Conference Venue
MiCo - Milano Congressi
Gate 2 - South Wing
Viale Eginardo
20149 Milan
Italy
Website

How to reach the conference center - Download a pdf

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 8.00/8.30 to 13.00/13.30 and 14.30/15.00 to 16.00/16.30 hrs and are closed over the weekend. Some branches are open from 9.00-12.00 hrs on Saturdays. There are multiple bank machines (ATMs) open 24 hours a day throughout the city which accept all major international bankcards. The official currency of Italy 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, 2014: 75% refund
- between April 1 and May 9, 2014: 25% refund
- after May 9, 2014: no refund
The date of the email/fax ID is the basis for considering refunds. Refunds will be made after the congress.

Car Parking
See How to reach the conference center.

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

Climate
June is the beginning of Summar in Milan, so the weather is generally nice (average 20°C, high: 26°C, average low: 13°C). Please make sure to protect yourself from possible sunburns. Milan has an average rainfall of 93 mm over 12 days in June.

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

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 applied for European CME credits (ECMEC). The result is currently pending.
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 Italy is the Euro (€). 1 EUR = 1,38 USD = 0,82 GBP = 1,51 CAD = 141 JPY = 1,22 CHF = 1,48 AUD as per April 29, 2014. Other currencies.

Drinking water
The tap water in Milan can be used without concern.

Eating Out in Milan
As one would expect, Milan is definitely a gastronimic capital, 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 Milan:
http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/europe/italy/milan/where-to-eat 
http://www.hostelworld.com/guides/city-guides/milan/italy/eating-out 
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/milan/restaurants 
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  CEI 23-50, CEI 23-5, some (older) sockets will not accept CEE 7/7 plugs, however in modern installations multiple standard sockets have been used.

Emergency Services
European Emergency Number: 112. (Alternatively, Ambulance – 118; Fire – 115; State Police – 113; Carabinieri – 112; 911 is redirected to 112.)

Exhibition Opening Hours
Saturday, May 31: 08.30 - 18.30 hrs
Sunday, June 1: 08.00 - 17.30 hrs
Monday, June 2: 08.00 - 17.30 hrs
Tuesday, June 3: Closed!

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 Italy offers the cheapest tariffs.

Insurance
In registering for the ESHG 2014 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, a rotational service is in place. The following pharmacies are open 24/7: Stazione Centrale - Gallerie Partenze, Phone: 02 6690735; Piazza Duomo 21 (corner Via S. Pellico), Phone: 02 878668.

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 Monday, June 2, 2014, 17.30 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 on level 2. 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, May 31: 08.00 - 20.00 hrs
Sunday, June 1: 08.00 - 19.00 hrs
Monday, June 2: 08.00 - 19.00 hrs
Tuesday, June 3: 08.30 - 16.00 hrs

Safety - Crime
Milan can be considered 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.

Shops
Most shops are open from 9.30-12.30 and 15.30-19.30 hrs, from Tuesday to Sunday. Bigger (and department) stores stay open all day. Most shops close on Sunday and re-open on Monday afternoon from about 15.30-19.30, except food stores, which re-open on Monday morning but close again for the afternoon. All major credit cards are generally accepted, but it is not possible to pay with foreign banknotes.

Smoking Policy
The ESHG 2014 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 Milan are not exactly cheap, as in most Italian cities. Fares are at a fixed price of EUR 3,20 per pick-up on weekdays plus EUR 1.06 per kilometre, 5,20 on Sunday, 6,20 after 21.00 hrs and on public holidays. The meter should only be started as you set off. Round up the tip to the nearest euro. Taxis cannot be hailed in the street. There are ranks (a white sign marked with a black 'TAXI') at Piazza del Duomo, Teatro La Scala and Castello Sforzesco, outside all airport terminals and at the train stations. Most taxi drivers speak a little English and are usually only too happy to make recommendations of sights, shops and restaurants. If you speak to them in Italian, they will rapidly become your new best friend.
Avoid bogus taxi drivers at the airports; they often over-charge by as much as 600 percent. Always go to the ranks outside the terminals. Licensed and metered taxis are white with yellow and black signs on top.

Telephone calls
The country code of Italy is 39 and the area code for Milan is 02. If calling a number in Milan from within Italy (including Milan!), dial 02 before the subscriber number.

Tipping
Tipping is quite flexible in Milan as the ‘coperto’ (cover charge)/service charge is automatically added in the bill. However, if you are happy with the service then tipping the staff is acceptable.Taxi drivers, theatre and cinema usherettes, luggage handlers are also given a token amount as a tip for their services, but you are not compelled to do so.

Tourist Information Centres
Website of the Milan Tourism: http://www.tourism.milan.it

There will also be a city desk with multilingual staff at the conference centre where attendees can book tours and excursions at their own expense. Tours and excursions are organized by Zani Viaggi travel agency. For further information regarding the services provided please visit the website www.zaniviaggi.it.

Travelling - Accessibility - Public Transportation
Homepage of the Milan Public Transports: http://www.atm.it 
See also How to reach the conference center

V.A.T.
The VAT rate is 22%.