2002 International Resource Guide

Use this comprehensive selection of Web sites, publications, associations, and U.S. agencies to help you plan your international events.

Travel Services/Destination Information

• U.S. Passport Services. A nationwide list of where to apply for a passport; how to get passports the easy way; downloadable, printable passport applications; and a section with answers to frequently asked questions. travel.state.gov/passport

• U.S. Customs Know Before You Go has specific information for U.S. residents returning home, including duty regulations and customs exemptions from various foreign countries. www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/index.htm

• Background Notes, a valuable source of information on specific destinations around the world, can be found on the Web under “Countries and Regions” at www.state.gov, or call the State Department's public information number at (202) 647-6575.

• U.S. Embassies abroad offer a range of information. See a list of available “U.S. Missions” online under “Regions” at www.state.gov. Americans who register in the consular section of the U.S. embassy in foreign countries can obtain up-to-date information on travel and security in that country. The Overseas Citizen Services 24-hour travelers' hotline is (202) 647-5225. For links to U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, go to www.travel.state.gov

• The International Trade Administration home page is a good source of government data on various countries and hyperlinks. See trade events at www.ita.doc.gov.

• Trade Compass, a Web site on international business operated by Sun Microsystems, is a source for information of interest to international planners, with many useful links, such as Regulations Update and Dollar Rates. (202) 266-2000; Fax: (202) 783-7133; www.tradecompass.com

• World Weather Forecasts has weather info and satellite images for cities and regions around the world. National and international five-day forecasts: www.intellicast.com/weather

• Travelocity, the mother of all travel Web sites, has detailed site and travel information on a huge destination database. Type in specific requests on the “Search the World” search engine. www.travelocity.com

• Event Planner provides country-by-country information, including “Fare Finder” and “Hot Fares.” www.eventplanner.com/cities/europe/uk.htm

• Excite Travel Guides. Information on 14,000 destinations, including each country's culture, lodging, maps, transportation, weather, and yellow pages. www.excite.com/travel

• Business Travel Net has information on business travel products and services worldwide, including airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. www.business-travel-net.com

• Travel Web is a comprehensive database of links to accommodations, airlines, ground transportation, cruising, tour operators, travel insurance, destinations, and more. www.travel.com/index

• U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. Listings of travel warnings issued by the State Department as well as consular information sheets for every country of the world, including such information as the location of the U.S. Embassy or consulate, unusual currency and entry regulations, and crime and security facts. The site also has public announcements about relatively short-term conditions that could pose risks to the security of travelers. www.travel.state.gov

• International Dialing Codes Information on phone codes, electrical plugs and codes worldwide, plus direct-dial prefixes for destinations worldwide facilitates mobile computing anywhere. Also has an explanation of how to make calls to and from foreign countries. www.kropla.com

• Swiss Info Page has the time for cities and locales worldwide. www.swissinfo.net/cgi/worldtime

Language

• Foreign Languages for Travelers on the Web. Click your mouse on the icon of the language you want to learn and access translations in seven categories that include dining, directions, places, and travel. There are also translating dictionaries and a worldwide hotel database. www.travlang.com/languages

Shipping/Customs Freight Forwarders

• R.E. Rogers Inc., (310) 641-6600; Fax: (310) 641-0703 or (310) 641-1568

• Schenker International Inc., (630) 595-0095; Fax: (630) 860-9166; www.schenkerusa.com

• Sho-Air International Inc., (800) 227-9111, (949) 476-9111; Fax: (949) 476-9991; www.shoair.com

• TWI Global Exhibition Logistics, (702) 691-9000; Fax: (702) 691-9065; bozawa@twiglobal.com; www.twiglobal.com

• D. Hauser Inc., Michael J. Bonvissuto Sr., VP, 182-23 150th Ave., Springfield Gardens, NY 11413; (718) 656-7767

• Panalpina Inc. Handles freight forwarding on six continents, including West and South Africa and Kazakhstan. 800 Arthur Ave., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007; (847) 545-1500; Fax: (847) 545-5599; www.panalpina.com

• ATA Carnet. For a list of ATA Carnet member countries and copies of ATA Carnet forms, contact the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036; (212) 354-4480; info@uscib.org; www.uscib.org

Safety, Security, and Medical Services/Information

• International SOS Assistance Inc. provides a number of medical clinics worldwide, as well as emergency assistance and insurance plans. A plan called Global Premier provides individual and group medical coverage, death and disability insurance, emergency evacuation, 24-hour access to multilingual operators, and monitoring of medical problems abroad by SOS specialists. (215) 245-4707, (215) 244-1500; Fax: (215) 244-2227; for Emergencies: (800) 523-6586; corpcomm@internationalsos.com; www.internationalsos.com

