2017 Pacific Environmental Security Forum Admin Notes

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The 2017 Pacific Environmental Security Forum (PESF) will be held in
Anchorage, Alaska from 9-12 May. Below is basic information to help you
prepare for your trip.
1. CONFERENCE FEE:
There is no conference fee associated with the event.
2. VENUE:
The PESF will be held at the Dena’ina Convention Center, located at 600 West 7th Ave. More
information about the convention center can be found at:
https://anchorageconventioncenters.com/denaina-center.
3. HOTEL:
Attendees will be staying at the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites. The hotel contact information is:
Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites
1020 W. 12th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
Tel: +1 (907) 276-0110
Toll-free: +1 (800) 544-0786
You can learn more about the hotel by visiting http://www.inlettower.com.
You do not need to make separate hotel reservations with the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites.
When you register for the event at http://www.pesforum.org, a hotel reservation will be made
using block rooms under an event contract. Participants will pay for the hotel upon checking out
on 12 May. The daily room rate is $69.99 USD/night plus tax.
The hotel is an approximate 15 minute walk from the Dena’ina Convention Center.
The hotel offers a free shuttle to/from the airport, which runs approximately every hour.
1
4. ANCHORAGE MAP:
Please find a map of downtown Anchorage below. You can also download a full version of an
Anchorage map from the PESF web site (http://www.pesforum.org.).
5. DRESS CODE:
The dress code for military personnel will be Class B dress uniform (no tie). The dress code for
civilian attendees will be business attire for the opening and closing ceremony, and business
casual the rest of the week.
There will be an icebreaker session on the evening of 09 May. The dress code for the icebreaker
is business casual for all attendees.
On the afternoon of 10 May, an outdoor site visit is planned. It is recommended that all
participants be prepared to be outside, with moderate walking. Temperatures could be cold, and
the chance of rain is possible. Please be prepared for the elements and dress accordingly to stay
warm and dry.
2
6. CLIMATE:
By May, spring weather has arrived in Anchorage. The snow is usually gone, and the
temperature seldom goes below freezing. The average high temperature in Anchorage for the
month of May is 13°C/56°F, while the average low is 4°C/40°F.
Sunrise while you are in Anchorage will be near 0520 each morning, while sunset will be near
2230 in the evening. The average rainfall for May is 0.7-in (18-mm).
7. TRANSPORTATION:
a) Arrival
You will clear customs and immigration at your first entry point to the United States (ex.
Honolulu, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco or Los Angeles).
Step 1: Disembark the aircraft and follow signs leading to Passport Control and the Baggage
Hall.
Step 2: Present your passport and arrival card at the immigration counter.
Step 3 (First Entry Point = US Mainland): If your first entry point is the United States
Mainland (ex. Seattle or Los Angeles), then please proceed to your next domestic flight gate
to continue to Anchorage. (Please note: Some US Mainland airports may require a Customs
baggage inspection before proceeding to Anchorage. If this is the case, then proceed to
Customs and re-check your bags with the appropriate airline.)
Step 3 (First Entry Point = Alaska): If arriving on a direct international flight to Anchorage,
then proceed to the Baggage Hall in the North Terminal. You can verify the baggage
carousel number of your flight on the Baggage Claim Flight Board.
Step 4: After you have your baggage, proceed through the Customs inspection. If you have
nothing to declare, use the exit stating “Nothing to Declare.”
Step 5: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), http://dot.state.ak.us/anc/ has
two terminals. The South Terminal primarily supports domestic flights, and the North
Terminal supports international flights. Please take note of which terminal you arrive.
3
Upon arrival, proceed to the Baggage Claim Area/Arrival Hall. A PESF representative in a
U.S. military representative will be holding a “PESF” sign. Please identify this
representative, and he/she will guide you to the Inlet Towers hotel shuttle.
Step 6: Please take the free hotel shuttle to the Inlet Tower property.
b) Departure
At the conclusion of the PESF, all participants will take the free hotel shuttle to the Ted Stevens
International Airport. The return trip to the airport will take approximately 20-30 minutes,
depending on traffic. It is recommended that all passengers arrive at the airport between 2-3
hours before their scheduled departure time.
Upon arrival at the Ted Stevens International Airport, passengers will check luggage and receive
a boarding pass, undergo security inspection, go through passport control, proceed to your gate,
and wait to board.
8. REGISTRATION TABLE: Participants should register at the Dena’ina Convention Center
PESF desk on the first day of the Forum. Participants will be issued an ID and a PESF packet
upon payment of the registration fee (see Section 1). The ID’s are to be worn while in
attendance at all PESF activities. The ID also includes a numbered sticker, which will indicate a
work group assignment for the week.
9. SETTLING ACCOUNTS: All bills, including in-room telephone calls, mini-bar, laundry
and room service, are the participant’s responsibility and must be settled prior to departure. The
hotel accepts all major credit cards. The daily room rate is $69.99 USD/night plus tax.
10. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: American electricity is 110 volts. The most common outlet in
Anchorage is shown below.
11. DIET: Please let the PESF staff know of any dietary requirements. Halal and
vegetarian meals will be available at the Forum.
12. SITE VISIT: On Day 2 of the forum, a site visit will be offered. There will
be a bus ride to the site.
Please advise if there are any physical disabilities which will prevent you from participating.
Participants will be given time to change into more casual clothing for the site visit.
4
13. SPECIAL NEEDS: Please advise the organizing staff of any special needs or disabilities.
Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but not in the hotel rooms.
14. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Arrangements will be made for medical care by specialists at
the participant’s own expense. Participants are advised to procure their own medical
insurance/coverage for themselves and their travelling partners.
15. BANKING: The currency of America is the U.S Dollar (USD). Please check an online
currency converter to get the most current rate (http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter). Major
credit cards --Visa, MasterCard and American Express -- are accepted at most hotels and
restaurants. Department stores and other large shops will also generally accept all cards.
However, smaller merchants may not accept all cards, or add a credit card processing fee (3% for
Visa and MasterCard, 5% for American Express) to the price of items purchased.
16. SECURITY: For security and safety purposes, only those persons registered with the PESF
planning team will be allowed entry into the Main Room and Breakout Rooms.
17. GROCERIES: There is a local grocery store (New Sagaya City Market), which includes a
deli/bakery/coffee shop, a block behind the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites. The grocery store
includes basic provisions, and is open between 0600 – 2100 most days. The majority of other
stores are approximately a 15 minute walk away from the hotel.
5