• What is ISCB?
• What is the ISMB conference?
• Who are the ISMB 2022 Conference Chairs?
• Who do I contact for information on the conference?
• Where will the conference be held?
• Where can I find details about ISMB's health and safety protocols?
• What are the conference hotels?
• Can I park at the conference hotels?
• Can I ship materials or items to the hotel?
• Are Children allowed at the conference?
• I need childcare during ISMB - who should I contact?
• Do you have a Personal Consideration Room?
• Are Guests of Attendees allowed to attend ISMB?
• Where is Madison?
• Do I need a visa to visit United States?
• What is the Madison Airport called?
• What is local Time Zone?
• What is the Electrical Current?
• Long-distance calls to Madison?
• What language will the conference sessions and materials be presented?
• What is Madison's Climate?
• Where can I find medical information?
• What can I do to ensure my personal safety?
• What is the custom on Tipping
• What is the currency?
• How can I pay to register for ISMB?
• How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
• Where do I register when I arrive?
• What should I do if I lose something?
• What sightseeing opportunities are available in Madison?

Q: What is ISCB?
A: The International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) is the parent organization of the annual conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB). The ISCB is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of living systems through computation. The ISCB communicates the significance of our science to the larger scientific community, governments, and the public at large. The ISCB serves a global membership by impacting government and scientific policies, providing high quality publications and meetings, and through distribution of valuable information about training, education, employment and relevant news from related fields. ISCB membership offers many benefits including reduced conference registration fees to several high impact events and reduced subscription prices for a selection of journals of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. Members are from more than 50 countries and include over 800 students and nearly 500 post doctoral researchers. A member's meeting and a meeting of the Board of Directors for the Society are held annually in conjunction with the ISMB conference.
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Q: What is the ISMB conference?
A: Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB) is the annual meeting of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB). Over the years the ISMB conference has grown to become the largest bioinformatics conference in the world. The ISMB conferences provide a multidisciplinary forum for disseminating the latest developments in bioinformatics. ISMB brings together scientists from computer science, molecular biology, mathematics, and statistics. Its principal focus is on the development and application of advanced computational methods for biological problems.

Learn more about ISMB 2022 at https://www.iscb.org/ismb2022-general/about-us 
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Q: Who are the ISMB 2022 Conference Chairs?
A: The conference Co-chairs for ISMB 2022 are:

Honorary Chair: Keith Dunker, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University, School of Medicine, United States
Conference Co-chair: Iddo Friedberg, Iowa State University, United States
Conference Co-chair: Mona Singh, Princeton University, United States

Conference Chairs biographies and details are available here.

Q: Who do I contact for information on the conference?
A: You can get information on the conference from:

Steven Leard, ISMB Conference Director
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Q: Where will the conference be held?
A: The conference will be held at the Monona Terrace Convention Centre

One John Nolen Drive
Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 53703

Access by foot is best via 3 West Wilson Street or if staying at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace via the skywalk.

Maps, Directions and Parking details are available at:
https://www.mononaterrace.com/directions-and-parking/
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Q: Where can I find details about ISMB's health and safety protocols?
A: The safety of conference participants is ISCB’s top priority, and we believe the most effective way to ensure the safety of all attendees is for them to be vaccinated and boosted if eligible and able against COVID-19. Please note that proof of vaccination will be required for all in-person conference participants prior to traveling to Madison, WI, USA.

For full details on the ISMB's Health and Safety Protocols visit: https://www.iscb.org/ismb2022-general/health-and-safety

