General Information:
Accommodation
A help desk for participants who have booked their hotel accommodation in advance via Pioneer Events is located in the registration area. The staff at this counter will also help you to find and book rooms, if required.
Address
Organizing Secretariat and Exhibition Management:
Pioneer Events
30 Anwar El Mofti street
Nasr City – Cairo
Egypt
Phone: ++ 202 24046672 ++ 202 24053575
Fax: ++ 202 24020609
E-mail: info@pioneer-events.com
Event Venue:
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Corniche El-Nil, PO Box 2288
Garden City – Roda Island
Cairo, Egypt
Phone: +20 2 2365 1234
Fax: +20 2 2362 1927
E-mail: cairo.grand@hyattintl.com
Internet:www.cairo.grand.hyatt.com
Airport and Airport Transportation
Taxi and Limousine Approx. $20.00 to $25.00 to downtown, congress venue and area hotels.
Annual Business Meeting of the SSC
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 Room Farhaty A
The Business Meeting is open to all interested scientists. The agenda includes brief oral reports of the Scientific Subcommittees’ sessions; action on reports and recommendations issuing from the Subcommittees; reports of Working Parties; liaison activities; and collaborative work. For further information, contact the ISTH Secretariat at Room Akhnaton A, located on the 5th floor of the Grand Hyatt.
Banks & Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)
It is recommended that foreign currency be converted to Egyptian pounds at banks, which are usually open from Sunday to Thursday from 08:30 to 14:00. ATM branches are located inside the Grand Hyatt, which is the meeting venue, at most other hotels, and are open 24 hours a day.
Boat ride sponsored by Leo Pharma
A traditional felucca sailboat can ferry delegates down the Nile from the Semiramis Intercontinental to the Hyatt. Small group excursions can also be reserved. For schedules and docking, inquire at the Registration Desk. Sponsored by Leo Pharma.
Car Parking
Available at Grand Hyatt at special rate of $10.00 for a full day
Climate
The weather in Egypt in May is usually fine. The average maximum temperature is 25–30 C, average minimum temperature is 20–23 C and humidity is low.
Coffee breaks
Complimentary coffee and tea will be served in the Exhibition Area on the sixth floor. Coffee breaks during the SUBCOMMITTEE SESSIONS on May 23–24 are scheduled between 10:30–11:30 and 16:30–17:30, and between 10:30–11:30 on May 25.
Continuing Medical Education
The following language was provided by the EACCME:
"The 56th Annual Meeting of the SSC of ISTH is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists.
The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), www.uems.net.
The 56th Annual Meeting of the SSC of ISTH is designated for a maximum of 21 hours of European external CME credits. Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually
spent in the educational activity.
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."
Physicians may apply to convert EACCME credit into AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ by submitting an application form (found at registration desk) and attaching an EACCME credit certificate and AMA processing fee. Forms can be mailed or faxed to the AMA using the contact information found on the application form. EACCME credit certificates can be found in the delegate bag as well as at the registration desk.
Customs
Foreign currency is allowed into and out of the country. A declaration form must be completed if objects of value such as jewelry, video cameras etc. are imported for sale.
Cyber Café sponsored by Bayer Schering Pharma AG
Free internet access will be provided at 6 terminals at The Bayer Cyber Café on the sixth floor.
Electricity
Electricity in Egypt is supplied at 22, 0 v–50 Hz Ac
Exhibition
The Meeting Exhibition is located on the sixth floor.
Exhibition hours:
Saturday 22 May 10:00–18:00
Sunday 23 May 10:00–18:00
Monday 24 May 10:00–18:00
Tuesday 25 May 10:00–13:00
ISTH Secretariat
The ISTH Secretariat is located at Room Akhnaton A on the fifth floor. It is open during the regular hours of the meeting.
Language
The official language of the meeting is English. There will be no simultaneous translation. Arabic is the official language of Egypt. English is the primary second language and widely spoken. In addition, there are many speakers of French, Italian, German, and Spanish along with numerous other European languages.
Local Currency
The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (L.E.). It is divided into 100 Piastres.
Message Board sponsored by sanofi aventis
Located on the Fifth Floor
Mobile Telephones
Participants are kindly requested to keep their mobile phones silenced during scientific sessions.
Passport and Visa
Egyptian consulate in country of origin and immigration authorities at the port of entry will grant entry visas. A transit visa is sufficient for a stay of less than 7 days. For up-to-date information, it is essential that inquiries be made prior to travel. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months prior to entry into Egypt.
Public Telephones
Available through the operator of Hotel and in the Hyatt Business Center on the Fifth Floor.
Public Transportation in Cairo
A network of public transportation covers several districts between Cairo and Giza. Please contact the Concierge of your Hotel for information about routes and times.
Seat Retreat
The Haematologic Technologies Nile Seat Retreat is located in the Nile Expo exhibition area. This quiet zone sponsored by Haematologic Technologies offers delegates a place to sit, talk and enjoy a spectacular view of the Nile River.
Smoking
Please note that this is a non smoking meeting. Smoking is not permitted in or outside the meeting halls, nor in the exhibition area or foyers.
Social Event
On Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 19:00, the President invites delegates of the 56th Annual SSC Meeting to the Egyptian Night Reception at the Giza pyramids. Tickets are required at a nominal cost and may be purchased at the registration desk. Please plan to enjoy an unforgettable experience in one of Egypt’s historical sites, while savoring an Egyptian dinner, entertainment and oriental atmosphere.
Tipping
While tipping is not essential, people who provide a service, like hotel porters, waiters, drivers and guides, generally expect a gratuity. There is no set amount of tip, although 10% as a guideline is recommended.
Webcast & Podcast
ISTH is launching a new project this year in providing the Educational Sessions as online webcasts so that you may revisit them once you return home. ISTH members and registered delegates will be directly e-mailed with details on how to access the webcasted sessions as they become available a few weeks following the meeting. Enjoy fully animated multimedia presentations including laser pointer movements done by the speaker and embedded videos when available. You will also be able to download the PowerPoint slides if shared by the speaker and download the presentations as video podcasts for offline viewing on your video iPod or iPhone device!