Media Registration
Journalists wishing to attend the
conference or receive regular reports must submit a
request for accreditation
Identification badges
At the time of registration,
journalists will receive an identification badge which
must be worn at all times when entering the Minneapolis
Convention Center.
Passport and visa
requirements
Every foreign national coming to the
United States must be in possession of a passport valid
for travel to the United States and with a validity date
at least six months beyond the applicant's intended
period of stay in the United States.
Journalists should obtain a United
States visa at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
Visa application
When applying for a visa, the
following documentation should be submitted to the US
Embassy or Consulate:
-
Passport
-
An application form OF-156,
which should be completed and signed.
These forms are available at all US consular
offices.
-
Two photographs 1½ inch
square (37x37 mm) for each applicant,
showing full face, without head covering,
against a light background.
Other documentation may be required
by the US consular office.
Conference address
Place: Minneapolis Convention Center
Postal address :
Minneapolis Convention Center (PP-98)
1301 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403-2781
Press Room
Room 101A
Telephone:
Transportation
How to get to the Convention
Center
The information below is based upon
staying in one of the 10
official hotels for the conference. Costs for
transportation to and
from the Convention Center will significantly increase
if journalists stay
outside of the official hotels:
Walking: The Conference
Center is within walking distance
from the ten official hotels for the conference. The
farthest official
hotel is 9 blocks from the Convention Center (12 blocks
= 1 mile = 1.6 kilometers).
Bus: The city bus runs
throughout downtown Minneapolis.
You may take the bus for 0.25 US$ during non-rush hours
and
0.50 US$ during rush hours (rush hours are Monday -
Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.). Buses run about every 10
minutes in downtown Minneapolis.
Taxi: Taxi service
within the city of Minneapolis is approximately 3.00 US$
one-way.
Hotel room bookings
Please see "Important Hotel
Information".
Hotel rooms must be booked through
the Housing Bureau, Minneapolis and not through the ITU
General Secretariat
All hotel requests should be
submitted on an official housing form which can be
obtained from the Host Committee website at:
http://www.minneapolis.org/ITU
selecting "local hotels",
and then choosing either "Request a hotel
room" or "Request a block of rooms". To
access the form, journalists will need to know the
username (itu) and the password (plenipot). If
journalists cannot reach the Host Committee via the
Internet, they should call +1 612 661 47 00 and ask for
the ITU Conference Housing Bureau.
Parking
The downtown parking system is made
up of parking ramps, lots and meters. A parking ramp is
connected to the Convention Center. In addition, parking
meters are located throughout downtown. A quarter is the
only currency that works in the downtown core parking
meters. The meters are enforced Monday through Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and closer to the Metrodome near
Fifth Avenue South, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
Banking and Currency:
The Minneapolis/St. Paul
International Airport, as well as downtown Minneapolis
Banks offer currency exchange.
The Host Committee has arranged for
Norwest Bank Minnesota to provide the following
financial services:
Full financial services at the
Norwest branch located within walking distance of the
Convention Center at 1221 Nicollet mall, one block North
and two blocks West of the Convention Center. Bank hours
are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In addition, basic banking services,
such as wire transfer, foreign exchange services, and
credit card cash advances, will be available from noon
to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11, October
1998.
A Norwest Instant Cash and Check
automated cash machine (ATM) located on the lower level
of the Mineapolis Convention Center will be available
for cash withdrawals from 10 October to 8 November
1998. It is part of the CIRRUS International Network. In
addition, a 24-hour automated cash machine is located at
the main entrance to the Norwest store at 1221 Nicollet
Mall.
Norwest will provide an information
desk at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Saturday 10
and Sunday 11 October, to help journalists determine how
best to have their financial service needs met.
The unit of US money is the dollar.
Bank notes (bills) come in one, five, ten, twenty, fifty
and one hundred dollars. Coin denominations are the
penny (100 = 1 dollar), the nickel (20 = 1
dollar), the dime (10 = 1 dollar) and the quarter (4 = 1
dollar).
Restaurants
The Minneapolis Convention Center
bars and restaurants will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30
p.m.
Travel agency
A travel agency is situated in the
Entrance Hall of the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Northwest/KLM will provide an airline reservation
service only.
Climate
Average daily high temperature for
Minneapolis:
October: 16º C, 60º F
November: 5º C, 40º F
Minneapolis enjoys four distinct
seasons. In October, visitors should be prepared for the
fact that the temperature can vary greatly during the
month, and each day between daylight and evening hours.
Minneapolis will be in the height of the fall season
during your stay.
Wardrobe: Because of
the unpredictable weather in October, it is best to
dress in layers. It may be warm enough during the day
for a light jacket, but it could be cold enough for
gloves and a hat at times. Suggested items of clothing
to bring include:
Long sleeve shirts and slacks
Sweater
Overcoat or jacket
Gloves and hat
Comfortable shoes
Umbrella
Electric Current
The electric current in the United
States of America is 120 Volts, 60 Hertz
---