Q: What is the conference hotel?
A: The ISMB organizers through ISMB's official housing partner, Destination Madison, have reduced hotel rates for your trip to Madison and ISMB 2022. Full details on booking are available at:
https://www.iscb.org/ismb2022-general/hotels
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Q: Where can I park my vehicle?
A: Parking should be available at your hotel and you should check directly with your hotel for parking fees. In addition parking is available at the Monona Terrace Convention Center:
https://www.mononaterrace.com/directions-and-parking/
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Q: Can I ship materials or items to the hotel?
A: Please check with your hotel directly - please note there may be hotel charges to you for receiving and handling your shipping requirements. Conference hotels are shown at:
https://www.iscb.org/ismb2022-general/hotels 
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Q: Are Children allowed at the conference?
A: ISCB conferences are professional events. Children of registered ISCB conference attendees are welcome to attend the conference with their parent or guardian, as long as younger children are under the supervision of a parent or guardian at all times. Parents or guardians may bring children to educational events provided the child does not disrupt the event.
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Q: Who should I contact about childcare?
A: A number of options may be available to you through the following organizations. Please note these organizations are independent of ISCB and the ISMB conference.

Lodgic Kids Camp - www.lodgickidscamp.org/madison-wi
Lodgic Kids Camp provides a play-based curriculum geared to the age of each child. Each classroom is staged for learning with attractive, age-appropriate, authentic, and open-ended learning materials.
Located 3 miles (10 – 15 minute drive, depending on traffic) from Monona Terrace.

Monroe Street Arts Center - visit: www.monroestreetarts.org
Monroe Street Arts Center is a community school of the arts located in the dynamic Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood in Madison. The Center has been making the arts come alive for children by providing high-quality instruction for all ages.
Located 2.5 miles (approx. 10 minute drive) from Monona Terrace.

RecWell at UW-Madison - visit www.recwell.wisc.edu/summercamp
RecWell summer day camp features recreational activities and on and off-campus field trips with partners including Outdoor UW, Babcock Hall Dairy Store, science labs, and more for 10 one-week sessions providing a supportive and enjoyable environment for children ages 5-12. Programs require pre-registration.
The Nicholas Recreation Center offers the opportunity to purchase day passes for $10 a day. Details can be found at: https://recwell.wisc.edu/memberships/
Located approximately 1 mile (10 minute drive) from Monona Terrace.

Madison Mom has created a guide by category and age for Summer Camp options available in the Madison area. Discover local options for children here: www.madisonmom.com/madison-area-summer-camp-guide

Please note that it is the responsibility of the parent(s) and guardians requesting child care services to screen caregivers and to make a determination as to the appropriateness of the caregiver. ISCB does not screen childcare services and assumes no responsibility or liability with respect to these services.
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Q: Do you have a Personal Consideration Room?
A private room is available during the conference for nursing mothers and others with sensitive personal needs. Staff at the registration desk will direct you to the room. Please note that this room is not staffed and contains tables, chairs, and a waste basket. A restroom is located nearby.
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Q: Are Guests of Attendees allowed to attend ISMB?
A: ISCB allows guests (defined as a non-scientist family member or non-scientist friend) of registered attendees. If you are a registered delegate who would like a non-scientist family member or friend to see your invited talk or poster presentation, please visit the registration desk to obtain a guest badge. Guests must provide proof of vaccination at the registration desk as per the ISMB Health and Safety Protocols.

Guests are charged a fee for any meal function they are attending and can be purchased at the registration desk where they will receive a ticket for entry.

Please note: All guest badges must be requested onsite at the registration desk and are required for attendance at the ISMB conference.
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Q: Is there a policy about Alcohol and Smoking at ISMB?
Alcohol: Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beer, and soft drinks may be offered during the meeting. Alcoholic beverages will be distributed per the laws and regulations of the country where the event is being held and may only be allowed in specific areas.

Smoking and Use of Tobacco: ISCB conference are tobacco and vaping-free events. Smoking, and use of tobacco is permitted only in designated areas outside of the venue. Tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, are not permitted in the conference or at conference events.
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Q: Where is Madison, Wisconsin?
A: Madison is located in the center of Dane County in south-central Wisconsin, 77 miles (124 km) west of Milwaukee and 122 miles (196 km) northwest of Chicago.

