iCACGPIGAC - Chile BID

2028 iCACGP–IGAC Conference on International Atmospheric Chemistry SANTIAGO - CHILE Atmospheric Chemistry across Extremes: A Southern Hemisphere Laboratory along the Andes and the Pacific Ocean

Local Organizing Committee

Table of Content About this Bid Executive Summary Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Professional Conference Organizer Scientific Rationale and Vision Scientific Programme: Daily Themes Proposed Programme Overview Scientific Strengths of the Host Community Venue Chile General Informtion Why Chile, why South America Chile connectted

02 04 05 10 12 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21

About Santiago

22

Conectivity, Transport and Visa

23

Accommodations

23

Technology and Hybrid Conferenc

24

Le Medién Santiago - Hotel & Convention Center

24

Website and Registration

28

Budget

29

Inclusivity and Additional Provisions

30

Conference Legacy

31

Appendix with letter support

33

iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · Santiago, Chile — Bid

About this Bid

This bid presents Chile’s proposal to host the 2028 iCACGP–IGAC Conference in Santiago, Chile.

It outlines the scientific vision, proposed programme, host community, conference venue, logistical framework, sustainability commitments, and legacy of bringing the international atmospheric chemistry community to South America.

The proposal highlights Chile and the wider South American region as an exceptional natural laboratory for atmospheric chemistry, spanning some of the world’s most diverse and contrasting environments — from the Atacama Desert and the Andes to the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Antarctic gateway.

With the leadership of an experienced Local Organizing Committee and the professional support of eCongress Group, Santiago offers the scientific expertise, infrastructure, international connectivity, and organizational capacity required to deliver a successful, inclusive, and memorable iCACGP–IGAC Conference in 2028.

3 Chilean Major Landmarks

01

02

03

ATACAMA · EXTREMES

SANTIAGO & THE ANDES · CONNECTION

PATAGONIA · NATURE

02

iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · Santiago, Chile — Bid

ATACAMA · EXTREMES

SANTIAGO & THE ANDES · CONNECTION

PATAGONIA · NATURE

Executive Summary Chile proposes to host the 2028 iCACGP– IGAC Conference in Santiago in early September 2028. Only once the iCACGP– IGAC conference has been held in South America (Natal, 2014), and only rarely in the Southern Hemisphere. Hosting in Santiago directly advances iCACGP/IGAC’s stated goal of rotating the conference across diverse geographical locations, and it brings the community to a continent that is one of the most scientifically compelling — yet observationally under-sampled — regions of the global atmosphere.

Our scientific case rests on a simple idea: South America is a natural laboratory for atmospheric chemistry like no other. Within a few hours’ travel from Santiago the atmosphere ranges across the driest desert on Earth (the Atacama), the largest tropical rainforest (Amazonia), the high Andes, the Southern Ocean and Antarctic gateway, Andean glaciers and the cryosphere, and some of the most polluted megacities in the Americas. Few host countries can offer this concentration of contrasting atmospheric regimes — pristine baselines and extreme pollution, natural and anthropogenic emissions, tropical and polar chemistry — within a single bid.

The conference will be led by an experienced local committee representing several universities in Chile and chaired by Prof.

Laura Gallardo (University of Chile; ViceChair of IPCC AR7 Working Group II; AAAS Fellow), anchored at the Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)² and the Department of Geophysics of the University of Chile, with professional support from eCongress Group, a certified Chilean PCO with more than 15 years of experience running international scientific congresses.

The venue, Hotel Le Méridien Santiago, sits in the heart of the city with conference capacity well above the iCACGP/IGAC baseline and abundant lodging within walking distance..

The full program follows the iCACGP/IGAC tradition: a single plenary track, posters on display all week (in person and online), a strong Early Career Scientists Program, a hybrid participation option, a mid-week banquet and a free Wednesday afternoon with optional excursions both by the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. A central commitment of this bid is inclusivity and capacity-building for the Global South, with significant fee discounts and travel support targeted at scientists from lowand middle-income countries — most of all from across Latin America and the Caribbean.

04 iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · Santiago, Chile — Bid

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Laura Gallardo

Chair Dept. of Geophysics (DGF), University of Chile; (CR)²

Nicolás Huneeus

DGF, University of Chile; (CR)²

Tomás Bolaño

Universidad Católica del Maule (Talca)

Rodrigo Seguel

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; (CR)²

Laura Farías

Universidad de Concepción; (CR)²

05

Yohanna Villalobos University of Chile

Carmen Vega

Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC)

The LOC is chaired by Prof. Laura Gallardo and brings together researchers active in atmospheric chemistry, air quality, aerosols, emissions and atmospheric modelling. The committee currently comprises the members below; the table notes role and expertise.

