The 20^th International Symposium of Mathematical Programming (ISMP) will take place in Chicago, Illinois, USA from August 23 - 28 2009. ISMP is a scientific meeting held every 3 years on behalf of the Mathematical Programming Society.

REGISTRATION OPENS SUNDAY
In Chicago, you can pick up your badge, printed program and other registration materials at the following times: Sunday, 4:00pm-9:00pm; Monday-Tuesday, 7:30am-5:00pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 8:00am-5:00pm; Friday, 8:00am-1:00pm. These are also the on-site registration hours. The ISMP registration desk will be located in the Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 5th Floor.

AV FOR TECHNICAL SESSIONS - BRING YOUR LAPTOP
All session rooms will be equipped with LCD projectors, but please note that presenters must bring their laptops or make arrangements to use another presenter's computer. We have received requests from some presenters for overhead projectors, and overheads will be provided for those speakers who requested them. If you need an overhead projector and did not request one yet, please notify us immediately (email cheryl.clark@informs.org). Overhead projectors cannot be ordered on-site at the meeting.

INFORMATION FOR SPEAKERS
Please review the detailed Speaker Information for guidelines on AV, presenter and session chair instructions, how to navigate the meeting, and more

ROOM LOCATIONS - TECHNICAL SESSIONS
The printed program you receive in Chicago will list room locations for all sessions and events, as well as provide floor plans. Technical sessions will be held at the Marriott Downtown Hotel and the Gleacher Center, University of Chicago Booth School of Business. It is a three-block walk between the Marriott and the Gleacher Center.

TRANSPORTATION IN CHICAGO
For detailed information on shuttles and public transportation from the two Chicago airports (O'Hare and Midway), as well as general transportation information, please see the Transportation and Parking page.

CREATE YOUR OWN PROGRAM ITINERARY
Before traveling to Chicago you can select the sessions you want to attend and create your own itinerary at the online Program Search. Click on Search the Program (above link). You will receive a final printed program when you collect your registration materials in Chicago.

BADGE REQUIRED FOR TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Your ISMP 2009 registration badge must be worn to all meeting events. Attendees without badges will be directed to the registration desk to pick up their badges and register. All attendees, including speakers and session chairs, must register and pay the registration fee.

INTERNET ACCESS
Complimentary wireless Internet is available in the lobby only of the Marriott. There is no wireless access in the ISMP general registration area or in meeting rooms at the Marriott. Guests staying at the Marriott can purchase Internet access at a daily rate of $14.95. Complimentary wireless is available at the Gleacher Center; codes and instructions will be provided in the printed program you receive in Chicago.

MESSAGES WHILE YOU ARE AWAY
The best way for people to reach you while you are in Chicago is to contact you directly at your hotel. Please leave your hotel phone number with your colleagues and family members. For urgent messages, call the Marriott at 1-312-836-0100 and ask for the ISMP registration desk. Registration staff will transcribe the message and post it on the message board located near registration. You can also contact colleagues attending the meeting using this message board. Please check the message board periodically to see if you have received a message.

WEATHER: WHAT TO EXPECT
Chicago weather in August can be warm and humid, with average temperatures around 81 F (27 C) and average low temperatures of 63 F (17 C) in the evenings. Meeting rooms can be cool, so we advise you to bring a sweater or light jacket. Bring an umbrella in case of rain. For weather updates: Try Weather Underground.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions: Tel. or 1-443-757-3500, 800-446-3676 x 591 or email: meetings@informs.org. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago at the 60th Anniversary of the Zero-th International Symposium on Mathematical Programming!