Travel

 
Financial Cryptography and Data Security 2022

Twenty-Sixth International Conference
May 2–6, 2022
(note date change!)
Radisson Grenada Beach Resort
Grenada

Airlines

Note: The overview below has been updated to reflect the current/recent situation, but airline schedules are in flux, so this information should be seen as a starting point.

From North America there are daily flights from Miami with American Airlines and from New York (JFK) with JetBlue, semi-weekly flights from Toronto with Air Canada, and weekly flights from Toronto with Sunwing Airlines. From Europe, there are semi-weekly flights from London Gatwick with British Airways (with a stop in St. Lucia), and semi-weekly flights from London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic (with a stop in Barbados). Attendees coming from elsewhere could consider traveling to Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI) and connecting from there, as it offers better accessibility from outside the region. Port of Spain, Trinidad (POS) is a possible alternative, but currently there are fewer connections to Grenada from there than from Barbados.

Flight discounts

We had arranged discounts for FC22 attendees valid for travel to Grenada (GND) or Barbados (BGI) with the oneworld alliance (American Airlines and British Airways are members of this alliance that service Grenada), but oneworld has suspended their event program. We are trying to find alternatives for discounted travel to FC22, but it's perhaps best not to count on it.

Airport transfers

The conference hotel is near the airport, and there are a number of transport options. Simplest is to take a taxi, but there are also several companies operating from the airport with which you can book a private transfer. For the adventurous, there are also local buses (more like privately-owned vans), which are inexpensive (about US $1) but might be more suitable for getting about than for airport transfers with luggage. Some descriptions of the bus service can be found here and here.

For airport transfers the conference hotel recommends Elvis Andrews (also known as King Elvis). Contact email: kingelvis0653@gmail.com, telephone: +1 (473) 440-0653 or +1 (473) 407-1767.

Feel free to send your flight number and arrival time to the General Chairs. We can try to let you know about others arriving at the same time so that you can arrange to share a taxi.

Practicalities

The power outlets in Grenada are of the UK type. Most of the rooms in the conference hotel also have at least one US type outlet. For other types of plugs (e.g., EU) the hotel does not have adapters, so you should bring enough for all your devices.

The hotel accepts credit cards and hotel charges can be billed to the room, but the hotel will not advance cash against the hotel bill. The ATM near the hotel, when presented with a Dutch card that worked fine in Barbados, failed with the message "INVALID BIN FOR THE EMV TAG". Bring cash!

The currency of Grenada is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but the US dollar is widely accepted. US dollars are probably the handiest to bring (unless you have EC dollars), not only because of their widespread acceptance but also because they likely can be converted at a better rate (for example, the hotel front desk gives 2.6 EC dollars for 1 US dollar and also 2.6 EC dollars for 1 euro!). The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has also rolled out a CBDC that can be used with some local merchants (we haven't tried this).

COVID-19 entry requirements

Information about current travel protocols is available on the website of the Grenada Ministry of Health. Grenada has lifted all travel protocols, however some attendees may need COVID tests to return home. These can be arranged at the conference hotel with a third-party service that administers tests in a room off the hotel lobby. Appointments can be booked online—be sure to select "Radisson Resort" as the testing location.

Masks are no longer required, but we recommend wearing one in the conference and workshop rooms. We are bringing a supply of FFP2 IIR respirator masks (European equivalent of N95) for attendees who want them.

Visas

Although most FC attendees will likely not need a visa, nationals of some countries do require a visa to travel to Grenada. Information, including a downloadable list of visa requirements by country, is available on the website of the Grenada embassy in the USA.

This conference is organized annually by the International Financial Cryptography Association.