Learn more about Madison at: https://www.cityofmadison.com/visit-play
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Q: Do I need a visa to visit the United States?
A: International travelers should check with the United States of America diplomatic representative in their home country to confirm status of entry to the USA. IMPORTANT: If you require a visa to attend the conference please allow 3 - 4 months for processing. Details on entering the USA can be found at:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
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Q: Madison Airport
A: The Madison Airport is Dane County Regional Airport, also known as Truax Field, is a civil-military airport located 7 miles northeast of Downtown Madison.

Learn more about the airport at: https://www.msnairport.com

Options to fly to Chicago O'Hare (ORD); Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, (MKE); Minneapolis−Saint Paul (MSP) and to drive or shuttle to Madison may be a consideration.

Shuttle options include:

• ORD to UW | Van Galder
• MKE to UW | Badger Bus
• MSP to UW | Metro Transit + Megabus Minneapolis or St. Paul depending on the stop selected

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Q: What is the local Time Zone?
A: Madison is in the Central Time Zone - to see the current time and weather visit:
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/usa/madison
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Q: What is the Electrical Current?
A: The normal electric current in the United States is 120 volts AC in 60 cycles. Plugs and sockets may differ from those in other parts of the world, so travelers should bring adapters or transformers for electrical appliances such as hairdryers and shavers. A diagram of the most common plugs and sockets is available at: http://www.eurocom.com/support/plugs.htm
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Q: Calling Madison?
A: Information on calling from your country can be found at: www.countrycallingcodes.com
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Q. In what language will the conference sessions and materials be presented?
A. All conference presentations and materials will be presented in English.
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Q: What is the climate?
A: Weather in Madison Wisconsin, United States can see daily high temperatures around 82°F, rarely falling below 73°F or exceeding 90°F. Daily low temperatures are around 63°F, rarely falling below 53°F or exceeding 72°F.

Keep an eye on the weather at: https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/madison/53715/weather-forecast/331530
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Q: Where can I find medical information?
A: In all cases, except for emergencies, look in the phone book provided in your hotel or with the front desk. In case of an emergency requiring ambulance, fire or police dial 911.
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Q: What can I do to ensure my personal safety?
A: Emergency phone calls Dial 911 for emergency assistance from police, fire, ambulance etc. If you are unfamiliar with the city check with the hotel front desk to enquire about restaurants, tourist venues, etc. Use the hotel safe to store valuables including laptops, cameras, important papers that you may not be using.
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Q: What is the custom on tipping?
A: A gratuity is generally not included in bills (unless added automatically for group dining) - as a general guideline tips are provided for meals, taxi and hotel bellman. The general rule of thumb for tipping is 12% - 18% and a dollar a bag for bellman.
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Q: What is the currency?
A: The monetary unit is the United States dollar ($).
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Q: How can I pay to register for ISMB?
A: Delegates can pay on-line using the following credit cards or mail in a Check. Accepted credit cards are: Mastercard, Visa and American Express.
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Q: How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
A: Options to get to the hotel from the airport vary. Check your hotel's website for details on hotel shuttle service. Alternately Madison Metro Transit, Taxi and Ride Share can be options. Visit the Airports website for locations and a listing of shuttles, etc at: https://www.msnairport.com/parking_transportation/ground_transportation

For Madison Metro Transit planning visit: https://www.cityofmadison.com/metro
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Q: Where do I register when I arrive?
A: Conference Registration is available from Sunday, July 10 to Thursday, July 14.

The Conference Registration Desk is located at the Monona Terrace Convention Center on Level 4 (the Meeting Room and Terrace Level). The desk is available:

Q: What should I do if I lose something at the conference venue?
A: Please check with the conference registration desk located on Level 4 (Meeting room and Terrace Level) as Lost and Found items can be left with the desk staff.
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Q: What sightseeing opportunities are available in Madison?
A: Vibrant and unexpected. Where tradition meets innovation. Free thinking and free speech. Bucky the Badger and bucking the trends. Downtown Madison is a complex and wonderful part of our community. Always evolving and never boring. Set on an isthmus between two scenic lakes and centered around the Wisconsin State Capitol, there’s always something to do.

Learn more about things to do in Madison at: https://www.iscb.org/ismb2022-general/madison-tourism
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