VENUE AND LOCAL INFORMATION
The 11th International Coral Reef Symposium will take place July 7-11, 2008 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA.
Attendees:
Booking In Advance
Please be advised that the 11th ICRS meeting is only 3 days after the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 4. This long holiday weekend is a very busy travel time for many people in the United States and is typically one of the busiest weeks for airlines and beach hotels. Especially for International travelers, if you want to arrive early into the United States for any field trips or leisure travel, we highly recommend that you book your airline and hotel reservations as soon as possible.
Getting to Ft. Lauderdale
Ft. Lauderdale International Airport (code FLL) is approximately 25 miles north of Miami International Airport (code MIA). Both are international airports, with MIA servicing more international flights. Palm Beach International Airport (code PBI) also has an international airport that is relatively smaller but may be of interest. The airport is approximately 45 miles north of FLL.
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Map showing locations of the three local airports |
Google "MIA to FLL transportation" for other opportunities.
Symposium Hotel Area
Much information about the Symposium Hotel area can be found by clicking the Travel and Accomodations navigation button on the left side of the page.
Convention Center
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center covers an impressive 17 acres in Port Everglades, the world's second largest cruise-port. By design, the 600,000 square-foot Convention Center is the Sunshine State's most attractive and functional state-of-the-art meeting facility. The center is bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway, Southeast 17th Street Causeway and Eisenhower Boulevard.
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is located within the Port Everglades area which has restricted access. Due to Federal security requirements, you must show your government-issued picture identification (ID) -- PASSPORT or DRIVER'S LICENSE -- at all security checkpoints to gain access to the Convention Center area of the Port of Fort Lauderdale.
IMPORTANT: Your International Coral Reef Symposium name badge is not sufficient ID for entry to the Convention Center area of the port.
Modes of Transportation
- Shuttle Bus: Shuttle service to/from International Coral Reef Symposium official hotels will provide the quickest way
to arrive on time for your meetings, due to separate routing into the Convention Center area of the port. ID will be checked as
you enter the bus. (Checkpoint A on map)
- Pedestrians: Those walking to the Convention Center will be met at the pedestrian gate (Checkpoint B on map) by a security agent who will require you to show your government-issued picture ID.
- Cars: Drivers and all passengers will be required to show a government-issued picture ID to gain access to the Convention Center area of the port. This is required EACH time you drive to the Convention Center. (Checkpoints C and D on map)
- Check before you leave your hotel to make sure you have your government issued picture ID.
- Have your government issued picture ID readily available to show before you arrive at the checkpoint.
Activities in Ft. Lauderdale
While in Fort Lauderdale be sure to find some time to enjoy the attractions of the city and beaches. For more information on activities, restaurants, beaches and shopping, visit the official website of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.sunny.org. See the links below for more information.
GENERAL LOCAL INFORMATION
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Map of the Surrounding Area |
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WiFi Locations (Locations noted below with WF) |
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Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau |
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Super Shuttle transporation |
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Welcome Florida provides service from Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). If you would like to arrange transportation between one of the 3 airports and the local hotels in Fort Lauderdale, please complete this form and FAX it to Welcome Florida at (954) 449-8979. Please be sure that all transportation requests are submitted to Welcome Florida with a minimum of 24 hour notice of your arrival/departure time. You will be responsible for all charges as this is not part of your 11th ICRS registration. |
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17th Street Sun Trolley runs every 15 minutes, Thursday to Sunday (10AM to 10PM). |
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Ft. Lauderdale Water Taxi |
NEARBY RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS
There are many restaurants and services (banks, ATMs, drug store, liquor store, spa, post office, supermarkets, Office Depot) within walking/hiking distance of the Convention Center. This area extends from Portside Center and, across from the Convention Center, the Quay Plaza and west up 17th Street to Southport Center and South Harbor Plaza and further west up to Cordova Road and the Harbor Shops.
| South Side of 17th Street:
Portside Center next to Pedestrian Gate: Walgreens Drugs, 1680 17th Street HSBC Bank
In South Harbor Plaza:
Even further up 17th Street:
Worth the extra effort: |
North Side of 17th Street:
In the 17th Street Quay:
Further West along 17th Street:
In the Southport Center:
Even further up 17th Street: |
Restaurants worth driving (or water taxiing) to:
Shuck N Dive (Cajun, Louisiana cuisine), 650 N Federal Highway, Victoria Park Shops, FtL
Ferdos Mediterranean Grill (Mediterranean, Middle-eastern), 4200 N Fed Highway, FtL
Don Shula's Steak House (Upscale steakhouse),321 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. (Stop 3)
Fifteenth Street Fisheries (Upstairs (upscale) and downstairs (less so)), 1900 SE 15th Street, FtL (Stop 8)
Mango's Restaurant (Varied menu, tropical seafood), 904 E Las Olas Blvd., FtL (Stop 9)
Casablanca Cafe (Tropical, Asian), 3049 Alhambra St, FtL (Stop 3)
Saigon City Vietnamese Restaurant (Vietnamese), 4301 N State Road 7, FtL
Siam
Cuisine (Thai), 2100 Wilton Manors Drive, Wilton Manors
Galanga Thai
Kitchen & Sushi Bar (Thai, Japanese), 2389 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
Kyojin Japanese Seafood Buffet, 3485 N. Federal Highway , FtL
The Madrass Cafe (Indian), 1434 S Powerline Road, Pompano Beach
Riverhouse Restaurant (New American), 301 SW 3rd Ave., FtL (Stop 11)
Shooters Waterfront Cafe (Varied menu) 3033 NE 32nd Ave., FtL (Stop 1)
Zona Fresca (Casual, fresh grilled Mexican food),
1635 North Federal Highway, FtL