VENUE
International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Km. 17 vía Cali-Palmira
Tel: +57 (2) 445-0000
Fax: +57 (2) 445-0073
Email: prga@cgiar.org

MEETING DATES
The workshop will be from June 16-18, 2010. You are requested to arrive 1 day prior to the meeting, i.e. on June 15th, and depart on June 19th.

WORKSHOP LANGUAGE
English

COSTS COVERED
Round-trip direct route economy class airfare, accommodation and meals during the workshop, visa fees and airport taxes will be covered for invited participants.

HOUSING
Accommodation will be at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Single rooms will be provided at the CIAT hotel. The power supply at CIAT headquarters is single-phase voltage of 120V with pole to land and three-phase system of 220V. Housing services include tennis courts, swimming pool, and gymnastics building. The Piano bar near the reception will be open all evenings during the workshop. The cost of beverages and snacks consumed at the piano bar are your own responsibility.

Walking inside the CIAT compound is safe. Telephone and laundry services are available at your own expense. Hotel Reception is open from de 6.00 AM - 22.00 PM on weekdays and from 7.30 AM - 16.30 PM on weekends.

MEALS
Breakfast will be served from 6.30 AM - 8.00 AM in the CIAT dining room. A buffet lunch and dinner will also be served in the CIAT dining room from 12.30 - 14.00 PM and from 19.00 PM - 20.00 PM. You are requested to wear your name badge to all meals so that restaurant staff can identify you as part of the workshop group.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
If you wish to make telephone calls from your room a deposit of US $20 will have to be paid in advance at the hotel reception. Receipts for personal telephone calls made will be sent to the Housing Office to be included in your bill and will be your responsibility. From your room please dial 0 for CIAT telecommunications switchboard.

AIRLINE TICKETS
Please inform Claudia Garcia (prga@cgiar.org) by filling out the Workshop Registration Form if you will be purchasing your own ticket, or if you would prefer that the Workshop Organizers purchase your ticket and mail it to you.

If you choose to purchase your own ticket, please send us the itinerary and price quote before purchasing the ticket no later than May 7, 2010. We will then verify that a lower price direct-route ticket cannot be obtained from our travel agent. We recommend you make your airline reservations as soon as possible. Flights to Cali are limited and can fill up quickly.

VISAS
After filling out the registration form we will check which participants will need Colombian visas. Please fill out the registration form and send it to us no later than April 26, 2010.

The visas department at CIAT will handle the requirements and will locate your Colombian visa in your city or in a near convenient and suitable place for you. Claudia Garcia (prga@cgiar.org; or c.x.garcia@cgiar.org) will be assisting you in any matter. Please make sure you obtain your Colombian visa (if necessary) well in advance of your travel.

Unfortunately, we are unable to assist in obtaining transit visas or any other required visas you may need before entering Colombia.

ARRIVAL
You will arrive at the Cali's Alfonso Bonilla Aragón international airport, located 10 minutes from CIAT headquarters. After the customs control and baggage claim, proceed to the passenger exit and a CIAT security guard with a sign with your name on it should be waiting for you outside of customs. In the remote event that you cannot find our guard, please go to your airline counter and request their help to call CIAT Tel. 4450131 or 4450111, or call Claudia Garcia Mobile: 316-7414832 or Angela Cardona Mobile: 312-8287192.

For your safety and protection, please do not accept help from anybody other than airline staff in the airport to call CIAT, nor from public drivers offering services. We will monitor any possible flight delays, and will adjust airport pick-ups accordingly.

The Workshop Organizers will cover the cost of the Colombian Visas and will reimburse for the cost of any other required visas upon presentation of original receipts.

Reimbursement for airport transportation at your city and any airport taxes will also be provided upon presentation of original receipts.

Participants will be reimbursed by bank wire transfer. Please be prepared to provide us with the following information when you arrive at CIAT and to submit your expenses' original receipts.

Together with the Workshop materials, an envelope will be provided to you; please include in it all original receipts together with your banking information and handle it to Claudia Garcia by the Workshop's first day (June 16th, 2010).

WORKSHOP SECRETARIAT
The workshop secretariat is located in the conference area, close to the Workshop's conference room. Claudia Garcia and Ángela Cardona will assist you with any workshop related issues, extension number 3131.

COSTS NOT COVERED
Telephone calls, laundry, alcoholic beverages, food and snacks outside organized meals and other incidentals are not covered and will be your personal responsibility. Payments at CIAT can be made in US dollars, Colombian pesos, or traveler's checks. Credit card payments are not allowed.

INTERNET FACILITIES
Computers with Internet access in the conference area will be made available to participants from 8.00 AM - 22.00 PM. A printer will also be available.

If you wish to access internet with your own lap top, campus free wireless internet is available at the hotel rooms, public areas and the conference area. For any computer problems please call CIAT Help Desk at extension number 3097 or inform Claudia Garcia or Angela Cardona at the Workshop Secretariat, extension number 3131. Help Desk is located in the building called Monasterio 1, left hand side at the end of the main parking lot. Help Desk hours are from 7:45 AM - 16.30 PM.

BANKING
CIAT bank only deals with Colombian Pesos (COP) and US Dollars and is open only on weekdays from 8.00 AM - 13.00 and from 13.30 - 15.00 PM. US Dollars exchange is only possible from 8.00 AM - 11.30 and passport must be presented. ATM machine in Colombian pesos (COP) is available at the bank 24 hours. All Credit cards are accepted by the ATM machine.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
24 hours medical service is provided to staff, and official visitors at no charge. For any emergency please call the Hotel Reception dialing 3755 or 3588 or security at ext. 3111.

CLIMATE
Cali's weather is warm and pleasant with temperatures ranging from 17 °C at night and in the early mornings up to 30 °C mid-afternoon. Most days are sunny this time of year, though a thunderstorms or rain-showers are possible.

CONTACT PERSON
All questions or correspondence related to the Workshop logistics should be sent to Claudia Garcia at prga@cgiar.org. Please use this alternative e-mail address if necessary c.x.garcia@cgiar.org. Telephone: +57-2-4450131 or +1-650-833-6625 x 3131 (via USA).