WHY LATAM

As a new middle class rises in the bigger economies in South America, global brands are looking for growth opportunities in the region. This has led to an increasing desire to understand the market.

With the mobile device as the primary conduit for consumers in this emerging region to engage with each other and the world around them, digital channels (more specifically smartphones, tablets, and social media) have quickly emerged as the best means to engage consumers. Local insight professionals are challenged with finding ways for brands to generate insights faster, cheaper, and better to be able to leverage the opportunity in LATAM. These two factors have come together to generate remarkable innovation in the region.

Historically, South America has grown from the bottom up. We see that trend repeating today. As consumers and organizations become aware of how technology can improve the way they work and live, innovation becomes paramount – not just for insight professionals but also for brands, governments, and other entities that also play a role in improving people’s lives.

By choosing São Paulo as a destination for our first conference, Insight Innovation Exchange aims to put this region in a (well-deserved) spotlight and provide an opportunity for local and regional agents of change to prove themselves to the world.

ABOUT SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

São Paulo is the fourth largest city in the world with more than 20 million inhabitants, covering an area of approximately 1,500 km2. It is the industrial, trade, financial, medical and technological center of Brazil. The city is characterized by a subtropical climate, laying 780 m above the sea level.

São Paulo is home to more than 4 million people of Italian origin, to 1 million people of Japanese origin, to 2 million people of recent Iberian origin, to 1.5 million people of Lebanese and Syrian origins, to 100,000 persons of Jewish origin, and to nearly 300,000 persons from German speaking countries. Recently, several thousands of immigrants from Latin American countries (especially Bolivia, Peru and Argentina) and Asia (Korea and China) have also established in the city.

São Paulo hosts more than 50 museums, including the famous MASP, the Museum of Art of São Paulo. The city has 21 universities, from private to public institutions.

There are over 700 theaters, with several dozens of shows and concerts taking place every day. São Paulo is known as a gastronomic center, with over 12,000 restaurants that serve foods from nearly every cuisine. São Paulo is also a paradise for shoppers, with products from all over the world, 500,000 commercial establishments, and 90 shopping malls.

The city of São Paulo is the capital of the State of São Paulo and is settled very close to the shore. The highway to the coast has only 60 km and leads to Santos, the home of Pelé. Additionally, the 400 km long coast of the State of São Paulo, with more than 200 stunning beaches and a huge State Park within the rain forest is one of the main attractions of São Paulo.

USEFUL LINKS

• Visit Brazil: The best way to plan your trip
• Cidade de Sao Paulo: More about São Paulo, including information on public transportation and attractions
• Check the weather forecast for São Paulo
• Convert any currency to and from Brazilian Reais
• Taxi Fare Calculator
• INFRAERO: Check your flight information online

CONFERENCE VENUE

AMCHAM BRASIL

Rua da Paz, 1431
Chácara Santo Antônio
São Paulo
CEP: 04713-001 – Chácara Santo Antônio – SP
Tel.: (11) 3324-0194

For more information, visit: http://www.amcham.com.br/bc/sao-paulo

ACCOMMODATION

Below is a list of our recommended hotels, all located within less than 10 minutes by car.

Blue Tree Premium – Morumbi

Avenida Roque Petroni Júnior, 1000, São Paulo/SP – CEP: 04707-000
Tel.: (+55 11) 3018 1848
Distance: (1.6 km – 5 min by car, 16 min walking)
Standard Apartment: R$ 422 (per night)
(Breakfast Included)

Blue Tree Premium – Verbo Divino São Paulo

Rua Verbo Divino, 1.323 – Chácara Santo Antônio – São Paulo / SP – CEP: 04719-002
Tel.: (+55 11) 5683 4600 / (+55 11) 5683 4649
Distance: (1.1 km – 3 min by car, 11 min walking)
Standard Apartment: R$ 350 (per night)
(Breakfast Included)

Estanplaza International

Rua Fernandes Moreira, 1.293 – Chácara Santo Antônio – São Paulo / SP – CEP: 04716-003
Tel.: (+55 11) 3055 0000 / (+55 11) 5185 4600
Distance: (0.8 km – 2 min by car, 7 min walking)
Standard Apartment: R$509 (per night)
(Breakfast Included)

Intercity Premium – Nações Unidas

Rua Fernandes Moreira, 1.371 – Chácara Santo Antônio – São Paulo / SP.
Tel.: (+55 11) 5189 6555 / Fax: (+55 11) 5182 5430
Distance: (0.8 km – 8 min by car, 23 min walking)
Standard Apartment: R$ 546 (per night)
Breakfast Included

Transamérica Executive – Chácara Santo Antônio

Rua Américo Brasiliense, 2.163 – Chácara Santo Antônio – São Paulo / SP
Tel.: (+55 11) 5187 2955
Distance: (0.8 km – 2 min by car, 7 min walking)
Standard Apartment: R$ 325,27 (per night)
(Breakfast Included)

TRANSPORTATION

There are two airports in São Paulo. Most international flights arrive in Guarulhos, which is roughly 1 hour away from the Venue by taxi. A few flights arrive in the city airport, Congonhas, which is approximately 18 minutes by taxi from the Venue. Both airports have regular bus service to the city center, which is less expensive than taking a taxi.

