Message regarding usage fraudulent websites featuring the EFORT Congress Geneva 2016
ATTENTION: Please be aware that there are fraudulent websites attempting to exploit the EFORT name. Ensure that yourself and your colleagues ONLY use this official website http://www.efort.org/geneva2016 which is the official webpage of the EFORT Congress Geneva 2016 and/or that of our appointed PCO partners MCI Berlin https://b-com.mci-group.com/EventPortal/Information/EFORT16/ENTRYPAGE.aspx which is the official link for the Congress registration.
Badges
All delegates and guests will receive a name badge at the registration desk. The badge will be the official meeting document and should be worn at all times in order to gain entry into the meeting rooms and exhibition halls. With a delegate´s badge, participation will be granted into the scientific programme. Admission to the congress will not be allowed without badge identification. Voucher for courses and workshops that have been booked will be handed out along with the registration materials.
Bank services
Banks are open from Monday to Friday, usually from 09:00 am to noon and 01:30 pm to 05:00 pm, though some may stay open until 7:00 pm. Branch opening times differ from place to place. ATMs (cash machines) can be accessed 24 hours a day.
Banking facilities at Palexpo:
Outside of the premises:
- 1 ATM: cash withdrawals available in CHF and EUR.
- 1 foreign currency machine: exchange available from 10 currencies in CHF, EUR or USD.
In the main entrance hall:
- 1 change machine: to make change in CHF (banknotes to coins and vice versa)
All major credit cards are accepted widely, but not everywhere. If in doubt, ask in advance. Cash-on-card services are available from selected American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and VisaCard addresses. These cards are also accepted by all GWK currency exchange outlets and Change Express Offices.
Certificate of European CME credits
The full attendance of the congress entitles to 18 European CME credits (ECMEC’s). The certificate will be available for download on EFORTnet after the congress. You will be notified by Email. If you have not yet registered your correct personal Email with us, please contact the registration desks.
Climate
The mean temperature in Geneva in May/June is around 21 degrees Celsius.
Cloakroom and storage
A cloakroom and luggage deposit will be available during the official congress time schedule. The congress centre and the organisers are not responsible for any items lost or left behind.
Congress language
English is the official language of the congress. Please note that no simultaneous translation will be provided.
Currency
The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss franc. 1 (CHF) is divided into 100 cents.
Exchange rates: the following exchange rates are approximate and subject to daily change.
1 CHF =
- 1 Euro
- 1.05 US Dollars
- 1.05 Canadian Dollars
- 1.30 New Zealand Dollars
- 0.65 British Pound
- 3.80 UAE Dirham
- 6.50 Chinese Yuan Renminbi
- 82.10 Japanese Yen
- 60.00 Indian Rupees
Disabled person
The congress centre is easily accessible to disabled persons. Kindly address any request for special assistance to the congress secretariat: EFORTinfo@mci-group.com.
Electricity
The voltage in Geneva is 220 volts. Hotels may have a 110-volt or 120-volt outlet for shavers, but travelers are advised to bring a power converter and an adapter for two-prong, round-prong plugs with side grounding.
First aid
The first aid room is located in the services gallery at Palexpo.
The services gallery is centrally located in the main entrance hall nearby the entrance of the congress centre.
This room is opened during the opening hours of the congress (not during build-up and dismantling periods). Outside of these hours, an emergency telephone number 1318 is available in case of emergency.
For all emergencies: 112
- Fire: 118
- Police: 117
- Ambulance: 144
Food and refreshments
Lunch and refreshments are not included in the registration fee. You can buy lunch and refreshments in several catering areas within the congress centre.
Industry exhibition
The industry exhibition is open to pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of medical and surgical equipment, software equipment and scientific publishers. The industry exhibition is located at the congress centre and will be open from 1 June to 3 June 2016 according to the session timetable. Interested companies are advised to contact EFORT at alan.cole@efort.org.
Insurance
The organisers are not responsible for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. Participants and guests should arrange their own cover.
Letter of invitation
EFORT will send invitation letters for visa purposes to registered participants only. To request an official letter of invitation for your visa application, be sure to have the following information ready when processing your request: your full name as it appears on the passport and your passport number.
Disclaimer: This procedure is intended to assist participants who need to obtain a visa or permission to attend the EFORT Congress 2016 and is not an official invitation covering fees and/ or any other expenses or financial support for the conference. EFORT is not to be held responsible for the outcome of your visa application. Those persons needing an official invitation letter in order to attend the congress may contact EFORTregistration@mci-group.com specifying the necessary details.
Liability disclaimer
The organisers cannot be held liable for any hindrance or disruption of congress proceedings arising from political, social or economic events or any other unforeseen incidents beyond their control. The organisers will accept no liability for any personal injuries sustained or for loss or damage to property belonging to congress participants, either during or as a result of the congress or during all tours and events. Registration of a participant entails acceptance of these conditions.
Lost and found
For lost and found items, please refer to the cloakroom on-site.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones will be requested to participate to all voting sessions. However, phone calls, photos, video and/ or audio recording are strictly prohibited within the scientific rooms.
No-smoking policy
Smoking is strictly prohibited during all meetings and sessions and in exhibition halls at all times.
Passport & visa requirements
Geneva is part of the Schengen Area. Many visitors can enter the EU countries without a visa. A valid ID card or a passport is all you need to enter Geneva. Check with the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in your own country whether you need a visa.
They also have the necessary forms you have to complete. Foreign Embassies in Geneva, and Swiss Embassies abroad, at your service: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html/
Registration on-site
The registration and information desks will be located in the main entrance hall.
Please note that we encourage you to register online. Nevertheless, you can also register per fax or email by downloading the offline registration form.
- Note: Registrations sent by fax or mail are subject to an additional EUR 19 administration charge.
- Note 2: Consult the Onsite Congress fees
Shopping
The most common business hours are Monday through Saturday, 09:30 am to 18:00 pm.
Different pharmacies are open around the clock on different days of the week. To find out which pharmacy is open on a particular night, visit the pharmacy nearest to you. It will have a note in the window or on the door listing the address of the emergency pharmacy. The pharmacy emergency section in the local newspapers also have a list.
Note: you might have to ring a bell for attention out of hours, and that there is an additional charge for night and weekend services.
Time zone
Geneva follows Central European Time (CET) which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). At the time of the Conference, summer daylight saving will be in operation which is two hours ahead of GMT.
