Summit Delegate Information

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January 31, 2012

Summit Delegate Information

Information for Delegates
The 2012 Global Summit on Childhood

Delegates - All participants attending the Global Summit on Childhood are viewed as delegates to the Summit. Each participant brings with them ideas, information, attitudes, and knowledge about the condition of childhood from their particular global region, nation, city, village, or community. Each participant is, therefore, a representative of a certain geographic location and culture. When delegates return home, they are expected to share what they learned at the Summit with others. Thus, delegates serve an important role in disseninating knowledge and supporting continuity in the global conversation about childhood.

About the Summit
Hotel Location, Hotel Services, Accommodations
Registration
Travel to the Summit
Sightseeing and Tours of Washington D.C
Washington D.C. Weather
Cancellation Policy
FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE

ABOUT THE SUMMIT
What is the Global Summit on Childhood?
The Summit hopes to raise public awareness about challenges facing childhood today. This summit will challenge delegates to consider childhood from a global point of view and offer a forum to come together with individuals from other nations who are concerned about providing a positive childhood experience for the children of the world.

Who should participate?
The Summit will bring together individuals and organizations from many sectors to examine the challenges facing childhood today and consider how to address them. It is appropriate for educators, health care workers, child advocates and others who are interested in understanding the experience of childhood.

What are the goals of the Summit?
The goals of the Global Summit are to:

provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue about the experience of childhood;
explore the current state of childhood, including issues affecting education and mental and physical well-being, from international, cross-cultural, and cross-disciplinary perspectives;
examine specific issues impacting the lives of children today;
consider best policies and practices to promote the opportunities that support a positive childhood experience and to address the challenges that threaten childhood.

What is the general schedule of the Summit?
The tentative schedule can be found here.

Please be aware that actual times and session placement may vary on the final schedule.

Will there be a variety of presenters?
A variety of individuals and organizations submitted a call for papers in order to present at the Summit. The presentations will address various aspects of childhood.

HOTEL LOCATION, HOTEL SERVICES
Where will the Summit be held?
The Summit will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel Crystal City, located at 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. It is easily accessible via the Metro Blue/Yellow lines (metro stop: Pentagon City) and is situated just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. This full service hotel is conveniently located within walking distance from central shopping areas including the Crystal Underground Shopping Center, the Pentagon City Mall.

Who will arrange my accommodation?
You must arrange your own accommodation. The Summit hotel is the DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (703) 416-4100. The room rate per night is $194.00 single/double occupancy.

Is there a special discounted rate available at any of the nearby hotels affiliated with Summit attendance?

No. However, there are many hotels and other accommodation options available in the Washington D.C. area providing a good choice of price ranges with varying amenities and with access to the Crystal City area.

Will any of my meals be provided during the Summit? Are there restaurants near the hotel?
Meals and refreshments are not included.

However, there is a Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening immediately following the keynote presentation where some light food and snacks will be served. There will be some light refreshments served on Thursday afternoon during the POSTER EXPO.

There is the Café Restaurant conveniently located in the hotel lobby serving breakfast and lunch. In addition, Café Express is open in the lobby for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room service is available through the hotel also.

There are restaurants very near the hotel. A “food court” is located in Pentagon City Mall and another large area of restaurants is located just outside the Mall, as well.

Lunch and dinner prices in Washington D.C. usually run between $10-$20 per meal depending on the restaurant you select.

Is Internet access available?
There are three complimentary Internet kiosks located in the lobby near the hotel registration desk that are available for use. Complimentary wi-fi is also available in the lobby area should you have your own laptop. The charge for Internet access in sleeping rooms is $11.95 per day.

REGISTRATION
How do I register for the Summit?
Complete the registration form along with payment information here. (Online registrations is closed; register onsite.)

How much does the program cost?
Early Registrations fees below are good through Feb. 14, 2012; rates will increase after that deadline.

Non-member, Regular: US$375.00
Non-member, Student: US$175.00
ACEI member, Regular: US$300.00
ACEI member, Student: US$175.00

Is there a deadline to register?
There is no deadline. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we encourage you to register as early as possible to ensure placement in the program and receiving all Summit materials.

TRAVEL TO THE SUMMIT
Where is Crystal City in relation to Washington D.C.?
The hotel address is in Crystal City. Crystal City is a business and commercial district in the county of Arlington, Virginia. Arlington is just across the river the Washington D.C.

It is easy to get to Washington D.C. from Crystal City. A taxi can take you to the heart of Washington D.C in less than 15 minutes. You can also take the Metro train to Washington D.C. from the Pentagon City station- about 3 blocks from the hotel. This is a short ride of about 20-25 minutes.

What airport should I fly into?
Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to downtown Washington D.C. for flights coming from U.S destinations. You can take the metro train (Yellow or Blue Lines) to the Pentagon City stop. The hotel is less than 3 blocks away. The hotel also provides complimentary shuttle service to/from the Pentagon City Metro stop every 15 minutes.

FOR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS: If you are traveling to the United States from an international location there are two international airports in the area.

Dulles International Airport is the closet and easiest airport for accessing Washington D.C. Taxis and shuttle buses are readily available at the airport. Travel time to the hotel is usually only about 45 minutes.

Baltimore Washington International Airport is also within the metropolitan region but it is further away than Dulles Airport. It may be necessary to take a train to Washington D.C. or board a special shuttle bus en route to Washington D.C. Make sure this bus stops in Arlington, VA in the Crystal City area before boarding. Travel time to the hotel could be as much as 1 hour and 30 minutes.

SIGHTSEEING AND TOURS OF WASHINGTON D.C.
How can I most easily see some of the sights of Washington D.C?

Hotel staff can help you to locate Washington D.C. tours. There are many touring options including a Hop On, Hop Off bus which allows you to decide where you would like to spend your time. Washington D.C. serves as the center of the United States Government and the home of the U.S. President. It has many beautiful museums, parks, interesting neighborhoods and shopping districts.

Will the cherry blossoms be in bloom?
The end of March and beginning of April are busy times in Washington. Many tourists come to Washington to witness the blooming of our beautiful cherry blossoms- a gift to the city from Japan. Make sure you plan your travel well in advance. Travel to Washington D.C. during that time can be limited due to the number of additional tourists who are here to enjoy the Cherry Blossom celebrations.

WASHINGTON D.C. WEATHER
Weather during late March and early April can still be quite cold in Washington. Although, there can be some lovely warm spring days as well. You should bring a light coat or jacket and ensure that you can adjust for both types of weather. It is also wise to carry an umbrella as we can experience spring rains.

Hotels often run air conditioning in the meeting rooms and can often be quite cold. Again, in order to prepare, you should bring a light sweater or jacket with you when you are attending presentations.

CANCELLATION POLICY
What is your cancellation policy if I cannot attend?

Registration cancellations received by February 24, 2012 will receive a full refund, less a $50.00 service charge.

Registration cancellations received after February 24, 2012 will NOT be refunded.

Will the Summit be cancelled if there are not enough attendees?
We expect that the Summit will be well attended and that there would be no other need for cancelling the Summit.

FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE
Please contact LISA WENGER, ACEI Conference Director, if you have further questions. You can reach Lisa at 301-570-2111 EXT 17, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it