Dear SASA2021 delegate,

On behalf of the organising committee, we look forward to welcoming you to the 62nd Annual Conference of the South African Statistical Association, hosted by the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at Stellenbosch University.

This mailer sets out some pre-conference details that are important to note and is structured as follows:

We trust that you will have a wonderful time during SASA2021, and please do not hesitate to send any questions you have to sasa2021@sastat.org.

See you soon!

SASA2021 LOC

This year, we will supply two types of programmes. One in the form of a downloadable PDF, and another in the form of an interactive web-based programme. Please use the links below. Should there be any last-minute changes to the programme, then the interactive programme will be updated to reflect these changes.

We are proud to present the SASA2021 Gather platform for our delegates to enjoy this conference. Please watch the introductory videos below, after which you can join the online platform. Please ensure that you have tried and tested the platform prior to the start of the conference.

The time allotted to each talk is 15 minutes with an additional 5 minutes for questions and discussion. Please try to restrict your presentation to 15 minutes, so as to make sure that questions can be asked by the audience -- keep in mind that discussion is an essential part of a conference.

In-person presenters must report to your venue at least 5 minutes prior to the start of your session and introduce themselves to the session chair. If you did not manage to send your presentation (PDF or PowerPoint) to sasa2021@sastat.org by Monday, 29 November, this should be transferred via USB drive before the start of your session.

Online presenters must join the Zoom meeting at least 10 min before the start of the session. A separate email with further instructions will be sent shortly.

Report to your venue at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your session and introduce yourself as the session chair to the technical personnel. Please ensure that speakers keep to the time allocated. If a speaker is not present, an announcement will be placed online and on the screen, do not proceed with the next talk before its allocated time.

Poster presentations will take place on Gather on Thursday, 2 December, as indicated on the programme. In-person delegates have the option to view the online posters at allocated venues or view the posters on their portable devices.

The conference is being held in the Conserve, situated in Victoria Road, Stellenbosch. The keynote addresses take place in the Endler Hall and breakaway sessions are allocated to venues within the Conserve, as indicated on the programme. A google maps link can be found here: https://goo.gl/maps/8WqJtUHKJjix686u7

Please complete the Higher Health Questionnaire, before coming on to campus every day: https://healthcheck.higherhealth.ac.za/

 

Kindly note that your results will be asked at the entrance and that only guests with green/low-risk results will be allowed inside the building. Your temperature will also be recorded on arrival and you will be asked to complete a short form for track & trace purposes.

Guests must maintain a minimum social distance of 1,5m at all times. Please sit on the allocated seats and leave the blocked-off seats open. All individuals in the venue have to wear masks over their mouth & nose, at all times. No food and beverages are allowed inside the building, only bottled water is allowed. If you show any COVID-19 symptoms or feel ill, please refrain from attending the event. Be considerate of the health & safety of those around you.

The registration desk is situated inside the foyer. Please report to the registrations desk on the 1st of December to register and collect your conference bag and name badge. Kindly note that name badges are to be worn for the duration of the conference. If you have forgotten your name badge at home, please collect a new one from the registration desk. Staff will be on hand to assist and answer any questions you may have.

We will have little frames with the Wifi Password and SSID in the foyer, for the full duration of the event.

A coffee truck will be made available for delegates outside the venue, with tea and coffee. You will receive vouchers to redeem your coffee/teas daily. Lunch packs will be handed out and delegates are free to sit outside on the benches or explore our beautiful campus. In case of rain, you can take a quick walk to the Neelsie Student Centre for cover. Please note: No food and beverages are allowed inside the building, only bottled water is allowed.

Kindly see the attached map as an overview of the parking that is available at the venue. Entrance A & B can be used.  Disabled access is through entrance B and the venue is wheelchair friendly. If anyone needs assistance or more information, please email sasa2021@sastat.org. There are a total of 45 parking bays available, first come, first served. Security will be at the entrance to the parking area to grant access to conference delegates. After registration, keep your conference badge nearby to gain access.

Finally, we are looking forward to seeing the delegates that have indicated that they will join the social events. The details for them are as follows:

Venue: The Courtyard Café

Date & Time: Wednesday, 1 December, 17:30 for 18:00

Address: 3 Blom Rd, Stellenbosch Central

Google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/TqRBDdTZrdLsG5wz8

Drinks vouchers are available for soft drinks and local beers and ciders. A cash bar is available for those who wish to purchase anything else. Delegates must please arrange their own transport to and from the venue.

Venue: Vredenheim Wine Farm, Barrique Restaurant

Date & Time: Thursday, 2 December, 18:00 for 18:30

Wine will be served with the food, and a cash bar will be available for those who wish to purchase anything else. Delegates must please arrange their own transport to and from the venue.