We are almost there with one month to go for the staging of the 7th ACS Crossroads Conference! The conference programme and schedule are available at the conference website for your viewing. With over 600 participants expected please remember to register online to reduce the long lines for registration on your arrival!

Here’s some important information for your arrival in Kingston:

1. 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, light cottons moreso than linen and silk are useful and welcome.
   
   
2. CURRENCY / BANKING- 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, or use your credit and debit cards. 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 which is a cashless bank but is equipped with ATM machines.
   
   
3. 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. For travel within and around Kingston there are Route / 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.
   
   
4. HOTELS / SHUTTLE - All conference hotels are located in New Kingston within a three mile radius of the UWI Campus. All hotels are within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and essential services. The main hotel is the Jamaica Pegasus located in New Kingston and in close proximity to other hotels being used by delegates such as the The Hilton, The Courtleigh, Knutsford Court, Altamont Court and Hotel Four Seasons. 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 7:00 am on July 3. The shuttle schedule will be posted on the website shortly to guide your daily planning for getting to the conference site.
   
   
5. REGISTRATION - The conference will accommodate limited onsite registration and will only accept credit and debit cards.  Registration commences at 9.00 am on July 2, 2008 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 7:30 /8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. up to July 6 with a modified schedule on the final day. Please note that NO transportation will be provided on July 2, 2008 to and from registration.
   
   
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.
   
   
• 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
  
  
• The mid morning and afternoon sessions will be held at various venues located around the UWI campus.
  
  
7. 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 but major currencies may also be accepted.
   
   
8. 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.
   
   
9. 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 ).
   
   
10. PAYMENT FOR REX NETTLEFORD HALL - Those who have not yet paid for their accommodation at Rex Nettleford Hall should consider the time it takes to mail the payment which should be in the form of international money orders to the conference secretariat at:
    
    ACS Crossroads 2008 Conference Secretariat
    C/O Institute of Caribbean Studies
    University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
    Kingston 7
    Jamaica, WI
    
    If you have not already mailed your money order, please be prepared to pay in cash on arrival at the registration desk.
    
    
11. CAMPUS TOURS and ‘CROSSROADS TRAIL’ - For those who will be staying on and off campus, campus tours have been arranged for you between the hours of 11:30 and 4:30 pm. Have you heard about the ‘Crossroads Trail’ for the health conscious delegate? There is an exercise trail that is ready-made for you! The University’s Ring Road and The Bowl have been traditionally used as a jogging / walking trail and they are available at an hour of your choice or at the designated time of 6.30 – 7.30am which gives you enough time to prepare for attending the plenaries at 9.00 am.
    

SEE YOU SOON!

Sonjah Stanley Niaah
Conference Coordinator