WELCOME TO ORLANDO

Orlando, population: 173,000, is the dream destination for everyone. It is known as the "City Beautiful" with lush vegetation and a warm climate that is well suited for the many surrounding lakes and theme parks.

At an elevation of 111 ft., May temperature averages for Orlando range from highs in the mid 80's and lows in the mid 60's. It is always a good idea to wear sun block if you plan on being outdoors.

The Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau has a variety of information including the "Magicard," a discount card, you can get for free. The Official Visitor Center on International Drive is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. You may also write to:

Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau
8723 International Drive
Suite 101
Orlando, FL 32819
www.orlandoinfo.com
Phone: (407) 363-5871 or (407) 363-5872
Toll free: 1-800-842-6087

If you want information mailed, you may call 1-800-643-9492 or 1- 800 551-0181 for an efficient, fast, automated system.

AIR TRAVEL

The Orlando area is served by two airports: Orlando International Airport (OIA) and Orlando Sanford Airport in Sanford. Most attendees will be arriving at OIA that is about 15 miles from the downtown and tourist areas.

TRANSPORTATION

Taxis: The local taxis are metered and charge $3.25 for the first mile and $1.75 for each additional mile. Some of the major car companies are Ace Metro, (407) 855-0564; Checker, (407) 699-9999; City (407) 422-5151, and Yellow (407) 422-4455.

The fastest way to arrive from the airport to the Renaissance Orlando Resort is by taxi --approximately 20 minutes and $30.00.

Shuttle: There is also Mears Transportation Group that has a booth across from the American, Delta, and United "Bag Claim" areas. Mears offers a shuttle service to the Renaissance Resort hotel for $24.00 round trip and $14 one way for people 12 years and older. The number for Mears is (407) 423-5566.

Car Rental: There are numerous excellent car rental agencies at the airport, and they will provide maps and directions to your destination. Budget rental car agency is also located in the Renaissance Orlando Resort for your convenience. Their number at the resort property is (407) 351-5555, Ext. 4900 or (407) 352-1926. The toll-free number is 1 800 527-7000; the web address is: www.budget.com.

Trolley: I-RIDE Trolleys cater to tourist traffic along International Drive from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. The wait is around 15 minutes, and the trolleys travel around the Resort Area with 93 possible stops along the way. The single fare is usually 75 cents. Children 12 and under ride free when accompanied by an adult. You may also purchase "unlimited ride" passes -- one day $2.00; three day $3.00, etc. You may call (407) 248-9590 for more information.

Bus: There are also brightly painted Lynx buses in the metro area. Bus stops, called Links, are marked by fuchsia paw-print signs listing all the routes that are accessible from that "stop." This system serves most of the city, including downtown, the tourist area, and the major shopping centers.

FAVORITE THINGS TO SEE

The Renaissance Orlando Resort has an excellent Concierge desk -- (407) 351-5555, Ext. 2574 as well as MEARS -- Ext. 4920 or 4922 located in the Resort lobby. They will be more than willing to assist you with your plans.

For guided tours of the area, the largest tour company with 33 different tours is GATOR TOURS (407) 522-5911. Most of their tours are day tours, and they will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel free of charge. Please look at their web site: www.gatortours.com or call them toll free at 1-800-537-0917 or call (407) 522-5911.

One nearby trip would include the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Station. This center of space operations is forty-seven miles east of Orlando. For more information use the web address: www.kennedyspacecenter.com or call (321) 449-4444.

You may also want to consider driving into Tampa to see its sights. There are wonderful rides and animals at Busch Gardens for children. Tampa also has the Florida Aquarium and many fine museums.

Some of our favorite places in the immediate area include:

Discovery Cove
6000 Discovery Cove Way next to SeaWorld
www.discoverycove.com
For reservations only call 1-877-434-7268
International guests may call (407) 370-1280

SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
www.seaworld.com
1-800-423-8368 or (407) 351-3600

Universal Orlando
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, FL 32819
www.universalorlando.com
www.uescape.com/studios
(800) 837-2273 or (407) 363-8000

Walt Disney World
Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
www.disneyworld.com
(407) 934-7639

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Click here for more information.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS AND LOCATION

Hotel reservations may be made online through the ICASSP 2002 web site at http://www.icassp2002.com. The block of rooms available may also be found online.

Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld
6677 Sea Harbor Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821
Tel: 407 351 5555
Fax: 407 351 9991
www.renaissancehotels.com

The Renaissance Orlando Resort and ICASSP 2002 have worked together to provide all attendees who are staying at the hotel free high-speed internet access from their room.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Advance registration information is available at the ICASSP 2002 web site: http://www.icassp2002.com. You may register online for both the conference and the hotel with our secure server. On-site registration and the distribution of conference materials to pre-registered attendees will be handled at the ICASSP 2002 Registration Desk located in the Reception Foyer of the Convention Center Ballroom of the Renaissance Orlando Resort. In order to avoid standing in line at the conference, you will also be able to "self-register" as well. The Registration Desk will be open during the following hours to assist you:

Sunday, 12 May		12:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Monday, 13 May		7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday, 14 May		7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday, 15 May		7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday, 16 May		7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday, 17 May		7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

SPEAKERS' PREPARATION AREA

Projectors, tables, scissors, tape, and other items to help presenters with last-minute preparations are available in the Opah room, second floor, above the atrium of the Renaissance Orlando Resort.

INTERNET ACCESS

The Texas Instruments Internet Cafe will be located in the Coral Room of the Renaissance Orlando Resort. The Internet Cafe will be available from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. during the conference providing for email and web access for your convenience.

This ICASSP 2002 features a new system that will allow you to print your own schedule as well as allowing you to access and print abstracts from the conference.

The Renaissance Orlando Resort and ICASSP 2002 have joined to provide all attendees who are staying at the hotel free high speed internet access from their room.

REFRESHMENT BREAKS

Morning and afternoon refreshments will be provided during breaks between the technical sessions. All breaks will be held in the Exhibit and Poster Area in the Convention Center Ballroom of the resort.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE