RFP for IASCL 2005

[Brian MacWhinney]

**** Request for Proposals to Host the 2005 IASCL Meeting ***
(this information is also at http://childes.psy.cmu.edu/html/rfp.html)

The next meeting of the International Association for the Study of Child
Language (IASCL) will be held in Madison, Wisconsin in July 2002.  However,
we would now like to begin the process of deciding on a site for the meeting
in 2005.  Groups that are interested in hosting this meeting should submit a
proposal to Brian MacWhinney (macw at cmu.edu) by April 15.  These proposals
should include the following information:

1. What is the proposed location of the conference in terms of buildings,
conference halls and other locations.   How much space is available for
plenary sessions (ca. 600 people), parallel sessions (number and size of
rooms available), poster sessions, and discussion sections?  What is the
available equipment in terms of overhead projectors, slide projectors, audio
equipment, computer projection, Internet connections, and video projection?

2. What is the proposed date (or the available alternatives from which the
IASCL Executive Committee can choose). Typical dates for the meeting are in
late July.

3. What is the composition of the local organizing committee (adding a brief
CV of the chief organizers), the composition of the conference committee,
and the composition of the program committee.  Have any of the organizers
had prior experience in conference organization?

4. What will be the particular topic or theme of the conference?  In
addition to the general program, are there proposals for specific invited
symposia or guest speakers in specific topic areas?

5. What costs are expected for the following major items: mailing of a call
for papers, organization of a web site, compilation and printing of the
program, transportation for invited speakers, rental of facilities, rental
of equipment, and general support staff.

6. In some cases, it may make sense to consider using hotel facilities for
meeting rooms rather than university rooms.  In that case, what facilities
are available and what are the costs involved?

7. In most cases, it is not a good idea to rely on commercial conference
agencies, since the costs involved are too high.  However, in some cases,
this may make sense.  If the proposal includes an arrangement to use a
conference agency, have the costs been clearly stated and is there a need to
sign a contract?  Note that IASCL is not able to sign official contracts at
this point in time.

8. To cover these various costs, how much can the organizers rely on either
local resources at their universities or additional support from sources
such as government funds, grants, or donors?

9. Are any funds available specifically to support participants from
countries with severe currency restrictions?

10. In view of the costs and support estimates, what is the proposed
registration fee, exclusive of the IASCL membership fee?  Will the IASCL
need to provide advance funding for conference-related expenses?

11. What are the prices of hotels?  Where are the hotels located and what
are the costs and times involved for transportation between the hotels and
the conference site(s).

12. Are there inexpensive accommodations available at the university or
elsewhere for students and others on limited budgets.

13. What is the proposed schedule for mailing circulars, the call for
papers, the deadline for abstracts, meetings of the program committee,
communication of the provisional program, and advertising the conference on
electronic bulleting boards or in periodicals?

14. How will participants most easily arrive at the conference in terms of
air, rail, and highway connections?

15. Will it be possible to organize tours to areas of touristic interest in
the region?  Will these tours be handled by travel agencies or by the
organizing committee?  Note that organization of additional tours is not a
requirement for a proposal, but rather something that would be helpful, if
available.

16. Are there facilities for childcare, sign language translation, or
simultaneous translation?  Please note that provision of these services is
not a requisite for a proposal, but rather something that would be helpful,
if available.

17. Please discuss any other aspects of the proposed conference site or
activities that might be relevant.

In regard to our expected number of participants, we can currently estimate
600.  We had about 740 people at San Sebastian.  Earlier meetings at
Budapest, Istanbul, and Trieste had fewer than 400 participants.  However,
it would be best to plan for a possible range between 450 and 750.

--Brian MacWhinney