The 29th Annual ASP meeting will be hosted by the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC). Dr. Suzette Tardif (stardif@sfbr.org) is the Chair of the local arrangements committee. The meeting, including all scientific sessions, will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in downtown San Antonio, Texas.

The Southwest National Primate Research Center is part of Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research and one of eight National Primate Research Centers in the United States. The SNPRC is located on the 397-acre campus of the SFBR, on the northwest side of San Antonio. The primary research focus is on nonhuman primate models of human diseases, including common chronic diseases and infectious diseases, genetic and environmental effects on physiological processes, and susceptibility to specific diseases. Current research focuses on aging, behavior, genetics, infectious diseases, neonatal diseases, pathobiology and physiology. There will be two tours of the SNPRC for anyone who would like to see the campus. Details of these tours will be available on the website by February 1, 2006.

San Antonio captures the sounds and flavors of Native Americans, Old Mexico, Germans, the Wild West, African-Americans and the Deep South. The eighth largest city in the United States, this dynamic city also offers visitors a lovely retreat nestled in the heart of the city - the Paseo del Rio, or the "River Walk." Its cobblestone and flagstone paths border both sides of the San Antonio River as it winds its way through the middle of the business district, dotted with European-style sidewalk cafes, specialty boutiques, nightclubs, gleaming high-rise hotels, and park-like stretches. Downtown San Antonio has a variety of tourist attractions, including the Alamo, contemporary art galleries, and shopping. Journey by car northwest to see the Texas Hill Country, home to wineries, quaint towns such as Fredericksburg and Gruene, and water recreation areas.

Climate: San Antonio's summers are typically very hot and humid, with temperatures averaging in the mid 90s F/30s C. In August, the average high is 96F/36C and the average low is 73F/23C. Dress is casual and light clothing is advisable due to the time of year. The Congress will be informal. Be prepared for temperatures that range from hot outdoor temperatures to air-conditioning in all conference buildings, and wear plenty of sunscreen when outdoors.

Preliminary outline of the Meeting Schedule:

Wednesday, 16 August 2006: On-site registration for the meeting will begin at 8 a.m., with committee meetings scheduled for that afternoon. The opening reception, with a strolling mariachi band, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Thursday, 17 August 2006: The scientific meeting will open at 8:00 am with the 2006 keynote address and will continue until 5 p.m. A bowling outing will be scheduled that evening. Further information on this event will be provided on the web site.

Friday, 18 August 2006: The morning will open with an invited speaker at 8:00 a.m. followed by scientific papers. Lunch will be followed by another speaker, and the scientific meetings will continue until 5 p.m., with a poster session from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, 19 August 2006: The scientific meetings will run throughout the day with our final speaker following lunch. The closing banquet will be held in the evening at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, followed by live music and dancing.

The registration fee includes coffee breaks, continental breakfasts Thursday through Saturday, afternoon breaks, opening reception, closing banquet, poster session refreshments, and abstract booklet and program.

Name badges will be required for all sessions and social activities.

ASP Silent Auction for Primate Conservation:

The traditional silent auction will be held in the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Information regarding mailing items will be forthcoming in future ASP bulletins and on the ASP web page. Items to be auctioned are donated. Please bring "primate" related memorabilia to donate for the auction. Additional information will be available at the Registration/Information Desk.

Getting to San Antonio:

Air travel: The closest airport to the meeting is the San Antonio International Airport (SAT), San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio International Airport is served by Aerolitoral, Aeromar, American, Atlantic Southeast, America West, Comair, Continental, Delta, Mexicana, Midwest Express, Northwest, Southwest, and United; note also that many international carriers partner with these domestic carriers.

Taxis, limousines, and Shuttle Express all offer quick service from the airport to downtown San Antonio. Taxi fare is approximately $20. Shuttle service is approximately $9. For those who choose to drive, there are several rental car companies at SAT. Downtown hotels are conveniently accessed off I-35 in downtown San Antonio. Paid parking is available at The Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Train travel: San Antonio is served by the Amtrak Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited. Please see http://www.Amtrack.com for more details. The train station is one mile from the Hyatt Regency Hotel. A taxi ride from the train station will cost approximately $6.00.

Bus travel: Call (800) 231-2222 or http://www.greyhound.com for fare and schedule information. The Greyhound Station is located at 500 N. St. Mary's Street, approximately one-half mile from the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Travel by Car: San Antonio is located conveniently off I-10 and I-35. Both highways lead directly into downtown. For other specific driving directions, see http://www.mapquest.com. The Hyatt Regency Hotel is located at 123 Losoya, San Antonio, TX 78205.

Transportation & Parking within San Antonio: San Antonio is served by the city-wide Via Metropolitan Transit bus system. The immediate downtown area is served by 4 bus routes (red, yellow, purple, and blue). Buses on these local routes look like old-fashioned trolleys. A 1-way fare is $0.80. All of the hotels have garages available for a nightly fee.

Housing:

Special rates have been arranged for those attending the conference at the conference hotel, the Hyatt Regency. Please book your rooms by July 9, 2006 to ensure that you get the discounted rate.

Hyatt Regency Hotel: $119 single occupancy/$129 double occupancy; 123 Losoya, San Antonio, TX 78205. Phone: 210-222-1234; Fax: 210-227-4925; website: http://sanantonioregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

The Hyatt Regency is the only hotel offering a special rate for the meeting, and that rate is at or below rates of most other downtown hotels. In order to ensure that the meeting is a financial as well as a scientific success, we ask that attendees stay at the conference hotel.