Guarulhos/Cumbica Airport (tel. 011/2445-2945)

“Paulistas” will also refer to this airport as Cumbica. Once you have cleared Customs you can change money or traveler’s checks or use an ATM to obtain cash in Reais (R$). The American Express office is open daily from 7am to 10pm and is located in Terminal 1 arrivals. ATMs compatible with Visa/PLUS are in Terminal 1 arrivals.

The easiest and safest way to travel to the conference hotels from the airport is by taxi. When travelers choose the taxis, they should try to use the airport taxi companies. Prepaid taxi fares are available with Taxi Guarucoop (tel. 011/2440-7070).

These taxis offer a fixed rate from the airport (R$70 to R$160). They are reliable and safe, unlike some other line of taxis. There are two prepaid taxi services with booths near the exit doors at arrivals, the special taxis charges about 15% more — R$38 to R$45 but has slightly larger nicer cars. Approximate fares from Guarulhos Airport to the venue:

Congonhas Airport (tel. 011/5090-9000)

São Paulo’s domestic airport is within the city limits south of Centro. It is used by seven national airlines for their domestic flights. From Congonhas it is an 18 minutes taxi ride to the Venue. Prepaid taxi fares are available with Rádio Táxi Vermelho e Branco (the Red and White Taxi Company) Tel. 011/3146-4000.

*Bandeira 1 (Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) R$ 2,50/km (USD$1,20/km)
*Bandeira 2 (Monday to Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sundays and holidays)
R$ 3,25/km (USD$ 1.56 /km)

Taxi Fare Calculator>>

Distances from/to the venue:

• Guarulhos International Airport – 52,8 km
• Congonhas Airport – 9,8 km
• Giovanni Gronchi Metro Station – 4,8 km
• Santo Amaro Metro Station – 8,7 km
• Spicy Morumbi Shopping – 1,3 km

VISA INFORMATION

Most citizens of Latin American origin will not need visas to travel to Brazil. However, Brazil does require visas of some foreign nationals. Please call your local Brazilian consulate to verify your status before traveling.

Traveling on a Tourist Visa

Foreign citizens traveling to Brazil as tourists, participants in conferences, seminars, artistic or sports events (provided no payment is involved) must have a Tourist Visa.

Please keep in mind:

• When traveling as a tourist, the first entry into Brazil must be no later than 90 days after the visa is issued. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure the application is lodged accordingly.
• Tourists’ first granted period is for up to 90 days. Please plan the length of your stay in Brazil accordingly.
• Tourists may apply for a single extension of up to 90 additional days at least 2 weeks before expiration of the first granted period, making up a maximum of six months in any twelve-month period.
• Paid or unpaid employment of tourists in Brazil is strictly prohibited.
• An Embarkation/Disembarkation card, provided to all visitors by the Brazilian Immigration authorities (DPMAF), must be filled in and signed appropriately and submitted to authorities upon arrival and when leaving Brazil.

When traveling to Brazil on tourism, citizens of the following countries are exempted from a visa: Andorra (Exempted from tourist visa only), Argentina, Austria, Bahamas (Exempted from tourist visa only), Barbados (Exempted from tourist visa only), Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala (Exempted from tourist visa only), Guyana (Exempted from tourist visa only), Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Liechtenstein (Exempted from tourist visa only), Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia (Exempted from tourist visa only), Monaco, Morocco, Namibia (Exempted from tourist visa only), the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama (Exempted from tourist visa only), Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Paraguay, Portugal, Romania, Russia (effective June 7, 2010), San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, the Sovereign Order of Malta (citizens of Malta must have a visa), Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, the Vatican and Venezuela (Exempted from tourist visa only).

Brazil Tourist Visa Application Information

Apply For Brazil Visa Online

To complete, submit, and print the online application go to: Visa Request Form.

(This link opens a new window. Select “VISA REQUEST” to begin your application.)

Brazil Tourist Visa Checklist

1. Filled out and signed Brazil tourist visa application form.
2. Original passport. Passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity and have at least 1 visa page.
3. 1 Photograph. Standard passport photographs 2×2 inches on a white background.
4. Payment. Type of visa Multiple entry. Embassy fee: US$180 Approx. Processing time. 15 business days.
5. Driver’s license. Copy of driver’s license, state issued ID, or major utility bill (Water, Gas, Electric, Sewage), showing the applicant’s name and current address.
6. Itinerary.A photocopy of confirmed round trip tickets. Itinerary is not acceptable unless showing ticket numbers and that the ticket is paid for. If you will be entering and/or exiting Brazil by LAND please submit:
   • Ticketed flight itinerary showing flights into and out of the region.
   • A letter addressed to the “Consulate of Brazil, Visa Section” explaining exactly how, when, and where you will be entering and leaving Brazil.
   • A copy of your most recent monthly bank statement.
7. Conference or Seminar. If attending a conference or seminar, a letter of invitation from the organization in Brazil which is hosting the event and a day-by-day itinerary of the event. (GreenBook can supply a visa invitation letter).
8. Yellow Fever Vaccination. If the applicant has traveled within the last 90 days to any of the Yellow Fever Countries an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever will be required.
9. Bank statement. Copy of the applicant’s most recent monthly bank statement. The statement must clearly show the applicant’s name as the account holder, the balances of the accounts, and the date of the statement.

U.S. Citizens, for more information visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html.