The Corporate Council on Africa
U.S.-Africa Business Summit 2001
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 30-Nov 2, 2001
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Corporate Council on Africa? What is this Summit?
More that 180 American companies make up the Washington, DC-based Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), which, since 1992, has been the leading private sector organization dedicated to strengthening trade and investment ties between the United States and Africa. CCA's third U.S.-Africa Business Summit will be the premier gathering of U.S and African business and government leaders convened by the private sector in the United States in 2001. The event's main goals are to foster export/import trading; promote foreign direct investment in Africa; identify agents, representatives and distributors; and explore joint venture partnerships and strategic alliances.
What are the re-scheduled summit dates?
The re-scheduled summit begins with New Jersey Night and the Opening Reception on Tuesday evening, October 30 and concludes with a closing luncheon on Friday, November 2.
Will the agenda for the re-scheduled summit be the same as for the summit that was scheduled for Sept. 16-20?
Major portions of the agenda, including the workshops, will remain essentially the same. However, modifications will be made to many portions of the agenda, including some of the speakers. Participants should regularly check the summit website for updates. Note that the summit venue has changed (see below).
Where are the sessions located?
Most of the summit's activities will take place at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel at 1201 Market Street, in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. Transportation will be provided for the Philadelphia City Tours and New Jersey Night, the two officially scheduled summit events that do not take place at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel.
What is the dress code?
Business Attire or National Dress.
What is the official language of the summit? Will interpretation be provided?
The summit's official language is English. Interpretation (French to English, English to French) will be provided only during the plenary sessions. Selected workshops will also provide interpretation. However, CCA cannot provide interpretation for all workshops, nor can it provide individualized interpretation services.
Is this a trade show?
No. However, companies interested in purchasing display space at the summit should contact CCA at for more information on how they can display their goods and services. Numerous networking opportunities will also be available.
I'm not sure if my company is a member. How can I confirm this?
Consult the CCA website for a list of members. If your company name is not listed and you still believe that your company is a member and/or recently joined CCA, please contact CCA via email at to confirm the status of your company's membership.
If Yes: Please register as a CCA member and pay the appropriate registration fee of $US1495.00.
If No: Please pay the non-CCA member registration fee of $US1995.00.
I am an employee of the U.S. government. Is there a special U.S. government registration fee?
Yes. The fee for U.S. government employees is $US995.00 per person.
Can I obtain a copy of the attendees list before the summit?
No. Copies of the list will be available upon registration in Philadelphia.
How can I pre-register?
The pre-registration deadline for the re-scheduled summit is October 12, 2001. If you have not previously registered, go to the website: africacncl.org and print out the registration form. A completed registration form must be faxed to the Corporate Council on Africa, c/o Boggs Chung Incorporated, at fax number (484) 530-0667 by October 12. Late registrations cannot be considered.
I pre-registered for the summit when it was scheduled for September 16-20. Do I need to complete a new registration form?
If you registered on/before September 10, 2001, you do NOT need to send a new registration form. Individuals who registered on/before Sept. 10 are being sent by CCA's registration desk a special letter and re-confirmation form that must be returned by October 12. The special letter and form are also available on CCA's website.
I did not previously register for the summit but would like to attend. What must I do to attend?
Complete a registration form and return it, along with payment, to CCA no later than the October 12 registration deadline.
How can I pay for my registration?
We will accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express credit cards. We will also accept wire transfers. Wire transfers information is:
Transfer to Riggs Bank, Washington, DC, USA
CCA Summit Account # 17313281
Routing Number: 054000030
Are there any student and/or university reduced fee? Are there one-day passes available?
No.
Is there a cut-off date for pre-registration?
Yes. Pre-registration ends on Friday, October 12. Registrations will not be taken after this time.
Will on-site registration be available, and if so, at what price?
Registrations on site will be taken ONLY if a registration form was sent to CCA by fax before the October 12 registration deadline. Registrants will be notified if they must complete registration on-site. On-site registrants must pay in full in United States currency to be able to participate in the summit.
What time does registration start in Philadelphia?
Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30 and is open until 8:00 p.m. that same day. The registration counter will also be open from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31.
What are the cancellation penalties?
As covered in the special letter/re-confirmation form sent to individuals who registered on/before September 10, 2001, there is a US$200 processing fee for all cancellations. All cancellations must be made in writing using the special re-confirmation form NO LATER THAN October 12, 2001. Information on how to obtain a refund can be found in the special letter/re-confirmation form. Note: Refunds will NOT be processed before November 2, 2001. Cancellations received after October 12, 2001 will NOT be refunded.
How do I get a refund for the dinner ticket(s) I now cannot use?
