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 only open from Monday to Friday, usually from 09:00 am 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. All banks are closed at weekends and on public holidays.
There are plenty of currency exchange offices, banks and cash machines (also known as cashpoints or ATMs) throughout the city and at Prague International Airport at which to change your money into Czech Koruna or Czech Crown (CZK). Most cash machines accept international cards with the Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro symbols. If you have a non-Czech account, you will almost certainly have to pay a charge when you withdraw cash. Contact your bank before travelling to find out details.
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 city of Prague has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. By the end of May daytime temperatures in Prague can be comfortably around 20°C (68°F).
Cloakroom and storage
A cloakroom and luggage deposit located at the main entrance 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 in the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna or Czech Crown (Kč/CZK). The official name in Czech is koruna česká. Despite being a member of the European Union, the Czech Republic has not adopted the Euro.
EUR 1 = CZK 27,403 (as per 31 March 2014)
USD 1 = CZK 19,928 (as per 31 March 2014)
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 normal electric current in the Czech Republic is 230 Volt/50 Hz, (EU-standard). Electrical plugs are European 2-pin / round pin attachment plugs. You can buy an adapter for it in any common electrical shop or department store.
First aid
A first aid room is available at the congress centre. Please ask any staff member for help in case of need. Or, call 112 for the international emergency number that will connect you to police, fire and ambulance services. A dispatching in English language is provided.
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 27 May to 29 May 2015 according to the session timetable. Interested companies are advised to contact the PCO at EFORTexhibition@mci-group.com.
Insurance
The organisers are not responsible for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. Participants and guests should arrange their own cover.
Internet connections
WiFi will be available in dedicated areas of the venue.
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 2015 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 EFORTinfo@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
Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland may stay temporarily within the territory of the Czech Republic without any permit whatsoever on the basis of a travel document or ID card. A notification obligation does however apply for this group for stays longer than 3 months. You must notify the pertinent inspectorate of the foreign police service.
Citizens of countries with which an agreement on visa-free travel has been concluded only require a passport. For detailed information about visa requirements and application procedures please refer to www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/general_visa_information/index.html
Registration on-site
The registration and information desks will be located in the main entrance hall.
Shopping hours
The main shopping streets in the centre of Prague are from Charles Bridge to Old Town Square, Celetna Street, Na Prikope Street, Wenceslas Square. Business hours in Prague are from Monday to Saturday, usually from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. There are also numerous shopping malls like Palladium, Atrium Flora and Letnany around the city, that have longer opening hours and are usually open on Sundays.
Time zone
Prague is in the Central European Time (CET) time zone.
