Destination: Saint Louis

DESTINATION:

Saint Louis | USA A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE 2013 JCI CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS

Accommodation Headquarters Hotel Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel 800 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101, USA Phone: +1-314-621-9600 www.marriott.com/St-Louis Dear JCI Active Citizens, Welcome to Saint Louis, the place where 98 years ago a group of young people decided to be part of the solution and lay the foundation to create what today is the best worldwide organization of young active citizens.

I invite you to enjoy Saint Louis with all of its attractions.

Please visit our JCI World Headquarters and take unforgettable pictures and of course sign the visitor’s book.

And, if the history is important to you, join us in a touching ceremony at Henry Giessenbier’s grave.

Also, enjoy all the city has to offer, including it’s iconic Arch, the museums, the Strike Out Malaria baseball game at Busch Stadium, the shopping centers, visit to worldwide companies and all the bars and restaurants all over downtown.

We are preparing a great experience. The JCI team is waiting for you with open arms!

Venues Most daytime activities of the 2013 JCI Conference of the Americas will take place at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, a premier hotel in St. Louis. It is situated in the heart of downtown amongst upscale Washington Avenue restaurants, nightlife, and attractions including the Gateway Arch.

Conference Organizing Committee The Conference Organizing Committee can be reached via the following contact info: Phone: +1-636-449-3100 Fax: +1-636-449-3107 Email: 2013stlcoc@jci.cc

See you soon!

Emergency In case of an emergency, the general public number is: Ivette Caceres

• Medical, Fire Service or Police: 911

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2013 JCI Conference of the Americas Chairperson

Registration

Transportation

Delegates are strongly encouraged to register online before arriving in St. Louis, USA. Upon arrival, registered delegates will pick up their name badges at the Registration Desk located in the Outer Landmark Foyer of the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel. The registration desk will be open:

Air Travel Traveling by air, delegates will arrive at the St. Louis Lambert International airport. Downtown St. Louis is accessible from the airport by metro or taxi. There will be a welcome desk located in the baggage claim area, where delegates will receive a complimentary metro ticket in order to travel downtown to the Headquarters Hotel.

• April 30 from 12:00 to 19:00 • May 1 from 08:00 to 19:00 • May 2 from 08:00 to 18:00 Only delegates who have registered will be allowed to participate in Conference events. Admission will be restricted to delegates wearing Conference badges and holding event entry tickets, when necessary.

Travel Visa The United States requires individuals from some nations to obtain visas before entering the country. If you do need a visa, check with the US embassy or consulate in your country as soon as possible for visa requirements, as the process can take several months. The US Government also advises that when traveling into the US you may be asked to present one or more of the following documents: a hotel reservation, return ticket or some form of proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your visit.

Remember these steps when applying for a visa: 1. Review your visa status, and find out if you need a U.S. visa or a renewal.

2. Review the Visa Wait Times information for interview appointments and visa processing at each embassy.

Visit the embassy website where you will apply for your visa to find out more information.

3. Plan on an interview, as well as quick inkless fingerprint scans at the U.S. embassy or consulate, which is required for most visa applicants. Some visa applications require additional administrative processing, which requires some additional time.

For more information, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html.

Airport taxis are also available at each terminal and serve all of metropolitan St. Louis. Fares vary based on destination.

Ground Travel The St. Louis Metro, serves the majority of St. Louis. Its two lines typically operate from 04:30 – 24:00 daily. Trains operate at intervals of 20 minutes. Please find below a detailed listing of the train hours of operation.

Monday - Friday First Trains Red Line Eastbound: Departs Lambert Airport 04:21 Red Line Westbound: Departs Shiloh-Scott at 04:14 Blue Line Easbound: Departs Shrewsbury at 04:33 Blue Line Westbound: Departs Emerson Park at 04:26 Last Trains Red Line Eastbound: Departs Lambert Airport at 24:57 Red Line Westbound: Departs Shiloh-Scott at 24:25 Blue Line Easbound: Departs Shrewsbury at 24:45 Blue LIne Westbound: Departs Emerson Park at 23:58 Fares range from US$2.25 for a one-way ticket to US$3.00 for a two-hour ticket. In addition, a day pass can be purchased for US$7.50 or a week pass for US$25.00.

Saturday - Sunday First Trains Red Line Eastbound: Departs Lambert Airport 05:08 Red Line Westbound: Departs Shiloh-Scott at 05:01 Blue Line Easbound: Departs Shrewsbury at 05:20 Blue Line Westbound: Departs Emerson Park at 04:27

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Last Trains Red Line Eastbound: Departs Lambert Airport at 24:57 Red Line Westbound: Departs Shiloh-Scott at 24:30 Blue Line Easbound: Departs Shrewsbury at 24:45 Blue LIne Westbound: Departs Emerson Park at 23:58 Taxis are also widely available, but generally cost more than the metro, though they will take you anywhere in the city or surrounding areas.

