General Information

ESPE Meeting Secretariat

All matters regarding registration, hotel booking, social events, abstract handling, exhibition management and general information are managed by Congrex Sweden AB. Congrex Sweden AB has been appointed official Meeting organiser for this event. The Congrex Group works internationally with offices in Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Latin America, offering integrated solutions for the association services industry and corporate and governmental meetings. For more information, please visit: www.congrex.com

Congrex Sweden AB
Att: ESPE 2010
Franzéngatan 5, 5 tr
P.O. Box 5619
114 86 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: +46 (0) 8 459 66 00
Fax : +46 (0) 8 661 91 25
Email: espe2010@congrex.com

Official Carrier of the ESPE Meeting 2010

The SkyTeam Member Airlines are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for ESPE 2010. To benefit from discounted flight tickets at attractive congress air fares to Prague, please book your flight online via this link.

Banks and Post Offices

Most banks and post offices are open from Monday to Friday between 09:00-16:00. All banks in Czech Republic exchange foreign currency and traveller's cheques. Exchange of foreign currency is also available at Prague International Airport and at most hotels, banks and exchange offices throughout the city. International credit cards are accepted for payments in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Car Parks
The Prague Congress Centre have a garage with zones for short-term and long-term parking.
Per hour- €2
24 hour- €18

Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance will be available for all delegates attending the ESPE 2010 Meeting.

Climate

Geographically speaking, the Czech Republic is situated in a temperate zone, and there are four seasons of approximately all the same length. Winters are relatively mild (the average January temperature is -2 °C, 28,4 °F) and summers are not too hot (the average July temperature is 20 °C, 68 °F). In September, the weather in Prague is usually quite pleasant and mild with temperatures around 15°C. However, evenings can be chilly and rainy.

Customs

When bringing goods into the Czech Republic there are limits set on certain commodities. If a certain amount is exceeded, duty must be paid, and the importer is required to inform customs of the amount of the commodity he or she is bringing in to the country. Please click here to find more information. Customs Office Prague 1 (Celní úrad Praha 1)

Currency

The official currency in the Czech Republic is CZK (Czech crowns) of which 1 CZK is currently worth approximately EUR 0.04 (January 2009). Exchange of foreign currency is available at Prague International Airport and at most hotels, banks and exchange offices throughout the city. The Czech Republic has been a member of the EU since May 1 2004, but will only enter the Euro Zone around 2010. Please visit www.oanda.com for the latest currency rate.

Credit card acceptance in Prague

All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, international shops and more expensive restaurants. Many local shops and cheaper restaurants do not accept credit cards. If you have a choice of paying in cash or by credit card, cash is always preferred.

Disclaimer/Liability

The Organising Committee and Congrex Sweden AB cannot accept liability for injuries or losses of whatever nature incurred by participants and/or accompanying persons, nor for loss of or damage to their luggage and/or personal belongings. Please check the validity of your own travel insurance. All reasonable endeavours will be made to hold the ESPE 2010 and to present its program as scheduled under circumstances which assure the comfort and safety of all participants and accompanying persons. However, neither the ESPE nor its committees, representatives or agents, shall be held liable by any person as a result of the cancellation of the ESPE 2010 or of any of the arrangements, programs or plans connected therewith, or for any injury, damage or inconvenience which may be suffered by any person while travelling to or from, or during such person's presence in The Check Republic in connection with this Meeting. Participants and accompanying persons are advised to purchase their own insurance against any such occurrences.

Cancellation or Modification of the Meeting due to Force Majeure
In case of force majeure, ESPE 2010 has the right to alter or cancel the Meeting without prior notice, however a notice of the occurrence shall be given by ESPE 2010 as soon as reasonably possible. Force majeure shall mean any circumstance beyond the reasonable control of ESPE 2010 which prevents or impedes the holding of the Meeting, including, but not limited to, government action, war or hostilities, riot or civil commotion, plague or other epidemic such as SARS, bird flu, etc, earthquake, flood, hurricane, cyclone, fire or other natural physical disaster, explosion, accident or breakdown, strike, lack of the usual means of transportation or terrorism. ESPE 2010 shall not be liable for any direct or indirect, incidental or consequential damages, losses, expenditures or any other inconveniences or costs caused by such modification or cancellation of the Meeting. Furthermore, registration fees will not be reimbursed by ESPE 2010.

Electricity

Electricity AC in the Czech Republic is 230 volts. Neither current nor plug sizes are the same around the world. If you discover on arrival that an electrical device has a different plug to those used in this country, adapters are readily available.

Email Centre

An email centre will be situated within the Exhibition area during the meeting.

Exhibition

The ESPE 2010 Meeting includes a commercial exhibition which starts on Wednesday, September 22 and will be open during the Meeting. For detailed information on the exhibition please read the information published under Exhibition and Sponsorship.

First Aid

First aid room will be available on the ground floor.

Italian Agency

The officially appointed Italian agency is:
PANDANI VIAGGI
S. r.l, via Fara 13
20124 Milano
Italy
Tel: +39 02 6694541
Fax: +39 02 99989769
Email: Info@pandani.it
Website: www.pandaniviaggi.it

Language

The official language in the Czech Republic is Czech, which is spoken by 96 % of the population. However, have no fear, as especially in larger cities you can make yourself understood in English relatively easily. The official language of the ESPE 2010 Meeting is English. No simultaneous translation will be provided.

List of Participants

Will be available on the meeting website before the meeting starts. Previous years a copy of a list of all registered participants was included in the Meeting bag, but in order to be environmentally friendly ESPE saves trees and cut back on printed matters.

Meals

Coffee and lunches are included in the registration fee and will be served daily.

