International Conference Attendee Guidelines

2018 Theme: Public Policy for Sustainable Metropolitan Development

The 2018 APPAM International Conference in Mexico City, Mexico, will be held on July 19 – 20, 2018. Join us at the campus of the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). The LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and the Instituto Tecnólogico Autónomo de México (ITAM) are jointly organizing the 2018 conference.

This conference will host nearly 60 sessions and three plenaries built around the seven primary policy areas. Attendees will also enjoy two receptions and generous lunch schedules for optimal networking opportunities. Join researchers from around the world as they share unique perspectives on sustainability and development.

Here is everything you need to know as you prepare for the conference!

Update: A photo ID is required to enter the conference.
Please have an ID with you when you arrive at ITAM.

Airport Travel	Those arriving at the international airport should take one of the approved taxis authorized by the SCT (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes) to provide service at the airport. Tickets are pre-repaid at one of the several booths as you exit customs. Payment by credit card or cash. ATMs are also located at the exit.
Conference Location	Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) Campus Rio Hondo Río Hondo #1 Col. Progreso Tizapán CP. 01080. Del. Álvaro Obregón Mexico City, MEXICO
Conference Program	Browse the Thursday and Friday schedules. There have been a number of updates to the conference program, so it is important that you review the online program for your panel schedule. Use the author index to quickly find your name and session(s).
Dress Code	The dress code is business casual.
Hashtag	Participate on Twitter! Use #APPAM18INTL .
ITAM Map	Please find the ITAM campus map with marked conference locations on page 8 of your program book, or view a PDF map here.
Meals	A light continental breakfast, lunch, and a light reception on both Thursday and Friday are included in your registration. Breakfasts and lunches are located at Palmas Square (ITAM). Thursday's Poster Reception is located at Buidling 5, Libreria Foyer (Bookstore Foyer) (ITAM). Friday's Closing Reception is located at Building 4, Auditorium Foyer (ITAM).
Metro, Metrobus, & Bus Tours	Mexico City has a good Metro & Metrobus network which is inexpensive, but tends can be overcrowded and vulnerable to pickpockets, and is not advisable for travel to or from the airport. Tickets must be purchased (in national currency) prior to entering platforms. For exploration and tourism outside of the city, various classes of buses are available and are relatively cheap, but you are advised to take the highest class available. Many larger hotels also offer private half-day and full-day tours geared especially to foreign visitors.
Parking	The ITAM campus offers visitor parking. The cost is $40 Pesos - cash only, credit cards are not accepted. Parking is self-service and drivers should enter through the main entrance on Rio Hondo 1 to access the parking facilities. The parking lot is in the far left corner of this map (estacionamiento).
Participant Guidelines	Please read through the panel and roundtable guidelines here. Find the poster presenters guidelines here. Please note that the poster boards at this conference are vertical in orientation, rather than horizontal. You may drop off your poster at the Registration Desk at any time for the staff to hang up. You will need to collect your poster by 6:30 pm on Friday - we will dispose of posters left behind.
Participant Presentation Information	Please review the online program for your latest session information. Some panels have changed or papers have moved—the online information is up-to-date. (Please do not rely solely on the printed program book). Note that your session may not have a chair. We are attempting to fill the chairs for all sessions, but if you don't hear from us, please correspond with your session participants directly. Reach out to info@appam.org if you need contact information. If you are a chair, feel free to arrange and run the session as you see fit, with an eye towards maximizing audience participation. You can find Guidelines for Chairs in the Participant Guidelines. Upload your paper or review a paper! Instructions were sent last month to upload your paper for review by the chair. If you prefer, you can email it to the chair directly. For directions on how to upload a paper or for contact info for the participants in your session, email info@appam.org. Not sure if a paper you uploaded is accessible or you need to review uploaded papers? Go to the session in question in the online program, click on the link for the particular paper—if a paper was uploaded, if will appear as a clickable link at the bottom.
Plenaries	Opening Plenary Lecture: Environmental Challenges and Sustainability of Large Metro Areas Thursday, 9:15 am – 10:30 am Location: Building 4, Raul Bailleres Auditorium (ITAM) Plenary Session : Presidential Election Results: The Implications of the July 1 Elections for the Public Policy Agenda,Directions, and Implementation Thursday, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Location: Building 4, Raul Bailleres Auditorium (ITAM) Closing Plenary Session: Metropolitan Sustainability and Mayoral Challenges for Large Multi-Jurisdictional Cities Friday, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Location: Building 4, Raul Bailleres Auditorium (ITAM)
Registration	Please wear your conference badge at all times. You can pick up your badge when you check in at the registration desk: Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Location: Building 4, Auditorium Foyer
Shuttles	Hotels to ITAM: Shuttles will depart each of the four hotels hotels at approximately the following times: 7:45 AM 8:30 AM 11:45 AM Please factor in additional travel time to get to campus since traffic is heavy and unpredictable. It can take up to an hour to get from the furthest hotels, Fiesta Inn and City Express Plus, to campus. ITAM to Hotels: Shuttles will be available on campus to the hotels during the following afternoon & evening hours: Thursday between 1:30 PM – 8:00 PM Friday between 1:45 PM – 6:30 PM To get a ride back to your hotel, please meet at the APPAM shuttle location and find your hotel van. Shuttles will run on an as-needed basis and will immediately return to campus after dropping off previous riders at the designated hotel. If your shuttle is not there upon arrival, please wait until it returns. The last shuttle of the day will depart immediately after the receptions —8:00 PM on Thursday & 6:30 PM on Friday.
Taxis	Taxis are relatively low cost in Mexico City, but it is suggested that conference participants either call for one at the hotel or from a fixed taxi rank (rather than hail a taxi on the street). This ensures that the ride is logged. Private hotel taxis usually do not run on a meter, so it is best to check the likely fare at the outset. Uber is also widely available across the city.
Weather	June—August are the rainy season in Mexico City and you should expect mid and late afternoon showers. Be sure to bring an umbrella and/or light rain wear.
WiFi	Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the conference, though the network may change with your location. If you are able, set your device to automatically ask to join available networks for easy access. The open networks in the conference locations include: BiblioBRB Cafetería Edificio 6 Edificio 8 Plaza roja Salones