For more information regarding the St. Louis Metro, please visit: http://www.metrostlouis.org.

Conference Events Attire National dress, dark business suits or tuxedos, cocktail or evening dresses are appropriate for: • Awards Ceremony • Gala Business suits or national dress are appropriate for: • General Assemblies • Other business sessions Casual dress is appropriate for: • Opening Ceremony • National parties • Global Village • JCI Official Courses and seminars • Revive the Riverfront • Strike Out Malaria

About Saint Louis, USA Founded in 1764, St. Louis is located on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. In 1904, St. Louis hosted the World’s Fair and the 1904 Summer Olympics, becoming the first non-European city to host the Olympics. Proceeds from the fair contributed to the construction of many of St. Louis’ famous attractions, Forest Park, the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Zoo and the Missouri History Museum. Influenced by its French history and numerous Catholic immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, St. Louis is a major center of Roman Catholicism in the United States.

Known as the Gateway City, St. Louis is also proud of its vast cultural influences from early European immigrants to current population groups from Bosnia, Ethiopia, Asia and Latin America. St. Louis is a melting pot, welcoming people from all over the world to settle here. The city is also defined by music and the performing arts, especially its association with blues, jazz and ragtime. St. Louis is also the home of the St. Louis Symphony, the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States. Unique city and regional cuisine includes toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, Provel cheese and St. Louis style thin crust pizza. St. Louisans are also sports fanatics! Natives of the city avidly support their local baseball, football and hockey teams, the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Rams and the St. Louis Blues.

Language The official language of the United States is English.

Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be offered at certain events during the Conference.

Health For all those planning on visiting the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults are up to date on the following vaccinations:

• Mumps • Measles • Rubella • Polio • Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids • Pertussis • Haemophilus influenzae type B • Hepatitis B

Check with your local health care professional about which vaccinations you may need to receive before visiting St. Louis.

Weather St. Louis’ weather is characterized by four distinct seasons. It is located in what is known as the transitional zone; between the humid continental climate and humid subtropical climate. This corresponds to hot, humid summers and very cold winters, with occasional freezing rain and snow. In May, average temperatures range from 14 to 25 degrees Celsius (57 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). As St. Louis is located in the transitional zone, the weather can be very unpredictable at this time of year; it is recommended that delegates check out the weather a few days before arriving. To check the weather prior to your trip, please visit: www.weather.com.

Gratuity Gratuity is not usually included in the bill, but is expected.

The only exception to this rule is large parties at restaurants, where gratuity is often included. For meals at restaurants, beauty services and taxi services, an 18 to 20 percent tip is expected. For drinks, customers typically tip US $1 to US $2 a drink or 20 percent of the total bill.

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Internet Access

In the United States, electric sockets are 120v 50Hz and use a two or three prong outlet, which will fit a Type A or Type B plug. Delegates planning to bring electronic devices should invest in adaptors to ensure compatibility with local power supply.

Delegates staying at the Headquarters Hotel will be granted complimentary internet access to be used throughout their stay.

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Tourism Resources

With a wide range of activities, entertainment, shopping and historical tours, there is something special for everyone in St. Louis. Outside of the nation’s capital, St. Louis offers more free, major visitor attractions than anyplace else in the United States. To decide how to schedule your perfect pre or post-Conference plans, visit the following sites for more information:

Currency The US dollar is the currency used in St. Louis. The only foreign currency exchange location at Lambert St. Louis International Airport is US Bank in the lower level of Terminal 1. It is advisable to exchange currency at your connection airport if possible. There are, however, various ATMs located in the airport for those that wish to withdraw US currency using an ATM card.

Credit cards are accepted almost anywhere in the United States, with Visa being the most widely accepted, followed by MasterCard and then American Express.

Keep photocopies of all credit cards and documents in case of theft or loss. Notify your bank of your international travel plans before you leave to ensure you can use your card abroad.

Many vending machines (food, drink, etc.) do not accept credit card payment, so keep a reasonable supply of cash on hand to keep your travel, food and beverage options open.

Time Zone St. Louis is located in the UTC/GMT -5 hours time zone, which is known as the Central Daylight Time (CDT) time zone.

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Electricity

• http://explorestlouis.com • http://www.forestparkforever.org • http://www.downtownstl.org/Homepage.aspx • http://soulard.org

Conference Events Opening Ceremony Wednesday, May 1, 2013

To kick off the 2013 JCI Conference of the Americas, Chief Delegates and JCI National Presidents from across the Americas will come together at the Opening Ceremony to greet the delegates, represent their countries and model their traditional dress. Come cheer for your National Organization, enjoy great entertainment and connect with JCI’s vibrant community of young active citizens.

