General Information

Badges
Participants should collect name badges from the conference registration desks. As only registered participants will be permitted to attend the Scientific Sessions, the Exhibition and poster areas, you are kindly asked to wear your badge when entering the congress venue.
Accompanying persons and exhibitors will also receive badges to allow access to the appropriate areas.
Lost badges can be replaced at the registration desk. However, a handling fee of EURO 50.- will be charged.

Bank services - Money matters
Banks open from 8.30 – 14:00 hrs, Monday to Friday. Some banks are also open on Thursday afternoon until 20.00 hrs or on Saturdays, from 8.30 13.30 hrs. A bank is always open at Sants Railway Station.There are multiple bank machines (ATMs) open 24 hours a day throughout the city that accept all major international bankcards. The official currency of Spain is the euro (€). Major credit cards are widely accepted, but please always check beforehand.

Cancellations and Refunds
Notice of cancellation had to be made in writing by registered letter or fax to the Congress Office.
The policy for refunding registration fees is as follows:
Written cancellation received:
- Before April 21, 2008: 75% refund
- Between April 21 and May 19, 2008: 25% refund
- After May 19, 2008: no refund
The date of the postmark or fax ID is the basis for considering refunds. Refunds will be made after the congress.

Car Parking
Participants may park their car in the parking lot of the adjacent Diagonal Mar Shopping center.

Certificate of Attendance
Confirmations of attendance will be issued at the registration desk.

Climate
The temperature in June is warm and averages around 20 degrees celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Evenings are cooler and light jackets or sweaters are recommended.

Cloakroom and Luggage
A cloakroom and luggage storage is available in the CCIB.

CME credits
The ESHG has applied for credits at the European Accredication Council for Continuing Medical Education Institution of the UEMS. As per date of printing the result is still pending. The number of credits will figure on the respective confirmation, which will be sent after the meeting.
The rules of the EACCME state that participants are kindly asked to fill in the feedback form included in the conference bag. It can be returned to the registration desk.
Participants applying for credits will have to have their badge scanned daily at the CME desk in the registration area before entering the conference.

Coffee Breaks and Lunch
During the session breaks refreshments (coffee, tea, and water) will be served free of charge to participants wearing name badges.
Lunch tickets for lunch boxes for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, had to be pre-ordered on the registration form - they cannot be purchased on site. Price per day: EUR 13.-.

Currency
The official currency of Spain is the euro (€). 1 EUR = 1,54 USD = 0,78 GBP = 162 JPY = 1,62 CHF as per date of printing.

Drinking water
The tap water in Spain is purified so it is suitable for drinking. Most people, however, prefer to drink bottled water because it tastes better and is moderately priced.

Eating Out in Barcelona
In Barcelona, as elsewhere in Spain, mealtimes are usually later than in the rest of Europe. Here, at home many people have lunch between 14.00 and 15.00 hrs and dinner between 21.00 and 22.00 hrs. However, restaurant lunchtime hours are adapted to working hours and to visitors. Lunch is normally served from 13.00 to 15.00 hrs, and dinner between 21.00 and 23.30 hrs. But there are many restaurants that have more flexible opening hours, not to speak about the uncountable number of “tapas” bars and bistros that stay open all day.

Electricity Supply
220V - 50Hz AC. Connectors can be obtained from your hotel reception or electronic stores.

Exhibition Opening Hours
Sunday, June 1, 2008 08.30 – 17.30 hrs
Monday, June 2, 2008 08.30 – 17.30 hrs
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 08.30 – 13.30 hrs

GSM cell phone roaming
GSM cell/mobile phone roaming is available without any problems for all major international providers. It is advisable to inquire beforehand at your provider which roaming company in Spain offers the cheapest tariffs.

Insurance
In registering for the ESHG 2008 participants agree that neither the organising committee nor the congress office assume any liability whatsoever. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

Internet
An internet café as well as a WIFI access will be available in the exhibition area. You many also find small Internet cafés throughout the city.

Language
The official language of the congress will be English (no simultaneous translation). Catalan and Spanish are the official languages in Barcelona.

Lunch and Refreshments
Lunch tickets for lunch boxes for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, had to be pre-ordered on the registration form - they cannot be purchased on site. Price per day: EUR 13.-. Please note that lunch tickets are not refundable.

Medical care
The Spanish National Health Service may be used by all persons from European Union countries who have the E111 Form. This form should be obtained at the health service or post office of the visitor's home country before travelling to Spain. It is advisable for participants from countries outside the European Union to take out medical insurance before reaching Spain since they will be charged for access to the national health system.

Message Centre
A Message Centre is available in the Registration Area.

Pharmacies
Pharmacies are easy to identify thanks to the green cross displayed outside. Medicines that do not require a medical prescription may be purchased directly over the counter. If you need advice, do not hesitate to ask the pharmacist. If you usually take some medicine in particular, it is advisable to bring a sufficient amount with you for your trip. There are duty pharmacies open 24 hours a day in most city districts. Outside all the pharmacies there is a list of the nearest duty pharmacies.

Poster Removal
The organisers cannot assume any liability for loss or damage of posters displayed in the poster area. Posters that were not removed after the end of the meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 14.00 hrs, will be removed by the staff and will not be kept or mailed to the author after the meeting.

Preview Room
Equipment for a final check of the sequence of your presentation is available in the preview room. All presenters should bring their electronic presentation to the preview room preferably in the morning of the day of the talk, but not later than 2 hours before the start of the session.

