General Information

Banks and Post Offices
Business hours differ between banks. Most banks are open from Monday to Friday between 08.00– 12.30 and again 13.30–15.00. Certain banks remain open 13.30 until 17.00 on Thursdays. On weekends banks are closed. Business hours are mainly 08.00– 18.00 on weekdays, Saturdays 08.00–13.00. Cash machines (ATM) are available in the Congress Centre. Regular post offices are open from Monday to Friday 08.00–12.00 and 14.00–18.00.

Certificate of attendance
Participating delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Climate and Dress
The weather in Vienna in June is usually sunny with a day temperature of 18–23°C. Showers may occur. Dress will be informal throughout the Congress.

Currency
The currency in Austria is Euro (€). Please visit www.oanda.com for the latest currency rate.

Disclaimer The SOE 2007 Congress and Congrex Sweden AB can not 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.

Disabled delegates
Standard wheelchairs, following A.D.A wheelchair regulations for electric units of 120 cm long x 63 cm wide, can without problem access all session rooms and lifts around the ACV

Access for larger electrical wheelchairs to smaller session rooms with only one main door can prove difficult.

Please have a look at this picture for detailed instructions on how to access session rooms B and C on red level to properly reach the wheelchair ramp in these rooms.

The ACV recommends that people in wheelchair attend rooms B and C with an accompanying person.


Electricity
The voltage in Austria is 220 volts. Round European style two-pin plugs are used. Appliances designed to operate on 110/120V need a voltage converter and a plug adapter for two-prong, roundprong plugs with side grounding contacts.

Exhibition
The SOE 2007 Congress includes a commercial exhibition which starts on 9 June and will be open during the Congress meeting hours.
Preliminary opening hours:
9 June 10.00–19.30,
10–12 June 10.00–18.00.

More info will available during w45.


For more information on the exhibition, 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 2 66 94 541
Web site: www.pandaniviaggi.it

Language
The official language of the Congress is English. No simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
The annual meeting of ÖOG on 9 June will be held in German.

Local time
Local time in Austria 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 Austria Center.

Official Carrier

The Star Alliance Members are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for the SOE 2007 Congress. To obtain the Star Alliance Conventions Plus discounts, please contact your local Star Alliance Member and quote the following Convention Code OS004S7.

When making your travel plans please present confirmation of your registration as proof of attendance and ensure that the Convention Code is listed on your ticket. For further information about Star Alliance Members, visit: www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus

Participating airlines for this event: Air Canada, ANA, Austrian Airlines, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, United Airlines, US Airways.

Passport, Visa and Letter of Invitation

Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering Austria. Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation in order to obtain a visa and authorisation to attend the Congress, 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 SOE, it is forbidden to take photographs during sessions.
 

Professional Congress Organiser

Congrex Sweden AB has been appointed official Congress organiser for the SOE 2007 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

Smoking Policy
In accordance with the policy of the SOE, this is a non-smoking event.

Telephones
Mobile telephones have to be switched off during sessions.