Bank services
The official currency in France is the Euro (EUR). Banks are generally open from 8.00 - 19.00h and closed either Sunday and Monday, or Saturday and Sunday.
A bank desk of the BNP Paribas, exchanging most foreign currencies will be operated during the official congress hours in the registration area.
Large numbers of cash machines accepting bank cards as well as most credit cards are located outside bank buildings throughout Strasbourg. A machine is also at your disposal in the registration area.

Cancellations and Refunds
Notice of cancellation had to be made in writing by registered letter or fax to the Congress Office.
The policy for refunding registration fees is as follows:
Written cancellation received:
- before May 1, 2002 75% refund
- after May 1, 2002 no refund
The date of the postmark or fax ID was the basis for considering refunds. Refunds will be made after the congress.

Car Parking
Ample parking space is available at the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès, free of charge , or at the nearby P+R Parking Rives de l'Aar (3 EUR/day). Information on inner city parking will be available at the information desk of the PMC.

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

Cloakroom and Luggage
A cloakroom and luggage storage is located in the exhibition area.

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

Congress venue
Palais de la Musique et des Congrès
Place de Bordeaux, Wacken, F-67082 Strasbourg, France
Tel: +33 3 88 37 67 37
Fax: +33 3 88 35 38 17
http://www.strasbourgmeeting.com

Eating Out in Strasbourg
Most restaurants in Strasbourg are open from 19.00 - 22.00 in the evening. However, some of them serve after 22.00. Please note that service charges are included in the price, unless explicitly mentioned. Nevertheless an additional tip of about 5% of the bill can be given, if you deem the service good enough.
Many restaurants are closed on Sunday evening. A list of restaurants that are open will be available at the information desk. As Sunday May 26 is Mother's day in France, it may be difficult to find place in (good) restaurants at lunch.

Electricity Supply
220-240 V - 50Hz AC.

Exhibition opening hours
Saturday, 25 May 2002 12.00 - 19.30 hrs
Sunday, 26 May 2002 08.00 - 18.30 hrs
Monday, 27 May 2002 08.00 - 18.30 hrs
Tuesday, 28 May 2002 08.00 - 15.00 hrs

Insurance
In registering for the ESHG 2002 participants agree that neither the organising committee nor the congress office assume any liability whatsoever. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements in respect of health and travel.

Internet Café
The internet café can be found in Galerie de Marbre.

Joint Arrangements for the ESHG / EMPAG meeting
Some sessions are shared (as indicated in the programme). In addition, EMPAG delegates are welcome to attend any of the symposia, concurrent sessions or workshops of the ESHG programme on Sunday or Monday, and ESHG delegates are welcome to attend any of the EMPAG concurrent sessions, space permitting.

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

Lunch and Refreshments
Warm lunch had to be ordered in advance and will be served in "Espace Contade" on first floor. Only few extra tickets may be available on site. Please note that lunch tickets are not refundable.
Cold lunch (e.g. sandwiches) may be purchased at the bar in the Exhibition Area on the ground floor and the Restaurant at the first floor.
On Tuesday, because of the tight schedule, a cold lunch box will be provided free of charge. Hot meals will be available in the Congress Centre only in the PMC restaurant on Tuesday.

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

Official Carrier

Reference to be quoted : AXZE SE 30507
Validity from 23/05/2002-30/05/2002

• On international routes
  AIR FRANCE offices throughout the World will offer preferential fares from your country of departure. Your nearest Air France Office: http://www.airfrance.com
  Members of partner carrier's loyalty programme will receive miles on their programme when using Air France flights.
  Check details with your Air France office.

• On the domestic network within continental France
  On presentation of the original of this document at any AIR FRANCE agency or any Air France appointed travel agent in France, a discount of up to 50% applies (subject to conditions) for the purchase of a return ticket on the Air France continental domestic network for this event.
  In France, contact 0 820 820 820 * for further information, reservations and delivery of tickets within continental France.
  
