Request for Bids to Host the 16th ICHA

 Request for Bids to Host the 16th ICHA Scientists and organizations who will serve as local hosts, including evidence of their prior expertise in the organization and financial management of similar‐sized international conferences. The Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (www.cibnor.mx) and the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas‐IPN (www.cicimar.ipn.mx), both located in La Paz, B.C.S. Mexico have been doing marine research for more than 30 years. Both institutions offer graduate studies for masters and doctors of science. Researchers of CIBNOR and CICIMAR‐IPN have been working with phytoplankton studies for more than 20 years, these studies have focused basically on the ecology of HAB species in different regions of the Gulf of California and the Mexican Pacific. Many studies have also been done in other topics such as ecophysiology and life cycle of HAB species, toxin detection (by HPLC and mouse bioassay), molecular probes, bioassays, mitigation. Most of the work has been focused in the paralytic toxin producer dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum, however studies have also been done in Prorocentrum lima, Alexandrium spp., Chattonella spp., Pseudo‐Nitzschia spp., Noctiluca scintillans, cianophytes, among others. Both institutions have participated in the monitoring of HAB in the region together with Government Agencies to establish closure of local fisheries. The proposed members of the Local Organizing Committee are: Dr. José Bustillos Guzmán (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, jose04@cibnor.mx), Dr. Christine J. Band S. (Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas‐IPN, cjband@yahoo.com), Dr. José L. Peña (Dirección General de Educación en Ciencia y Tecnología del Mar), Dr. Ernesto García Mendoza (Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada), Dr. Sonia Quijano Scheggia (Universidad de Colima), Dr. David López Cortés (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste), M.C. Ismael Gárate Lizárraga (Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas‐IPN), Dr. José Ake (Universidad Veracruzana), Dr. Francisco Hernández Sandoval (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste), BM Erick Núñez Vázquez (INCODE), M. C. D. Alejandra Torres Ariño (Universidad del Mar). Our experience in organizing similar‐sized conferences is limited. Members of the local organizing committee have participated in the organization of regional and international events such as the IX International Meeting of the Mexican Society of Planktology (April, 2009, La Paz, BC.S., 120 persons); First Workshop of Harmful Algae Blooms (La Paz, B.C.S., 2005, 20 persons); Second Workshop of Harmful Algae Blooms (Ensenada, B.C. 2007, 50 persons); and the Third Workshop of Harmful Algae Blooms (Acapulco, Gro. 2009, 70 persons). We are also proposing the collaboration with the Company Intermeeting who have organized National and International Meetings of different capacity (from 50 to 9000 persons) (www.intermeeting.com.mx). 1 Description of the meeting venue and capacity of meeting space for a 5‐day meeting, including a plenary room, 2 rooms for simultaneous sessions and several small rooms for administrative use and other necessities. The proposed Venue for the Event is the GRAND FARO LOS CABOS. This venue has meeting rooms of different capacities. There is a plenary room with a capacity of 1000 persons, five rooms with a capacity from 100 to 500 persons, and 5 smaller rooms for administrative and other uses. There is also an area for exhibition of posters. Availability of accommodations at a range of costs, including the number of rooms, distance from the meeting location, and room costs for high and low seasons. If university residence or other inexpensive accommodation is available for students, this will be considered favorably. • The venue GRAND FARO LOS CABOS is located 15 minutes from the Airport and 5 minutes from the city of San Jose del Cabo, it is easily reachable from almost anywhere in town. It has 330 rooms and the costs per persons in single room (all inclusive) ranges from $190.30 USD (low season) to $196.90 USD (high season).The cost per person in double room is $126.50 USD (low season) and $130.90 USD (high season). • Posada Real Los Cabos is just 5‐min walking from the venue. It has 100 rooms and the costs per persons in single room (all inclusive) ranges from $130.00 USD (low season) to $143.00 USD (high season).The cost per person in double room is $90.00 USD (low season) and $100.00 USD (high season). • Suites Las Palmas is located at only 1.5 km away from the venue. It has 60 rooms and the costs per persons in single room ranges from $87.00 USD (low season) to $92.00 USD (high season), and the cost per person in double room is $43.50 USD (low season) and $46.00 USD (high season). • THERE ARE SEVERAL other HOTEL OPTIONS WITH LOWER RATES FOR STUDENTS, NEARBY. Distance of meeting and lodging facilities from major airport(s) and cost of transportation between airport and meeting and lodging facilities. The venue is located just 15 minutes from the Airport. All hotels are at a distance of the airport of 10 – 20 minutes by taxi or shuttle. The transportation cost (airport‐hotel) is from $15.00 USD to $36.00 USD per/person. Availability of local public transportation. There are buses, taxis, shuttles, and car rentals. Expected cost of lunches per day. Most of the hotels are all inclusive, but if you prefer to pay your own lunches the cost can range between $20.00 and $50.00 USD/person/meal. Availability and distance to restaurants for lunches. The venue hotel has five restaurants with international meals. Also down town (10 min distance) there are many restaurants to choose from. Expected level of local support and associated funding, including ability to provide meeting space, audiovisual support, and staff support, at no cost to the international organizers. If we occupy 250 rooms at the venue hotel the rent of the Meeting rooms will not be charged. Local organizing institution can provide staff support, audiovisual support, panels for poster exhibition at no cost. Other supports will be negotiated at different institutions (government dependencies, tourist agencies, institutions, etc.) Dates when the facility would be available in 2014. The first week of November 2014 if we book with time. 2 Plans for mid‐week excursions and accompanying persons’ activities. CITY TOUR LOS CABOS $ 94.00 USD. P/P. 8:30 AM– 12:30 PM Minimum 6 Pax/Maximum100 Pax Tour in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Jesuit missions (built in the eighteenth century), glass‐blowing factory, the Navy, and Golf fields. Includes: Round trip transportation, professional tour guide & bottled water. TODO SANTOS $ 90.00 USD. P/P. 8:30 AM– 2:30 PM. Minimum 6 Pax/Maximum80 Pax Visit this beautiful Mexican town built around 1700, walk through its streets and enjoy the art galleries and samples of our culture, also visit the famous Hotel California, where the famous music band “The Eagles” was inspired to compose the famous song with the same name. In the way back you will find endless desert vegetation and a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Includes: Round trip transportation on air conditioned vehicle; bottled water & soft drinks during the trip LA PAZ TOUR $120.00 USD. P/P. 07:00 AM– 07:00 PM Minimum 6 Pax/Maximum 80 Pax On this tour you will know Los Barriles, Buena Vista, San Bartolo, El Triunfo, La Paz & Todos Santos town. Duration: 12 hours. Includes: Bottled water & soft drinks. Round trip transportation on air conditioned vehicle. HAB scientists who would be responsible for editing the ICHA proceedings, including evidence of their prior experience in producing English‐language conference proceedings. The local Organizing Committee together with the ISSHA Conference Committee. 3