IV Peoples’ Summit
of the Americas
Administrative and Logistical Information
Some Practical Information*
Updated April 10, 2009
Airport Arrivals
There will be a Peoples Summit desk just to the left after you exit the Customs Hall. It will be distinguished by a banner with the Peoples Summit logo. It will be staffed by volunteers who will also move closer to the exit doors from the Customs Hall so as to be visible for persons arriving. If you need any assistance they are there for you.
Transport from airport to hotels/guest houses
The Peoples Summit organizers are working on putting in place some transport (minibus) at the airport that will take groups of delegates to their hotels/guest houses. The volunteers at the airport will direct you to these minibuses. You will have to pay the fare, but if there is a group coming in together it should be a lot cheaper than the airport taxis.
If you do end up taking a taxi from the airport, please make sure that they are the authorized airport taxis. As you exit the Customs Hall, Authorized Airport Taxi drivers will be waiting. They are usually dressed in white shirt jacs. Taxi fare downtown is approximately TTD180.00. This is sometimes a little more if you arrive/depart late at night.
Currency Exchange
After leaving Immigration there is a Cambio to the right in the Arrivals duty free section. You can also change currencies in the Bank outside the Customs Hall (to the right). These offer the best rates. Please try to get enough TT cash on arrival as there may be challenges doing so after or during the events and activities.
Mobile/Cellular Service
Trinidad organizers for the IV Peoples Summit are requesting that you use BMobile (TSTT) as this is a unionized firm – Communication Workers Union is also a member of FITUN [Digicel isn't unionized in Trinidad and Tobago]. Check before leaving the airport on the purchase of SIM cards and/or get “top ups”. [ask if there are any promotions on for a free SIM card – rumour has it that delegates to the official V Summit of the Americas may be offered a free one]
Internet and E-Mail access
There will be wireless internet access at the University of the West Indies (UWI) for April 16th & 17th (possibly the 15th as well) at a fee. You will pay for this when you register with the Peoples Summit. Some hotels have wireless internet access in the rooms. If you bring your laptop with you then you can get a login and password at the front desk. Often there is also a facility to access e-mail using the hotels’ computers. Sometimes this is for a fee.
IV Peoples’ Summit & TUCA Trade Union Forum
The IV Peoples’ Summit will open on the morning of April 16 and will continue to April 18 at the Sports and Physical Education Centre (SPEC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI). The TUCA Forum will also be held in the SPEC at UWI starting on April 15, and continuing in the afternoon of April 16.
Security
Port of Spain will have heightened security designated as red, blue or yellow zones. Be aware that getting from one side of Port of Spain to the other may become more difficult in the April 17-19 time period once government dignitaries start to arrive.
Transportation to/from UWI
For overseas participants, pick up for transportation to the UWI will be at 7:45 am from the lobbies of your respective hotels. For those not in Port of Spain, and staying at hotels/guesthouses that were listed by the T&T organizing committee, the organizers will be arranging to pick you up to take you to UWI and return in the evening (there is no charge for this). Please let the T&T organizing committee know of your arrival and location if you made your own bookings so that they know where you are to be able to pick you up! Kindly send this information to Rosa Whittier at rosa_in_cuba@yahoo.com
Media
For those participating in the Peoples Summit from Canada and would like others to hear about the IV Peoples Summit through your eyes – before leaving for Trinidad:
*Contact the ‘communications officer’ in your union or organization and agree on a timetable for filing reports once you are at the IV Peoples Summit which she/he would then look over for media coverage possibilities in Canada [at a minimum put up on your union/organization web-site]
*Contact a journalist you have worked with in the past to see if they would receive your postings from Trinidad
*Contact the Editorial Director (or equivalent) from your local newspaper (radio or TV station?) to agree on providing them with a ‘personal report from the IV Peoples Summit’ (and make sure you first report describes what the Peoples Summit is all about). Find out number of words each report can contain.
Languages
The official languages of the IV Peoples’ Summit are English, French and Spanish. Wherever possible, materials will be available in all 3 languages. Interpretation will also be available. In some cases, there will be whispered translation for English/French.
Electricity
Electricity in Trinidad is 110 volts/50 cycles. Standard plug type in Trinidad is: (2) Flat blades with round grounding pin.
Departure Tax
Departure Tax from Trinidad is normally included in the cost of your air ticket.
Departure Times
Traffic from the airport to Port of Spain and vice versa can be very heavy. Please allow one (1) hour at the very least for this journey - especially during week days. Note that many of the heads of state are likely to fly out of Port of Spain during the afternoon/evening of April 19 which may make airport access more difficult at times.
IV Peoples Summit march – April 18
The march is currently scheduled to take place on the morning of April 18. Final information on time and route will be announced during the Peoples Summit. Participants should bring union flags, placards and the like. CF and CLC will have a specially designed 16 foot banner to carry during the march (to see the design check the peoples march artwork header at the top of this page.)
* Thanks to Sandra Massiah of Public Service International –Caribbean office and David Abdulah from the T&T IV Peoples Summit organizing committee for much of this info
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