The African Studies Association has received a 40% increase on the program from 2003 and expects that the 47th / 34th Annual Meetings of the African Studies Association, held jointly with the Canadian Association of African Studies/Association canadienne des études africaines, November 11 – 14, 2004, at the New Orleans Marriott New Orleans Louisiana, will be the best Annual Meeting yet!

Outlined below is a list of frequently asked questions and a general information section. The document is also available online at www.africanstudies.org.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my name listed on the Preliminary Program?
As outlined on the Call for Proposals, ASA policy states, "Membership and pre-registration fees or the non-member pre-registration fee must accompany the proposal if the fee(s) have not already been paid."  The Secretariat received approximately 500 proposals without the required fees, at a cost of approximately $50,000 in outstanding payments. The ASA Board of Directors consequently determined that any presenter who had not paid the required fees on or before the extended September 30 deadline should not be listed in the Preliminary Program. A Final Program Addendum will list anyone who participates in the program upon payment of the necessary fees on-site in New Orleans.

Why is the name of the chair missing from my panel/roundtable?
Presenters who did not pay the required fees(s) are not listed in the Preliminary Program.

Why are presenters missing from my panel/roundtable?
Presenters who did not pay the required fees(s) are not listed in the Preliminary Program.

Why is the name of the discussant missing from my panel?
Presenters who did not pay the required fees(s) are not listed in the Preliminary Program.

Why isn’t my co-author listed?
Presenters who did not pay the required fees(s) are not listed in the Preliminary Program.

If I pay my fee(s) will I be listed in the Final Program?
Any presenter who did not pay the required fee(s) on or before September 30th will not be listed in the Final Program. Presenters who paid the required fee(s) on or before September 30th can expect to be listed in the Final Program. The Final Program will be distributed onsite in New Orleans. A Final Program addendum will list anyone who participates in the program upon payment of the necessary fees on-site in New Orleans.

I paid my fees. Why isn’t my name listed on the Preliminary Program?
Your payment may not have processed for various reasons (e.g., the credit card was declined; the check or credit card did not agree with the total order amount; there was no indication of why the payment was sent). The Secretariat has made a diligent effort to contact all presenters with outstanding payment issues.  If you believe that you have paid the required fee(s) please fax proof of payment to Maggie McLaughlin, Executive Administrator at 732-932-3394 and you will be contacted to resolve any discrepancies.  All paid presenters will be listed in the Final Program or in the Final Program Addendum.

Will the Preliminary Program be revised on the ASA website?
The Preliminary Program will not be revised online on the ASA website. All changes will be reflected in the Final Program.

Can I change the date and/or time of my presentation?
The Preliminary Program is prepared in conjunction with the Program Co-Chairs and is based on such factors as how the proposal was ranked, the logistics of the available meeting space, and AV equipment requests. Due to the complexities of organizing the program, the ASA can not grant requests to reschedule presentations.

My paper/panel/roundtable title is incorrect or it has changed. Can I revise it for the Final Program?
Corrections to the program must be submitted in writing on or before October 15 to: Annual Meeting Coordinator, African Studies Association, Rutgers University, Douglass Campus, 132 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1400; Fax: 732-932-3394; Email: asaamc@rci.rutgers.edu. The Final Program will be distributed at the Annual Meeting. To the extent possible, information received after October 15 will be incorporated into a Final Program Addendum that will be distributed on-site in New Orleans.

How do I pay registration fees after September 30th?
Pre-registration for the Annual Meeting closed on September 30th.  Individuals who wish to attend the Annual Meeting will be required to pay registration fees on-site in New Orleans. The registration booths will be open the following hours:
Wednesday, November 10: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Thursday, November 11: 8:00am – 1:00pm/2:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday, November 12: 8:00am – 1:00pm/2:00pm – 5:00pm
Saturday, November 13: 8:00am – 1:00pm/2:00pm – 5:00pm
Sunday, November 14: 8:00am – 1:00pm

I will not be presenting at the Annual Meeting. Can I have my pre-registration fees refunded?
Pre-registration fees are refunded only if a presenter’s proposal has not been accepted for the program. Other refunds of pre-registration fees will be made only in extraordinary circumstances. All refunds will incur a $25 service charge and will be processed after the Annual Meeting. Refunds must be requested in writing postmarked on or before December 31, 2004. Fees are not transferable and they cannot be credited to the next year’s Annual Meeting.

How do I get a Letter of Invitation?
The ASA can prepare letters of invitation to help participants secure visas or funding. Please contact the ASA Secretariat at asaamc@rci.rutgers.edu for letters of invitation with “Letter of Invitation” in the subject line. Please allow four (4) weeks to process requests for letters of invitation. Requests for letters of invitation received after September 30 will incur a $25 administrative fee.

How do I make my travel and hotel arrangements?

Hotel
The host hotel is the New Orleans Marriott (555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 08873; Tel: 888-236-2427 or 504-581-1000; Fax: 504-523-6755). To get detailed ASA discounted room rate information and to make a reservation, please visit the ASA website at www.africanstudies.org, or call 1-888-364-1200, or 504-581-1000 with the Group Code “ASA.” Discounted rates using the Group Code “ASA” are valid from November 9-15, 2004.

Hotel Room Rates*:
1-2 Adults - $175/room
3-4 Adults - $205/room
Suites - $400

* These room rates reflect a rebate of $10.00 for each occupied room night that is paid for at the full guestroom rate. The rebate is payable to the ASA and will be used for the general support of the Association.

