AACBNC

John Clancy, our President, continues to develop an exciting and informative program for our Annual Winter Conference in Costa Rica. Please see below information about Keynote Speakers, Recommended flight schedules, Reservations at the Marriott, an exciting Pre-Conference Tour to La Selva, January 12-15, 2008 and a Post-Conference tour to Monteverde January 20-23, 2008 and other topics!

We have two Keynote Speakers at the meeting. Our scientific Keynote Speaker is Dr. Stuart Orkin and our Legislative Keynote Speaker is The Honorable John Porter. A symposium entitled NeuroImmune Interactions in Injury and Repair will include presentations by Drs. Monica Carson, Kathryn J. Jones, David Lo, Virginia M. Saunders, and Fletcher A. White. In addition there will be Special Guest Lectures by Dr. Tony Mazzaschi. We will keep you updated on the meeting program.
Quick Links

The AACBNC Meeting Registration form can be accessed by the hot link at the top of the page. It should be printed, completed, and faxed to (304) 696-7290 or mailed to the Association address on the form. Meeting registrations via credit card can also be called into (304) 696-7390. Be sure to complete both pages of the form! Please register for the Meeting NOW and get your Marriott reservations and flights booked to Costa Rica! January is high season in Costa Rica, and early bookings get the best flights and room availability is limited.

If you have difficulty with the online form, please email Karen Lucas at

and provide your name and fax number to obtain a faxed copy.

On January 16th, we will have a group excursion to internationally renowned Manuel Antonio National Park -- with outstanding wildlife, beaches, and scenery, followed by our welcome socializer in the evening. This will be a fun excursion for everyone at the meeting and your guests. Cost $65 per person, including transportation, guiding, and entrance fee. Food and beverage will be at your expense, plus a small gratuity to the guides and driver. Please make your reservation on the Meeting Registration Form and send in your payment now.
Quick Links

On January 17th, there will be a “dine around” at three restaurants in the Los Suenos Marriott area. Transportation will be provided by AACBNC; food and beverage will be at your expense. We will provide more details at the Meeting.
Quick Links

For assistance in booking flights, please contact our air consolidator, Gaby Proano at GT Tours, (800) 666-8687 or email gaby@gttours.com. We ask that all conference attendees arrive by 2:35 pm on Tuesday, January 15 for the meet and greet, group transfer, and luggage handling to the Marriott Los Suenos at 3:30 pm. If you arrive at some other time, you will be on your own for transportation to the Marriott Los Suenos.

To coordinate transfers, we must have a copy of your flight schedule AND know if you’ll take the group transfers! Please email or fax a copy of your flight schedule and confirm you are taking the group transfer to:

Marisa Eide, Betchart Expeditions Inc.
17050 Montebello Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone (800) 252-4910
Fax (408) 252-1444

A) AMERICAN AIRLINES FROM MIAMI or DALLAS

Tues Jan 15 Miami/San Jose, Costa Rica AA#937 12:45 pm/2:35 pm
Sun Jan 20 San Jose, Costa Rica/Miami AA#988 1:10 pm/4:55 pm

Tues Jan 15 Dallas/San Jose, Costa Rica AA#2163 10:15 am/2:10 pm
Return to Dallas via Miami:
Sun Jan 20 San Jose, Costa Rica/Miami AA#988 1:10 pm/4:55 pm
Sun Jan 20 Miami/Dallas AA#2561 6:40 pm/8:55 pm

Tues Jan 15 Houston/San Jose, Costa Rica CO#1528 9:15 am/12:58 pm
Sun Jan 20 San Jose/Houston CO#1490 1:45 pm/5:39 pm

Tues Jan 15 Atlanta/San Jose, Costa Rica DL#245 10:45 am/1:45 pm
Sun Jan 20 San Jose/Atlanta DL#246 3:00 pm/8:05 pm

Tues Jan 15 Newark/San Jose, Costa Rica CO#1762 8:00 am/12:33 pm
Sun Jan 20 San Jose/Newark CO#1761 1:20 pm/7:33 pm

Tues Jan 15 Charlotte/San Jose, Costa Rica US#1773 11:25 am/2:32 pm
Sun Jan 20 San Jose/Charlotte US#1852 3:35 pm/8:45 pm

We recommend you fly to Dallas or Houston, and overnight there, then take the group flights above. Otherwise, there are overnight flights the night of January 14 from Los Angeles on American or Lacsa.

