Thanks and hope to see y'all next year.

Thanks for bringing the good weather; wishing you all a safe trip home.
Please send any of your photos that you would like to share.

Pre-conference get-together

As previously announced, a pre-conference get-together will take place at the Sports Bar (No. 23 on the campus map) just beside the running track on Wednesday evening May 27th at 7.30 pm.
Tea, coffee, and sandwiches will be free, but you will have to pay for any other drinks.

Do come along if you are here on Wednesday. If staying at Cappavilla (campus accommodation) it will be a nice walk in the evening there and back - it won't be dark until at least 10.00 pm. The Sports Bar is also quite close to the Kilmurry Hotel and not too far from the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel.

Weather

Those of you packing for a short trip may like to know that following a long period of rain, we are at last looking forward to a few fine days at the end of this week. But don't take my word for it. Check out http://www.met.ie/ Anyone coming for a longer trip: just come prepared!

Taxi service from Shannon Airport

Castletroy Corporate Cabs http://www.shannonairportcabs.com/ have offered the following rates which are very good compared to the normal airport taxi rates:
Shannon Airport to Limerick city €34
Shannon Airport to Castletroy €38
(Castletroy includes the Carlton and Killmurry hotels and Cappavilla Campus Accommodation)
Other routes on request.

Contact: office@ShannonAirportCabs.com
(Office) +353 (0)61332266
(Mobile) +353 (0)868252019

Orientation

REGISTRATION

A Registration/check-in desk will be available at the following times:

Thursday May 28th 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm at the Welcome reception (see below)

Friday May 29th from 8.00 am at the Main Sessions (see below)

Cappavilla campus accommodation has its own reception office (open from 8.00 am to 8 pm). If you are arriving at Cappavilla outside these times - just let them know in advance and they will be awaiting your arrival.

SESSIONS

All sessions will be held in Rooms KBG13 and KBG14, at the KBS (Kemmy Business School, No. 28 on the UL Campus Map) Note: Use this map, as it is the most up to date.

INTERNET ACCESS

All participants will be able to use the PCs in the Glucksman Library Building (No 10. on the Campus map)

If you bring your own Wi Fi enabled lap-top, you will be able to freely access the wireless network, ULWireless

We respectfully ask you NOT to use your lap-top in Rooms KBG13 and KBG14 during the sessions

SOCIAL PROGRAM

Thursday May 28th, Welcome Reception:

The Welcome Reception will be in Plassey House (The White House, UL Campus Map No. 14) from 6.00 pm

Supper will be served at 7.00 pm. Drinks and Registration also.

Friday May 29th, Barbeque:

The Conference Barbeque will be in the Stables Courtyard (Next to No. 16 on the Map)

Live Irish music for your pleasure.

On Wednesday - for those who arrive early (no need to book, just turn up)

A pre-conference get-together at the Sports Bar (No. 23 on the map) just beside the running track. Wednesday evening May 27th - time to be confirmed, but probably 7.30 pm.

Car Hire Offer

Budget Car Rental Ireland are kindly offering a 10% discount to anyone who would like to hire a car while attending the conference.
Book any car on their website www.budget-ireland.com/discounts using the following code: SIGMIS09
Pickup must be between 27th and 30th May 2009, but please let me (Norah) know if you need a car before that.
Why not use the Tripmi site to see if you can share this or other options.

At last - the program

You can now download a copy of the conference program from the official SIGMIS CPR Conference website. Note that this program will be subject to slight modifications, and does not contain information about locations, or the social program - all that is coming soon. But please see the previous post on the schedule for an idea.

Getting from Shannon airport to the conference

Kavanagh's Bus is the cheapest option and the only direct bus. Leaves Shannon Airport at the following times: 00.30hr 06.15hr 08.00hr 10.15hr 12.15hr 14.15hr 16.15hr 17.30hr 19.30hr 23.30hr
and arrives at the main entrance to the University in about 50 minutes. Note: You will have a long walk through the campus to the campus accommodation from the bus stop. But this option is convenient enough if you are staying in the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel or even the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel.
A single ticket costs €5 and an open return ticket costs €8. You can book online at http://www.jjkavanagh.ie/

Bus Eireann operates a slightly more frequent service, from Shannon Airport to the city centre, i.e. every hour, at the following times: 08.50hr 09.50hr 10.50hr 11.50hr 12.50hr 13.50hr 14.50hr 15.50hr 16.50hr 17.50hr 18.50hr 19.50hr 20.50hr 21.50hr at a cost of €6.20 (return €10.10)
From the city centre, you then need to get another bus to the University, or UL as it is called locally. This bus will bring you into the campus, but you will still have a good walk to the campus accommodation.

I think it is best to get a taxi; you deserve it after your long trip. The official airport information about taxis (cabs) and other options is useful, as is their link to the Google map. But Castletroy Cabs off a cheaper taxi service.

There is also car rental from the airport. However other web-based car hire options are probably cheaper. In addition, a lot of local people use Enterprise Rent-a- Car phone +353 (061)319200 but it is hard to find information about this on the web.

It is even better if you can share a taxi so why not do this by registering on Tripmi - if enough people reading this blog do so, then it will work. You could also use this to organise the rest of your visit to Ireland. It has to be said that many of our best visitor locations are not really accessible by public transport, so go on, try it.

Booking campus accommodation

Yvonne Clarke of the Campus Accommodation office has asked me to let you know that she can book your accommodation. All you have to do is email her (yvonne.clarke@ul.ie) giving your contact number and time-zone. She will telephone you to find out your requirements.

Room cost is €52 per night (single) including a light breakfast. Each room has own bathroom, internet, etc. A common living area is shared among six rooms.This option is also suitable for couples - they will be assigned two rooms but the rooms all have double beds.

Kilmurry Lodge Hotel

The Kilmurry Lodge Hotel is situated about 5 minutes walk from the University of Limerick and is offering the following special rate to all delegates attending the conference:
€75.00 Bed & Full Irish Breakfast per single room per night.
€95.00 Bed & Full Irish Breakfast per twin/double room per night.
€10.00 supplement per person upgrade to executive room.
Above rates include car parking and unlimited Internet access.

To avail of these special rates please phone the hotel directly on 00353 61 331133 or email gillian@kilmurrylodge.com

Another hotel offer

The Maldron Hotel Limerick is offering accommodation during the conference at a special rate of €65 single occupancy and €75 double occupancy including breakfast. The hotel is 10 minutes away by car. They will provide a shuttle service to pick up and drop off to the conference if there are 6 or more participants. For bookings phone +353 (0)61 436 100 quoting SIGMIS CPR, or alternatively email info.limerick@maldronhotels.com quoting SIGMIS to receive this rate.

Conference schedule

I've received some enquiries about the start time and more so, the finish time of the conference. The official start of the conference is at 9.00 AM on Friday morning May 29th with introductions and housekeeping announcements. Friday's sessions finish at 5.00 PM. Then there is a break before the barbeque (with Irish music) begins at 7.00 PM. (Please note, this is included in your registration fee, so I hope to see you all there.)

On Saturday, we start the sessions at 9.00 AM and finish at 12.30 but I hope that everyone will be able to stay for Lunch, which is included, at which we will present the Prizes for Best Paper, etc. After lunch, at 2.00 PM, Janice Sipior will chair the SIGMIS Business Meeting, to which all are welcome.

Before the Conference, on Thurs. May 28th, we will have the Welcome Reception from 7.00 to 9.00 PM at which a fork supper will be served.

I've also been asked about a pre-conference get-together on Wednesday evening - I would be happy to facilitate that, if there is sufficient interest.

If you feel like staying a little longer, there is a concert on campus given by the Irish Chamber Orchestra with special guest Richard Tognetti on Sunday 31st.

Campus accommodation

The online booking system for campus accommodation is still in test mode. Meanwhile, if you want to book your campus accommodation before that system goes live, please email your contact phone number and time zone to Yvonne Clarke (Yvonne.clarke@ul.ie) of Campus Life Services who will in turn contact you to take your booking.