Name

Role

Affiliation

Expertise

Laura Gallardo

Chair

Dept. of Geophysics (DGF), University of Chile; (CR)²

Atmospheric modelling & data assimilation; megacity air quality and short-lived climate forcers; science–policy interface. IPCC AR7 WGII ViceChair; AAAS Fellow

Nicolás Huneeus

Member

DGF, University of Chile; (CR)²

Aerosol modelling, emission inventories, air quality, remote sensing

Rodrigo Seguel

Member

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; (CR)²

Tropospheric ozone, urban photochemistry, air quality, extreme pollution episodes

Yohanna Villalobos

Member

University of Chile

Carbon cycle, CO₂ flux inversion, atmospheric data assimilation (satellite + in-situ)

Member

Universidad Católica del Maule (Talca)

Atmospheric modelling & remote sensing; black carbon / dust on the Andean cryosphere

Member

Universidad de Concepción; (CR)²

Marine biogeochemistry; ocean–atmosphere greenhouse-gas fluxes (N₂O, CH₄); SOLAS

Member

Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC)

Atmospheric chemistry; WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) observations; black carbon

Tomás Bolaño

Laura Farías

Carmen Vega

The committee already satisfies the requirement of more than one institution — the University of Chile, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and the Universidad Católica del Maule — together with the (CR)² research network, and it offers strong gender balance (chair plus a majority of women). Crucially, its members’ expertise maps directly onto the proposed scientific themes: urban air quality and modelling (Gallardo, Huneeus, Seguel), the carbon cycle and data assimilation (Villalobos), and the Andean cryosphere (Bolaño).

06 iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · Santiago, Chile — Bid

Member biographies Prof. Laura Gallardo Laura Gallardo is a Professor at the Department of Geophysics of the University of Chile and an adjoint investigator of the Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)², which she founded and directed between 2012 and 2019. Her research spans atmospheric modelling and data assimilation, megacity air quality and short-lived climate forcers, with a strong emphasis on the science–policy interface. She holds a PhD in Chemical Meteorology from Stockholm University. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of Working Group II of the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) — the first time Chile is represented on the IPCC Bureau — and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Dr. Nicolás Huneeus Nicolás Huneeus is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geophysics of the University of Chile and an adjoint researcher at (CR)².

His work focuses on aerosol modeling, emission inventories, air-quality forecasting and the use of satellite remote sensing, combining models and observations to characterize atmospheric composition over South America. He has been active in building air-quality modeling capacity across Latin America and in international aerosol model intercomparisons, and brings extensive experience coordinating regional scientific collaborations.

Dr. Rodrigo Seguel Rodrigo Seguel is an academic at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and an adjoint researcher at (CR)². His research centers on in situ observations of tropospheric ozone and its precursors, urban photochemistry and air quality, including the meteorological and climatic drivers of extreme pollution episodes in Santiago and other Latin American cities. He has contributed to the scientific basis for airquality regulation in Chile and to communicating these findings to decision-makers and the public. He currently acts as co-chair of the next Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report (TOAR).

Dr. Yohanna Villalobos Yohanna Villalobos is an Assistant Professor at the Geophysics Department, University of Chile specializing in the carbon cycle, atmospheric data assimilation and inverse modelling. She applies topdown methods that combine in-situ and satellite observations (e.g.

OCO-2) with atmospheric transport models to quantify CO₂ surface fluxes between land and atmosphere. She holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and has held research positions in Australia (CSIRO) and at Lund University, Sweden, bringing international expertise in greenhouse-gas flux estimation to the committee.

07 iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · Santiago, Chile — Bid

Dr. Tomás R. Bolaño-Ortiz Tomás Bolaño-Ortiz is an Assistant Professor at the Universidad Católica del Maule (Talca). His research combines atmospheric modelling and remote sensing to study light-absorbing particles — black carbon and mineral dust — and their deposition on the Andean cryosphere, linking atmospheric composition to snow albedo and meltwater resources. His expertise connects directly to the conference's cryosphere and high-altitude themes and extends the committee beyond the Santiago metropolitan region.

Dr. Laura Farías Laura Farías is a Professor at the Department of Oceanography of the Universidad de Concepción and a researcher in marine biogeochemistry. Her work focuses on greenhouse gases — nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) — and their cycling and exchange at the ocean–atmosphere interface, including the oxygen minimum zones of the eastern South Pacific. She brings a direct connection to the international SOLAS (Surface Ocean–Lower Atmosphere Study) community, strengthening the conference’s ocean–atmosphere and Pacific themes.

