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NEXT TASK FORCE MEETING - SEPTEMBER 14 and 15, 2004

The U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced this afternoon that the 12th biannual meeting of the United States Coral Reef Task Force, and all associated symposia, scheduled for September 13-15 in Miami, FL have been postponed due to concerns for public safety resulting from Hurricane Ivan’s projected landfall in Florida this weekend. Rescheduling information will be posted to this site in the near future.

The next meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force will be held September 14 and 15, at the Eden Roc Hotel, 4525 Collins Avenue, in Miami Beach, Florida. This meeting will be held in conjunction with the meeting of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, at the same location and dates.

There will also be a series of scientific, management and volunteer seminars and workshops on Monday September 13, sponsored by the Task Force. Details will be posted on this site in the near future, as will the specific agenda for the meeting.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting. There is no charge, but we request that all those planning to attend register in advance, at www.ces.fau.edu/taskforce. Anyone desiring to have an exhibit at the meeting must register in advance using the above website.

Important information on rooms, exhibits, parking and shipping of materials or exhibits to the meeting follows.

ROOMS

We have arranged a group rate of $107.00 per night for the meeting at the Eden Roc hotel. For those wishing to attend pre-meeting events, the rate is good for September 12th through the 17th . To obtain the group rate, reservations must be made by August 13, 2004 by calling the Hotel Reservations Department directly at (800) 327-8337 or (305) 531-0000. For individuals to receive the Group rate, they must identify themselves as members of the "Task Force Groups" initially when making the reservation. This rate is also available for those attending the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting.

The Eden Roc is sold out for another event on Friday and Saturday, September 10 and 11, when some pre-meeting activities will be held. We have made arrangements for rooms for those two nights at the same rate at the Fountainebleau Hilton, which is immediately adjacent to the Eden Roc, for September 10 and 11 only; those using these rooms must move to the Eden Roc on Sunday, Sept 12, and separate reservations need to be made at each hotel. Reservations may be made at the Fountainebleau by calling 1-800-548-8886 and using the reservation code "USC". These reservations must be made by August 18 to receive the group rate.

MEETING PARKING

There is a public parking lot adjacent to the hotel (just past it if driving north on Collins Avenue). We have arranged with the City for those attending the meeting to use this lot for an all-day fee of $5 per day, payable on arrival. Anyone leaving for any reason must pay again if they return on the same day. The lot is not for overnight parking. Valet parking is also available at the hotel, at regular rates.

EXHIBITS

The Task Force is providing exhibit space for interested parties at no charge. Exhibits may be set up beginning Sunday September 12, and must be removed by mid-day September 16. The "no-charge" applies to stand-alone/pop-up displays, which should be no larger than 6 wide by 6 feet deep. Again, anyone desiring to exhibit or display materials must register in advance at the website above.

Exhibitors needing a table for display of literature or other material will be charged $35 by the hotel. This will include a 6' table and two chairs. There will be additional charges for electrical requirements, for storage, pipe and drape, decorations, special security, labor, water or compressed air. All charges for such services are the responsibility of the individual exhibitor, who must make arrangements directly with the hotel at the email address or phone number below. Electrical needs must be conveyed to the hotel in writing well in advance of the meeting.

SHIPPING AND STORAGE OF MATERIAL

In order to ensure prompt delivery of packages shipped for the Task Force meeting, including displays, materials being shipped should read: "Recipient's Name", Coral Reef Task Force, September 11 - September 17, 2004, c/o Eden Roc Hotel, 4525 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140 Attn: Bruce Granet

E-mail: bruce.granet@renaissancehotels.com
Phone: 1-888-EDEN ROC

Due to limited space, any storage needs must be arranged with the hotel's Meeting Services Department in advance, at the above email address or phone number. Packages shipped to and from the hotel are assessed a receiving/handling fee.

Case/Package (under 75lbs) $ 5.00, ea.
Large Cases/Packages (75lbs or over) $ 13.00, ea.
Pallet $100.00, ea.
Storage $ 10.00, per day

Charges for material will be the responsibility of the individual shipper, who will need to make arrangements directly with the hotel.