Media Advisory 1: 2009 Joint Assembly

25 February 2009

Joint Release

24–27 May
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

News Media Registration Open, Hotel Rooms at Special Rates

Contents of this message:

  1. Discover the latest in Earth and Space Sciences
  2. Hotel Booking Now Open
  3. Canadian Visa Regulations for International Reporters
  4. News Media Registration Information
  5. Online News Media Registration

1. Discover the latest in Earth and Space Sciences

More than 3,000 scientists are expected to present new findings in the Earth and space sciences in Toronto at the 2009 Joint Assembly. Organizers of the meeting, which takes place from 24 to 27 May, are planning more than 240 scientific sessions on such topics as recent drilling beneath the ocean floor; groundwater pathogens; expanding knowledge of Earth’s poles; wildfires; interactions between East Asian air pollution, weather, and climate around the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games; uranium contamination from waste disposal and mining operations; and space climate. All scientific sessions take place in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

As suggested by the name “Joint Assembly,” the meeting will bring together researchers from eight scientific organizations: the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and seven other Canadian and international scientific societies: the Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU), Geological Association of Canada (GAC), International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH-CNC), Mineralogical Association of Canada (MAC), Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), Mineralogical Society of America (MSA) and Geochemical Society (GS). For links to web sites of cosponsors, see the 2009 Joint Assembly home page (and scroll down)

AGU will operate a Press Room at the meeting. A series of press conferences, to be described in subsequent advisories, will highlight some of the newsworthy sessions at the 2009 Joint Assembly.

Information for members of the news media about this meeting, including links to advisories, are posted on the Joint Assembly website

2. Hotel Booking Now Open

Rooms can now be reserved at six hotels with special meeting rates. For single (or double occupancy), nightly charges range from $105 CDN to $189 CDN plus 13 percent local tax. The most economic rates, at the University of Toronto’s housing services, are reserved for attendees from low-income countries and for students. For a list of qualifying low-income countries, please check: List of Eligible Countries for Low Income Status

The deadline for making hotel reservations is 22 April. For further information and to book rooms, see: Hotel Reservations

3. Canadian Visa Regulations for International Reporters

Reporters working for foreign newspapers, television channels, news agencies or companies involved in reporting news events can work in Canada without a permit if they are reporting on events in the country.

However, nationals of some countries need a visa to enter Canada. For a list of countries whose citizens require visas to travel to Canada, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

For more information, visit the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/notices.asp

4. News Media Registration Information

News Media registrants receive a badge that provides access to any of the scientific sessions of the meeting, as well as to the Press Room and Press Conference Room.

Press registration is complimentary. Eligibility is limited to the following persons:

  • Working press employed by bona fide news media: must present a press card, business card, or letter of introduction from an editor of a recognized publication.
  • Freelance science writers: must present a current membership card from NASW, a regional affiliate of NASW, CSWA, ISWA, or SEJ; or evidence of by-lined work pertaining to science intended for the general public and published in 2008 or 2009; or a letter from the editor of a recognized publication assigning you to cover Joint Assembly.
  • Public information officers of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies: must present a business card.

Note 1: Representatives of publishing houses, for-profit corporations, and the business side of news media must register at the main registration desk at the meeting and pay the appropriate fees, regardless of possession of any of the above documents. They are not accredited as News Media at the meeting.

Note 2: Scientists who are also reporters and who are presenting at this meeting (oral or poster session) may receive News Media credentials if they qualify (see above), but must also register for the meeting and pay the appropriate fee as a presenter.

5. Online News Media Registration

To register for the 2009 Joint Assembly as a member of the news media, please click on:
News Media Registration

Friday, 8 May 2009 is the last day for online press pre-registration, which assures that your badge will be waiting for you when you arrive. You may also register at the meeting.