Dr. Carmen Vega Carmen Vega is an atmospheric chemist (PhD in Physical Geography) and research advisor at the Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC).

Her work links the conference to the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program and to Chile’s long-term background monitoring — including ozone and trace-gas observations at remote sites such as Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Cerro Tololo — as well as black carbon in the Chilean Andes. She adds essential operational and observational-network expertise to the committee.

08 iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · Santiago, Chile — Bid

LAGUNA ESCONDIDA DE BALTINACHE- ATACAMA DESERT 2 HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

LAGUNA DEL SALAR - ATACAMA DESERT 2-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO VILLARICA VOLCANO - SOUTH OF CHILE 1.5-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

COORDILLERA DEL SALAR - ATACAMA DESERT 2-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

GLACIAR GREY - CHILEAN PATAGONIA 3-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

TORRES DEL PAINE - CHILEAN PATAGONIA 3-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

Professional Conference Organizer 15+

360°

100%

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT

HYBRID CAPABILITY

Managing national and international scientific conferences across Latin America

From registration and abstracts to logistics, financial administration and on-site delivery.

Proprietary technology for inperson, virtual and hybrid scientific conferences

The LOC will partner with eCongress Group, a Chilean professional conference organizer with more than 15 years of experience managing national and international scientific congresses across Latin America. eCongress is internationally certified as a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and as a Destination Management Company (DMC), and operates a proprietary platform for in-person, virtual and hybrid scientific events — directly relevant to the hybrid requirement of the iCACGP/IGAC conference.

www.econgressgroup.com

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE EXPERTISE

INTEGRATED EVENT TECHNOLOGY

Extensive experience in the planning and delivery of international scientific and professional conferences.

Proprietary technology supporting registration, virtual participation and hybrid conference delivery.

END-TO-END EVENT MANAGEMENT

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, GLOBAL STANDARDS

Comprehensive management of registration, abstracts, logistics, audiovisual production, on-site operations and financial administration.

In-depth knowledge of Santiago and Chile, combined with international standards in conference management and participant experience.

10

Services to be contracted include registration and online payment in local currency (credit card, bulk payment, and invoicing/wire transfer), abstract-system integration, the conference website, on-site logistics and audiovisual production, the hybrid/streaming platform, and financial administration with transparent reporting to the LOC and IGAC/iCACGP. Selected International Scientific Conferences Year

Name

Scope / Scientific Field

2015

XVIII International Congress on Mathematical Physics

Global · Mathematical Physics

400

2017

16th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering

Global · Engineering & Science

4500

2018

XV International Congress of Behavioral Medicine – ICBM

Global · Medical Sciences

1100

2018

IUFRO Conference on Forests and Water in a Changing Environment

International · Environmental Sciences

450

2019

Transformations 2019 Conference

International · Sustainability & Climate Transformation

400

2020

1st Latin American Congress of Robotic Surgery

Latin American · Medical Sciences · Virtual

5500

2020

National Congress of Pediatrics and Neonatology of El Salvador

International Delivery · Medical Sciences · Virtual

1050

2021

64th Annual Congress of the American College of Surgeons

International · Medical Sciences

1200

2021

1st Latin American Congress of Pediatric and Neonatal Follow-up – ALSEPNEO

Latin American · Medical Sciences

550

2022

International Atmospheric Rivers Conference

International · Atmospheric Sciences & Climate

300

2023

14th International Conference on Mechanical Behaviour of Materials

Global · Materials Science & Engineering

350

2024

ACM SIGMOD/PODS Conference

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural language processing

950

2024

KHIPU-AI

Artificial Intelligenc

480

2025

I Congreso CIBAL 2025

Algae biotechnology

560

2025

IDF World Dary Summit

Wold Confere of Dary

1250

2025

Latinamerican Conference of Patology

LATAM Medicine Conference

970

2025

Pan-American Regional Course of Ophthalmology

PANAM Medicine Conference

1270

11

Attendees

Scientific Rationale and Vision Proposed conference theme Atmospheric Chemistry across Extremes: A Southern Hemisphere Laboratory along the Andes and the Pacific Ocean The theme captures what makes this bid distinctive: the extraordinary range of atmospheric conditions concentrated in southern South America, and the opportunity to address the persistent undersampling of the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere. It connects naturally to the cross-cutting questions at the center of iCACGP/IGAC science — emissions, oxidation capacity, aerosols, clouds, deposition, air quality, and atmosphere–ocean–land– cryosphere coupling — while foregrounding regions and processes that the community rarely gets to discuss on home ground.

