The European Society
of Human Genetics

General Information

General Information

Conference Venue
Palais des Congrès
2 Place de la Porte Maillot
75017 Paris
France
Website

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 25.- will be charged.

Bank services - Money matters
Banks are generally open weekdays between 9.00 - 17.15 hrs and are closed over the weekend. There are multiple bank machines (ATMs) open 24 hours a day throughout the city which accept all major international bankcards, notably one in the conference center. The official currency of France 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 email or fax to the Congress Office.
The policy for refunding registration fees is as follows:
Written cancellation received:
- before April 1, 2013: 75% refund
- between April 1 and May 23, 2013: 25% refund
- after May 23, 2013: no refund
The date of the email/fax ID is the basis for considering refunds. Refunds will be made after the congress.

Car Parking
The Palais des Congrès de la Porte Maillot has plenty of parking facilities. Note that the traffic in Paris is sometimes considerable and public transportation is definitely recommended, especially given that the venue has its own subway station.

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

Climate
The weather in June is generally nice (average high: 22°C, average low: 13°C), evenings may be cooler and of course occasional rain showers have to be expected.

Cloakroom and Luggage
A cloakroom and luggage storage is available. Persons with reduced mobility should contact the congress-bag counter for assistance. Price: EUR 2 per garment, EUR 3 per luggage.

CME credits
The European Society of Human Genetics is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide CME activities for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), www.uems.net
The European Human Genetics Conference has been granted  20 European CME credits (ECMEC).
EACCME credits are recognized by the American Medical Association towards the Physician's Recognition Award (PRA). To convert EACCME credit to AMA PRA category 1 credit, contact the AMA.
The EACCME credit system is based on 1 ECMEC per hour with a maximum of 3 ECMECs for half a day and 6 ECMECs for a full-day event.

Coffee Breaks
During the session breaks refreshments (coffee, tea, and water) will be served free of charge to participants wearing name badges.

Currency
The official currency of France is the Euro (€). 1 EUR = 1,30 USD = 0,84 GBP = 1,32 CAD = 127 JPY = 1,22 CHF = 1,26 AUD as per April 28, 2013. Other currencies.

Drinking water
The tap water in France is can be used without concern.

Eating Out in Paris
As one would expect, Paris is definitely one of the world's gastronimic capitals in french and international cuisine, but like in every city heavily frequented by tourists, having an excellent meal for a fair price is just as easily possible, as getting mediocre food for not so little money, depending on the choice of location.
A guide to eating in Paris: http://www.placesinfrance.com/eating_in_paris_restaurants.html
Eating and drinking in Paris: http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/eating-drinking
Please note that these websites should serve as indication only. The ESHG is not endorsing any of the stated opinions or listed restaurants

Electricity Supply
220-240 V - 50Hz AC, using NF C 61-314 sockets (includes also CEE 7/7, 7/16 and 7/17 plugs).

Emergency Services
European Emergency Number: 112. (Alternatively, Police: 17; Hospital-based Ambulance (SAMU): 15; Fire Service-based Ambulance: 18; Fire: 18)

Exhibition Opening Hours
Sunday, June 9: 08.30 - 18.00 hrs
Monday, June 10: 08.30 - 18.00 hrs
Tuesday, June 11: 09.00 - 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 or online at your provider which roaming company in France offers the cheapest tariffs.

Insurance
In registering for the ESHG 2013 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 and Printing Facilities
Internet (WiFi) access and terminals with printing facilities are available at the venue.

Language
The official language of the congress will be English (no simultaneous translation)

Lunch and Refreshments
Lunch tickets for lunch boxes had to be pre-ordered - they cannot be purchased on site. Please note that lunch tickets are not refundable.

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

Pharmacy
Most pharmacies are open during normal trading hours, between 8.00 and 20.00 hrs (some 21.00 hrs). Closed on Sunday.

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 11, 2013, 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 in the first floor, room 111/112/113. 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 (30 minutes for the first morning sessions).

Registration Desk opening hours
Saturday, June 8: 08.30 - 20.00 hrs
Sunday, June 9: 07.45 - 18.45 hrs
Monday, June 10: 07.45 - 18.45 hrs
Tuesday, June 11: 08.30 - 15.30 hrs

Safety - Crime
Paris can be considered a safe compared to other cities of the same size. Use of common sense is however required.
Unfortunately 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.
- In heavily frequented tourist zones, be aware of attemps of scam and pickpocketing (especially in the metro).
You may also notice patrols of military dressed in camouflage uniform. These soldiers are part of the "Plan Vigipirate", an anti-terrorist vigilence plan. Note that the last terrorist attack in France goes back to 1995.

Shops
Large shops and department stores are open between 9.00 am and 7 pm from Monday to Saturday. Large department stores have a late closure on one day of the week. All shops, with the exception of small souvenir or food & convenience stores, are closed on Sunday. All major credit cards are generally accepted, but it is not possible to pay with foreign banknotes.

Smoking Policy
The ESHG 2013 is officially a “No-smoking-Conference”. Note that smoking is banned in public buildings, restaurants and bars.

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

Taxis
Taxis in Paris can be considered as relatively cheap, as long as the traffic situation is adequate. Taxis will generally take only 3 persons in a normal car, hence do indicate this at the time of reservation to order a van. Also a number of taxis DO NOT accept credit cards, please check this before boarding. If you need a receipt ask for "un reçu s'il vous plait".
A white/green light on the roof indicates the availability, a red/orange light means that the cab is occupied.

Telephone calls
The country code of France is 33 and the area code for Paris is 1. If calling a number in Paris from within France (including Paris!), dial 01 before the subscriber number.

Tipping
By law, 15% for service is included in the price. It is common to leave (part of) the change, when paying cash (coins). Do not add anything to your credit card bill, the waiter will probably not get it.

Tourist Information Centres
A list of welcome centers can be found here: http://en.parisinfo.com/where-to-find-us/
Website of the Paris visitor bureau: http://en.parisinfo.com

Travelling - Accessibility - Public Transportation
The Palais des Congrès has its own railway station ("Porte Maillot") on line 1 & RER C.
Paris has an extensive metro system, which will allow you to get practially everywhere, mostly quicker than by car, given that sometimes heavy traffic in Paris.
See this article for lots of information on the Parisian public transportation system.

Travelling from and to Paris by train
Paris is a junction on the European high-speed rail network including TGV, Thalys and ICE at frequent intervals. Paris has several train stations within the city, see this list for more details, hence the train may be an interesting alternative to a flight.

Travelling from and to Paris Airport
Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is connected via
- Train RER B (blue) to Denfert-Rochereau, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame & Gare du Nord, every 10-15 minutes. Fare: EUR 9,10 (full fare)
- RoissyBus shuttle to Opéra, every 15-20 minutes. Fare: EUR 10.-
- Air France Bus Line 2 to Palais des Congrès and Etoile, every 30 minutes. Fare: Single: EUR 17.-, Return: EUR 29,-
Paris Orly (ORY) is connected via
- Train RER B (blue) to Gare du Nord, Chatelet Les Halles, St-Michel Notre Dame, Luxembourg & Denfert Rochereau, every 10-15 minutes. Fare: EUR 10,90 (full fare).
- Orlybus shuttle to Denfert-Rochereau, every 20-30 minutes. Fare: EUR 7,20
- Air France Bus Line 1 to Gare Montparnasse, Invalides, Étoile, every 30 minutes. Fare: Single: EUR 12.-, Return: EUR 20,-

Travelling from and to Paris by plane
Paris as two major airports: Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY) and is one of the two main Air France_KLM hubs. You will be able to find flights on all major airlines to one of these airports. Both airports are well connected via public transportation (RER, RATP Bus, Air France Bus).
Paris - Beauvais Airport (BVA) serving Ryanair, Wizz Air & Blue Air, is accessible by city train from Paris with either a shuttle bus or taxi completing the journey

V.A.T.
The VAT rate is 19,6%.