Registration Desk opening hours
Saturday, May 31 10.00 – 20.00 hrs
Sunday, June 1 08.00 – 18.45 hrs
Monday, June 2 08.15 – 18.45 hrs
Tuesday, June 3 08.15 – 15.30 hrs

Safety - Crime
Visitor safety is generally adequate, like in any other major European city, you can walk everywhere using common sense. Pick pocketing in heavily visited tourist zones or in public transport lines might be a concern.
Unfortunaltey experience has shown that some basic precautionary measures should always be kept in mind in any city:
- Do not carry important items like flight tickets, passports etc. with you when visiting the conference or strolling through the city, leave them in the hotel safe during your stay. Rather carry a Xerox copy of your passport or an identity card with you.
- Try not to carry all documents, money, credit cards and other essential items and valuables in one bag.If it is lost or stolen, everything will be gone and might be difficult to replace on short notice, especially passports and visa to return to your country of residence.
- Take off your name badge when leaving the conference center.

Shops
The shops in Barcelona open between 9.00 and 10.00 hrs and most close at lunchtime, that is, about 13.30 hrs. They open again in the afternoon between 16.00 and 17.00 hrs and do not close for the day until 20.00 or 20.30 hrs. The department stores and hypermarkets do not close for lunch. All retailers, including both small shops and department stores, open on Saturdays and close on Sundays, except for a few establishments with special permits.

Smoking Policy
The ESHG 2008 is a “No-smoking-Conference”. Please note the smoking is banned from all public buildings. Restaurants and bars may, depending on size, be declared either as “smoking” or “no-smoking” locations or have separate areas and ventilation systems.

Staff
If you should have any questions, the congress staff recognizable by a yellow badge will be pleased to help you.

Taxis
Barcelona has a fleet of 11.000 taxis which can be easily identified by their yellow and black livery. A green light on top of the taxi indicates its availability.

Tipping
Tips are not obligatory in Spain, although people usually leave them at restaurants (for a maximum of 10% of the total amount of the bill). Hotel and airport porters will accept tips, depending on the luggage.

Travelling - Accessibility
The fastest and cheapest way of moving around Barcelona is using public transport.
The easiest of all to use is the metro – with 5 different lines (identified by a different color each) running from 5AM to midnight on Mondays-Thursdays and Sundays and from 5.00 to 2.00 hrs on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. A one-way fare will cost around 1€. Tickets will be checked before boarding and it may be a good idea to get a deal on the multiple-trip tickets.
Barcelona’s suburban train service, the FCG, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, is also a wise travel option with 2 lines in Barcelona and 4 others going to towns close by. Trains run from 5:45 to 0:05 hrs on Mondays through Thursdays, from 5:50 to 2:15 hrs on Fridays and Saturdays and from 5:50 to 0:02 hrs on Sundays. The fare is also around 1€.
The bus, while being a much slower form of transportation (due to traffic at rush tour), is not a bad option considering the city’s extensive bus network (over 70 lines). It is also a great way of seeing the city. Different routes have different schedules and fares are also around 1€.
A taxi is the most comfortable way of getting around the city but also the most expensive. Identifiable by their black and yellow coloring, taxis show a green light when available. Prices must be displayed inside the cab and meters (which are compulsory in all cabs) will indicate the fare.
A fun and novel alternative include bikes, which are ideal for touring the city at one’s own leisure. These can be hired at Scenic www.scenic.es .

Travelling from and to the Barcelona Airport
El Prat airport is located 13 kilometres south east from Barcelona and 20 kilometres from the CCIB.
Train (RENFE)
The train service between the airport and the city centre (Paseo de Gracia) is covered from 6:00 to 22:29 (direction Barcelona) and from 5:20 and 22:50 (direction airport)
There is one train every 30 minutes and the travel time is 25 minutes.
From the train station Paseo de Gracia it is easy to connect with the yellow line (4 line) of the metro. The closest station to the CCIB is Maresme- Forum.
Express bus (Aerobús)
The bus service between the airport and the city centre (Plaza Cataluña) is covered from 6:00 to 1:00 on working days and from 6:30 to 1:00 during the weekends (direction Barcelona), and from 5:30 to 00:15 on working days and from 6:00 to 00:30 during the weekends (direction airport)
There is one bus every 8 minutes and the travel time is 30 minutes.
Next to Plaza Cataluña, you can take the yellow line (line 4) of the metro at the Urquinaona station. The closest station to the CCIB is Maresme-Forum.
Taxi
The journey to the CCIB takes about 20 minutes. Fees change according to the time of day.
T1 Nightime fees: working days from 21:00 to 7:00 and weekends and bank holidays from 00:00 to 24:00
T2 Daytime fees: from 7:00 to 21:00
There is an additional cost for entry / exit from the airport and for carrying luggage.

Travelling to the CCIB by Public Transportation
You can reach the CCIB by metro (Maresme-Forum station in the yellow line), bus (lines number 7, 36, 41, 43 and 141) and Trambesos (Forum station). All these stops are located just a few minutes’ walking away from the CCIB.

V.A.T.
A value-added tax (V.A.T.) of 7 (food) to 16% (other items) is applied to all products and services. In most cases it is included in the price. Whenever it is not included, however, it will be clearly specified.

Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the historic harbours of the Mare Mediterraneum. Located on the coast and bounded by the Collserola ridge and rivers Besós and Llobregat, it is the capital of Catalonia and the second biggest city of Spain. The city is less than 150 km from the Pyrenees. Barcelona’s location on the shores of the Mediterranean makes it enjoy a warm, welcoming climate and pleasant temperatures all around the year.
In Barcelona, as in the rest of Catalonia, there are two official languages: Catalan, the language of the region, and Spanish, the official language of Spain.
It is a city of renowned architectural interest, from its roman walls to the new urban planning schemes of the eighties. Particular highlights are its modernista heritage and contemporary architecture.
Barcelona offers many cultural activities, such as museum visits, exhibitions, drama performances and other shows.
The daytime temperature in May/June is usually warm with an average of 20°C.
For more information about Barcelona, please see: www.bcn.es