  *a fee is charged for these calls

Official Language
English (no simultaneous translation)

Passports and Visas
Holders of Passports from Western Europe, North America and Australia will not need a visa to enter France. For some nationalities a visa can be issued at your arrival at the airport, but others will need to apply to the French Embassy in their countries before travel. Please inquire at your local French Embassy or your travel agent for details.
If needed, an official invitation letter can be requested from the Scientific Secretariat for visa purposes. As visa applications can take up to 3 months early application is recommended.

Public Transportation in Strasbourg
The Congress Centre is 10 minutes from the city centre and most hotels, using the high-tech tram (Stations Lycée Kleber or Wacken). From the hotels near the train station, it is better to use the Faubourg National station rather than the Gare Centrale Station, on line B direct to the Congress Centre (direction Hoenheim). One way ticket: EUR 1,10. Tram tickets will be on sale in the registration area at the preferential price of EUR 4.50 for 5 tickets

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 Tuesday, May 28, 15.00h, will be taken off by the staff and will not be kept or mailed to the author after the meeting.

Registration Desk opening hours
Saturday, May 25 9.00 - 19.15
Sunday, May 26 8.00 - 18.30
Monday, May 27 8.00 - 18.30
Tuesday, May 28 8.00 - 14.30

Shops
Shops in Strasbourg are usually open from 10 am to 7 pm. They are closed on Sundays (except for some pastry shops, and "souvenirs" shops around the Cathedral). Almost all shops accept all major credit cards.

Slide Preview Room
Equipment for a final check of the sequence and orientation of your slides is available in the slide preview room. All presenters should bring their slides or electronic presentation to the slide preview room preferably in the morning of the day of the talk, but not later than 2 hours before the start of the session.
Please collect your slides after the session finishes as the organisers cannot assume any liability for damage or loss of slides that are left behind. Members of the staff will transport the slides to the session room. Please also check the information for presenters

Smoking Policy
The ESHG 2002 is officially declared as a "Non-smoking-Conference". Furthermore smoking is prohibited in all public buildings in France.

Staff
If you should have any questions, the congress staff, identifiable by their light grey coloured uniforms, will be pleased to help you.

Taxis
Taxi stands are located in Strasbourg city centre (e.g. at the train station, place Gutenberg, place de la République, Homme de Fer, Kléber, Hôpital, in front of the PMC…). Hotel receptionists will be glad to help you.
One of the companies is Taxi 13: (+33) 03 88 36 13 13

Travel information
By air: Strasbourg is easily reached by plane, notably through Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport (Air France), or Brussels. Direct international connections are less frequent at week-ends. The cheapest transport to the city centre and hotels is a shuttle bus connecting to the tram A line, taking about 30 minutes (price approx. 5 EUR one way, including tram ticket). Taxis cost about 22 EUR, and 30 at night. There are also Lufthansa shuttle buses connecting to the Frankfurt airport and stopping at the Hilton hotel adjacent to the Congress Centre, and at the train station, where many hotels are located.
By train: Strasbourg is well connected by train to Paris (4h) and Basle (1h30), with direct trains to and from Brussels, Milan, Stuttgart, Munich... The train station is connected to the tram system.
By car: There is ample free parking surrounding the Congress Centre, and at 400 metres, Park and Ride (P and R) parking (cost 3 EUR/day). Special reduced rates at night or for the duration of the congress are available in public car parks in the city centre.
Public transportation: The Congress Centre is 10 minutes from the city centre and most hotels, using the high-tech tram (Stations Lycée Kleber or Wacken). From the hotels near the train station, it is better to use the Faubourg National station rather than the Gare Centrale Station, on line B direct to the Congress Centre (direction Hoenheim). One way ticket: approx. EUR 1,06.

Useful Links
www.strasbourg.com - Strasbourg online
www.inyourpocket.com - Travel information and online hotel booking

Venue of the congress
Palais de la Musique et des Congrès
Place de Bordeaux, Wacken, F-67082 Strasbourg, France
Tel: +33 3 88 37 67 37
Fax: +33 3 88 35 38 17
http://www.strasbourgmeeting.com

Weather Conditions
The average temperature in Strasbourg in May is +13 -18°C (+55 - 64° F). Although this month is usually quite sunny, it is recommended that you bring a rain coat.

Map