ATTENDEE INFORMATIONBadge Information | Hotel Information | Travel | Visa | Safety | About Guadalajara | Previous Attendees BADGE INFORMATION Your badge and conference information will be provided to you at check-in. Please note that SQF will request a copy of your passport and tourist card upon registration for Value Added Tax (VAT) recovery purposes. Providing this information is optional. REGISTRATION HOURS (Las Flores Foyer) HOTEL INFORMATION The 2009 SQF Conference will take place at the Fiesta Americana Hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico. Fiesta Americana Hotel The Fiesta Americana Guadalajara is located in the economic and financial heart of the city of Guadalajara just steps away from the famous Guadalajara Arches and across from the picturesque Minerva Fountains. It is the main hotel in the city's hotel zone, close to the historical center, World Trade Center, Expo Guadalajara as well as shops, art galleries, restaurants and bars. The hotel is approximately 30 minutes from the airport (GDL). Please make room reservations directly with the hotel. The negotiated rate for the SQF Conference is $99.00 / night for a standard room (single/double) without breakfast. There is an additional charge of $3.50 per day for housekeeping and a $5.00 fee for bellman service per round trip. These fees are mandatory and will be included on your bill. In order to secure a room at the conference rate, reservations must be made no later than September 25, 2009. Please call 1-800-FIESTA-1 (1-800-343-7821). Mexico residents may call or (55) 53266900 to make their reservations. We encourage you to make your reservations early, as the hotel may sell out before this date. After September 25, reservations will be accepted on a space-available basis and higher rates may apply. Please reference the SQF International Conference when making your booking. Online reservations are not available. Click here for more about this hotel and its facilities. Important information regarding Mexican value added tax exemption: International visitors can qualify for a VAT (Value Added Tax) exemption on their hotel bill. In order to be eligible for this exemption, Mexican tax regulations stipulate that you must provide a copy of your foreign passport and your immigration document (tourist card). In addition, you are required to settle your hotel bill using a credit card issued abroad. SQF will request a copy of your passport and tourist card upon registration. While not mandatory, providing such documentation will allow us to benefit from the VAT exemption for non-Mexican attendees and your compliance is appreciated. SQF will hand over all photocopies to the hotel and will not keep any such copies on file. The hotel will keep photocopies of passports and immigration documents confidential at all times, unless audited or subpoenaed by government authorities and will not use such documents for any other purpose than proof of VAT exemption eligibility. TRAVEL INFORMATION From outside Mexico Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city and is located in the state of Jalisco about 1,000 miles due south of El Paso, Texas. Continental, Delta and American Airlines are among the U.S. carriers that offer direct flights to Guadalajara from major cities in the US such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Miami. Flying time from Los Angeles and Houston is approximately three hours.
From within Mexico and Latin America Guadalajara lies about 335 miles from Mexico City and is linked to the nation's capital by highways 15 and 57. Highway 54 connects Guadalajara to Colima and Highway 80 leads to Leon and Guanajuato. The following airlines operate out of Guadalajara's international airport and offer direct flights to Mexico City, Monterrrey, Morelia, Hermosillo, Toluca, Guanajuato, Puerto Vallarta and Tijuana: Mexicana, Aeromexico, Aviacsa, Lineas Aereas Azteca and Magnicharters. Copa Airlines operate code share flights with Continental Airlines between Guadalajara and a wide range of destinations in South America. Transportation from Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) Delegates should make their own transfer arrangements from the airport to the hotel. No shuttle service will be provided. The hotel is approximately 25 minutes from the airport and the recommended method of transportation is by taxi. The cost is approximately $ 15 - $ 20. The SQF Institute and Food Marketing Institute are aware of concerns you may have with regards to your personal safety while visiting Mexico. Please rest assured that we will have your safety in mind throughout the entire conference. We will provide transportation to and from our offsite events, organized by a local Destination Management Company who will be cognizant of VISA INFORMATION IMPORTANT: Please check the visa / passport requirements for entering Mexico before you plan your travel. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are in possession of the appropriate travel documents. Refunds cannot be made to conference delegates who are unable to attend because of insufficient travel documents. Please note that all Americans traveling outside the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. Please visit travel.state.gov for up-to-date travel requirements. US, British, Canadian and Australian citizens do not need a visa to enter Mexico, although you must present a valid passport and fill out an immigration form for tourists and business trips, which can be obtained in travel agencies, airlines or at the point where you enter Mexico. Citizens of other countries should check with the Mexican Embassy in their respective countries for more information about visa requirements. |
