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Travel / Housing

FIATA travels to Los Angeles, California – the third largest economic center in the world -- for its 2012 World Congress.  The United States of America is the world’s largest trading nation and the port of Los Angeles home to the largest port of entry for foreign produced goods and a gateway to international commerce.  The city of Los Angeles is easily reached directly from any corner of the world and offers excellent business opportunities.

Los Angeles County represents the “perfect” Southern California climate.  There is no unpleasant season as gentle ocean breezes bring sunny and warm temperatures, with low humidity and little rain, throughout the year.  In October, the average high temperature in Los Angeles is 79°F/26° C with the average low being 60°F/15.5°C.

With so much to offer, what could be a better location for the next FIATA World Congress than America’s Port®, so make plans to join colleagues on October 9-12, 2012, in sunny Los Angeles!

World Congress Headquarters Hotel

Hollywood BI photo

HYATT REGENCY
CENTURY PLAZA
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA, USA 90067
Tel: 1-310-228-1234
Fax: 1-310-551-3355
www.centuryplaza.hyatt.com

The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza will be the FIATA2012 World Congress Headquarters Hotel.  Surround yourself with contemporary glamour and style at this four-star property.  Perfectly situated on the fashionable West Side, adjacent to Beverly Hills, this elegant West Los Angeles luxury hotel offers easy access to all the sights of this vibrant city.  Set on seven lush acres, with the world-class Equinox spa and fitness center and state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities, The Century Plaza has been the choice of dignitaries, celebrities, and Hollywood VIPs for more than 45 years.

Housing reservations open on November 1, 2011 for the special FIATA2012 rate of $229.00 USD per night (plus applicable taxes and fees) for single or double occupancy.  This special rate expires on September 1, 2012.  Click here to make your reservations TODAY!


FIATA2012’s official Congress venue offers:

  • 726 recently renovated guestrooms
  • Hyatt Grand™ Beds / iHome stereos with iPod® docking stations
  • Regency Club accommodations
  • Oversized baths with deluxe Portico amenities
  • International Business Center
  • Valet parking / Hertz Car Rental / Sundry shop
  • High-speed Internet access
  • Pet-friendly

Dining & Entertainment

  • Breeze / X Bar
  • Lobby Court & Patio
  • 24 hour in-room dining
  • Starbucks / Pool Bar (Seasonal)

On-site Activities

  • Equinox Fitness Club + Spa
  • Jacuzzi / private cabanas
  • Newly-renovated swimming pool
  • Nearby Public Golf Courses

VIA Rodeo and Rodeo Dr photo


The following information is available for further information regarding the labor/management dispute between Hyatt and UniteHere.

Additional Hotels

The Courtyard Los Angeles Century City/Beverly Hills
10320 West Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
1-310-556-2777
Web site: www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/laxce-courtyard-los-angeles-century-city-beverly-hills/

Courtyard by Marriott Century City/Beverly Hills is walking distance to the world famous Westfield Century City Mall, and half a mile from Beverly Hills.  It is a short walk to the heart of Century City and central to Fox Studios.  The hotel is 5 blocks from the FIATA World Congress Headquarters Hotel, (the Hyatt Century City), 3 miles from Westwood & UCLA, 5 miles from Santa Monica beach and 3rd St Promenade.
The Hotel offers an outdoor whirlpool and exercise area.  Get complimentary high-speed Internet access throughout the entire property.
The Fireside Lounge is open Monday through Friday from 5:30pm until 10:00 pm.  The valet or self- parking fee is $17.00 per night per car.

