Yalta Meeting Participant Information and Logistics Archive

DATES AND AGENDA

September 7-September 9
Saturday, September 6	Early Arrivals
Sunday, September 7	Arrive Yalta Early Evening – Opening Conference Session
Monday, September 8	Core Meeting/Presentations w/Cultural Break
Tuesday, September 9	Core Meeting/Discussions w/Cultural Break
Wednesday, September 10	Depart Yalta

The associated cultural program for those who arrive on Saturday will include an optional all-day sight-seeing tour on Sunday.

During the conference there will also be a cultural break for a tour to the place where Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin divided up the world in 1945 prior to the evening’s opening-of-business session and get-acquainted social.

Full-days (morning through late evenings) are planned for Monday and Tuesday’s meetings, which will include organized and hosted cultural events.

UKRAINE VISAS

Passport and Visa are generally required for entry into Ukraine. For US participants Visas should be obtained from the Consular Office of the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, D.C. or Consulates General in New York and Chicago (as determined according to your State of residence).

NOTE: No invitation letters are necessary for citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Turkey, or citizens of the countries of the European Union for obtaining official, business, private, cultural, or sports visas.
US citizens are advised: please make sure that your current medical insurance has coverage in Ukraine.

NOTE: No visas are required for citizens of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Mongolia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (except Turkmenistan).

General Requirements For Other Foreign Citizens To Enter Ukraine:

1. Passport must be valid 3 months beyond intended stay
   
2. Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
   
3. Visa is Required
   
4. Vaccination - None Required
   

SPECIAL NOTE FOR EU PARTICIPANTS: The ULRMC (local hosts for the meeting) were informed by Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that EU citizens do not need a visa (you simply fill out the form regarding the purpose of your visit before “crossing the border” in the airport).
Ukrainian Embassy (Washington DC) Visa Service and other information about the Ukraine and travel there can be obtained through the link below.
http://www.ukremb.com/consular/visas.html

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

The NEESPI Science Review Summit Meeting will take place at Hotel Yalta, which is a beach resort situated in the 19th century Massandra Park and is within walking distance or a few minutes drive from the city-center of Yalta. A block of rooms has been reserved for the invited participants. An efficient and culturally very interesting meeting is being planned to both minimize the time participants must be away from home on travel and to obtain the needed inputs to the SP with the maximum enjoyment in this exciting place in the southern regions of Northern Eurasia.

TRANSPORTATION

Airport / Hotel:

Upon arrival at the airport you will be greeted by one of the meeting organizing staff, and a special van of the will pick you up and bring you to your hotel.

Airport taxi service is available for approximately $20.

Flight Schedules:

Airlines in Simferopol:
Aeroflot -Tel. +380-652-270022
Aerosweet Airport Office - Tel. +380-652-295842/295484
Turkish Airlines - Tel. 248163 / 295842 Fax 248184
Crimea Air - +380-652-27-2288; 29-5824; 29-5495; 29-5555
El Al - Tel. +380-652-273444/247332
Pulkovo Airlines - Tel. +380-652-29 52 48, Fax 25 81 75

Simferopol SIP Airport Timetable

Note to European Participants (and others)

Flight Recommentations from/to Frankfurt, Germany:

September 6, 2003
From Frankfurt to Simferopol

Flight Number: PS408
Departs:
11:10 on Saturday, September 6, 2003
from Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Arrives:
15:15 on Saturday, September 6, 2003
at Simferopol, Ukraine

Airline:
Ukraine Intl Airlines
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737
Total Travel Time: 3:05

September 10, 2003
From Simferopol to Frankfurt through Kyiv

Flight Number: PS1128
Departs:
09:10 on Wednesday, September 10, 2003
from Simferopol, Ukraine

Arrives:
10:35 on Wednesday, September 10, 2003
at Kiev - Borispol, Ukraine (Terminal A)
Airline:
AEROSVIT AIRLINES
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737

Flight Number: LH3283
Departs:
14:05 on Wednesday, September 10, 2003
from Kiev - Borispol, Ukraine

Arrives:
16:00 on Wednesday, September 10, 2003
at Frankfurt/Main, Germany (Terminal 1)
Airline:
Lufthansa German Airlines
Aircraft Type: Airbus A321
Total Travel Time: 7:50

The cost of this round trip ticket is currently $ 1414 if buying at the Ukrainian travel agency, UTIS.