12

No previous host has been able to place pristine baselines and extreme pollution, tropical and polar chemistry, and natural and anthropogenic emissions, within such a compact geography — an asset for the scientific programme, for optional field excursions, and for community engagement.

Closing the Southern Hemisphere observational gap Atmospheric-chemistry observations, networks and modelling capacity remain concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere — with its different land–ocean distribution, distinct oxidation and aerosol regimes, and limited long-term records — is systematically under-represented in the data sets and intercomparisons that underpin global assessments. Bringing the conference to Santiago is a deliberate step toward visibility, partnership and capacity-building for Southern-Hemisphere and Latin American science, in line with iCACGP/IGAC’s commitment to a globally inclusive community.

Cross-cutting threads Four threads run through every conference day rather than occupying separate sessions: ·Observations and emerging technologies — satellite and remote sensing, low-cost sensors, field campaigns and long-term monitoring. ·Models, data science and AI/ML — from process models to machine-learning approaches for emissions, forecasting and data fusion. ·Atmospheric composition, climate and health — coupling chemistry to climate forcing and to human and ecosystem health. ·Equity, capacity and the science–policy interface — strengthening Global-South participation and the translation of science into policy and viceversa.

13 iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · Santiago, Chile — Bid

CONCÓN DUNES A 1-HOUR DRIVE FROM SANTIAGO

RAPA NUI ISLAND 5-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

CHILOE ISLAND 2-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

LAGO GREY, TORRES DEL PAINE 3-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

Scientific Program: Daily Themes Following iCACGP/IGAC tradition, the conference runs as a single plenary track over five days (Monday–Friday), with posters on display all week. Each day carries a thematic focus that, together, traces a path across the continent’s atmospheric extremes — from foundations and cities to forests, deserts, oceans, ice and, finally, integration and solutions.

01 DAY

Monday: Foundations and the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere Opening ceremony and keynote. Fundamentals of atmospheric chemical and physical processes; oxidation capacity; the state of SouthernHemisphere observations and what the gaps mean for global understanding. Sets the scientific frame for the week.

02

Tuesday: Megacities and air quality in complex terrain

DAY

Urban and regional air pollution; emissions and photochemistry in Andean basins; particulate matter, ozone and emerging pollutants; health impacts; and the science–policy interface, drawing on Santiago and other Latin American megacities as case studies.

03

Wednesday (half day): Natural emissions and pristine environments

DAY

Biogenic emissions and secondary organic aerosol (Amazonia); mineral dust and hyper-arid deposition (Atacama); volcanic emissions, the remote troposphere and natural baselines. Free afternoon with optional excursions including locations by the Andes and by the Pacific Ocean.

04

Thursday: Oceans, cryosphere and high latitudes

DAY

Ocean–atmosphere exchange and marine aerosol over the Southern Ocean; the Antarctic atmosphere; black/brown carbon and dust on Andean snow and ice and the link to water resources. Conference banquet in the evening.

05

Friday: Climate, composition and solutions

DAY

Aerosol–cloud–climate interactions; biomass burning and megafires; integrative modelling; mitigation pathways and capacity-building for the Global South. Student awards, Paul Crutzen Award & Lecture, and closing ceremony.

15

Proposed Programme Overview A preliminary daily structure consistent with the iCACGP/IGAC format (single plenary track; posters all week; two coffee breaks and on-site daily lunch; free Wednesday afternoon; midweek banquet). Times are indicative.

Time

Mon (D1)

Tue (D2)

Wed (D3)

Thu (D4)

Fri (D5)

09:00

Opening + Keynote 1 Coffee / Posters

Keynote 2

Keynote 3

Keynote 4

Talks

Coffee / Posters

Coffee / Posters

Coffee / Posters

11:00

Talks

Talks

Talks

Talks

12:45

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

14:00

Talks

Talks

Free afternoon /

Talks

Coffee / Posters Talks + Awards Crutzen Lecture Closing ceremony

15:30

Coffee / Poster session

Coffee / Poster session

—

Coffee / Poster session

—

16:00

Talks / Panel

Talks / Panel

—

Talks / Panel

—

Evening

Ice-breaker

ECS event

—

Banquet

—

10:30

Early Career Scientists Program Continuing a core iCACGP/IGAC tradition, the conference will run a strong Early Career Scientists (ECS) Program open to all early-career participants, integrated throughout the week rather than confined to a single session: Networking events and an ECS ice-breaker early in the week.

Lunch with senior scientists’ / mentoring tables to connect early-career attendees with established researchers.

Skills side-meetings (e.g. scientific writing, data and code, careers, science communication, modelling and AI/ML tools).

Student poster and presentation awards, and visible roles for early-career scientists in chairing and organizing sessions.

A Global-South / Latin American focus — targeted travel support and reduced fees to maximize early-career participation from the region.

Hybrid Conference Plan iCACGP/IGAC conferences require a hybrid option. eCongress Group operates a platform for in-person, virtual and hybrid scientific events, and the venue provides streaming capability and venue-wide free Wi-Fi. The plan covers: Live streaming of all plenary talks, both from and to the venue, with recordings made available to registered virtual participants.

Facilitated online discussion and Q&A, with moderators ensuring remote questions reach speakers.

Online posters displayed for the full week alongside the physical poster hall, with virtual poster sessions and chat.

A reduced virtual registration fee (see Section 14), significantly lower than in-person, to widen access.

16

Scientific Strengths of the Host Community Chile hosts an active, internationally connected atmospheric-science community well able to deliver a high-quality scientific program.

University of Chile — Department of Geophysics (DGF), ·a leading academic community for atmospheric and geophysical sciences in the region, with groups in atmospheric modeling, air quality, aerosols and emissions.

Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)² ·a national interdisciplinary research center linking climate change and social resilience, and a natural scientific home for the conference.

International leadership ·The LOC includes experienced and recognized leading scientists in Chile, the South American Region and the world. It also involves early career scientists keen to contribute to Atmospheric Chemistry in the mist of Climate Change.

Regional networks Chilean groups participate in Latin American air-quality modelling and observation initiatives, providing a ready network of regional co-organisers and participants. Dr. Huneeus is part of the IGAC South American Group.

Observational assets ·national air-quality monitoring networks, high-altitude and clear-sky sites, and Antarctic research infrastructure via INACH offer unique field-science context.

Also, in collaboration with the Chilean Weather Office we analyze remote observations of ozone at Tololo (70W,30S,2200 m asl) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) (109W, 27S, 50 m asl). 7

17

The Venue

Chile: General Information OFFICIAL NAME Republic of Chile

CAPITAL CITY Santiago

POPULATION Approx. 20 million (2024)

AREA 756,102 km² (continental territory)

LANGUAGE Spanish (English widely spoken in business and tourism)

CURRENCY Chilean Peso (CLP); USD and major credit cards widely accepted

TIME ZONE GMT -4 (summer, October–March) / GMT -3 (winter)

CLIMATE IN DECEMBER Warm Mediterranean summer; average temperature 25–35°C in Santiago

ELECTRICITY 220V, 50Hz (European-style round pin plugs)

SAFETY Santiago is one of the safest capitals in Latin America; low crime rates in tourist and business areas

INTERNET 4G and 5G widely available; fast Wi-Fi standard in hotels and venues. Chile has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world and consistently ranks among the top 5 countries globally in fixed broadband performance.

HEALTHCARE Excellent private healthcare available in Santiago; international-standard hospitals nearby

GDP PER CAPITA ~USD 17,000 (2024); upper-middle income economy; OECD member

18

Why Chile, why South America Two arguments anchor the scientific case — geographical diversity and observational need.

A continent of atmospheric extremes Within a national territory spanning ~4,300 km of latitude, and a few hours from Santiago, the conference community can engage directly with an exceptional diversity of atmospheric regimes: The Atacama Desert — the driest non-polar desert on Earth and one of the most pristine, high-altitude atmospheres available for baseline and mineral-dust studies, deposition onto hyper-arid surfaces, and instrument validation under clear skies.

Amazonia — the largest tropical forest and a global hotspot for biogenic emissions, secondary organic aerosol, natural–anthropogenic interaction and biomass-burning chemistry, accessible through long-standing regional collaborations.

The Andes — complex terrain that shapes transport, ventilation and the chemistry of mountain basins, and a setting for high-altitude observations and orographic effects on pollutant dispersion.

The Southern Ocean and the Antarctic gateway — the cleanest marine atmosphere on the planet and a critical, data-sparse region for ocean–atmosphere exchange, natural aerosol and clouds; Chile is a principal gateway to Antarctica through Punta Arenas and INACH. The cryosphere — Andean glaciers and snowpack where deposition of black carbon and dust accelerates melt, linking atmospheric composition to water security in the region.

Megacities and air quality — Santiago and other Latin American megacities face severe, terrain-trapped pollution, providing a living context for emissions, photochemistry, health impacts and the science–policy interface.

