CONGRESS DATES 3-7 September 2012

CONGRESS VENUE The Congress will take place at the
Grand Cevahir Hotel and Convention Center
Darülaceze Cad. Okmeydanı
Şişli / Istanbul

CONGRESS LANGUAGE Presentations during the congress will be conducted in English.

CONGRESS OFFICIAL WEBSITE The official website of the conference is http://www.foodmicro2012.com
Please check the site regularly for updated information.

HOW TO GET TO HOTEL (From airport) Private Transfer: Private transfers can be arranged by Congress Organizer. For further information please contact Congress Organizer.

Airport Taxi: A taxi stand is located outside the arrival area, in front of the Terminal Building. Taxi service is provided by the Atatürk Airport Taxi Cooperative. Its drivers are well trained and usually speak foreign languages.

Airport Car Rental: Atatürk Airport is a convenient place to rent a car when you arrive.

Airport Shuttle: A special company named “Havaş” will take you form the airport to the city center, Taksim Area, for a designated price. You can catch the Havas bus every 15 minutes from the airport.

Distance from the airport to the city centre is 20 km.
Shuttle buses, metro and taxis to the city center.
Capable of serving up to 15 million passengers annually.
State-of-the-art automated baggage handling and security measures.
Please contact your travel agent for detailed information or visit the airport website at :
www.ataturkairport.com

PASSPORT & VISA Every visitor to Turkey must have a valid passport and a visa, if required. Passport and visa requirements may differ according to the country of origin. Participants are advised to contact the nearest Republic of Turkey Embassy or Consulate, or your travel agency to determine whether a visa is necessary to enter Turkey.
http://www.konsolosluk.gov.tr for further information.

NAME BADGES You will receive a personalized badge when collecting your registration documents. During the Congress, this badge must be clearly visible at all times and grants access to the Congress Area and official Social Events.

AIRLINE INFORMATION Turkish Airlines, Turkey' s flag-carrier, flies to nearly 80 destinations worldwide and offers direct connections to leading cities not just in Europe but also in North America and the Far East. 50 international airlines are flying to and from Istanbul.

International award-winning facility.

LUNCH The lunches will be served at the hotel itself.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING The climate in September in İstanbul is following. Avarage highest temperature in day time in November is 20 °C / 68 F, avarage lowest temperature at night in September is 12 °C / 53.6 F, avarage temperature in September is 15 °C / 59 F. Generally there is rain in September. The weather is rainy in 10 days of September, on avarage. It is advised for the guests that want to have a tour in İstanbul to take their coats, rain boots and umbrellas.

CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS Turkish currency is the Turkish Lira, TL. Exchange rates are set daily by the Central Bank. TL is freely sold and bought in hotels, banks and special exchange offices called "döviz bürosu".

Major credit cards including American Express, Diners, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted in large hotels, car rental companies and major stores. You will need cash (TL) to pay for taxi fares, restaurants and coffee shops.

Car rental offices, hotels, above average restaurants, shops, travel agencies, gas stations will accept your credit cards. You can get cash with your credit card or cash card by using cash machines (ATM's) in bank buildings or street booths.

BANKING AND EXCHANGE FACILITIES Foreign money can be changed at banks during normal business days (09.00-17.00 Monday-Fridays) as well as at hotels, at the airport and in exchange offices. All major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. Automated bank machines are available at many points throughout the city and at the airport.

TURKISH CUISINE Traditional Turkish cuisine is famous for its many specialties prepared with fresh vegetables. There are lots of quality restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel or in the downtown.

TIPPING Although service charge is included in most restaurants, leaving a tip at one's own discretion is appreciated.

LOCAL TIME GMT+2 (GMT = Greenwich Mean Time).

ELECTRICITY Turkey has 220 volts/50 Hz. electricity and socket type is European standard. (2-pin plug).