wishing to rent a car while on Grand Cayman can receive a special discount of 25% (discount does not apply to insurance, fuel charges, and government fees) through the Cico Avis website at www.aviscayman.com
AVIS has an office at the Ritz Carlton for your convenience.
Please note: attendees must enter the key word “URISA -25” in the comments section of the reservation page for the discount to apply.
About The Cayman Islands: Hidden away in the western Caribbean Sea, 150 miles south of Cuba and 180 miles northwest of Jamaica, The Cayman Islands are an archipelago of three picturesque islands – Cayman Brac, Little Cayman and the more prominent and decidedly larger Grand Cayman. First sighted by famed explorer Christopher Columbus on his final voyage to the New World in 1503, The Cayman Islands are named for the Spanish term from crocodile – caiman. Today, The Cayman Islands are still the ultimate destination for the adventurer at heart. Boasting famous Seven Mile Beach, crystal clear Caribbean waters and a near endless variety of marine life, Grand Cayman is a tropical paradise for divers, snorkelers, fishermen and water sports enthusiasts alike.
