September 29, 2000
GSA Release No. 00-24
Contact: Ann Cairns
303-447-2020 ext. 156
acairns@geosociety.org
MEDIA ADVISORY The Geological Society of America 2000 Annual Meeting:
"Summit 2000"
Information for Science Writers and Editors
Contents
The 112th Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America will be held November 9-18, 2000, at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center (RSCC) in Reno, Nevada. Approximately 7400 geoscientists from around the world are expected to attend. Thirty-four hundred speakers will participate in over 150 technical sessions, covering recent advances in all fields of geoscience.
A sample of meeting highlights is presented below. Visit GSA’s web site, http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2000/techprog.htm for descriptions of all symposia and sessions. Keep checking this link for the availability of GSA’s "GeoTimer," with which you can view and search abstracts as well as build a personalized meeting schedule. (Note: Meeting room numbers are subject to change.)
Note: The session will conclude with rover and instrument demonstrations.
Plus:
PARDEE KEYNOTE SYMPOSIUM: NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL – BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND POLICY (K7)
RSCC Hall B, Tues., Nov. 14, 8:00a.m.-12:00p.m.
A series of scheduled media briefings, to be held Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Nov. 12-15, is under development. Details will be distributed in a second media advisory.
Media representatives are invited to attend the Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12, 3:00-5:00 p.m. GSA President Mary Lou Zoback will speak on “Grand Challenges in Earth and Environmental Science – Science, Stewardship, and Service for the 21st Century.”
Immediately following the Presidential Address is the Annual Meeting Welcoming Reception from 5:30-7:00 p.m. During the reception, editor Jill Schneiderman and contributing essayists will sign copies of The Earth Around Us: Maintaining A Livable Planet in the GSA Headquarters area.
On Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, 5:30p.m.-7:00p.m., media representatives are invited to attend a wine and cheese reception in the Newsroom.
GSA’s Newsroom will be located in room A8 in the Reno/Sparks Convention Center. Sunday, Nov.12, through Thursday, Nov. 16. Newsroom hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Thursday, Nov. 16, the Newsroom will be fully operational from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. After 1:00, the room will remain open but equipment and supplies will be removed during the course of the afternoon.
Newsroom facilities, available for use by registered media representatives and public information officers, will include:
The Newsroom telephone number for incoming calls is 775-335-8886. The fax number is 775-335-8888. Please provide these numbers to those who may need to contact you during the meeting. There is no charge for outgoing business calls and faxes.
Scheduled media briefings will also be held in room A8. This room will be equipped with a raised platform for speakers and AV equipment including slide projector, overhead projector, and screen. A mult box for audio recordings will be available, but no special lighting for video is provided.
Registration entitles journalists and public information officers (PIOs) from geoscience and other related organizations to access to all scientific sessions and the exhibition area, as well as to the Newsroom and events specifically for media representatives.
Eligibility for media registration is as follows, all of whom have equal access:
Representatives of the business side of news media, publishing houses, and for-profit corporations must register at the main registration desk and pay the appropriate fees.
Eligible persons are encouraged to pre-register online via GSA’s web site, http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2000/mediaform.pdf . The deadline for media pre-registration is Oct. 31. Onsite registration will take place at the Newsroom.
Pre-registrants will receive the full book of abstracts via first class mail, while supplies last. For delivery via means other than the U. S. Postal Service, send the preferred carrier name and an account number to Ann Cairns. Those who register on-site will receive the abstract book upon arrival. All media registrants will receive the Program book upon arrival at the Newsroom.
Information on hotel accommodations is available on the GSA web site at http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2000/g-lodge.htm . All media are encouraged to make their arrangements as soon as possible.
If you have press materials relevant to any of the sessions or media briefings at the meeting and are unable to attend, you may send them by mail or express delivery service. Materials may be shipped to the following address beginning October 12: