Welcome to West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach, with its sunny palm-lined streets, scenic waterfront views, quaint shopping districts, historic neighborhoods, year-round outdoor festivals, elegance and luxurious comfort are the hallmarks of this slice of paradise. Whether you come for the shining sun, the shining storefronts, or a primatology meeting, the subdued elegance of West Palm Beach is sure to captivate you. Downtown West Palm Beach boasts numerous restaurants, bars, live music venues, and art galleries within easy walking distance of the Palm Beach County Convention Center and the host hotel (West Palm Beach Marriott).

Climate: Average temperatures in West Palm Beach in June range between 74 and 89 degrees with a moderate amount of rainfall. Dress is casual and light clothing is advisable. The meeting will be informal. Be prepared for temperatures that range from hot outdoor temperatures to air-conditioning in all conference buildings.

Getting to West Palm Beach:

Air travel: The closest airport to the meeting is the Palm Beach International Airport, about 2 miles from the conference venue. Palm Beach International Airport is served by all of the major airlines. AirTran will be the official airline for the meeting. Discounted AirTran airfares will be available.

Taxis, limousines, and shuttle service are all offered from the Palm Beach International Airport to downtown West Palm Beach. Taxi fares should be around $10.00. For those who choose to drive, there are several rental car companies at PBIA. Downtown hotels are conveniently accessed off I-95. Free parking is available at the Marriott.

Train travel: West Palm Beach is served by Amtrak. Please see Amtrak’s website for more details.

Bus travel: Call (800) 231-2222 or http://www.greyhound.com for fare and schedule information. The Greyhound Station is located 5 miles from the hotel and convention center.

Travel by Car: West Palm Beach is located off I-95. For other specific driving directions, see Map Quest or Google Maps

Housing:

Special rates have been arranged for those attending the conference at the conference hotel, the West Palm Beach Marriott, located about five blocks from the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Reservations must be made before May 19, 2008. The West Palm Beach Marriott will provide shuttle service to the Convention Center.

West Palm Beach Marriott: $109.00 + tax for singles, doubles, triples, or quads 1-561-833-1234, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401

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.

Visitor Information:

The City of West Palm Beach website has excellent information regarding your trip to West Palm Beach.

West Palm Beach Area Attractions:

Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park: At the Palm Beach Zoo, not only are you able to get close to a large variety of animals (baby peacocks strolling randomly with momma), but the upper portion of the property is transformed into a great Mayan exhibit complete with jaguar cubs and a newly opened Amazon Marketplace. The market offers items normally not found in a tourist setting - more adult oriented (jewelry, pottery, and reasonably priced clothing) than the gift shop below, along with either indoor or outdoor lunch at a tropical cafe. Highly recommended for children of all ages.

ASP Silent Auction for Primate Conservation:

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

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.

Local  Meeting Information:

Schedule: A more detailed schedule will be announced closer to the meeting date. Standing committee meetings will begin at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. The opening reception will be held at the Marriott. The traditional closing banquet will be held the evening of Saturday, June 21, 2008 at the Palm Beach Zoo, followed by music and dancing.

The registration feeincludes access to all the sessions, coffee breaks, 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.

Exhibitors: Please contact Steve Schapiro (sschapir@mdanderson.org) for more information.

Conference T-shirts: T-shirts with the conference logo 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.