Campus accommodation will be available

However it is not possible to reserve it just yet - the campus people are installing a new booking system which is expected to be ready at the end of March. There will be plenty of accommodation. Thanks for your patience about this.

Registration is now open.

The online registration system is now active and can be reached from the main conference page, the SIGMIS home page and now from the blog!

Save money by registering early. If paying online that means May 5th. If paying by check/cheque that means payment must be received by April 25th.

Visa required?

Many of you will not require a Visa for entry to Ireland. Check out the list of countries whose passport holders do not require a Visa at http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=8777 .

Special Hotel Rates for three 4 Star Hotels

These hotels have agreed special rates for SIGMIS CPR participants. (All these prices are in Euros):

1. The Carlton Hotel, Casteltroy is within walking distance of the University.
€95 Bed and Full Irish Breakfast Single Occupancy
€120 Bed and Full Irish Breakfast Double or Twin
These rates are per night and include:
Overnight Parking, Wireless Internet Access, Use of Health & Fitness Club.
To avail of these special rates please book by contacting the hotel direct quoting reference ACM SIGMIS CPR.
Telephone +353 61 335566

The other two are:
the Clarion hotel Limerick ~ Ireland's Tallest Hotel and
the Clarion hotel Suites Limerick ~ Limerick's only All Suites Hotel
Each is located close to the city centre 10 mins drive from the University campus.
When booking please quote UL SIGMIS CONFERENCE

2. The Clarion Hotel, Steamboat Quay,
Limerick 353 61 444144
reservations@clarionhotellimerick.com http://www.clarionhotellimerick.com/
Preferred Rate for SIGMIS CPR Conference 28th – 30th May 2009
€95 Bed & Full Irish Breakfast Single
€110 Bed & Full Irish Breakfast Double / Twin

3. The Clarion Hotel Suites, Ennis Road,
Limerick 353 61 582900 reservations@clarionsuiteslimerick.com http://www.clarionhotelsuiteslimerick.com/
Preferred Rate for SIGMIS CPR Conference 28th – 30th May 2009
One Bedroom Hotel Suite €69 Bed & Full Irish Breakfast Single
One Bedroom Hotel Suite €85 Bed & Full Irish Breakfast Double/Twin (each suite includes separate sitting/dining room)

Registration for the Conference opening soon

The registration link on the Conference website will be ready soon. Early registration will be possible until May 5th.

Accommodation options

1. Campus accommodation is the preferred option. I have reserved accommodation on campus for the conference. This will cost € 52 per night (single). Includes a light breakfast. Each room has own bathroom, internet, etc. A common living area is shared among six rooms.
This option is also suitable for couples - they will be assigned two rooms but the rooms all have double beds. With this option, you will have a nice walk to the conference over the scenic River Shannon.
2. B&B (Bed and breakfast) can be obtained within walking distance of the University at rates ranging from €40 to €70 per person. This option includes a full Irish breakfast. May be more attractive to couples. More information later, giving contact details.
3. Hotel: There is one hotel within walking distance. More information later.

Note: All these prices are in Euros.

Registration costs

All registration costs are in US Dollars:

Student Early: $165
Student Late: $200
Member Early: $350
Member Late: $400
Non-Member Early: $425
Non-Member Late: $475

The prices above include 2 lunches and 2 dinners and other refreshments (but no breakfasts), plus hard copy and CD ROM of proceedings.

Remote Student Participation in Doctoral Consortium $50
Additional on-site purchase of hard copy of Proceedings $25

Successful Authors Notified

All the authors of papers accepted to the 2009 SIGMIS CPR conference have been notified through the Easychair system - thank you Easychair!

In total we received forty papers for consideration and accepted 28 (a 70% acceptance rate).

Thanks to everybody who submitted and commiserations to those whose papers were not favoured by the reviewers.

Thanks especially to the reviewers, many of whom provided excellent, detailed and helpful reviews in the tradition of SIGMIS CPR.