19

CHILE CONNECTED

CONCÓN DUNES A 1-HOUR DRIVE FROM SANTIAGO

RAPA NUI ISLAND 5-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

LAGO GREY, TORRES DEL PAINE 3-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

CHILOE ISLAND 2-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SANTIAGO

Santiago: A Modern Capital Santiago, the political, economic, and cultural heart of Chile, is a dynamic metropolitan city of over 7 million people. In recent decades, it has undergone a profound transformation, driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, urban development, public transportation, and global connectivity. Today, Santiago stands as a modern and efficient capital, seamlessly combining contemporary architecture, vibrant gastronomy, and a rich cultural identity — all framed by the dramatic backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Santiago stands as one of the safest and most modern cities in Latin America, supported by strong institutions, high-quality urban services, and a highly developed transportation network. The city features the most advanced metro system in the region, with an extensive and continuously expanding network of lines, as well as a new world-class international airport that ensures seamless global connectivity. Visitors benefit from a clean, efficient, and well-organized urban environment, complemented by a welcoming and highly professional local community. For international delegates and their families, Santiago offers a secure, comfortable, and world-class destination for hosting a premier international conference.

SEASONAL ADVANTAGE AND POST-EVENT OPPORTUNITIES IN CHILE Holding the congress in September offers a unique seasonal advantage, as participants can experience the beginning of spring in Santiago. With increasingly pleasant temperatures, longer daylight hours, and the spectacular snow-capped Andes as a backdrop, Chile provides an inspiring setting for both professional engagement and social interaction.

Chile offers exceptional post-event travel opportunities across a remarkable range of landscapes. Attendees can explore the Atacama Desert—one of the driest places on Earth and home to world-leading astronomical observatories— experience the vibrant culture and vineyards of central Chile, or travel south to discover the pristine fjords and glaciers of Patagonia. For those seeking truly unique experiences, Chile also serves as a gateway to Antarctica, offering rare expedition opportunities.

This combination of a world-class scientific event with unforgettable travel experiences makes Chile a particularly attractive destination, enhancing both attendance and the overall impact of the conference.

21

Conectivity and Transport AIR CONNECTIVITY — ARTURO MERINO BENÍTEZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Santiago's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) is the busiest airport in South America outside Brazil and the main international gateway to the southern cone of the continent. The airport has undergone a major expansion and modernization programme, offering a modern, efficient, and well-connected facility for international travelers.

Key air connectivity facts: Direct flights to and from North America: Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Toronto, Vancouver — with multiple daily services operated by LATAM, American Airlines, Delta, United, Air Canada.

Direct flights to and from Europe: Madrid (daily), Paris (daily), London (daily), Frankfurt (several per week), Amsterdam, Rome, Lisbon — operated by LATAM, Iberia, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa.

Direct flights to Australia: Sydney (direct service operated by LATAM Airlines, approximately 13 hours).

Extensive coverage of Latin America: Connections to every major city in the region, with multiple daily flights to Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogotá, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Panama City, and beyond.

Middle East and Asia: Connections via São Paulo, Madrid, or Miami to major hubs including Dubai, Doha, Tokyo, Beijing, and Singapore.

The airport is located 15 km from the city center (approximately 30 minutes by taxi, Uber, or bus service).

VISA ACCESSIBILITY Chile maintains visa-free entry for citizens of a wide range of countries. Nationals of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most Latin American countries do not require a visa to enter Chile for short-term visits.

For participants from countries requiring a visa, the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides established procedures to facilitate entry. The organising committee will provide official invitation letters and support documentation to assist delegates with their visa applications.

VISA-FREE COUNTRIES

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Accommodation in Santiago HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURE Santiago boasts a mature and extensive hotel infrastructure, with an ample supply of 4-star and 5-star properties operated by major international chains to comfortably accommodate 4,000–5,000 international delegates without any difficulty. The city has experienced substantial growth in its hotel capacity over the past decade, with numerous new properties opening in Vitacura, Las Condes, Providencia, and the city centre.

Major international hotel brands present in Santiago include Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental, NH Hotels, Ibis, Radisson, DoubleTree by Hilton, Holiday Inn, W Hotels, Sheraton, and Hyatt, among many others. Most of these properties are located within 10–20 minutes of the Metropolitan Santiago convention venue.