Room Rates:  The Courtyard Los Angeles Century City/Beverly Hills Courtyard – FIATA Guest Room Rates:
10/7/2012 $169.00 USD single or double occupancy
10/8 – 10/12/2012 $199.00 USD single or double occupancy
Plus all applicable taxes

PLEASE NOTE:  IF YOU RESERVE A ROOM FOR 10/7/2012, THE RATE WILL BE ADJUSTED ON YOU RESERVATION.  THE ONLINE RESERVATIONS PAGE STATES $199.00 PER NIGHT, HOWEVER $169.00 IS THE CONFIRMED RATE FOR 10/7/2012.  PLEASE RESERVE YOUR ROOM THROUGH THE ON-LINE LINK AND THE RATE WILL BE ADJUSTED.

Reservations link: 
Courtyard Los Angeles Century City/Beverly Hills

 

The Intercontinental Hotel - Los Angeles Century City
 (Located one block from the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza)
2151 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
1-310-556-2777
Web site: www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/laxce-courtyard-los-angeles-century-city-beverly-hills/

Room Rates:  The Intercontinental Hotel - Los Angeles Century City – 2012 FIATA Guest Room Rates:
10/7 – 10/12/2012 $249.00 USD single or double occupancy
Plus all applicable taxes

Reservations link: 
2012 Fiata World Congress



Getting to LA

City of Los Angeles photo

Located on the west coast of North America, Los Angeles attracted 4.5 million international visitors in 2010.  The second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles is easily accessible for international and domestic travelers.

Getting to Los Angeles by Air

As the sixth busiest passenger airport in the world, Los Angeles International Airport is served by 80 passenger carriers (including all major airlines) offering connections with North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.  Long Beach (LGB), Burbank (BUR), and Orange County (SNA) also serve the city if you are flying from within California or adjoining states.

FIATA has partnered with American Airlines to offer delegates and their guests traveling to any LAX area airports (Los Angeles, Burbank, Ontario, SNA-Orange County) between October 2 – 15, 2012 a 7% discount off ANY published airfare on www.aa.com for the FIATA2012 World Congress.  To easily access American’s fares and apply this discount, visit www.aa.com to book your flight.  Use Promotion Code 95H2AZ in the promotion code box and your discount will be calculated automatically.  This special discount is valid off any applicable published fares listed for American Airlines, American Eagle, and American Connection.  International originating guests will need to contact your local reservation number and refer to the Promotion Code.  You may also use the Promotion Code when calling 1-800-433-1790 to book your flights, but please note that there is a reservation service charge for all tickets issued by phone.

American Airlines Logo     American Airlines International Partners Logo


Los Angeles Airport (LAX) photo

Shuttle Information from Airport.  Among the modes of transportation available at LAX are airport bus service, door-to-door shuttle van service, local bus lines, light rail, rental cars, and taxicabs.

Super Shuttle offers 24 hour service, 7 days a week to and from LAX and Century City.  Arriving guests will find a Shared Ride island outside of each baggage claim area.  Look for blue vans with yellow lettering marked “Super Shuttle.” Departing guests may make reservations 24 hours in advance of leaving the hotel for LAX through the hotel concierge.  The shuttle costs $14.00 USD each way.  Use the discount code: FIATA to save 10%

A free, frequent shuttle bus connects LAX with METRO’s Green Line Light Rail.  Shuttle service is provided at no charge for passengers making connecting flights between terminal buildings.

Getting to Los Angeles by Highway

Many Los Angeles visitors arrive in personal cars or rented ones.  The major highways into Los Angeles include I-5, US 101 and I-10.


View Larger Map

Getting to Los Angeles by Train

Aquarium of the Pacific photo

The Amtrak Coast Starlight, Sunset Limited, Pacific Surfliner and other routes go to Los Angeles.  The Amtrak station is in downtown Los Angeles.

Getting to Los Angeles by Bus

Greyhound, but did it’s not the only bus option.  Megabus runs to Los Angeles Union Station from several locations and California Shuttle Bus runs between Los Angeles and San Francisco, stopping at hotels and other locations. GotoBus runs between L.A. and San Francisco or Las Vegas.

