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Photo: © 2004 Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions
General Information
Venue
The 2009 Congress of the European Society of
Ophthalmology (SOE) will take place at the RAI
International Exhibition and Congress Centre which
is conveniently located in the southern centre of
Amsterdam. This modern, 87 000 square metre complex is
unquestionably one of Europe’s foremost venues for major
international events.
The RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre is the perfect
venue for exhibitions, conferences, seminars and other
events.
This is partly due to its excellent accessibility, both
from within the Netherlands and from abroad, on public
and private transport alike. All of the halls and conference
rooms are air-conditioned and offer all necessary facilities.
Congress Opening Hours
Registration Desk and Congress Secretariat
| Friday 12 June |
08.00 – 18.00 |
|
| Saturday 13 June |
07.00 – 18.00 |
|
| Sunday 14 June |
08.00 – 18.00 |
|
| Monday 15 June |
08.00 – 18.00 |
|
| Tuesday 16 June |
08.00 – 16.00 |
|
Electronic Posters
| Saturday 13 June |
09.45 – 19.30 |
|
| Sunday 14 June |
09.45 – 17.30 |
|
| Monday 15 June |
09.45 – 18.00 |
|
| Tuesday 16 June |
09.45 – 14.30 |
|
Commercial Exhibition
| Saturday 13 June |
09.45 – 19.30 |
|
| Sunday 14 June |
09.45 – 17.30 |
|
| Monday 15 June |
09.45 – 18.00 |
|
| Tuesday 16 June |
09.45 – 14.30 |
|
Speakers’ Support Centre
| Friday 12 June |
13.00 – 18.00 |
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| Saturday 13 June |
07.00 – 18.00 |
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| Sunday 14 June |
07.45 – 18.00 |
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| Monday 15 June |
07.45 – 18.00 |
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| Tuesday 16 June |
07.45 – 16.00 |
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How to get to RAI International Exhibition and Congress
CentreFrom the City Centre: The RAI Exhibition and Congress
Centre is just fifteen minutes away by public transport from
the city centre. There are excellent train, tram, metro and
bus network offering fast, low-cost travel in and around
Amsterdam.
From the airport: You can reach the Amsterdam RAI from
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by car or public transport in
less than 15 minutes. Amsterdam RAI has its own railway
station and the travelling time by train from Schiphol
Airport is less than ten minutes. Rai station is located
3–5 minutes walk from the venue.
From the motorway: If you are travelling by car you may
take the ring road round Amsterdam (A10). The Amsterdam
RAI is indicated on signboards, which indicate the route
to the Amsterdam RAI car parks. The Amsterdam RAI is
located right next to the A10 at exit S109.
How to get to Amsterdam City Centre from the airport
A direct rail link connects Schiphol International Airport
to Amsterdam Central Station and is the fastest and most
convenient way to get to the city centre. Trains run every 10
minutes from platforms 1 and 2 in the main arrival plaza.
Banks and Post Offices
Business hours differ between banks. Most banks are open
from Tuesday to Friday between 09.00–16.00. On Mondays
business hours start mainly at 13.00. On Saturdays and
Sundays banks are closed. Most post offices are open
weekdays 09.00–17.30 and some are open on Saturday
morning until 13.00
Certificate of Attendance
Participating participants will receive a Certificate of
Attendance.
Climate and Dress
The weather in Amsterdam in June is usually mild and
sunny but be prepared for rain and bring some warm
garments for chilly evenings.
CME Credits
We are happy to inform that the SOE offers Continuing Medical Education (CME)
credits for the Congress in Amsterdam. Please see further information in the
menu under the heading “CME”.
Congress Website
Congress website: www.soe2009.org
Email: soe2009.registration@congrex.com
Currency
The currency in The Netherlands is Euro (€). Please visit
www.oanda.com for the latest currency rate.
Disclaimer
The SOE 2009 Congress 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 SOE 2009 and to present its program as
scheduled under circumstances which assure the comfort and safety of all
participants and accompanying persons. However, neither the SOE nor its
committees, representatives or agents, shall be held liable by any person as a
result of the cancellation of the SOE 2009 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 Netherlands in connection with this
Congress. Participants and accompanying persons are advised to purchase their
own insurance against any such occurrences.