Submit a refund request via email to cca@africacncl.org. Provide your name, number of tickets ordered, credit card name/number and a point of contact for you, i.e, your email or fax number. Your refund will be processed AFTER the Summit has concluded.
I registered for the summit when it was scheduled for September 16-20, but can no longer attend. I would like to send someone in my place. How can I do this?
Provide the new name to CCA in writing on a new registration form, indicating that the new registrant is a replacement and that payment has already been processed under your name. Please also provide on the registration form your previous summit confirmation ID code. The new registration form should be careful to include information on which workshops the replacement intends to attend.
What does my registration fee cover?
Your Summit registration fee covers breakfast, lunch and dinner on October 31 and breakfast and lunch on November 1 and November 2. It also covers entrance to all Summit Plenary sessions; your selection of five workshop sessions; New Jersey Night and the Opening Reception on Tuesday, October 30; Philadelphia Night Reception and Gala Award Dinner on Wednesday, October 31; Networking Reception on Thursday, November 1; and the Closing Luncheon on Friday, November 2. If you wish, you may also participate in the Philadelphia City Tour on the afternoon of October 30 (at no additional cost). Please note that the City Tour has limited space and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
What do I need to bring with me in order to register in Philadelphia?
The following are valid forms of identification that will be accepted in order to process your registration when you arrive at the summit venue: A summit ID confirmation code (which will be provided to you after your registration form has been processed), valid passport, valid drivers license, and/or national identity card. If you paid by wire transfer, CCA also recommends that you bring documents from your bank that confirm the wire transfer was made.
Can CCA assist me in obtaining a visa for travel to the United States?
No. All visa inquiries must be addressed to the nearest U.S. embassy. All United States embassies are aware of the summit.
Can CCA make a hotel reservation for me?
No. We suggest that you contact All-Star Travel Agency for all hotel reservations (see below for details).
I previously had a hotel room reserved for the Sept. 16-20 dates. Is this reservation still valid for the hotel where I booked?
All reservations at the Loews Hotel have been cancelled. If you made a reservation at another hotel for the previous summit dates through All-Star Travel, you are strongly advised to contact All-Star Travel at (+1.301) 656-4441 or at to make new reservations.
Does my registration fee cover my hotel room and travel?
No. All summit participants are responsible for making their own hotel and travel arrangements. CCA has negotiated special rates at Philadelphia-area hotels though All-Star Travel Agency. CCA recommends that you contact as soon as possible All-Star Travel on (+1.301) 656-4441 or via email at to make hotel reservations.
What is the average cost of a hotel, per night, including tax in Philadelphia?
Hotels in Philadelphia generally run $US200 per night, including taxes. CCA has negotiated hotel rooms at special rates for attendees. Contact All Star Travel Agency at (+1.301) 656-4441 or for these special rates.
Where is the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel?
The Marriott is located at 1201 Market Street, in downtown Philadelphia. This is directly across the street from the Loews Hotel, the site of the summit that was scheduled to take place from Sept. 16-20. See below for train, taxi and airport information.
When should I arrive/depart Philadelphia?
Participants should plan to arrive in Philadelphia no later than the afternoon of Tuesday, October 30. Departures from Philadelphia can begin as early as late afternoon, November 2. All participants should note that, as a result of increased airport security in the United States, they should arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of their scheduled departure times. More time may be necessary for international departures.
How far is the airport from the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel?
Approximately 25 minutes in a car.
Will CCA meet me at the airport?
No. Taxis are available and cost approximately US$20 for travel to downtown Philadelphia. Service on the "SEPTA R1" train is also available and costs approximately five (5) US dollars for travel from the airport to downtown Philadelphia. Trains depart every 30 minutes and operate from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. Passengers should take the train to the "Market East/The Gallery" station, which is located in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, less than one block from the Marriott.
How far is the 30th Street Amtrak Station from the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel?
Approximately 10 minutes in a car.
Will CCA meet me at the train station?
No. Taxis are available and cost approximately six (6) US dollars for the one-way trip to the hotel.
Is there a vegetarian option for meals at the summit?
Yes, but on an as-requested basis only. Special meals requests must be indicated on the registration form.
Will there still be a Philadelphia Tour for the re-scheduled summit? Do I have to pay for the tour?
The Philadelphia Tour will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 30 and is paid for within your Summit registration fee. However, there is limit to the number of participants, so it will be available only on a first-come, first served basis.
Will there still be an Atlantic City Tour for the re-scheduled summit?
No.
Is golfing still offered for the re-scheduled summit?
No.
What is the weather like in Philadelphia in late October/early November?
According to www.weather.com, the average temperatures for late October/early November are as follows:
Average Maximum Temperature: Between 13 and 19 degrees Celsius (55 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit)
Average Minimum Temperature: Between 3 and 8 degrees Celsius (37 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit)