The focus of HIV DART 2008 is to assemble clinicians, researchers and basic scientists together to advance our knowledge of the ongoing drug development processes in antiretroviral research. HIV DART 2008 will uniquely blend the areas of biology, chemistry, pharmacology and clinical research to provide the scientific community an increased understanding of the current and future challenges in therapeutics for HIV infection.

Accreditation Statement
Emory University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
Emory University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 17 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The conference program includes sessions covering the following topics:

• Drug Discovery and Development: Viral Targets
• Drug Design: Biochemistry & Mechanism
• Structural Biology & New Drug Development
• Immunotherapy & Vaccines for HIV Infection
• First-line Antiretroviral/Salvage Therapy
• Complications of Antiretroviral Therapy: Basic to Clinical
• HIV/Hepatitis and Other Co-infections
• Assessing the Benefits or Damages of Treatment Interruptions
  
  

• Understand the role of viral targets in the drug discovery and development process
• Identify novel therapeutic agents and viral targets
• Develop improved strategies to reduce or eliminate drug-resistance and toxicity
• Provide insights on novel immunological approaches compatible with clinical drug development
• Develop approaches to eliminate or eradicate HIV from viral reservoirs
• Understand the consequences of co-infection with hepatitis B & C on the management of subjects with HIV infection
  
  

The Conference is open to anyone interested in HIV therapeutics. However, the content of this Conference was developed to interest primarily physicians, clinicians, scientists, nurses and clinical researchers in infectious diseases.

The entire Conference will be held at the following location:

Rio Mar Beach – Wyndham Grand Hotel
6000 Rio Mar Boulevard 
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 00745

The Organizing Committee strongly suggests that you register early to ensure your confirmation, as registration will close when the capacity of the venue is reached. Priority will be given to persons submitting an abstract.

On-line registration is available on this Conference Website. Alternatively, you may download a printable, faxable registration form. Registrations sent via E-mail cannot be accepted.

Payment of the Conference registration fee includes the following:

• Entrance into all scientific sessions, including poster area
• Delegate bag, including abstract book and final program
• Welcome reception on Tuesday
• Breakfasts (3) on Wednesday – Friday
• Lunches (2)
• Conference breaks on Wednesday – Friday
• Gala Party
• Poster Reception

Accompanying Guest Fee
Payment of the Accompanying Guest registration fee includes the following:

• Welcome reception on Tuesday
• Breakfasts (3) on Wednesday – Friday
• Lunches (2)
• Conference breaks on Wednesday – Friday
• Gala Party
• Poster Reception

Early Registration (in US dollars)
Early registration must be received on or before October 3, 2008.
Conference registration fee:  $725
Academic/Government/Non-profit organization: $625
Accompanying guests:  $300

Regular Registration (in US dollars)
Regular registration must be received on or before December 5, 2008.
Conference registration fee:  $925
Academic/Government/Non-profit organization: $825
Accompanying guests:  $400

Cancellation Policies
Please note that cancellation of registrations postmarked on or before OCTOBER 16, 2008 will incur a $50 administration fee.

Cancellation of registrations postmarked after OCTOBER 16, 2008 and on or before NOVEMBER 7, 2008 will incur a fee equivalent to 50% of the registration payment and 50% of the hotel deposit.

No refund of the registration payment, including the one night's hotel deposit, will be issued for cancellations postmarked after NOVEMBER 7, 2008.

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Accommodations have been reserved at the Rio Mar Beach Wyndham Grand Hotel. To obtain the specially discounted rates for this Conference, all reservations must be made through the Conference Secretariat. Rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please complete the registration form available on this website to indicate the room nights you require.

A deposit of US $194.50 is required to guarantee the hotel reservation.  This includes the nightly rate of US $187.50 and a one time porterage fee of US $7.00. Accommodation cancellations after October 16, 2008 and on or before November 7, 2008 will incur a fee equivalent to 50% of the hotel deposit. Cancellation after November 7, 2008 will result in loss of deposit.

Run of House
Nightly rate:  US $187.50

The above rate includes: US $148 base rate (single or double occupancy), plus taxes of 11%, a daily resort charge of 14% and housekeeping gratuity of US $2.50 per night.  Such taxes and fees are subject to change without notice. 

The Daily Resort Charge includes the following services:

• Toll-free long distance and local calls
• Internal Resort Transportation
• Unlimited Use of Health Club
• In-Room Coffee & Tea
• Daily Beach & Pool Amenitites
• New York Times Fax Daily Delivery
• $10.00 Casino Match Play
• Digital Laptop-size In-room Safe
• Complimentary High-Speed Wireless Internet (WiFi) in Lobby Area
• Unlimited Range Golf Balls

Group rate as outlined above will be in effect from December 5th until December 15th, 2008. Extensions prior to or past these dates are subject to availability.

Delegates with special accommodation requirements, e.g., suites, special access, etc., should contact the Conference Secretariat at +1 (770) 997-2484.

Early Departure Fee
The hotel charges an early departure fee of one night's room and tax for all guests who check out prior to the guest's reserved checkout date. Guests wishing to avoid this fee must advise the Conference Secretariat prior to or at check-in of any change in the scheduled length of stay.

Hotel Gratuities
A housekeeping gratuity of $2.50 per room per day is included in the nightly hotel rate. A one-time porterage fee of $7.00 per room is included in the hotel deposit.

Airport Transfers
The Rio Mar Beach Wyndham Grand Hotel is located just 19 miles (35 minutes) from the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU).

The Rio Mar Beach Wyndham Grand Hotel recommends that delegates book their transfers through the Rio Mar Beach Luggage Airport Arrival Concierge. To make a reservation and to take advantage of the negotiated group rate, please complete and return via fax the transfer reservation form.

Roundtrip Cost per person: $60.00

Transfer gratuity is at the discretion of the guest.  To ensure your reservation, please book your transfer a minimum of 2-3 weeks prior to your arrival as December is a busy time of the year.

Driving
If you are planning to rent a car, please find our suggestions below:

• Avis: Open 7 days, 24 hours
            (787) 253-5926
            (800) 331-1084

• Budget: Open 7 days, 24 hours
            (787) 791-0600 - Customer Service
            (800) 527-0700 - Reservations

• Charlie Car Rental: Open 7 days, 24 hours     
            (787) 728-2418
            (800) 289-1227

• Dollar: Open 7 days, 6 AM – 12 AM
            (787) 791-5500
            (800) 800-3665

• Hertz: Open 7 days, 24 hours
            (787) 791-0840
            (800) 654-3001

• National: Open 7 days, 24 hours
            (787) 791-1805
            (800) 227-7368

• Thrifty: Open 7 days, 6 AM – 10 PM 
            (787) 253-2525
            (800) 847-4389
  

Driving Directions: For Driving Directions, please click here.  http://www.wyndhamriomar.com/location.html

Visa/Passport Information
A passport or visa is not necessary for United States Citizens to enter Puerto Rico.
Please check with your travel agent or with the US Embassy in your country about the documentation and visas you will need to enter Puerto Rico. Please note that this information is general and can change at any time. If you have any questions we recommend you talk to your travel agent or the nearest US Consulate in your country.

Electricity
The electrical supply in Puerto Rico is 110 and 120 volts AC, and electrical appliances use plugs that are two-pronged and flat (such as those used throughout the United States and Canada).  If you will need to use an adapter, please be sure to use an appropriate transformer as well.

Currency
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the US and uses the dollar. The US dollar is often referred to as the "peso". All major international credit cards are accepted. Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be exchanged at the Luis Munoz Marin Airport foreign-exchange office.  Cash-point machines accepting major international credit cards, domestic ATM cards and charge cards are available at the Rio Mar Beach Wyndham Grand Hotel.

Tipping
Tipping customs are the same as in the United States. In hotels, major restaurants and nightclubs, services charges are usually included. However, many inexpensive restaurants do not add service charge. In cases where service charges are not included, it is customary to tip between 15% and 20%.

English will be used throughout the Conference. Simultaneous translations will not be made available.

International registrants who require a letter of invitation to obtain a travel visa may contact Informed Horizons directly by email at ajuodawlkis@informedhorizons.com. Please include your name, address, registration confirmation number, fax number and note requesting a letter of invitation. Delegates from China should also include their passport number, date of birth and gender. All letters of invitation will be sent by fax unless otherwise requested.

The Organizing Committee wishes to ensure that all scientists working in the HIV field are able to attend this Conference to the benefit of their future research. Provided funds are obtained, some partial, full, and travel scholarship funds will be created to contribute toward the costs incurred by attending this Conference.

Post-doctoral fellows, nurses, assistant professors, underrepresented minorities, and residents of developing countries are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. Preference will be given to those applicants who are submitting an abstract.

Please send your request for scholarship to the conference secretariat if you wish to apply. You must also provide a letter from your mentor/supervisor indicating your need for a scholarship and a copy of your passport or driver's license.

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For all inquiries relating to the Conference, please contact the Conference Secretariat.

Informed Horizons, LLC
1631 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 4
College Park, GA 30349 USA

Telephone: +1 (770) 997 2484       
Facsimile: +1 (770) 997 2488
E-mail: ajuodawlkis@informedhorizons.com
Website: www.informedhorizons.com