General Information

The Open Forum will be held January 20-24, 2003 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

SANTA FE

One of the most unique and historic cities in the U.S., Santa Fe is located in northern New Mexico at an elevation of 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with nearby peaks as high as 12,000 feet.

Santa Fe has a rich and varied history. Founded in 1607, it is the oldest capital city in America, and the oldest European community west of the Mississippi River. In recent years, Santa Fe has become one of the premier tourist destinations in the U.S. It is a sophisticated city of 60,000 which offers 200 restaurants, 150 art galleries, 50 Native American jewelry shops, 13 major museums, and a world famous opera company. For more information about Santa Fe, click on the Santa Fe button in the left sidebar, or click HERE.

CLIMATE

In January the average high temperature in Santa Fe is 40F/4C and the average low is 19F/7C. Snow is to be expected this time of the year, and world class skiing is available near Santa Fe.

CONFERENCE HEADQUARTERS

La Fonda Hotel, 100 East San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The historic La Fonda Hotel is the site for the Open Forum on Metadata Registries. To maximize opportunities for sharing information, informal discussions, and networking, participants are encouraged to stay at the hotel.

Note that there will be free access to the Internet via wireless (802.11b) in the La Fonda meeting rooms, lobby, and mezzanine as well as an Ethernet hub (hardwire Ethernet cable with RJ-45 jacks) available in an Internet access room.

The La Fonda Hotel is holding a block of rooms for the Open Forum & SC 32 meetings. Call La Fonda reservations directly at 1-800-523-5002 or 1-505-982-5511 from outside the U.S. and be sure to ask for the discounted "Open Forum & SC 32" conference rate of $99 for single or double occupancy rooms. Reservations can be made over the Internet by clicking HERE. Be sure to request the conference rate in your reservation.

Reservations must be received by La Fonda Hotel no later than 12 p.m., December 20, 2002 in order to get the discounted conference rate. Reservation requests will be confirmed only if guaranteed with a valid credit card. A 72-hour notice (3 days before arrival date) of cancellation is required or your room will be billed directly to your credit card.

Check-in time is 3 p.m.; checkout time is 12 p.m.

INSURANCE

The organizers cannot accept responsibility for accidents, losses, and/or damages that may occur. Delegates are advised to obtain travel, medical, personal accident and luggage insurance in their home countries prior to departure.

MEDICAL CARE

St. Vincent Hospital
455 St. Michael's Dr.
Santa Fe, NM
505-983-3361

POWER & TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS

Electrical voltage is 120 AC 60 cycles, with U.S. style three-pin socket. A number of electrical extension cords and multiple outlet power strips will be available for use in the meeting rooms. Hotel rooms will have telephones that can be used for laptop connections. Telephone outlets are the modular plugs (RJ11).

Transportation Information

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Most participants will fly into the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport  and take ground transportation to the hotel. Albuquerque International Airport is approximately one hour's drive from Santa Fe. Several services provide transportation 7 to 10 times daily between the Albuquerque airport and downtown Santa Fe hotels.

  • Sandia Shuttle Express provides daily service from the Albuquerque Sunport Airport to the La Fonda Hotel at a cost of $23 one-way. Reservations must be made in advance by calling  (888) 775-5696 or 505-474-5696.

  • Santa Fe Shuttle: provides eight round trips a day at a cost of $21 one way or $38 round trip. Call (888) 833-2300 or  (505) 243-2300.
  • Local limousine service is provided by Limotion Santa Fe at 505-820-0816. Approximate limousine charges for one-way service from the Albuquerque Sunport Airport to the La Fonda Hotel is $157.05 for up to three people.
  • Albuquerque Cab Company provides service from Sunport Airport to the La Fonda Hotel at a cost of approximately $110-$120 one-way. Advance reservations can be made by calling 505-883-4888.

Those participants who wish to fly to Santa Fe can contact the following airline served by the Santa Fe Municipal Airport:

  • United Express 505-473-4118 or 800-241-6522

SANTA FE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

  • Public bus transportation in Santa Fe is provided by Santa Fe Trails, 505-955-2001, which serves the city with six routes. Santa Fe Trails operates from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no Sunday service.
  • Taxi service is provided by Capital City Cab Co. at 505-438-0000.

CAR RENTAL

Car Rental at the Albuquerque International Airport:

Alamo Rent-A-Car

505-842-4057

800-327-9633

Avis Rent-A-Car

505-842-4080

800-331-1212

Budget Car Rental

505-768-5900

800-527-0700

Dollar Rent-A-Car

505-842-4224

800-800-4000

Hertz Rent-A-Car

505-842-4235

800-654-3131

National Car Rental

 

800-227-7368

Payless Car Rental

 

800-729-5377

Thrifty Car Rental

505-842-8733

800-367-2277

Car rental in Santa Fe:

Advantage Rent A Car
1907 St. Michaels Drive
309 W. San Francisco, Eldorado Hotel
(505) 983-9470

Avis Rent A Car
Garrett's Desert Inn, 311 Old Santa Fe Trail, (505) 982-4361
Municipal Airport, (505) 662-5046; 1-800-982-4376

Budget Rent A Car
1946 Cerrillos Road
(505) 984-8028; 1-800-527-0700

Classy Car Rentals of Santa Fe
La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa,
330 East Palace Avenue
505-690-3296
See photo at top

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
2641 Cerrillos Road
(505) 473-3600

Hertz Rent A Car
Hilton of Santa Fe, 100 Sandoval, (505)-982-1844
Municipal Airport, (505) 471-7189
1-800-654-3131

Sears Car Rental
505-984-8038

Thrifty Car Rental
2721 Cerrillos Road
(505) 474-3365; 1-800-367-2277

VISITOR INFORMATION

Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sweeney Center
201 W. Marcy St.
Santa Fe, NM 87501-0909
505-984-6760; 800-777-2489

CREDIT CARDS

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and other credit cards are generally accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. Call ahead to make sure your preferred method of payment is accepted in the establishment you are visiting.

VISAS, PASSPORTS, AND FOREIGN VISITOR ASSISTANCE

Foreign visitors entering the United States must have a valid passport. Some visitors will require a visa, which must be issued at an U.S. embassy consulate before travel to the U.S. Please check with the closest U.S. embassy or consulate, or with your travel agent, to determine if you need a visa.

International visitors can receive special assistance at the Santa Fe Council on International Relations, which is located in Room 281 at La Fonda Hotel. Their telephone number is 505-982-4931. Information via mail can also be received by writing PO Box 1223, Santa Fe, NM, 87504-1223.

Foreign currency exchange services are available at The Bank of America, Santa Fe, 1234 St. Michael's Dr. 505-471-1234.

Japanese visitors can contact the Santa Fe Japan Connection for tours and interpretation services. They can be reached at 3048 Cliff Palace, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or by calling 505-471-9022.