Following, in alphabetical order, is general information about the 1998 AMIA Annual Symposium.

Advance Registration

The advance registration deadline is October 23, 1998. Go to the advance registration form, the hotel reservation form, or for restaurant information. 

Send your advance registration form to:
American Medical Informatics Association
4915 St. Elmo Avenue, Suite 401
Bethesda, MD 20814
 

Bookstore

Is your library well stocked with AMIA publications? If not, drop by the AMIA Bookstore, located in the Exhibit Hall, to pick up issues of JAMIA, the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, the CD-ROM version of the AMIA 1997 or 1998 Annual Symposium Proceedings, archive copies of past Proceedings and Spring Congress abstract books, or autographed copies of A History of Medical Informatics in the United States: 1950 to 1990, by Morris F. Collen, MD. Shop for family and friends from AMIA's new logo products. The bookstore is open during regular Exhibit Hall hours. Save postage charges by purchasing AMIA publications at the bookstore!
 

Buyer's Guide

This useful guide will be conveniently incorporated into the AMIA'98 Final Program, which is distributed to attendees on-site at the registration booth. A comprehensive listing of AMIA Corporate member companies' and symposium exhibitors' products and services, the Buyer's Guide is a service that lasts long after the symposium has ended. Last year, the guide showcased approximately 60 categories of products and services, including Clinical Information Systems, Clinical Software, and Integrated Patient Records.
 

Cassette Tapes

Most sessions, panels, and workshops will be audiotaped. Cassette tapes are available for sale 30 minutes after the session has ended. To purchase cassette tapes, stop by the cassette tapes counter near AMIA registration or, to order tapes by mail, complete the cassette tape order form in your registration packet.
 

Electronic Mail

During the meeting, computers will be available near the AMIA office for symposium attendees to access electronic mail (via telnet). During times when the computers become busy, we ask that attendees limit their use to 10 minutes if others are waiting in line.
 

Exhibits

During the meeting, computers will be available near the AMIA office for symposium attendees to access electronic mail (via telnet). During times when the computers become busy, we ask that attendees limit their use to 10 minutes if others are waiting in line.

Exhibit Hours

Sunday, November 8
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
(Welcome Reception)

Monday, November 9
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
3:15 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday, November 10
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
3:15 pm - 5:30 pm

There's still time for your business to exhibit! Call Dasha Cohen, AMIA meetings manager, at 301-657-1291 for information. Updated information about the floor plan, exhibitors, and future meetings is available on the AMIA Web site (http://www.amia.org) or via fax-on-demand at 800-819-2334 (document 602).
 

AMIA'98 Exhibitors (as of August)
 

Hotel

Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa
1900 Buena Vista Drive, PO Box 22206
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-2206
Reservations: 800-327-2990 or
407-827-3649 (Reference: AMIA)
Fax: 407-448-6034

URL: http//www.bvp-resort.com

The Buena Vista Palace, site of AMIA'98, is located in the heart of Walt Disney World Village, just 25 minutes from the Orlando International Airport. Hotel amenities include nine restaurants and lounges, swimming, tennis, golf, a rental car service, bus service to the airport and nearby attractions, and babysitting. Cancellations without penalty must be made six days in advance. The reservation deadline is Sunday, October 18, 1998.

The Hilton in the Walt Disney Resort
1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32730-2781
Reservations: 800-782-4414 or
407-827-4000 (Reference: AMIA)
Fax: 407-827-3805
URL: http//www.hilton.com

The Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort is located just 25 minutes from the Orlando International Airport and sits directly across the street from the Buena Vista Palace. Hilton amenities include seven restaurants and lounges, swimming, bus service to the airport and nearby attractions, and babysitting. Cancellations without penalty must be made six days in advance. The reservation deadline is Monday, October 19, 1998.

The Grosvenor Resort at Walt Disney Village
1850 Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-2202
Reservations: 800-522-3272 or
407-828-4444 (Reference: AMIA)
Fax: 407-827-6314

The Grosvenor Resort in the Walt Disney World Village is located just 20 minutes from the Orlando International Airport. A path connects the Grosvenor to the Buena Vista Palace, a brief, five-minute walk away. Grosvenor amenities include two restaurants, swimming, tennis, golf, a rental car service, bus service to the airport and nearby attractions, and babysitting. Cancellations without penalty must be made six days in advance. The reservation deadline is Monday, October 5, 1998. See page 72 for a Hotel Reservation Form.
 

Job Exchange

Stop by Career Expo'98, open during Exhibit Hall hours, to use the AMIAJob Exchange. Whether you are looking for a position or seeking to fill an opening in your organization, the Job Exchange can help you in your search. All position openings and resumes received at the AMIA office by October 28, 1998, will be included. To include your information in the Job Exchange, contact the AMIA office at 301-657-1291.
 

Medical Emergencies

In case of personal emergency during your stay at the Buena Vista Palace Resort and Spa, dial "0" for the Palace operator. The operator will arrange for the appropriate medical assistance and/or contact hospital facilities. In-room medical attention for nonemergencies is available 24 hours a day for a nominal fee. Dial "0" for the Palace operator and they will contact an officer from the Security Department. The nearest hospital is East Coast Medical, 407-648-5252. The nearest clinic is Buena Vista Walk-in Clinic, 407-828-3434.
 

MedSIG

We encourage you to experiment with MedSIG, AMIA's on-line medical special interest group on the CompuServe Information Service. MedSIG is carried on CompuServe 24 hours a day. You may ask questions, exchange ideas, post information, and acquire public domain and shareware software. MedSIG contains more than 700 files and has thousands of active members.
 