Tues Jan 15 Los Angeles/San Jose LR#605 1:30 am/9:00 am
Sun Jan 20 San Jose/Los Angeles LR#604 6:15 pm/10:30 pm

To overnight before or after your flight to Costa Rica, we suggest you contact
these hotels directly:

Wyndham Hotel Miami Airport Hotel
(use airport shuttle; across
street from international terminal)
3900 NW 21st St.
Miami, FL 33142
Phone: 305-871-3800

Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental
18700 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77032 USA
Phone: 1-281-443-2310
Fax: 1-281-443-5294

La Quinta Inn & Suites (Dallas)
Dallas DFW Airport North
4850 West John Carpenter Frwy
Irving, TX 75063
Phone: 972-915-4022
Fax: 972-915-6960
Quick Links

GROUP IN-TRANSFERS JANUARY 15, 2008:
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA AIRPORT TO MARRIOTT LOS SUENOS:

Flights are to arrive Tuesday, January 15 by 2:35 pm. There will be a complimentary group transfer to the Marriott Los Suenos by coach departing 3:30 pm arriving approximately 5:30 pm. The group transfer is recommended. It is a 2 hour drive to the Marriott from San Jose at 3,000 feet, to the coastal lowlands on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Let us do the driving! (Later, if you want to rent a car while you are at the Marriott, you can do so there.)

All passengers taking the group transfer must confirm with Marisa at Betchart Expeditions (when you email or fax your flight schedule).

Marisa Eide, Betchart Expeditions Inc.
17050 Montebello Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone 800-252-4910
Fax 408-252-1444

Please let us hear from everyone right away. The final deadline to receive flight schedules and transfer details is November 1, 2007.
Quick Links

It is imperative to MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY to ensure room availability. The price for a “Mountain View” room for our group is $299 per night + tax + gratuities (for 1 or 2 persons per room), including a full breakfast buffet for 1 or 2 at La Vista Restaurant.

The resort is holding 50 rooms for us Tuesday, January 15th - Sunday, January 20th, 2008, and you can have the group rate for up to 3 days before and 3 days after those dates IF THE ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE. The resort is at FULL CAPACITY in January and when our block of rooms is exhausted, it is very unlikely there will be any more rooms available.
Check in time is 4 p.m. and check out time is Noon.

For the conference, your room reservations should be from Tuesday, January 15 - Sunday, January 20, 2008.

Book your room on-line at Marriott Costa Rica central reservations or phone 1-800-228-9290. They do reservations for ALL Costa Rican Marriotts so you must specify Los Suenos Marriott. A one night deposit is required to guarantee the reservation.

For the Marriott Reservation our group code is: “Basic Science.” If you make your reservations on-line our code is already entered and you do not need to complete the "My Account" section unless you want.

If you prefer to rent a car in San Jose, and drive to the Marriott Los Suenos (rather than taking the group transfer by motor coach), please contact these companies directly for your reservation. (Rates are as of July 18, 2007 and are subject to change until reservations are made.)

Compact car for a week - $258.09 including taxes
Midsize car for a week $298.40 including taxes

Subcompact car for a week - $176.68 including all taxes
Compact car for a week $203.09 including all taxes

There will be two out transfers from the MARRIOTT LOS SUENOS TO SAN JOSE AIRPORT on Sunday, January 20th.

Taxi, San Jose Airport to Marriott Los Suenos. Cost is approx. $100 - $120 per taxi (2 hour drive).
Quick Links

This 3-night pre-trip will introduce you to Poas Volcano on the continental divide of Costa Rica and the extraordinary rain forest at La Selva Tropical Forest Research Station on the Caribbean lowlands. La Selva is one of the two premiere research stations in Central America, the other being Barro Colorado in Panama. You will see exquisite buttressed trees, birds and wildlife of the rainforest, plus enjoy the Aerial Tram. Optional Sarapiqui River trip. This is simply one of the best spots to visit in Costa Rica -- not to be missed!

For Information, Reservations & Payments:
Please email

; phone 800-252-4910. Then mail your
payment in full to Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014.

