Badge
All delegates and accompanying persons 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. Vouchers for courses and workshops that have been booked will be handed out with the registration material.
Bank services
Banks are open from 09:30 am to 03:30 pm, Monday to Friday. 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) at which to change your money into Pound Sterling (GBP). Most cash machines accept international cards with the Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro symbols. If you have a non-UK 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). Full attendance at the CRC Course entitles the participant to 6 European CME credits (ECMEC’s).
The certificate of European CME credits will be available online in EFORTnet – The Orthopaedic and Traumatology Community Platform after the congress for registered participants.
More information and login: www.efortnet.org.
Climate
London has a temperate oceanic climate, summers are generally warm and sometimes hot, the heat being boosted by the urban heat island effect making the centre of London at times 5°C (9°F) warmer than the suburbs and outskirts. The average temperature in June is around 20°C.
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 Great Britain is the Pound Sterling (£/GBP). Despite being a member of the European Union, the UK has not adopted the Euro.
The change rate may change, as indicatorhere is the official exchange rate as of 25 February 2013: EUR 1 = GBP 0,872 (25 February 2013) / USD 1 = GBP 0,662.
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 Great Britain is 230 Volt/50 Hz, (EU-standard) but there are other plugs in the UK to fit into the three pin plug. 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 999 for emergency services UK (police, fire and ambulance) or 112 for the international emergency number.
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 04 June to 06 June 2014 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 accompanying persons should arrange their own cover.
Internet connections
Workstations with an internet connection will be available during the congress opening hours. Participants are kindly requested to limit internet usage to five minutes to allow as many participants as possible to use this service. WiFi connection will be available in defined areas of the congress centre.
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 2014 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 are strictly prohibited during all scientific sessions.
No-smoking policy
Smoking is strictly prohibited during all meetings and sessions and in exhibition halls at all times.
Passport & visa requirements
- Passports: To enter the UK, you will need to show a valid passport or national identity card if you are an EEA citizen. If you are not an EU national you will need to show further documentation, including a landing card, and you may need a visa.
For detailed information please refer to https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. - Visas: You may need to acquire a visa before you travel to Britain, if you are not a British citizen or a citizen of one of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries.Nationals from some countries will need a visa.If you have a valid passport and UK visa, you will normally be granted entry to the UK. When you arrive in Britain your visa tells UK immigration.
For full details about visa requirements and application procedures, visit https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
More information: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/.
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 London are: Oxford Street, New Bond Street, Regent Street, Jermyn Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill Canary Wharf. There are also numerous shopping malls like Westfield London and Bluewater around the city that operate between 10.00 – 22.00 hrs every day.
Time zone
London is in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