No-Smoking Policy

Although the Buena Vista Palace permits smoking in the foyers, we respectfully ask that you observe AMIA's no-smoking policy during all symposium events. We appreciate your cooperation.
 

Orlando HIghlights

Orlando offers a wealth of activities and entertainment including unique theme parks, shops, restaurants, adventure sports and recreation, museums, and shows. Perhaps best known as the home of Walt Disney World, Orlando spells fun for both children and adults. Disney offers specially priced two-, three-, or four-day park hopping tickets for unlimited admission to all four theme parks (Click here for more information on discounted tickets and optional tours).

For the sports enthusiast, Orlando is a mecca: golfing, tennis, boating, and fishing opportunities abound. For the more adventurous, there are such exotic options as scuba diving, horseback riding, auto racing, hot-air ballooning, and river kayak eco touring.

After working up an appetite with all of this activity, diners will not be disappointed at the array of restaurants to be found in OrlandoÑmore than 2,300! These eateries span a range that includes award-winning upscale restaurants, themed venues and national chains, and plenty of family-style establishments. Cuisines are equally varied, including many interpretations of "American" to more exotic offerings such as Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Indian.

Shoppers will delight in Orlando's bounty of boutiques, malls, and factory outlets. Indeed, America's largest factory outlet, Belz Factory Outlet World, boasts 170 shops under one roof. Another popular shopping site is the Mercado, Orlando's International Marketplace. Both are conveniently located on International Drive, one of the area's main thoroughfares and the address of many of the area's attractions.

 For more information on Orlando, click here or visit their Web site at http://www.goflorida.com/orlando.
 

Proceedings

The AMIA'98 Proceedings will be available on CD-ROM as well in print. The print version will be published by Hanley & Belfus, Inc., as a supplement to JAMIA, the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Each fully registered symposium attendee is entitled to one copy (print or CD-ROM) of the Proceedings and may indicate preferred format on the AMIA'98 registration form on page 69. Copies will be distributed at the registration area during AMIA registration hours and during scheduled exhibit hours at the AMIA Bookstore in the Exhibit Hall. Additional copies of the Proceedings, print or CD-ROM, may be purchased in the same locations during scheduled hours for $75 plus 8.25 percent sales tax.
 

Recycling

AMIA will provide recycling bins for badge holders in the registration and meeting areas. The Buena Vista Palace will provide recycling bins for all bottles and cans. Please look for these receptacles and do your part.
 

Responsible Drinking Policy

Along with nonalcoholic beverages, cash bars will be available at some AMIA receptions. Please use the bar responsibly. Your cooperation will help keep our events pleasant and enjoyable for everyone.
 

Safety First!

We want you to have a safe and enjoyable time visiting Orlando. Please observe the caution appropriate for any major urban area.
 

Speaker-Ready Room

The Chelsea Room, located on the Lobby Level of the Buena Vista Palace, will be the speaker-ready room. Projection Presentation Technology, AMIA's official audiovisual company, will have equipment and a technician available for speakers who wish to review slides or overheads, set up laptops for demos, and/or need technical assistance. Speakers should report to their session room 30 minutes before their scheduled presentation to set up their computer with the LCD projectors.
 

Student Volunteers

AMIA is looking for student member volunteers to staff AMIA 1998 Annual Symposium tutorials and other sessions in exchange for a complimentary registration to the meeting (excluding hotel accommodations or travel expenses). Responsibilities will include collecting tickets (where appropriate), distributing hand-out materials, changing slides and overheads for speakers, and working the lighting in meeting rooms. Individuals will be required to work an equivalent of three full days between Saturday, November 7, and Wednesday, November 11, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm each day. Volunteers are asked to attend one of the orientation sessions scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.

To apply, contact Dasha Cohen, AMIA's meetings manager, by October 15. Send e-mail to dasha@amia.org with your name, telephone number, fax number, e-mail and postal address, and three choices for each session and/or tutorial you are volunteering to cover. Please rank your choices first, second, and third. AMIA will contact volunteers to finalize arrangements. If you have any questions, please forward them via fax to 301-657-1296 or via e-mail.
 

Transportation

Garber Travel, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203
(800) 816-8747
(703) 807-0307 (fax)

US Airways GOLDFILE: #84680423

AMIA's official travel agent for the 1998 Annual Symposium is Garber Travel; the official airline is US Airways. AMIA has negotiated discounted fares with US Airways: AMIA'98 attendees will receive 5 percent off of First Class, 5 percent off of the lowest applicable published fares with all restrictions, and 10 percent off of full coach unrestricted fares booked and ticketed at least seven days prior to departure. All rules and restrictions apply. If you wish to use your own travel agent, or are required to use your company's travel agency, remember to give them the GOLDFILE number above to receive AMIA's travel discounts. Budget Rent-a-Car is the official car rental supplier for the AMIA 1998 Symposium. Budget offers discounted group rates and is conveniently located on the first level of Orlando International Airport. To book your reservations call 800-772-3773 and ask for convention discount number "U054158." Shuttle bus services are available between Orlando International Airport and the Buena Vista Palace Resort and Spa. Mears Transportation Group counters are located at the curbside of the baggage claim areas as follows: Terminal "A"-exit through the doors in front of American Baggage Claim Carousel #5; Terminal "B"-exit through the doors in front of United Baggage Claim Carousel #8 and Delta Baggage Claim Carousel #14. At the Mears counter, you can purchase your ticket for the van shuttle, which departs every 15 to 20 minutes. The cost of the shuttle is $14 one way or $25 round trip. One day prior to your departure from Orlando, you will need to call Mears reservations at (407) 423-5566 to make a reservation on the shuttle.

Taxi cabs are readily available at the curbside of the baggage claim areas. The average cab fare from the airport to the Buena Vista Palace is $35.

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