Sat Jan 12 ARRIVE SAN JOSE
Depart USA on AA, CO, DL or other flights.
Arrive San Jose and transfer to Herradura Hotel (1 night).

Sun Jan 13 SAN JOSE TO POAS VOLCANO & LA SELVA
Breakfast at hotel.
Depart for Poas Volcano.
Lunch at Waterfall garden.
Continue to the Caribbean Lowlands.
Sueno Azul Resort or El Bambu Lodge (2 nights). (B,L,D)

Mon Jan 14 LA SELVA TROPICAL FOREST RESEARCH STATION
& AERIAL TRAM
Breakfast at lodge.
Morning visit to La Selva Tropical Forest Research Station.
Lunch at the lodge.
Afternoon Aerial Tram or optional Sarapiqui River trip.
Special lecture. Dinner at the lodge. (B,L,D)

Tues Jan 15 LA SELVA TO LOS SUENOS
Breakfast at the lodge.
Transfer to Marriott Los Suenos Hotel. (B).

Pre-Trip Fee is $750 per person, based on sharing a room.
Single Supplement: $150.

Fee Includes: Meet and greet in San Jose; transfers; transportation and
tours as described; accommodations 3 nights based on sharing a room;
meals from breakfast on January 13 through breakfast on January 15;
entrance fees; luggage handling; leadership by a Costa Rican naturalist
guide.

Fee Excludes: Tips to guide and driver; optional Sarapiqui River trip;
beverages at meals; alcoholic beverages, laundry, internet, or other
personal expenses.

Cancellation & Refunds: The Pre-Trip or Post-Trip payment is refundable, less a $100 per person cancellation penalty, until 60 days before conference departure (November 13, 2007); it is then nonrefundable. Trip cancellation insurance will be offered which will protect passengers in the event of unexpected medical problems. Passengers with pre-existing medical conditions can be protected by purchasing the insurance within 14 days of the date on their Pre-Trip or Post-Trip confirmation letter. This would allow you to get reimbursed for your trip payments by the insurance company.
Quick Links

MONTEVERDE CLOUDFOREST
POST-CONFERENCE TRIP
JANUARY 20 - 23, 2008
** highly recommended

On this conference post-trip, we will explore the

world-renowned Monteverde Cloudforest, home of the Resplendent Quetzal. The Quakers established the community of Monteverde, and protected the cloudforest, and its flora and fauna, long before ecotourism became a household word. Moisture laden trade winds rise along the continental divide forming clouds that bathe the region in clouds, mist, and rainfall. The forest is multilayered and draped with epiphytes of mosses, orchids, and bromeliads. The reserve is one of the best places to see the Resplendent Quetzal, bellbirds, toucans, and numerous jewel-like hummingbirds. It is a wonderful experience we would like to share with you!

For Information, Reservations & Payments:
Please email

; phone 800-252-4910. Then mail your
payment in full to Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014.

Sun Jan 20 TO MONTEVERDE CLOUDFOREST
Afternoon transfer Marriott los Suenos to Monteverde Cloudforest.
El Establo Lodge (2 nights).
Introduction to Monteverde and dinner.

Mon Jan 21 MONTEVERDE CLOUDFOREST
Breakfast at your lodge.
Morning to explore trails at the Monteverde Cloudforest with your naturalist guide.
Lunch at lodge.
Afternoon for optional activities in the Monteverde community, including:

Tues Jan 22 MONTEVERDE TO SAN JOSE
Breakfast at your lodge.
Second morning to explore trails or enjoy some of the Monteverde options.
Lunch at lodge.
Afternoon return to San Jose.
Overnight Herradura Hotel (1 night).
Dinner at hotel.

Monteverde Post-Trip Fee: $795 per person (based on sharing a room)
Single Supplement: $150

Monteverde Post-Trip Includes: Transfers; transportation and tours as described; accommodations 3 nights based on sharing a room; meals from dinner on January 20 through breakfast on January 23; entrance fees to Monteverde reserve; luggage handling; leadership by a Costa Rican naturalist guide.

Monteverde Fee Excludes: Tips to guide and driver; optional activities at Monteverde; beverages at meals; alcoholic beverages, laundry, internet, or other personal expenses.