HOTEL OVERVIEW BY CATEGORY Approx. Rooms Available

Distance to Venue

Avg. Rate (USD/night)

2,700+

5–15 min

USD 250–400

5,500+

10–25 min

USD 130–220

2,440+

15–30 min

USD 70–120

Budget / Hostel

1,500+

20–40 min

USD 25–65

TOTAL

~12,140+

Category

★★★★★ (5-star) ★★★★ (4-star) ★★★ (3-star)

The conference organizing committee will negotiate preferential room blocks and conference rates with a selection of recommended hotels at different price levels, ensuring that delegates from all regions and budgets can find suitable accommodation conveniently close to the venue. Shuttle services will be organized between the main hotel areas and the convention center

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Venue Proposed venue: LE MÉRIDIEN SANTIAGO

An integrated conference experience in the heart of Santiago

291 guest room

12 meeting rooms

+700 plenary capacity

Everything under one roof

PLENARY & MEETING SPACES

POSTERS & NETWORKING

HYBRID TECHNOLOGY

ON-SITE CATERING

CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE

Science, networking, accommodation and technology — all within one integrated conference venue.

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Everything under one roof The proposed venue for the 2028 iCACGP–IGAC Conference is Le Méridien Santiago, a five-star hotel strategically located in central Santiago, with convenient access to public transportation, cultural attractions, restaurants and accommodation options.

The hotel combines extensive conference facilities with 291 guest rooms, allowing the Local Organizing Committee to provide an integrated conference experience in which scientific sessions, networking activities, catering and accommodation can be concentrated within a single venue.

Le Méridien Santiago offers approximately 2,119 m² (22,809 sq. ft.) of meeting space distributed across 12 meeting rooms. Its largest conference space, the Santiago Ballroom, provides approximately 680 m² (7,319 sq. ft.) and accommodates up to +700 participants in theatre configuration, meeting the expected requirements for the main plenary programme of the iCACGP–IGAC Conference.

Conference Facilities The venue provides the flexibility required to accommodate the conference’s scientific programme, poster sessions, networking activities and project meetings.

The Santiago Ballroom will serve as the main plenary hall, offering a theatre-style capacity of up to 600 participants. Additional conference rooms include Atacama, Patagonia, Baquedano, Lastarria and Bellas Artes, each accommodating up to 200 participants in theatre configuration, together with several smaller meeting rooms suitable for committee meetings, project discussions and side events.

The availability of multiple meeting spaces within the same conference centre will allow the Local Organizing Committee and eCongress Group to develop an integrated venue layout incorporating the plenary hall, poster exhibition areas, coffee and networking spaces, project meeting rooms and participant services.

Catering and Participant Experience Daily lunches and two coffee and tea breaks will be provided for conference participants. A varied selection of catering options will be available throughout the conference, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary alternatives to accommodate participants’ preferences and requirements. Catering and networking areas will be strategically integrated into the conference venue layout to facilitate participant circulation, interaction, and scientific exchange throughout the programme.

Le Méridien Santiago provides on-site catering, restaurant facilities, and dedicated event spaces, allowing all conference catering requirements to be efficiently coordinated with the scientific and social programme. Special dietary requirements will be collected during the registration process and coordinated in advance by eCongress Group and the venue to ensure an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all participants.

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Technology and Hybrid Conference Capabilities The conference venue provides meeting-space infrastructure, audiovisual capabilities, videoconferencing services and Wi-Fi connectivity. These facilities will be complemented by eCongress Group’s technology and audiovisual services to support the hybrid requirements of the 2028 iCACGP–IGAC Conference.

The proposed hybrid conference infrastructure will support live streaming of plenary sessions, remote presentations, online participation, moderated Q&A sessions and access to digital conference content.

Proposed Conference Space Allocation Conference Function

Proposed Space

Capacity / Use

Main Plenary Hall

Santiago Ballroom

Up to 700 theatre-style

Parallel / Project Meetings

Atacama

Up to 200 theatre-style

Parallel / Project Meetings

Patagonia

Up to 200 theatre-style

Parallel / Project Meetings

Baquedano

Up to 200 theatre-style

Parallel / Project Meetings

Lastarria

Up to 200 theatre-style

Parallel / Project Meetings

Bellas Artes

Up to 200 theatre-style

Small Meetings

Antártica and additional meeting rooms

Poster Exhibition

Dedicated conference area

Coffee & Networking

Adjacent to poster area

Lunch Service

On-site conference facilities

Committee and project meetings Final layout according to accepted posters Integrated participant circulation Daily service for registered participants

An Integrated Conference Experience By combining extensive conference facilities, accommodation, catering, technology and participant services within a single venue, Le Méridien Santiago provides a strong operational base for the 2028 iCACGP–IGAC Conference.

Its central location, flexible meeting infrastructure and capacity to host the scientific, networking and social components of the conference will allow the Local Organizing Committee and eCongress Group to deliver an accessible, efficient and internationally competitive conference experience in Santiago.

