Local Information

Geography: Located on the Potomac River between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, D.C. is known for its hot, humid summers, pleasant springs and autumns, and mild winters. Carved from south-central Maryland, D.C. is bordered on three sides by that state and sits across the Potomac River from Virginia on its fourth side. D.C. is also divided by the Anacostia River and Rock Creek, and one fourth of the District is park land. The city is divided artificially into four quadrants: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest.

Population: 599,657 (2009 - U.S. Census)

Sex distribution: 47% male and 53% female

Cell Phone Wireless (GSM): Cell phone service is available through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, and all services offer GSM technology.

ATMs: They are widely available in Washington, D.C. for Mastercard or Visa cardholders.

Banks: Bank operating hours can vary from bank to bank, but on average they are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Saturdays, banks typically open at 9:00am and close at 12:00 p.m. and are closed on Sundays. However, many banks offer 24-hour ATM service and are affiliated with numerous networks. You may be charged a small fee by using these ATMs (often $2-$5).

Climate: September Average high temperature: 80°. Average low temperature: 57°

Credit Cards: All major credit cards are accepted in almost all hotels, shops and restaurants. Stickers in the front windows of businesses will indicate what cards are accepted.

Currency: U.S. Dollars

Electricity: Electricity is 120 V/60 Hz. Type A and B plugs are the standard.

Safety Phone #: Ambulance, Police, Fire: Dial 911

Language: English is the official language in the United States.

Restaurants: Local Dine-in Restaurants are normally open 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Fast food restaurants usually serve food all day long, and some of them stay open until late at night. Cafes and bars are open all day from about 8:00 a.m. until late at night.

Telecommunications: The international access code for the U.S. is +1. The outgoing code is 011, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). Public payphones are available. For information concerning mobile phone use in the U.S. (telephone transmissions are based on GSM technology), please ask your provider.

Time: Washington, D.C. in September is in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
http://www.timeanddate.com/

Tipping: Gratuities are standard in the United States. It is common practice to tip wait staff, valet parkers, bellhops, hotel-room attendants, and other such occupations who receive only minimum wage (sometimes less) and rely heavily upon tips in order to make a living. When dining in a restaurant, the minimum percentage to tip is 15% of the total bill. When service is good, the percentage can go up to 20%. You may tip as you see fit as well, especially if service is exceptional. If you travel in a large group and your bill is combined into one, expect an establishment to automatically include a larger gratuity in the bill (typically 15-18%). The tip-leaving method is entirely optional. It can be added into your bill upon paying, or it can be left as cash upon the table.

Airports: The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located in Arlington, VA just across the Potomac River from the Nation's Capital.

The Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located in Dulles, VA on 12,000 acres of land 26 miles from downtown Washington, DC.

Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) is located about 33 miles north of Washington, DC.

Important Dates

CLOSED
Deadline for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Abstracts

CLOSED
Deadline for Symposium/Educational
Session Proposals

CLOSED
Deadline for Individual Oral and Poster Presentation Abstract Submissions

CLOSED
Deadline for ECIP Applications

Hotel reservations cutoff date
After August 22: Room reservations at the group discount may be made on a space and rate-available basis

August 31, 2011
Pre-registration CLOSED