If you wish to purchase this ticket from the UTIS travel agent in Ukraine, you can call/write him and pay for the ticket with a credit card. His contact information is:

Mr. Igor Kompanets
Company UTIS
E-mail: igork@utis.biz
Phone: (380-44) 247-5757

After you pay for the tickets, you can get your tickets either by DHL or in the office of Lufthanza in your city if Prepaid ticket advice service exists for this route.

FAQ

What is the main goal of the NEESPI Science Review Meeting?

The main objectives of this NEESPI Science Review Summit Meeting will be to review the scope of the Science Plan, including the programs international organizational structure, and to gather suggestions to fine-tune the SP and improve its relevance to and synergy with European, Japanese and Chinese research and operational programs in Earth sciences, as well as to garner support for prospective institutional participants and contributors to this program.

How will the summit be conducted?

The summit will be a highly focused discussion meeting with a very specific expectation of incorporating your ideas and suggestions into the final Science Plan, which will serve to guide the NEESPI for at least a decade. There will be only a few brief overview presentations on Sunday evening by selected institutional representatives during the introductory session (e.g., NASA, RAS, EC, ESA, EUMETSAT, NASDA, etc.). Following this, the aims and scope of the SP will be presented by the key scientists who have taken the responsibility for drafting it, and discussed by all participants.

How many people will be attending and who are they?

The Summit Meeting will be attended by 30-40 invited participants. Half of the guest participants will be internationally renowned scientists who have not been directly involved in the NEESPI Science Plan draft development, who will critique the science questions and research approach. the second half of the guest participants will be program managers and agency representatives who have the institutional and program knowledge and authority to properly represent the research interests, priorities and mandates of research sponsoring organizations (e.g., NASA, RAS, EC, ESA, EUMETSAT, NASDA, IGBP).

Do I need to prepare speech or any documents?

There will be only a few brief overview presentations on Sunday evening by selected institutional representatives during the introductory session (e.g., NASA, RAS, EC, ESA, EUMETSAT, NASDA, etc.). Following this, the aims and scope of the SP will be presented by the key scientists who have been leading a team of scientists in drafting it, and discussed by all participants. If you wish to give a brief project, program or institutional overview presentation, please contact Dr. Deering directly (donald.deering@nasa.gov). The organizers are seeking to make this an efficient and focused meeting; thus, this is not a forum for showcasing specific projects or results. Only a very limited number of non-science plan presentations will be allowed.

How do I pay for the flights, hotel and other expenses of the meeting?

As a “full-partnership initiative” it is anticipated that all participants will provide their own support to participate in the meeting through their home institutions. In the event that a participant is unable to provide their own travel support, and if the organizers deem their participation is critical to achieving the objectives of the meeting, then such individuals should contact Dr. Deering (donald.deering@nasa.gov) immediately to see if NASA might be able to share in supporting the travel costs. Funding for this purpose is very limited, however.

How far is Yalta from the airport?

It takes 1,5 – 2 hours to go from Simferopl to Yalta.

Can I use public transportation in Yalta?

Yes, although the organization committee is planning of providing transportation for the participants for convenience of those who provide their itinerary to the local hosts (M.Zalogin@ulrmc.org.ua), you may elect to secure your own transportation. Use of taxi service is recommended (approximately $20 from Simferopol to the Yalta Hotel).

What kind of currency should I bring?

US dollars or EUROS are accepted at most foreign exchange locations.
Current exchange rate is approximately: 1USD = 5.4 UAH in local currency

Is language assistance available?

The official language for this meeting is English. No formal translation services are being provided. There will be support staff available who will be able to assist with English-Russian-Ukrainian language translation in order help you to resolve some logistical issues, etc.

What is the type of electricity at the hotel?

220V European plugs

Will there be communications/ internet access in the hotel?

Yes. Internet access is available at the hotel, although it is not available in the individual rooms.

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