Situated downtown on the banks of the Riverwalk, the Hyatt Regency San Antonio hotel offers a combination of classic elegance with old Texas charm and service. It is across the street from the historic Alamo and has stunning views of old San Antonio. There are many nearby attractions, and the lobby features the San Antonio River cascading through a 16-story garden atrium. Surrounded by the finest shopping, the hotel is just steps away from exciting dining and entertainment possibilities. The hotel is also home to the Landing Jazz Club, where Jim Cullum's Jazz Band plays Dixieland Jazz Monday through Saturday.

Student Travel Funds:

We are exploring options to provide student travel awards. Notice relative to the availability of such awards will be posted on the web site by February 1, 2006.

ASP Message Board:

You may post messages pertaining to the conference that can be viewed by all conference registrants and sign up to receive automatic emails whenever a new message is posted. Messages are categorized under headings such as "Roommate wanted", "Ride wanted", "Announcements", etc.

To reach the message board, login to the Members Only section and click on "View Conference Message Board. (http://www.asp.org/membersonly/login/login.cfm)

To sign up to receive the emails, click on the link to "Automatic email sign-up" at the top of the message board page.

Banking: Most banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are many ATMs located throughout downtown San Antonio and at the San Antonio Airport.

Childcare: Due to insurance requirements, the Congress will not have organized childcare. A list of professional childcare providers/centers and costs can be provided on request. Please contact the local organizing committee.

Exhibitors: Please contact Suzette Tardif (stardif@sfbr.org) for more information.

Congress T-shirts: T-shirts with the conference logo, designed by April Hopstetter will be available for purchase ahead of the meeting on the registration form. We will have a few extra T-shirts at the Registration/Information desk.

Visitor Information:

The San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau website (http://www.sanantoniocvb.com/) has excellent information regarding your trip to San Antonio. A guide of local restaurants and attractions will be available at the Registration/Information desk.

San Antonio Area Attractions:

The Alamo
The most famous spot in Texas, where Davy Crockett, Colonel William Barrett Travis, Jim Bowie and 186 other died fighting for independence on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks from Mexican General Santa Ana. Originally established in 1718 as San Antonio's first mission, The Alamo is located in the heart of the city, inside beautifully landscaped grounds, directly across the street from the conference San Antonio hotel.

San Antonio Missions - http://www.nps.gov/saan/
Four Spanish frontier missions, part of a colonization system that stretched across the Spanish Southwest in the 17th, 18th, 19th centuries, are preserved along the San Antonio Mission Trail. They include Missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion. The park, containing many cultural sites along with some natural areas, was established in 1978. The park covers about 819 acres.

Market Square / El Mercado - A visit to historic Market Square is a unique and exciting experience. From the famous 24-hour restaurant and bakery, Mi Tierra, to an outstanding art gallery and century-old pharmacy, this is a great place to shop for extraordinary gifts and souvenirs or to just relax. Visitors can browse the 32 shops at El Mercado, as well as the 80 specialty shops in Farmers Market Plaza.

San Antonio Botanical Garden - Lucile Halsell Conservatory 555 Funston Pl. (78209), 210-207-3255, Fax: 210-207-3274, www.sabot.org This 33-acre living museum, one can enjoy colorful seasonal floral displays, a serene native forest walk, exotic plant specimens from around the world, modernistic glass pyramids, and even an authentic log cabin. The Garden, also includes the gift shop and restaurant (kitchen closed Mondays).

San Antonio Zoological Gardens And Aquarium - 3903 N. St. Mary's St. (78212), 210-734-7184, Fax: 210-734-7291, www.sazoo-aq.org. Ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation exhibiting over 3,500 animals of 750 species. At the headwaters of the San Antonio River, the zoo encompasses 35 landscaped acres. It includes one of the largest bird collections in the world.

Southwest School of Art & Craft - 300 Augusta (78205), 210-224-1848, Fax: 210-224-9337, www.swschool.org. Visitors can see free contemporary art exhibitions and lectures by visiting artists, and stroll the picturesque grounds of the historic Ursuline Campus, once a girls' school and convent. Guided tours (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. by appointment), a sales gallery and a weekday lunch restaurant are available.

Spanish Governor's Palace - 105 Plaza De Armas (78205), 210-224-0601, Fax: 210-223-5562. A national historic landmark, labeled "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society, it once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Over the entrance is the original keystone which contains the carved, double-headed eagle of the Hapsburg coat-of-arms and the inscription, in Spanish, "finished in 1749." Distinguishing features include period furnishings and a cobblestone patio with fountain and foliage.

Theme Parks:

SeaWorld of San Antonio - 10500 Seaworld Drive, (800) 700-7786, http://www.seaworld.com The world's largest marine life adventure park and family entertainment showplace, presents a splashy lineup of shows, rides, animal attractions and educational experiences.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas - I-10 West at La Cantera Parkway exit #555, 17000 I.H. 10 West, 800-473-4378, http://www.sixflags.com/parks/fiestatexas/ Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a theme and water park located in San Antonio that reflects the heritage and culture of its Southwest roots. The park occupies approximately 200 acres and features numerous adult and children's rides. Shows, thrilling rides and skill games are built around themes celebrating Texas and the Southwest.

Splashtown - 3600 IH 35 North (78219), 210-227-1400, www.splashtownsa.com With 20 landscaped acres of cool, clean water excitement, this family water-park has something fun for every age.