• MEDEX Assistance Corp. offers plans for emergency assistance or supplemental medical coverage in foreign locales. (800) 527-0218, (410) 453-6300; Fax: (410) 453-6301; info@medexassist.com; www.medexassist.com

• International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers is a nonprofit organization that publishes a directory listing 850 English-speaking doctors in 130 countries who have agreed to treat travelers for set prices. Membership is free, but fees are charged for services. Doctors are U.S., Canadian, or British-trained. (716) 754-4883; iamat@sentex.net; www.cybermall.co.nz/nz/iamat

• Worldwide Assistance Services Inc. specializes in security, health, emergency planning, and staff communication system services for meetings, events, and travel. Worldwide Assistance offers pre-trip and travel information, emergency assistance, and communication services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (800) 777-8710, ext. 417; Fax: (202) 828-5892; www.worldwideassistance.com

• In-House Physicians, Jonathan Spero, MD. This company will consult with planners on their medical liability on overseas trips and can provide medical staff to travel with groups. (800) 919-3627 or (773) 251-4087

• GlobalCare and Global Emergency Medical Services Inc. GlobalCare offers the MedPass program. Its Web pages offer an overview of the medical services and support provided by this company, including a help desk staffed by registered nurses 24 hours a day, who are able to provide telephone assistance in medical situations and make referrals to English-speaking providers or arrange medical evacuations. An online enrollment form is included. (800) 249-2533, (770) 475-1114; Fax: (770) 475-0058; customer.service@globalems.com; www.globalems.com or www.globalmed.com

• MedicinePlanet.com is a health site that features a pre-travel checklist, global food and water precautions, information on insect avoidance and altitude illness, country profiles, lists of travel medicine providers, and pointers on traveling with medications. A large site with many links and much information. (415) 362-1444; Fax: (415) 834-9554

• The U.S. Department of State Citizens' Emergency Center issues travel warnings, health precautions, and other safety information for those traveling abroad. The Web site includes a long list of informational publications on various aspects of foreign travel, from “A Safe Trip Abroad” to “Foreign Entry Requirements.” (202) 647-5225; Fax: (202) 647-3732; travel.state.gov/travel_pubs.html

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers Hotline offers health information on specific countries, including geographic health recommendations for every region of the globe. (877) FYI-TRIP; Fax: (888) 232-3299 (call nights or evenings for best accessibility); www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm

• To obtain the phone number of any U.S. embassy or consulate, call (202) 647-4000.

VAT/Tax Reclaim

• Global Refund, (845203) 348-7673 674-8145, (800) 566-9828 KNOW-VAT; Fax: (845203) 348-1549 674-8709; taxfree@us.globalrefund.com; www.globalrefund.com

• FEXCO Tax Reclaim Services, 011 353 66 97 61772; (800) 865-4561; UK Freephone: 0800 39 38 58; Fax: 011 353 66 97 61753; koconnor@fexco.ie; www.fexco.com/services/

• Meridian Reclaim Services, (212) 554-6700 6600; Fax: (212) 974-0673; www.meridianvat.com

• Revenue Canada Visitor Rebate, (902) 432-5608; Fax: (902) 432-5592; www.visitors@rc.gc.ca; www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/visitors

• Corporate VAT Management provides a section on VAT refunds for businesses. Created by a management consulting firm that sells VAT refund software called AUTO VAT. (888) 828-6468; (206) 292-0300; Fax: (206) 292-0123; www.corporatevat.com

Currency

• The Universal Currency Converter offers an interactive chart that lets you convert U.S. dollars into a selected currency, and vice versa. www.xe.comnet/ucccurrency

• Exchange Rates lets you view currency exchange rates for any of 164 currencies since January 1, 1990; provides interbank rates, currency codes. www.oanda.com/convert/classic/

• Ruesch International, (202) 408-1200; Fax: (202) 408-1211; www.ruesch.com

• Thomas Cook Currency Services Inc., (800) 424-2923, (416) 359-3834; Fax: (800) 266-5150

• Travelex Financial Services, (800) 535-4681; Fax: (800) 235-2544; www.travelexusa.com

• CNN's Financial Network Currencies Market provides charts of currency values compared to the U.S. dollar, showing the latest trade dates. www.cnnfn.com/markets/currencies

• Visa Expo. Click on the ATM Locator icon on Visa's Expo site to pinpoint the location of ATM machines in cities and airports around the world. The site includes safety tips for using ATMs and credit cards worldwide. www.visa.com

Publications on Cultural Protocol

• Do's and Taboos Around the World, 3rd ed., edited by Roger E. Axtell, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993

• Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business, by Roger E. Axtell, Tami Briggs, Margaret Corcoran, and Mary Beth Lamb, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1997

• Do's and Taboos of Hosting International Visitors, by Roger E. Axtell, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1990

• Do's and Taboos of Preparing for Your Trip Abroad, by Roger E. Axtell and John P. Healy, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1994