Travel
The ASA is pleased to partner with Travizon to offer Annual Meeting participants discounted travel arrangements to and from New Orleans. Please visit www.africanstudies.org for more information and to make reservations. Participants may also call 1-800-462-6461 or 585-436-1701. Mention the Group Code “ASA” to receive the discount.

The hotel rates are too high! How can I find another hotel?
The ASA Secretariat has contracted with the New Orleans Marriott to provide the most economical sleeping room rate available. The rate is based on the level of occupancy; your stay at the New Orleans Marriott benefits the ASA by honoring the Association’s contract, thereby ensuring competitive rates for future meetings. Participants who wish to share expenses may choose to room with a fellow Annual Meeting participant. Please contact prospective room mates directly. The ASA does not provide room sharing information.

Still have questions?
Please contact the ASA Secretariat at 732-932-8173 with any further questions.
 

General Information

TRANSPORTATION

Airport: The New Orleans area is serviced by the Louis Armstrong International Airport; 900 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062; Tel: 504-464-0831, approximately 13 miles and a 15-30 minute drive from the New Orleans Marriott.

Shuttles: The Airport Shuttle, which serves the New Orleans area, is available from the airport to New Orleans hotels for $13.00 (per person, one-way), $26 (per person round-trip), or $24.00 (per person, round-trip for two or more people when purchased at the airport). Three bags are included per person. Call 1-866-596-2699 or 504-522-3500 for more details or to make a reservation.

Trains: Three Amtrak trains serve the New Orleans area at the Union Passenger Terminal. The City of New Orleans runs to Memphis, Jackson and Chicago; the Crescent Route serves Birmingham, Atlanta, Washington and New York City; and the Sunset Limited runs between Los Angeles and Miami. For more information visit www.amtrak.com.

Taxicabs: Marked cars are plentiful throughout the uptown and downtown areas of the city. From the airport, one-way fares are currently set at $28 for up to two people. The cost for three or more people is $10 per passenger. Taxicabs are easily available just outside the baggage claim area.

Streetcars and Buses: The Magazine Street Line, which passes in front of the New Orleans Marriott, runs 24 hours a day, every day. It can be picked up at Canal Street and Magazine Street and runs to its terminus at the Audubon Zoo. The fare is $1.25. The St. Charles Avenue Line runs 24 hours a day, every day and the fare is $1.25. The Riverfront Line runs from 6:00am – midnight, every day and the fare is $1.50. Exact change is required on all bus and streetcar lines. For schedules and specific information, please visit www.regionaltransit.org.
 

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS

From the Louis Armstrong International Airport: Exit onto US-61 South. Bear right onto I-10 East/Westbank (US-90-BR). Take the Poydras exit towards the Superdome (exit #234B). Turn right on Convention Center Blvd./S. Front Street. Turn left on Canal Street.

Coming into New Orleans from the East on I-10: Take I-10 West. Exit at exit number 235B toward Canal Street/Superdome. Stay straight to go onto S Derbigny Street. Turn right on Canal Street. Make a U-turn onto Canal Street and end at the Marriott.

Coming to New Orleans from the West: Take I-10 East: Exit at exit number 234B on the left toward Poydras Street/Superdome. Take a slight left onto Poydras Street. Turn left onto Camp Street. Turn right onto Canal Street. Make a U-turn onto Canal Street and end at the Marriott.
PARKING

The New Orleans Marriott has onsite parking facilities available to Annual Meeting registrants. Please contact the hotel directly for more information as rates may vary. Tel: 504-581-1000 or 1-888-236-2427; Fax: 504-523-6755.
CLIMATE

The temperature varies from the low 60 degrees to the low 80 degrees in November in New Orleans, LA.

BUSINESS CENTER

The New Orleans Marriott has an onsite business center, Paper Clips, located in the Main Lobby. Paper Clips is open weekdays from 7:00am – 6:00pm, and weekends from 8:00am – 5:00pm. They provide copying, printing, scanning, word-processing, and Internet services for a fee. Please visit www.paper-clips.net for complete rate information.

 NEW ORLEANS RESOURCES AND VISITOR INFORMATION

New Orleans is home to world-class music, museums, architecture, and a diverse history. In order to better acquaint Annual Meeting registrants with the city of New Orleans, the ASA recommends the following resources for information on local attractions, history, maps, and events.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau provides visitors to New Orleans with valuable information about New Orleans attractions, events, resources, and history. More information can be found at www.neworleanscvb.com or by calling 1-800-672-6124.

The New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network “serves as a resource center for tourists, conventions, special events, organizations, associations, and the Greater New Orleans community, relative to the diverse culture, heritage and business community of New Orleans.” For more information about the NOMTN, visit their website at www.soulofneworleans.com or call 1-800-725-5652 or 504-523-5652.

To order Louisana's official guide to African American Heritage, Textures, go to www.louisianatravel.com/heritage/african_american/ or call 1-800-753-6194 or 225-342-8100.

FUTURE ANNUAL MEETINGS

• The ASA’s 48th Annual Meeting will be held in Washington, D.C., November 17-20, 2005, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

• The ASA’s 49th Annual Meeting will be held in San Francisco, CA, November 14-19, 2006, at the St. Francis Westin Hotel.

• The ASA will celebrate its 50th Anniversary October 18-21, 2007, at the Sheraton New York, New York City, NY!

• The ASA will celebrate its 50th Annual Meeting Anniversary November 13-16, 2008 at the Sheraton Chicago, Chicago, IL!

• The ASA’s 51st Annual Meeting will be held in New Orleans, LA, November 17-23, 2009 at the New Orleans Marriott.

• The ASA’s 52nd Annual Meeting will be held in San Francisco, CA, November 16-22, 2010 at the St. Francis Westin.