Cancellation or Modification of the Congress due to Force Majeure
In case of force majeure, SOE 2009 has the right to alter or cancel the Congress
without prior notice, however a notice of the occurrence shall be given by SOE
2009 as soon as reasonably possible. Force majeure shall mean any circumstance
beyond the reasonable control of SOE 2009 which prevents or impedes the holding
of the Congress, 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. SOE 2009 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 Congress. Furthermore, registration fees will not be reimbursed by SOE 2009.
Electricity
The electrical current in the Netherlands is 220 volts,
alternating at 50 cycles per second. Current (AC); wall
outlet take Continental-type plugs, with two round prongs.
If you travel to the Netherlands with a device that does
not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage
converter.
Exhibition
The SOE 2009 Congress includes a commercial exhibition
which starts on Saturday 13 June and will be open during
the Congress meeting hours.
Preliminary opening hours: 13 June 09.45 –19.30,
14 June 09.45–17.30, 15 June 09.45–18.00 and
16 June 09.45–14.30.
For more information on the exhibition and on sponsorship
opportunities, please contact:
soe-industry@concorde-uk.com
Italian Participants
Pandani Viaggi e Turismo has been appointed the offical agency for Government Authorisation for Italian participants. They can be contacted at the following address:
Pandani Viaggi e Turismo
Via G. Fara, 13
201 24 Milano, Italy
Telephone: +39 02 6693007
Email: info.congressi@pandani.it
Website: www.pandaniviaggi.it
Language
The official language of the Congress is English. No
simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Local Time
Local time in The Netherlands during the Congress is
Central European Time (GMT+2 hours).
Meals
Coffee/tea is included in the registration fee and will be
served daily. There are several bars and restaurants available
within the RAI International Exhibition and Congress
Centre.
Official Carrier
Get up to 20% discount with the Star Alliance network
The Star Alliance™ member airlines are pleased to be appointed as the Official
Airline Network for SOE 2009
Simply call the reservation office of any participating Star Alliance member
airline and quote the event code SK04S09.
Registered participants
plus one accompanying person travelling to the event are automatically granted a
discount of up to 20%, depending on the class of travel.
Participating airlines for this event are: ANA, Air Canada, Air China, Asiana
Airlines, Austrian Airlines, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS
International Air Lines, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP
Portugal, Turkish Airlines, US Airways, United.
Booking office information can be found at:
www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus
Discounts are offered on published business and economy class fares, excluding
website/internet fares, senior and youth fares, group fares and Round the World
fares.
Please note: For travel from Japan and New Zealand, special fares or discounts
are offered by the participating airlines on their own network.
Passport, Visa and Letter of Invitation
Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering
The Netherlands. Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation in order
to obtain a visa and authorisation to attend the Congress should click on the
link below and fill out the form.
Please apply for the visa within reasonable time (minimum 3 months ahead) before
the planned travel.
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 SOE, it is forbidden to
take photographs during sessions.
Professional Congress Organiser
Congrex Sweden AB has been appointed official Congress
organiser for the SOE 2009 Congress. 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
Public Transportation
Amsterdam is a wonderful walkable city with most major
sites located in or near the city centre. Public transportation
is excellent and driving is strongly discouraged within the
canal ring. Of course bicycling is the preferred Dutch way
to travel and some would say the only way to truly
experience the city. The Public Transportation – GVB
(www.gvb.nl) is the public transport company of
Amsterdam providing integrated metro, tram and bus
service throughout Amsterdam and its surrounding areas.
A public transportation card will be provided to the
participants of the Congress.
Smoking PolicyIn accordance with the policy of the SOE, this is a nonsmoking
event.
Travel
Amsterdam is easily accessible not just within Europe, but also from anywhere in
the world.
Most major airlines fly to Amsterdam and the airport is situated very centrally
in the Netherlands
and is not far from Amsterdam city centre. The train from Amsterdam Airport
takes about ten minutes to reach Amsterdam
RAI station. From Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol, there is a direct train to
Amsterdam Central Station,
taking only 15 minutes.
Click here or the image above to download the map (PDF)
Click here or the image above to download the map (PDF)
Telephones
Mobile telephones must be switched off during sessions.
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