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Website, Registration and Abstracts eCongress will develop and host the conference website (programme, ECS programme, key dates, travel & lodging, link to IGAC, link to the abstract system, and during the event links to all online content).

Registration and payment will be online in local currency, supporting credit cards, bulk payment, and invoicing/wire transfer, per the requirements. A single week-long registration fee will be offered (no daily fees), with separate in-person and virtual fees.

Indicative registration fees (to be finalised; ranges anchored to the solicitation’s recent figures, adjusted for inflation):

Category

Early bird

Regular

Onsite

Regular scientist

≈ USD 600–700

+ USD 50–100

+ USD 50–100

50% off

Early-career scientist

≈ USD 450–550

+ USD 50–100

+ USD 50–100

50% off

45% off

50% off

Low-/middleincome country

45% off

45% off

Virtual

Budget Per the solicitation, the costs and financial risks are the LOC’s responsibility, with any surplus returned to IGAC and transparent reporting throughout. The budget must include at least: PCO fees; venue; LOC-provided transport; coffee/lunches; banquet; and conference materials. Revenue: registration fees; scientific organizations/funding agencies; and other sources (city, tourism bodies, foundations, industry, donations).

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iCACGP–IGAC 2028 · BUDGET SUMMARY Per the solicitation, the costs and financial risks are the LOC’s responsibility, with any surplus returned to IGAC and transparent reporting throughout. The budget must include at least: PCO fees; venue; LOCprovided transport; coffee/lunches; banquet; and conference materials. Revenue: registration fees; scientific organizations/funding agencies; and other sources (city, tourism bodies, foundations, industry, donations).

KEY ASSUMPTIONS Estimated in-person attendees

500

Estimated virtual attendees

100

PROJECTED REVENUE Revenue Category

USD

Notes

In-person Registration

$287.421,75

Based on current fee mix

Virtual Registration

$27.604,50

50% of corresponding in-person fee

Other Income

$29.250,00

Conference banquet income

TOTAL PROJECTED REVENUE

$344.276,25

PROJECTED EXPENSES Expense Category Venue

USD -

Status Complimentary / no cost

Food & Beverage

$136.188,89

Preliminary estimate

Technology & Audiovisual

$29.088,89

Preliminary estimate

PCO & Conference Operations

$69.932,55

Preliminary estimate

-

Pending / not costed

Conference Banquet

$42.013,61

Preliminary estimate

Other Conference Costs

$13.863,50

Preliminary estimate

TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENSES

$291.087,43

Speakers & Travel

BUDGET POSITION Total Projected Revenue

$344.276,25

Total Projected Expenses

$291.087,43

Projected Balance

$53.188,82

Sustainability — a ‘green’ conference

Inclusivity and Additional Provisions Optional excursions for the free Wednesday afternoon (e.g. wine valleys, coastal Valparaíso, Andean foothills).

An accompanying-persons program and ‘what to see’ guidance for Santiago and surroundings.

Childcare options and a breastfeeding room.

Accessibility for participants with disabilities throughout the venue.

A quiet prayer/meditation room

Low-waste catering, minimal printing, digital program and badges where possible.

Carbon-footprint awareness, including the hybrid option to reduce travel emissions, and an optional offset scheme.

Venue and lodging chosen to maximize walkability and public transport use (metro).

Family-Friendly Services To support inclusive participation and make attendance more accessible for delegates with family and caregiving responsibilities, childcare services will be available during the conference.

This initiative is designed to help parents and caregivers fully engage in the scientific programme, networking activities and overall conference experience, while providing a safe and welcoming environment for their children.

In addition, a private and comfortable breastfeeding room will be available at the conference venue, providing a dedicated space for nursing and expressing milk.

Further details regarding childcare availability, age ranges, schedules, registration procedures and breastfeeding facilities will be communicated in advance of the conference.

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A Southern Hemisphere Legacy Hosting the 2028 iCACGP–IGAC Conference in Santiago will be more than bringing an international scientific meeting to Chile. It will be an opportunity to strengthen atmospheric chemistry across the Southern Hemisphere, build lasting connections between global and Latin American scientific communities, and inspire a new generation of researchers.

From the Atacama Desert to the Andes, from the Pacific Ocean to the Antarctic gateway, Chile offers an extraordinary natural laboratory for understanding our changing atmosphere.

Santiago is ready to welcome the global atmospheric chemistry community — to share knowledge, create new collaborations, and shape the future of atmospheric science together.

FROM THE SOUTH, FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR ATMOSPHERE. We look forward to welcoming you to Santiago in 2028.

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Letters of Support from Government Authorities