WEATHER

The Houston weather in late February is usually mild. The temperature may vary between 65 °F (18.3 °C) and 43 °F(7.2 °C). Check the local weather forecast at http://www.weather.com/weather/cities/us_tx_houston.html

LOCAL TIME

Houston is located in Central Time Zone, 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

CURRENCY/BANKING

Foreign currency may be changed to US dollars at both Houston airports, as well as at local banks in the downtown Houston area. The exchange rate can be found at http://www.xe.net/currency/

Participants may easily change back any unused US dollars to foreign currency at the Houston airports when you leave the U.S. All conference hotels and most major establishments in the downtown Houston area accept travelers checks. Major credit cards such as Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover are accepted at most locations in Houston. To receive cash with your credit card, Automated Teller Machines are located at all area banks and in many downtown locations.

PASSPORT AND VISA
All visitors desiring to enter the U. S. from countries other than Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico must have a valid passport. Upon receiving notice of acceptance of abstract, the M2S-HTSC-VI Secretariat will send each participant (and accompanying person, if applicable) a formal invitation letter that in many cases is a required document for visa applications at the nearest U.S. Consulate. For those participants from countries granted visa exemption, it may be necessary to show the formal invitation letter at the port of entry. It is the responsibility of the visitor, before entering the United States, to ensure that he/she has the required documents, including those for entry into another country or reentry into his/her own country.