Airline
Star Alliance has been appointed Official Airline Network for the 19th ECCMID. For further details please refer to "Accommodation and Flight Bookings".
Badges
Access to all scientific events and to the exhibits is only possible with your personal badge, which you have received upon registration. All participants are requested to wear their name badge throughout the congress. €30 will be charged for replacement of a lost badge. On-site changes of name badges due to incorrect submission of names and/or addresses will be charged with €10. Your badge will also allow you to use the Helsinki public transport system free of charge.Cameras and Recordings
Cassette recorders, cameras and video cameras are not allowed in lecture halls during all sessions.CD-ROM
All accepted abstracts will be published as an electronic supplement to Clinical Microbiology and Infection (CMI), the official journal of ESCMID. All accepted abstracts are made available to the participants on CD-ROM only, sponsored by Merck (included in your congress bag). No abstract book will be printed, however a second CD, sponsored by Novartis, containing most of the full posters has been produced and is available at the Novartis’ booth.Cloakroom / Left Luggage
A cloakroom is available on the ground level within the main entrance foyer to keep your coats and bags.CME Credits
ESCMID is seeking accreditation by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide CME credits for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS, www.uems.net).EACCME credits are recognized as Physician’s Recognition Award by the American Medical Association. A form for claiming CME credits will be inserted in your congress bag.
Currency
All official congress prices are indicated in Euro (€), which is also the official currency in Finland. All major credit cards are accepted inmost hotels, restaurants and shops.Electricity
The electrical power supply in Finland is 220 volts.ESCMID Booth
During the congress, ESCMID staff will be happy to answer your questions at their booth, located in front of the industrial exhibition.ESCMID Training & Career Platform
Inside the exhibition hall and right next to the ESCMID European Network Corner, computers are available to access ESCMID’s online job board: the ESCMID Training & Career Platform. On this website, job seekers and employers can post their profiles or open positions letting employers and potential candidates know that they are at ECCMID 2009 in Helsinki. You can also search for profiles or open positions and identify others attending the ECCMID in Helsinki. This interactive website is free of charge and name and address of individuals will not be published. Visit the ESCMID Training and Career Platform for more information at www.escmid.org/career. We encourage you to upload your profile prior to ECCMID!European Network Corner
Inside the exhibition hall and right next to the ESCMID booth you will find the European Network Corner. ESCMID Study Groups, EUCAST and other project groups active in the infection field will be present with a poster and staff to inform about their various initiatives. Learn more about these organizations and meet members of the Executive.Exhibition
During the congress an industrial exhibition will be arranged. Companies from all over the world are given ample opportunity to display their latest products, services and technical innovations (see "Exhibition" for a list of exhibitors). The exhibition is located on the ground floor, together with posters and lecture hall 6. The opening hours are as follows:
| Saturday, 16 May 12.00–18.30 | Monday, 18 May 10.00–18.30 |
| Sunday, 17 May 10.00–18.30 | Tuesday, 19 May 10.00–13.30 |
Final Programme
The Final Programme will be distributed to all participants upon registration along with all other congress documentation. Please visit the 19th ECCMID website offering continuously updated information.
Helsinki
Helsinki is a modern European cultural city whose urban cosmopolitan lifestyle exists in perfect harmony with nature. Surrounded by the sea and its own exotic archipelago, Helsinki offers visitors an endless number of possibilities.
Throughout its 450-year history, Helsinki has existed in the crosscurrents of the East and West. The colourful layers of history can be seen everywhere; a walking tour of the city centre or of the magnificent Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress will open your eyes to a fascinating past. Today's Helsinki is also a city of the future. Its modern architecture, cutting-edge design and high-technology have attracted international recognition for the city.
Life in Helsinki is defined by starkly contrasting seasonal changes. In the summer, the warmth and permanent daylight invigorate the city. The locals worship the sun and welcome the heat with open arms.
Formore information on Helsinki, refer to www.visithelsinki.fi
Hotel Accommodation
19th ECCMID 2009
c/o Congrex Travel Ltd
Association House, Freie Strasse 90, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| Phone: | +41 61 690 94 11 |
| Fax: | +41 61 690 94 11 |
| Email: | eccmid.hotel@congrex.com |
Congrex Travel will be present at a special desk in the congress secretariat during themeeting. Please refer to the hotel counter.
