General Conference Information

Arrivals Procedure

If you have booked your accommodation at the University and you are arriving by train, a shuttle bus will operate at certain times in the morning and afternoon from the University Train Station – University Centre – Conference Park - Halls of Residence. You can take the shuttle bus direct to your accommodation or go direct to the Aston Webb Building of the University of Birmingham to register. If you are arriving by car, parking is available at the University at £1 per day. Tickets may be bought from reception in the Aston Webb Building.

If you have not booked your accommodation at the University and you are arriving by train, a shuttle bus will operate at certain times in the morning and afternoon from the University Train Station to a drop off point near the University Centre. Please make your way to the Registration area in the Aston Webb Building of the University of Birmingham. If you are arriving by car, parking is available at the University at £1 per day. Tickets may be bought from reception in the Aston Webb Building.

Registration will take place at the Aston Webb Building of the University of Birmingham,

For further information on delegate transfers, please click here

Badges

Name badges must be visible and used at all times when attending the conference and exhibition.

Bank

Bank opening hours are Monday - Friday 09:30 - 16:30 (there may be some variations in closing times).  Some banks are open Saturday morning; some all day Saturday.

Cash Machines

An ATM cash machine is located at Shackleton (the University Accommodation Area) and at the University Centre.

Continuing Professional Development

The 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology has been awarded with CPD accreditation from The Royal College of Physicians. A total of 18 credits will be available for delegates attending the entire conference.  Further details will be provided when you arrive at the conference.

Credit Card

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted.  Cash can be obtained from a multitude of ATMs available across the country.

Currency

Sterling is the official currency.

Exchange rate as at January 2009 $1.00=£0.71, €1.00=£0.92

Customs

The United Kingdom is an EU country.  For detailed information on import/export regulations, pets, baggage clearance, airport tax, currency import and export please refer to the IATA (International Air Transport Association) travel centre: www.iata.org

Electricity

240 volts AC, 50Hz, square three-pin plugs are standard.  You are advised to bring your own adaptors with you.

Exhibition Area Schedule

The Exhibition will take place in the Avon Room Lecture Theatre in the University Centre, as follows:

An internet café will be provided in the exhibition area for the convenience of attendees

Food & Beverage

Welcome reception:

Your conference registration includes admission to the Opening Lecture and Welcome Reception on Tuesday 2 September 2009.  The Opening Lecture will take place between 18:30 – 20:00 in the Great Hall at the conference centre.   A light reception will be served immediately afterwards in the Noble Room adjacent to the exhibition area.

Coffee Breaks:

All coffee breaks are included in the registration fee and will be served in the exhibition area from Thursday 3 September to Saturday 5 September, during the session breaks.

Lunches:

All lunches are included in the registration fee and will be served adjacent to the exhibition area in the Noble Room from Thursday 3 September to Saturday 5 September, during the session breaks.

Grand Farewell Party:

The ESPN Grand Farewell Party will take place on Saturday 5 September in The Great Hall of the Aston Webb Building. The party will include a reception, buffet and band. The party is included in your registration fee. To attend, please sign up via the registration site.

How to get there

For details of how to get to Birmingham University please click here.

Language

The official language of the Conference is English.

Messages

Delegates can use the message desk situated in the exhibition area.

Mobile Phones

Delegates are kindly requested to keep their mobile phones in the off position in the rooms where scientific and educational sessions are being held, as well around the poster exhibition.

Organising secretariat

MCI UK Ltd has been appointed as the official Organising Secretariat to process registrations, organise the exhibition and facilitate the abstract handling.  For contact details please click here.

Poster Sessions

Over 400 posters are anticipated.  Poster sessions will take place in the Avon Lounge as follows:

More details will follow in due course.

Registration Desk

The ESPN registration desk will be located in the Reception Area of the Aston Webb Building at the University of Birmingham and will be open at the following times:

Shopping

Normal high street opening hours are 09:00 – 17:30 seven days a week.  Some supermarkets stay open late and some are open 24 hours a day.  Large department stores are often open later in the evenings and some towns and cities have late night shopping days which differ from town to town.

Shuttle Bus On Campus

A shuttle bus marked with the ESPN logo will run between University Train Station, the University Centre (for the conference), Conference Park and Vale (for Mason & Shackleton Halls) at certain times during the congress. Buses will operate on a ½ hourly basis between the first and last coaches.

Shuttle bus timetable

Smoking Policy

Under UK Law smoking is not permitted in any public building anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Speakers’ Preview Room

The speakers’ preview room will be located in Committee Room 1 in the Aston Webb building.  Speakers are asked to give their PowerPoint presentations to the technician in Committee Room 1 at least two hours before their session. If your presentation is before 11:00 please ensure you give your presentation to the audiovisual team before 17:00 the day before you are due to speak. All conference rooms are equipped with PowerPoint, projectors and sound equipment.

The Speakers’ Preview Room (Committee Room 1) will be open on Wednesday 2 September to Saturday 5 September, from 08:00 – 18:30.

Speaker support contact details:

If you are a speaker and have any questions please contact MCI before the conference.   Details of the on-site support technician will follow in due course.

Time

GMT + 1

Tipping          

In hotels, a service charge of 10% to 12% is usual, which may be added to the bill. 10% to 15% is usual for restaurants; if this has already been added to the bill, a further tip is not required.

VAT
All non UK delegates should be able to recover VAT spent on registration and accommodation. For further information please click here

Visas

Participants requiring a visa for entry to UK are strongly advised to make their application in their home country at least three months before the intended date of travel.

If you require a letter of invitation, this can be provided at the time that you register. Letters of invitation will only be provided once full payment for the conference has been received.

Weather

The UK is subject to changeable weather. September can be a warm and sunny month, but is also subject to windy, sometimes cold and wet conditions. You are advised to bring some warm and waterproof clothing.

Average temperature in September: 65˚ F 17˚ C
Average rainfall in September: 1.5 inches