Exit this survey

Please read instructions below carefully before responding

The Ocean Optics Conference Planning Committee invites suggestions from the community regarding the feasibility of possible locations for the Ocean Optics XXVI Conference taking place in Fall 2022. In keeping with the customary rotation, the Planning Committee welcomes suggestions for conference locations outside of the United States. To submit locations for consideration, please respond to the questions below by Wednesday, May 1, 2019 (11:59 EDT). The Planning Committee will review the suggestions and will ask contact persons for any further information, if needed. 

Suggested locations will be evaluated based on the following criteria: (1) possibility of securing financial support (facility discounts or grants from local government or convention bureaus); (2) the venue's capacity to accommodate a 425-person meeting, the exhibits and poster sessions, as well as short courses and workshops; (3) proximity and ease of travel from the most convenient international airport; (4) technological considerations (capability of A/V and wireless Internet); (5) proximity and cost of local hotels; (6) proximity of restaurants and other gathering places; (7) attractions such as unique research facilities or natural, cultural or historical areas; and (8) general weather conditions during the late  September/October time frame. 

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP), and it is recommended that websites for hotels and other facilities be used to research answers to survey questions rather than contacting sales staff at hotels. If the necessary answers cannot be found online and it is necessary to contact representatives from hotels and other facilities, emphasize to them that the information is being used for a feasibility assessment, and a proposal is not being requested at this time. In early summer 2019 --  after the Planning Committee has evaluated all suggestions and has voted on a list of finalist locations --The Oceanography Society will issue a formal Request for Proposals. The Oceanography Society will be financially responsible for the conference and will make all agreements with facilities; proposers for suggested venues will not be responsible for any costs related to the conference.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact Jenny Ramarui, Conference Coordinator (jenny@tos.org).

Question Title

* 1. Please provide your name (last or "family" name,  then your first or "given" name)

Question Title

* 2. Please provide the name of your institution or organization

Question Title

* 3. Please provide your email address

Question Title

* 4. Please provide your telephone number

Question Title

* 5. Is there potential for securing financial incentives or facility discounts from the local government or convention bureau for holding the Ocean Optics Conference in this area?

Question Title

* 6. Please suggest up to 5 venues (e.g., conference center, hotels) in your suggested area. For each venue suggested, please enter the following information on a single line in each text box below: FACILITY NAME, CITY, LOCALITY, and COUNTRY (i.e., in the text box for Venue # 1, enter "XZY Hotel, XZY City, XZY Locality, XYZ Country"). The labels "Venue #1, Venue #2, etc." will be used to identify responses to all subsequent survey questions.

Question Title

* 7. What is the capacity of each of the suggested conference venues? The ballroom or theater for plenary sessions must hold 425 attendees (theater style), and the poster session / exhibits area should be a minimum of 14,000 square feet (1,300 square meters). Also include brief information on the number of small meeting rooms (25 - 40 person capacity, classroom set up) available for workshops, short courses, etc.

Question Title

* 8. What is the name of the nearest international airport how many miles/km is it located from each venue? Provide details on convenience and ease of transportation to each suggested venue, including public transportation if available.

Question Title

* 9. Does each venue have access to necessary audio-visual equipment and does it have adequate wireless Internet capability?

Question Title

* 10. What is the proximity, capacity, and single occupant room rate for hotels near each venue? Please include a note indicating whether each venue is a hotel that can accommodate most of the attendees.

Question Title

* 11. Are there sufficient restaurants and other gathering places within walking distance of each venue?

Question Title

* 12. Provide a brief list of attractions (i.e, unique research facilities, parks, cultural, historical, natural, etc.) near each venue.

Question Title

* 13. What are the usual weather conditions for each venue for the month of late September/October? Please include details regarding the possibility of severe weather impacting the conference.

Question Title

* 14. If you have additional comments please include them below.

T