• Do's and Taboos of Using English Around the World, by Roger E. Axtell, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1995

• Gestures: Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World, by Roger E. Axtell, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1998

• Russian Etiquette & Ethics in Business, by Drew Wilson and Lloyd Donaldson, NTC Business Books, a division of NTC Publishing Group, 1996

• Chinese Etiquette & Ethics in Business, 2nd ed., by Boye Lafayette De Mente, NTC Business Books, a division of NTC Publishing Group, 1994

• Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business, 6th ed., by Boye Lafayette De Mente, NTC Business Books, a division of NTC Publishing Group, 1996

• Korean Etiquette & Ethics in Business, 2nd ed., by Boye Lafayette De Mente, NTC Business Books, a division of NTC Publishing Group, 1994

• Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How To Do Business in 60 Countries, by Terri Morrison et al., Adams Media Corp., 1995

• Multicultural Manners: New Rules of Etiquette for a Changing Society, by Norine Dresser, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1996

• Professional Meeting Management: A European Handbook, 35 authors, available through Meeting Professionals International at www.mpiweb.org

• Put Your Best Foot Forward: Mexico/Canada, by Mary Murray Bosrock, available through MPI at www.mpiweb.org

• Going International: How to Make Friends and Deal Effectively in the Global Marketplace, by Lennie Copeland and Lewis Griggs, NAL, 1990 (out of print, but available through www.amazon.com)

• The Traveler's Guide to Latin American Customs & Manners, by Nancy L. Braganti and Elizabeth Devine, St. Martin's Press, 1989

• The Intercultural Press offers many crosscultural communication guides. (207) 846-5168, (800) 370-2665; Fax: (207) 846-5181; books@interculturalpress.com; www.interculturalpress.com

• Brigham Young University and the Millennial Star Network (MSTAR.NET) publish four-page CulturGram briefings on greetings, dining customs, courtesies, gestures, lifestyles, and attitudes of a nation's people. CulturGrams are available for more than 175 countries. (800) 528-6279; Fax: (801) 705-4350; www.culturgrams.com

• United Nations Publications — Sales Section, Room DC2-853, Dept. I004, New York, NY 10017; (800) 253-9646 or (212) 963-3489 (for international publications and current information); publications@un.org

• Digital Passport is an easy-to-use site with lots of helpful information for international travel on topics that include currency exchange, time zones, embassies, international deliveries, and international airports.

More Organizations, Associations

• The International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus publishes a directory of 480 member bureaus in 30 countries. The member CVBs can help plan a meeting, often free of charge. Address: 2025 M St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 296-7888; Fax: (202) 296-7889; info@iacvb.org; www.iacvb.org.

• For Asian destinations, get contacts and information from the Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, c/o Macau Government Tourist Office, 2/F Tourism and Conference Centre, Rua Luis Gonzaga, Gomes, Macau; (853) 7984156/57; Fax: (853) 703 213; secretariat@aacvb.org; www.aacvb.org.

• L'Association Internationale des Palais de Congrès publishes a directory of 100 leading convention centers around the world. Marianne de Raar, 55 Rue de Amazone, 1060 Brussels, Belgium 32.2.534.5953; Fax: 32.2.534.6338; secretariat@aipc.org; www.aipc.org

• The International Congress and Convention Association has about 450 members in 76 countries representing the main specialists in handling, transporting, and accommodating international events. ICCA has an extensive database with information on more than approximately 7,300 international meetings, some of which can be purchased by non-ICCA members. ICCA, Entrada 121, 1096 EB, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 31 20 398 1919; Fax: 31 20 699 0781; U.S. office: Karin Van Der Cammen, ICCA North America, 8104 Thoreau Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817; (301) 365-5238; Fax: (301) 365-8026; iccausa@aol.com; www.icca.nl

• Tourism Offices Worldwide. This directory Web site contains a comprehensive database of official government tourism offices and similar agencies in countries around the globe, with links to those governments that have Web sites. www.towd.com; admin@towd.com

Is Your Modem Multilingual?

If you're a laptop-toting globetrotter, the Mobile Connectivity Guide can help you through the daunting maze of foreign plugs, PBXs, and other incompatibility problems. While the 120-page pocket-sized book has a self-serving side — its publisher, The TeleAdapt Group, sells connectivity tools online and by catalog — the content goes well beyond the company's product line.

The book takes a problem/solution approach to the material and is rich with photos, illustrations, checklists, and charts. You'll learn that phone systems vary far more than power standards: The guide has clear illustrations of 40 different modem/telephone adapters to make your RJ-11 clips work from Argentina to Yugoslavia, as well as photos of the 10 plug adapters you'd need to make your way around the world.

Much of the book is devoted to getting you online, with explanations of such procedures as making your system ignore unrecognizable foreign dial tones.