General Information
When is the G8 Summit?
The Sea Island Summit will occur June 8-10, 2004.

Who is the host of the G8 Summit?
President George W. Bush is the host of the 2004 G8 Summit.

Why was Sea Island chosen as the Summit site?
President Bush chose Sea Island, Georgia as the site of the 2004 G8 Summit because of the Island's reputation for its relaxed atmosphere and gracious hospitality, in addition to its beautiful, natural setting and secluded location.

Has the United States hosted a G8 before? When?
Yes, the United States has hosted the G8 Summit before. The G8 countries take turns in hosting the annual Summits. The United States has hosted the Summit four times: in San Juan, Puerto Rico (1976), Williamsburg, VA (1983), Houston, TX (1990), and Denver, CO (1997).

How do I contact the G8 Summit Planning Organization?
It's easy to contact the 2004 G8 Summit Planning Organization. The five different ways are listed below.
Telephone: (202) 647-4804
Toll-Free: (866) 249-4804
Fax: (202) 647-3079
E-mail: info@G8USA.gov
Web: www.g8usa.gov

Who designed the official Sea Island Summit 2004 logo?
The Sea Island Summit 2004 logo was created and designed by the students of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), in Savannah, Georgia.


About the G8
What is the purpose of the G8 Summit?
The purpose of the G8 Summit is for the Leaders of the world's major industrial nations to meet to discuss the issues facing the world in an informal setting.

When did the G8 Summit begin?
The Group of 8 (G8), formerly the Group of 7, first met in 1975 in Rambouillet, France.

What does the “G” in G8 stand for?
The “G” stands for the word Group, in Group of Eight.

Who are the members of the G8?
United States of America
French Republic (France)
Russian Federation (Russia)
United Kingdom
Federal Republic of Germany (Germany)
Japan
Republic of Italy
Canada
The European Union attends the annual G8 Summit as an official observer.

Do the countries vote on issues at the Summit? And if so, does the majority prevail?
The countries do not vote on issues at the Summit. Leaders seek to reach informal agreement on measures they can take individually, but in a cooperative manner to more effectively achieve their goals. At each Summit , Leaders agree upon certain initiatives and throughout the year conduct follow-up meetings to ensure Summit commitments are being honored.

What issues have been addressed in the recent past by the G8?
At recent G8 Summits, the G8 Leaders took action to meet major global challenges such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, HIV/AIDS, famine, and corruption.


What is the European Union (EU)? What is the European Commission?
The EU is a unique treaty-based organization of democratic European countries that plays a critical role in both European and international affairs. Its member states have pooled their sovereignty so that decisions on matters of joint interest including economy, security, and development can be made at the European level. In 2004, the EU expanded from 15 to 25 member nations.

The European Commission is the driving force and executive body of the EU. It proposes legislation and implements policies approved by the European Parliament and European Council. For more information, go to: http://europa.eu.int/institutions/index_en.htm

Why are the European Council and European Commission included in the G8 Summit?
The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission represent the European Union (EU) at the G8 Summit. While the EU is not a member of the G8, it is an official observer and plays an important role in the G8 process.

What country is President of the European Council in 2004?
The Presidency of the European Council is split between two countries each year. In 2004, Ireland will be the President of the European Council from January through June 2004, followed by the Netherlands from July through December 2004. As the G8 Summit occurs during the Irish Presidency, his Excellency Bertie Ahern, the Prime Minister of Ireland, will attend the 2004 G8 Summit on behalf of the European Council.

Who is President of the European Commission?
The President of the current European Commission is Romano Prodi. A new Commission is appointed every five years, within six months of the elections to the European Parliament. The present Commission's term of office runs until 31 October 2004 .

LOCAL INFORMATION
How can I rent my house during the G8 Summit?
The Sea Island Summit Planning Organization currently maintains a database of potential rental properties for use by the media during the summit. Currently that database well exceeds the expected demand. As a result we are no longer adding properties to that database. We deeply appreciate your interest in making the summit a success.

Will the Summit have a positive economic effect on Sea Island and the surround areas?
The G8 Summit will provide an immediate boost to the local community, due to the preparations and the influx of visitors. The longer-term boost will be even greater, when the venue becomes the center of world attention during the Summit.

How can my company help?
Planning for the 2004 G8 Summit will require an array of different resources. You may offer your company's services by sending an E-mail to GoodsandServices@G8usa.gov.


PRESS INFORMATION
What is the typical weather for Sea Island in June?
High Temperature: 88 F / 29 C
Low Temperature: 68 F / 20 C
Precipitation: 6 in / 144 mm

Where will the International Press Center be located?
The International Press Center will be located at the Savannah Trade and Convention Center on the Savannah riverfront. The International Press Center will be open 24 hours a day during the Summit.
The appropriate credentials and badges will be required to enter and use these facilities during the Summit.

How do I receive my Press Credentials?
Information regarding the press credentialing process may be found online in the Media of the website.