Insurance
The congress organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss or damage of property belonging to congress participants (or their accompanying persons), either during, or as a result of the congress. Please check the validity of your own insurance.
Internet Corner and W-LAN
Internet terminals – sponsored by Astellas and available for all congress participants – will be located in the exhibition hall. In addition, the entire congress centre is equipped with wireless-LAN with free access due to a sponsorship of ViroPharma.
Invitation letter
The organizers will be pleased to send a letter of invitation to any individual requesting one, once their registration form and fee have been received. It is to be understood that such an invitation is intended to help potential participants raise travel funds or obtain a visa. It is not a commitment on the part of the congress to provide any financial support. You may request such a letter from the Administrative Secretariat.Language
The congress language is English. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.
The mother tongue of nearly ninety per cent of the city’s inhabitants is Finnish. Some seven per cent are native speakers of the country’s other official language, Swedish. A high percentage of the population speak excellent English as their second language.
Message Centre
A message centre for the collection and distribution of messages has been installed at the congress secretariat on the ground floor. Numerous display terminals throughout the congress centre will announce the names of persons for whom messages have been received. If your name appears on the screen, please proceed to the message centre to collect it.
Mobile Phones
Please be aware that mobile telephones must be switched off during all sessions.
Official Italian agency
Italian participants requiring specific authorization from the Italian Health Ministry are advised to contact:
AIM Congress– AIM Group
Ms Giovanna Sicilia
Via A. Ristorio 38
010197 Rome, Italy
| Phone: | +39 06 809 681 |
| Fax: | +39 06 808 8491 |
| Email: | g.sicilia@aimgroup.it |
Photography
Taking pictures using flash lights is forbidden during all sessions.
Press
Accredited journalists are welcome to cover the 19th ECCMID. Please return the special registration form available on the ESCMID website
(http://www.escmid.org/news_discussion/press) together with a copy of your press ID. You will also be requested to show your press identification upon registration. A fully equipped press centre will be at your disposal during the ECCMID 2009. For further information and guidelines please see the following document: Press information for media
Restaurants
Within the Helsinki Fair Centre and the adjacent Hotel Holiday Inn there are several cafés and restaurants. You can enjoy a quick snack or an à la cartemeal.
Shopping
Themain shopping streets in the centre are Mannerheimintie, Aleksanterinkatu, Kaisaniemenkatu, Pohjois (North) and Etelä (South) Esplanadi, Bulevardi and Fredrikinkatu. Nearly all of the major malls, department stores and little boutiques are within walking distance of each other. Shops are generally open 9.00 – 18.00 on weekdays and 9.00 – 14.00 on Saturdays; department stores and shopping centres are open 9.00 – 21.00 on weekdays and 9.00–18.00 on Saturdays.
Smoking Policy
There is a strict no-smoking policy in the entire Helsinki Fair Centre.
Speakers' Service Centre (SSC)
Therewill be a centrally located Speakers' Service Centre (SSC) connected to all the lecture halls. All speakers will be asked to hand in their PowerPoint presentations at least 1 hour before their lecture at the SSC.Travel to and in Helsinki
Star Alliance has been appointed Official Airline Network (see “Airline” for details). From Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, which is situated 19 kilometres from the centre, the Helsinki Fair Centre as well as downtown can be reached by taxi in approximately 30 minutes. You can also take the Finnair airport bus or Bus 615 to the Central Railway Station.
Helsinki is a conveniently compact city, so it is easy to get around on foot. In addition, participants of the 19th ECCMID will receive a free ticket for the use of the entire Helsinki public transportation system, consisting of trams, trains, busses, the metro and even the ferry to Suomenlinna.
From downtown Helsinki, it is a five-minute train ride to the Helsinki Fair Centre. All trains stop at Pasila Station from where it is a 300 m walk. In addition, trams number 7A and 7B as well as bus number 17 also connect downtown with the Helsinki Fair Centre.
On Saturday, 16 May and Tuesday, 19 May, a shuttle bus connecting the airport and the congress centre will be at your disposal free of charge.