General Information
Banks and Post Offices
There are many banks in the Lake Geneva region for all your financial requirements. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 08.30–16.30. Post offices are usually open from 07.00–12.00 and from 14.00–18.00 on weekdays. On Saturdays, post offices are open from 08.30–12.00. Certificate of Attendance Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Climate and Dress The climate in Geneva is temperate and in June it is usually mild and sunny but you should prepare for rain and chilly evenings. From June to July the daytime temperature ranges from 18º C to 28º C (65º–82ºF). CME Credits
The Joint Congress of the SOE/AAO 2011 is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), www.uems.net.
The Joint Congress of the SOE/AAO 2011 is designated for a maximum of 21 hours of European external CME credits.
Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity. The EACCME credit system is based on 1 ECMEC per hour with a maximum of 3 ECMECs for half day and 6 ECMECs for a full-day event.
To claim the credits, each congress participant should contact his/her national CME authority and present his/her certificate of attendance which is included in the last page of the Final Programme book.
For American participants - EACCME approved credits for live activities are recognized by the American Medical Association for conversion to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physicians may apply to convert EACCME credit into AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ by submitting a form (which may be found on the below link) and attaching an EACCME credit certificate, and processing fee. A certificate of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ will be mailed within 4 weeks. For further information, please visit: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/education-careers/continuing-medical-education/cme-forms.shtml
Congress Opening Hours Registration Desk and Congress Secretariat Friday, 3 June 07.30-18.00 Saturday, 4 June 07.00-18.00 Sunday, 5 June 08.00-18.00 Monday, 6 June 08.00-18.00 Tuesday, 7 June 08.00-13.00 Electronic Posters Saturday, 4 June 09.30-19.30 Sunday, 5 June 09.30-17.30 Monday, 6 June 09.30-17.30 Tuesday, 7 June 09.30-12.30 Speakers' Support Centre Friday, 3 June 07.45-18.00 Saturday, 4 June 07.00-18.00 Sunday, 5 June 07.45-18.00 Monday, 6 June 07.45-18.00 Tuesday, 7 June 07.45-13.00 Currency The currency in Switzerland is Swiss Francs (CHF). Please visit www.oanda.com for the latest currency rate. Disclaimer The Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 and Congrex Sweden AB cannot accept lliability 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 travel insurance. All reasonable endeavours will be made to hold the Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 and to present its programme 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 Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 or of any of the arrangements, programmes 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 Switzerland 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, the Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 has the right to alter or cancel the Congress without prior notice, however a notice of the occurrence shall be given by Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 as soon as reasonably possible. Force majeure shall mean any circumstance beyond the reasonable control of the Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 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. The Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 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 the Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011. Electricity
The electrical current in Switzerland 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 Switzerland with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Exhibition The Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 includes a commercial exhibition which starts on Saturday 4 June and will be open throughout the duration of the Congress. Exhibition Opening Hours Saturday, 4 June 09.30–19.30 Sunday, 5 June 09.30–17.30 Monday, 6 June 09.30– 17.30 Tuesday, 7 June 09.30–12.30 For more information about the exhibition or sponsorship opportunities, please contact: soe2011.industry@congrex.com Italian Participants Pandani Viaggi e Turismo has been appointed the official 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 Switzerland is Central European Time (GMT+2 hours). Meals Coffee/tea is included in the registration fee and will be served daily. All coffee/tea breaks will be served within the exhibition hall at Geneva Palexpo.
Professional Congress Organiser Congrex is the official organiser of the Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011. Congrex is a leading international management company offering comprehensive services for meetings, events, conferences, association management, travel and accommodation. Let’s meet, visit www.congrex.com Public Transportation The city of Geneva is easily accessible by rail and road networks and the Geneva International Airport (GVA) is located 20 minutes by car from Geneva City centre. Visitors arriving at Geneva International Airport can benefit from a free public transport ticket, available from the machine in the Arrival’s Hall, entitling them to 80 minutes free travel throughout the Geneva public transport network. Tickets can also be purchased from the machines located at bus stops (CHF or Euro (€) change required) and at Swiss railway stations. All visitors staying at a hotel in Geneva can benefit from the Geneva Transport Card, with no additional cost. This personal and non-transferable pass is established upon the visitor’s check-in at the hotel enabling its holder use of the entire public transportation network without restriction (bus, train and boat), with validity for the entire duration of his/her stay including the departure day. From the Airport Geneva Palexpo Exhibition and Conference Centre is located 500 meters from the Geneva International Airport. For those who wish to walk: It is approximately a 15 minute walk from the airport to Palexpo, follow the signs. You can also: take N° 5 bus from Gd-Saconnex Place to Palexpo (3 minutes). From the City Centre Efficient ground transfers are available from Geneva Palexpo to the city centre and hotels. N° 5 bus (Hôpital – Palexpo – Aéroport) links Geneva Palexpo with the City Centre in only 15 minutes, runs frequently. The airport railway station is located a 15 minutes walk from Geneva Palexpo. Direct rail links to Geneva Central station, Gare Cornavin. Smoking Policy
In accordance with the policy of the SOE, this is a nonsmoking event.
Venue The Joint Congress of SOE/AAO 2011 will take place at the Geneva Palexpo Exhibition and Conference Centre from 4 - 7 June 2011. The Geneva Palexpo has excellent modern facilities with plenty of space for both scientific meetings and a large commercial exhibition. The venue is conveniently located only 10 minutes away from Geneva's City Centre.
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