Public Transportation

LA is home to one of the country’s best public transportation networks, including subways, light-rail, buses and shuttles to just about every corner of the Greater Los Angeles area.  For detailed schedules, fares, interactive maps, multi-language pocket guides and more info, visit www.metro.net.

Metro Rail System

Five fast, easy-to-use and environmentally friendly rail lines offer visitors a desirable and efficient way of getting from one destination to the next.  All rail stations are served by Metro bus lines.

Metro Bus System

Local, Rapid, Express and BRT (bus rapid transit) services are available throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.  With nearly 200 different lines, buses travel all over the region to every major destination including state parks, area attractions and shopping districts.  Many Metro Bus lines provide connections to Metro Rail stations.

DASH

The City of Los Angeles Transportation (LADOT) currently operates the second largest fleet in Los Angeles County.  LADOT’s transit fleet serves approximately 30 million passenger boardings per year, with DASH Downtown offering six quick bus routes throughout Downtown daily.  For more information, visit www.ladottransit.com/dash.

International Travel

The FIATA2012 World Congress has been registered with the U.S. State Department Business Visa Center.
For further information on visa applications, visit whttp://travel.state.gov and click on Visas.

Gramans Chinese Theatre photo

In order to travel to the United States to attend a professional or business conference, many international visitors must apply for a business visitor visa (B-1).  Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of review than in the past so it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.  According to the Business Visa Center with the U.S. State Department:

As a general planning guideline, if a visa is needed, a foreign traveler should apply for his or her visa as soon as possible, and no later than 60 days before the travel date.

Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence.  Since part of the visa application process is an interview at the embassy consular section, early visa application is strongly encouraged.

During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken.  Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer.

Required Documentation

Each applicant for a visitor visa must submit these forms and documentation:

  • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160.
  • A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the United States.
  • One (1) 2x2 photograph.

UPDATED VISA INFORMATION!

Supporting documents, such as a “letter of invitation“, are often useful, but are not decisive in determining an applicant’s visa eligibility.  If you require a letter of invitation from FIATA, you may request one during the online registration process.  The deadline for requesting a Letter of Invitation from FIATA is July 6, 2012.

The Letter of Invitation will be issued by the conference organizers and should be submitted to the embassy when applying for a visa.  Visa applicants should be able to answer specific and detailed questions related to their purpose of travel and business dealings with FIATA and TIA (the U.S. host if applicable).  Applicants should also be able to provide complete travel itineraries and be able to explain how the visit will be funded.  Proof of purchase of an airline ticket is not an item requested by the embassy to document your itinerary for your trip.  No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance.  Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.

Please note that possession of a letter of invitation from a U.S. source will not necessarily guarantee that the holder will receive a visa, and that Embassy Consular Sections overseas have sole responsibility for issuance of visas.  The Letter of Invitation does not financially obligate the conference organizers in any way.  All expenses incurred in relation to the conference are the sole responsibility of the delegate.

In order to facilitate the visa application process for 2012 World Congress participants, FIATA has registered with the U.S. Department of State Intranet Listing for Conferences in the U.S..  Through this listing, registration details might be shared with the U.S. immigration authorities to assist in the immigration process.  However, the conference organizers and/or FIATA will not directly contact embassies and consulates on behalf of visa applicants.

Visa Waiver Program and Requirement for Machine Readable Passports

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.  Not all countries participate in the VWP and some restrictions apply to this program.  Families and groups seeking to enter the U.S. under the VWP will need to obtain an individual passport for each traveler, including infants, since each traveler must present a machine-readable passport (MRP) at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa.  If a machine-readable passport is not presented, a nonimmigrant visa is required.  A machine readable passport has biographical data entered on the data page according to international specifications.  This change includes all categories of passports -- regular, diplomatic and official, when the traveler is seeking to enter the U.S. for B-1/B-2 purposes.

Currently, 35 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program.  The countries include:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

For details, visit the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.htm or call Visa Services Public Information at 202-663-1225.



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