JCI Morning Show Thursday, May 2, 2013 The JCI Morning Show will focus on sharing stories of impact! Find out how you take action to make a difference during the JCI Conference of the Americas and bring back that passion for change when you return home. Complete with games, prizes, energetic music and a few very special guests, this Morning Show will start your day in the most motivating way!

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JCI Active Citizen FrameWorkshop

JCI Twinning

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Friday, May 3, 2013

Sustainable impact is achieved through the collective action of active citizens from all sectors of society, but how do you foster this collaboration? Through community engagement you can discover the greatest needs of your community, formulate sustainable solutions and take concrete action to create impact.

Join us at the Active Citizen FrameWorkshop where you will learn all about community engagement by discovering the Conference of the Americas Community Outreach Project. Come discover how to engage your communities in achieving sustainable impact!

The JCI Twinning Program is an opportunity for JCI organizations to exchange ideas with other members from around the world. After finding an organization that shares your international goals, ask their members to collaborate on expanding your global impact. Don’t miss the Twinning Ceremony to see JCI National and Local Organizations formalize their partnerships.

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Thursday, May 2, 2013

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JCI World Public Speaking Championship (preliminary)

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Compete for the chance to showcase your skills to determine who goes on to compete in the JCI Public Speaking Championship at the 2013 JCI World Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cheer on your National Organization’s representative and hear their thoughts on the topic, In order to make an impact, young people must explore non-traditional methods to creating change.

JCI World Debating Championship Friday, May 3, 2013 In this contest, teams from all across The Americas will face off to become the Debating team champions of the Americas. The groups will test their teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving skills while discussing topics that are relevant to challenges and issues in your community.

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Revive the Riverfront

UN MDG Showcase Thursday, May 2, 2013 Since 2004 JCI and our members around the world have been committed to working towards the UN Millennium Development Goals. But as 2015 quickly approaches it is time to reflect on our achievements and determine our actions for the future. Join us at the UN MDG Showcase where you can share experiences, learn from experts and collaborate to discuss the world beyond 2015. Everyone will have the opportunity to highlight their Local or National Organizations projects and impact so don’t forget to bring pictures that demonstrate the actions you’ve taken to achieve the UN MDGs!

Saturday, May 4, 2013 St. Louis is a vibrant city full of unique people, places and sights. However, like all communities St. Louis has both its opportunities and challenges. One such place that has been recognized as both an opportunity and a challenge is the St. Louis Riverfront. While much work is needed, revitalization of this area will foster social and economic development throughout the city. The community must get involved to achieve this. Join JCI members May 4, to inspire and activate a city to take ownership of their community through collaboration, action and impact!

Building the JCI Future – JCI Strategic Planning Forum Friday, May 3, 2013 The world is evolving quickly, and for JCI to keep up, it is important for the organization to examine our place in the world today and tomorrow. This is what was asked of the 2013 JCI Strategic Planning Committee earlier this year when they convened in St. Louis. They were given the responsibility of analyzing the organization using feedback from members, to determine our direction for the future. To learn about the long-term goals of JCI as an international organization, and the recommendations the committee made to achieve these goal, join us at the JCI Strategic Planning Forum where together we can discover the future of JCI.

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The Saint Louis Zoo is a get-away destination that brings together more than 19,000 wild animals and 3,000,000 visitors each year. Located on 90 acres in beautiful Forest Park, the Zoo is home to 655 species of animals, many of them rare and endangered. It is also one of the few free zoos in the nation. Since its opening in 1910, the Zoo has been renowned for its beautiful naturalistic exhibits and for its diverse collection of animals from the major continents and biomes of the world. It is widely recognized for its innovative approaches to animal management, wildlife conservation, research and education.

The Gateway Arch Known as the Gateway to the West, the Gateway Arch is the centerpiece of the downtown St. Louis skyline.

It was built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States. At 630 feet (192 m), it is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. The arch is located at the site of St. Louis’ foundation, on the west bank of the Mississippi River.

Missouri Botanical Garden Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw’s original 1850 estate home, and one of the world’s largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.

The City Museum is unlike any museum you will ever visit! The museum is housed in the 600,000 squarefoot former International Shoe Company. The museum entertains visitors as an eclectic mixture of a children’s playground, a funhouse, a surrealistic pavilion, and an architectural marvel made out of unique objects.

It is the brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur. The museum opened for visitors in 1997 to the riotous approval of young and old alike.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.6 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world’s largest-selling beers.

Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The brewery offers complimentary tours and tastings daily.

Saint Louis Art Museum The Saint Louis Art Museum attracts art lovers from around the country. The museum’s collections and special exhibits showcase a wide variety of paintings, sculptures and more. There are more than 30,000 works in the museum’s permanent collection. The collection includes works by masters like Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso. The Art Museum is one of the top free attractions in St. Louis.

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Saint Louis Zoo

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