Dear Delegate:

The time of the gathering of the Celtic clans in Cardiff is upon us (translation:  the Cardiff IAFL conference is taking place in less than two weeks), and I wanted to send out some  general information, relevant to both presenters and attendees. You will also have a copy of the following in your conference pack.

I have put a new link on to the main conference page entitled ‘Advice and Guidance for Speakers) – if you go to the main webpage (www.cf.ac.uk/encap/clcr/iaflconference) and click the link, you will get a page of information designed for those giving presentations at the conference.  Between the two, I’ve tried to anticipate the sorts of last-minute questions you are likely to have, but I’m sure I will still have forgotten lots of things, for which apologies.

Important Advice on Staying in Cardiff

Weather:  Cardiff suffers from the same climate as the rest of the UK, plus a little extra rain, so expect all four seasons (possibly in the same day) when planning your trip. Probably best to bring an umbrella too. 

Getting lost:  If at any point you are lost in the city – quite hard to do here – ask for Park Place or Colum Road and you will find the University/Humanities Building/conference accommodation.  If you are really lost and need a taxi, call Premier Cars on 02920 555555, available 24 hrs.

Emergencies:	Police, ambulance and fire stations are reachable by dialling 999 from any phone.  The call is free. Any problems within the University should be reported by calling 74444 from an internal phone or 02920 874444 from outside.

Arrival and Initial Orientation for the Conference

All delegates who are using University accommodation should now have received confirmation from Wendy Lewis. If you have not received confirmation, a map, and details of what to do when you arrive, please contact Wendy asap on iafl@cardiff.ac.uk

Delegates and Guests arriving on June 30th

For those of you arriving on the 30th and staying in University accommodation, we are offering an early registration service. This will take place in Aberconway Hall of Residence, where most of you are staying, on the evening of June 30th, between 7 and 9pm. You will be able to collect your registration packs, including the programme and abstracts booklet, plus a pack of tourist information. Any delegates who are arriving on the 30th but who are not staying in University accommodation should register on July 1st between 11am and 1pm (see below). 

Day 1, Friday July 1st

Registration will open at 11am on the ground floor of the Humanities Building (number 15 on the map (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/locations/maps/cathayspark/c3c4d3d4.html). For those staying in University accommodation, this is a 2 minute walk across the car park.  The route will be clearly signposted (IAFL Conference Registration), and registration will take place in  the Humanities Refectory (again follow the signs).

A welcome lunch will also be provided in the Humanities Refectory  between 12.45 and 1.45 on Day 1, and all other lunches, morning and afternoon teas/coffees will also happen here. Late arrivals will also be able to register during the lunch period.

NB Anyone arriving after the first day should also go to the Humanities Refectory as their first point of contact, as the registration desk will be staffed throughout the conference and remaining registration packs will be kept here.

Following lunch, you are invited to the Conference Opening and Welcome from 1.45 to 2.15.  This will take place in Room 2.01 (we will escort you and there will be clear signs to follow). The main conference will begin at 2.30pm, in Rooms 2.01 and 2.03 respectively. The rooms are adjacent to each other, on the second floor and there are three lifts available if needed (again follow the signage provided).  All parallel sessions will take place in these two rooms; on Day 3, July 3rd, the special symposium on language analysis in asylum cases will take place in room X0.04 (next to the Refectory, on the ground floor).

Plenary Talks

The two plenary talks – July 1st, DI Kerry Marlow and July 3rd, Professor John Gibbons – will take place in the Julian Hodge Building (number 14 on the map), across the car park. Again, this location will be clearly signposted.

Drinks Reception – July 1st  (co-sponsored by Palgrave) 

On the evening of July 1st, following the first plenary talk, you are invited to attend a drinks reception to be held in the main University building (number 39 on the map). As well as wine and nibbles, we will have a discounted book display and inspection copies of The International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law.

Conference Dinner – July 2nd

Limited spaces are still available at the conference dinner, on Saturday July 2nd . (details at: http://www.cf.ac.uk/encap/clcr/iaflconference/dinner.htm)   If you have not yet registered, you need to do so by 27th June, but sending an email/payment details to Wendy Lewis at iafl@cardiff.ac.uk 

Dinner in the Bay – July 3rd 

On the evening of July 3rd, following the IAFL Annual General Meeting (to which all IAFL members are invited) we have arranged transport down to Cardiff Bay in the form of several private buses. July 3rd is Harbour Day, celebrating the centenary of the establishment of Cardiff as a city, and a number of events are taking place in the Bay. Delegates will have the evening free to explore the Bay area, and to eat/drink at one of the more than 50 restaurants, pubs and bars in the Bay – this will unfortunately be self-financed. You will find information on the Bay in your conference pack. Our private buses will be available for your return to the University and University accommodation at 11.30pm, or taxis will also return you to the University for around £5.

Email and Internet Access

We are providing free email and Internet access throughout the conference, including in the evenings. This will be available at the workstations in Room X0.08, also in the Humanities Building, on the ground floor (again, signs will be provided directing you to this service). Unfortunately, printing facilities are not available during the conference, although photocopying may be possible in the Arts and Social Sciences Resource Centre (number 18 on the map adjacent to the Humanities Building.

Notice Board 

A notice board will be available throughout the conference in the Humanities Refectory.  Any last-minute changes to the programme will be posted here, as well as general notices and information. It can also be used as a message board for any delegate who wishes to contact another. 

On the final day, we will happy to coordinate shared taxis to the airport or train/bus stations, although you will need to register for this before the last day, on the grids with time slots which will be provided.

We hope you will enjoy the conference and your time in Cardiff!