All participants should plan to arrive by July 2 for registration and the start of the conference on the morning of July 3, 2008.

1. VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION
Travel to Jamaica may require a visa for specific countries. Visa information for US, UK, Canada, Commonwealth and other citizens requiring visas, including application form, required travel documents, visa fees etc. is available at: http://www.congenjamaica-ny.org/visas.htm

2. WEATHER & CLOTHING
Kingston tends to be warm in July. The temperatures range between 25-31 degrees Celsius (average 85 degrees Fahrenheit). So light clothing (e.g. shorts and sandals) are useful and welcome. Please check the weather forecast before your arrival.

3. CURRENCY
The currency used in Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar. Many banks and cambios are available for exchange of major international currency including the US and Canadian dollars, British pound sterling, and Euros. It is therefore recommended that you bring Euros, US Dollars, or GBP rather than your local currency. Exchange rates may change daily, so please be sure to check before buying and selling currency. There are two major banks at the UWI campus for your convenience – National Commercial Bank and Bank of Nova Scotia.

4. ARRIVAL AT AND COMMUTE FROM THE NORMAN MANLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT / GETTING AROUND TOWN
On arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport transfer service to hotels will be handled by Jamventure Tours and Services, the official tour company for the conference. We advise that you contact JAMVENTURE TOURS ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with your travel itinerary prior to your arrival so that they can develop an accurate schedule for the transfer of delegates to hotels. If you plan to arrive outside the normal schedule of arrival we recommend local taxis for travel to your hotel such as JUTA taxis.

All hotels are within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and essential services. For travel within and around Kingston there are route as well as private taxis available on and off campus. Major taxi companies include City Guide (Tel: 931 7513, 969 5458, 969 5334) and On Time Taxi (Tel: 968 4780, 968 4772, 929 4060), among others.

5. REGISTRATION
The conference will accommodate limited onsite registration and will only accept credit and debit cards.

Registration commences at 8:00 am on July 2, 2006 at the Undercroft of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus. This venue is located about 500 meters away from the main entrance gate of the UWI on Mona Road and is located at the top of the main entranceway or Queensway. Registration will continue on the following days between 8:00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. up to July 6 with a modified schedule on the last day. See the draft conference schedule for more details.

Please note that NO transportation will be provided by the conference organization to the registration venue on July 2, 2006.

6. THE CONFERENCE VENUE
The conference will be held on the grounds of University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus. This venue is equipped for the needs of the physically challenged individual.

(a) The keynote session and plenary sessions will take place at the Assembly Hall of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus on the mornings of July 4-7, 2008. This venue is located about 450 meters away from the main gate of the UWI and is located at the top of the entranceway or Queensway. See the campus map posted at the venue link for more details. A campus map will also be provided in your registration package.

The Assembly Hall
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Phone: (876) 877 1456; 977 1951

(b) The mid morning and afternoon sessions will be held at various venues located around the UWI campus.

7. GETTING TO THE CONFERENCE VENUES & BACK TO THE HOTELS
All conference hotels are located in New Kingston within a three mile radius of the UWI Campus. We do not recommend that you walk. Shuttles will be provided for transfer to and from the conference site each day as well as for return to the hotels after evening activities. The shuttle service begins at 8.00am on July 3. A schedule will be posted closer to the conference.

8. LUNCH AT THE MONA CAMPUS
The main conference site around the Undercroft will have a food court (Jamaican style!) for the convenience of delegates. Additionally, there are several eating places available at the Mona Campus which serve a rich menu of hot dishes as well as vegetarian food at reasonable prices. A list of these will be made available in the registration package. You would pay in Jamaican dollars.

9. SIGHTSEEING AND TRIPS
Information on sightseeing and excursions will be made available in the registration package as well as on the conference website. Please contact JAMVENTURE TOURS ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) the official tour company for the conference if you would like to plan a vacation around your trip to Jamaica. There will be a desk for JAMVENTURE TOURS at the conference site.

10. HOTEL INQUIRIES
All arrangements for hotels are to be done by delegates. For low income accommodation on campus, please contact the conference secretariat at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it For hotels in and around Kingston please contact the official tour company of the conference – JAMVENTURE TOURS ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Sonjah Stanley-Niaah, Ph.D.
2008 ACS Conference Coordinator
Lecturer, Cultural Studies, UWI