Meeting Logo

"The ESPE 2010 logo expresses Prague as a friendly, host city for the Meeting venue. Prague is characterized by the Vltava River with the Charles Bridge from year 1357, as a dominating feature, which was named after its founder, Emperor Charles IV. The simplified silhouette of the Charles Bridge on a light-blue background, brightened up by white birds-gulls, unites the history of stone and vitality simultaneously. Apart from its historic significance for Prague, the bridge can also be understood as a connecting line - spanning the river banks, enabling gathering and mutual communication."
Helena Francova, Designer

Meeting Venue

The 49th ESPE Meeting will take place at the Prague Congress Centre (PCC), Prague, Czech Republic. Known as one of the largest and best equipped European centres.

Prague Congress Centre
5.kvetna 65
140 21 Prague 4
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 261 171 111
Fax: +420 261 172 062 (telephone exchange)
Website: www.kcp.cz

On-site Registration in Prague

The opening hours for the registration desk will be available in July 2010.

Passport, Visa and Invitation letter

Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering the Czech Republic. EU Nationals and citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein (which are members of the European economical area) travelling to the Czech Republic may use a passport, diplomatic passport or any government-issued ID. Nationals of Japan, USA, and New Zealand can visit the Czech Republic for up to 90 days without a visa. Nationals of Australia, South Africa and many other countries must obtain a visa, which is good for a stay of between 30 and 90 days depending on your nationality. Citizens of states who must provide a visa to enter the Czech Republic include Ukraine, Morocco, Singapore and Brazil. The official list of states and types of visa contacts is available on the web page Ministry of Foregin Affairs of the Chech Republic.

Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation in order to obtain a visa and authorisation to attend the meeting should click the link below and fill out the form.
Click here to download, fill out and print an official letter of invitation (PDF document)
If you do not have Adobe Reader you can download it from www.adobe.com

Photography

In accordance with the policy of the ESPE, it is strictly forbidden to take photographs during sessions.

Smoking Policy

In accordance with the policy of ESPE, this is a non-smoking event.

Telephones

Mobile telephones have to be switched off during sessions.

Prague

Thanks to its location at the crossroads of various cultures, the Czech Republic has countless cultural and historical points of interest. Prague, its capital, is the most valuable historical city reserve. In 1992, the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register.

Prague has always played an important role in the history of the nation. Since the Middle Ages Prague has been famous as one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

Throughout centuries, prominent personalities paid homage to the City. W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, F. M. Dostojevsky, A. Rodin, G. Apollinaire, P. I. Tchaikovsky, O. Kokoschka and also the British Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II professed their beguilement by its attractiveness and architectural beauty. The native town is reflected in the works of Jan Neruda, Jaroslav Hasek, Jaroslav Seifert, Franz Kafka, Max Brod or Egon Erwin Kisch.

Prague represents a unique collection of historical monuments dominated by the Prague Castle which towers high above the city. It is a specimen of all artistic styles and movements. The historical core of the city is situated on both banks of the Vltava River and consists of 6 parts - formerly independent urban units unified in the 18th century. They are as follows: Stare Mesto (Old Town), Josefov (the preserved part of the former Jewish Town - today a part of the Old Town), Nove Mesto (New Town), Mala Strana (Lesser Town), Hradcany and Vysehrad. Naturally, most of the historical monuments, museums and galleries are concentrated right there. Do not miss this great opportunity to experience ESPE 2010 within this magnificent city full of history!

Tipping

While tips are gratefully received by people in the tourist industry in Prague, tipping is fairly relaxed. As a general rule, if you are happy with the service you have received, a tip of 5%-10% is appropriate.

Tourist Information

For further details please see www.prague-info.cz

Travel / Transportation

By Air
The Ruzyne International Airport is located 18 kilometres from the Prague Congress Centre. The centre can be reached by taxi or public transport.

Discounted ESPE air fares to Prague are now available online via this link.

By Bus
If you decide to arrive by bus, most of the Prague-bound international links terminate at the Florence station, which is about 10 minutes far away by subway. Get off at the Vysehrad stop. (It is the fourth stop from Florence). The Congress Centre is located right next to the stop.

By Train
Having once arrived at the Prague Main Station (Hlavní nádraží), take metro from the Hlavní nádraží stop running in the direction of Háje. Get off at the Vyšehrad stop (it is the third stop from Hlavní nádraží). The Congress Centre is located right next to the stop.

Public Transport
Shuttle bus links the airport and the end station of the A metro line named Dejvická. It runs every 30 minutes. From Dejvická take the Skalka-bound service to the Muzeum stop, there change to line C, running in the direction of Háje. Get off at the Vyšehrad metro stop (it is the second stop after Muzeum). The Congress Centre is located right next to the metro stop. A combined bus-metro service will take you to the Congress Centre from the airport in about 45 minutes.

Taxi
Providing you are taking taxi the journey will take you about 25 minutes. Not all Taxis in Prague are able to accept payment by credit cards.

Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is recommended. The Meeting Secretariat will not be held liable for illness, accidents or thefts suffered by Participants or Accompanying Persons during the meeting or their stay in the Czech Republic before or after the meeting.

Time

April - September: Greenwich GMT+2
October - March: Greenwich GMT +1
It is the same as in Western Europe

Typical Czech Republic Food

Czech cuisine will come as a pleasant surprise to gourmets. Although the cuisine shows influences from neighbouring countries (Hungary, Austria and Germany), the greatest inspiration remains traditional old Bohemian recipes. The basis of Czech food are ingredients which could be grown at home - above all: grains, pulses, potatoes and meat. Sample the delights of goulash, roast pork, duck, wild boar and other special dishes, along with Czech beer and Moravian wine.