Conference language
The
official conference language will be English. No simultaneous
interpretation will be arranged.
Name badges
Participants and accompanying
persons should wear the name badge at all conference
events.
Non-smoking policy
Smoking will be prohibited in the
conference venues.
Climate and clothing
The average day-time
temperature in Finland in July is around 15-25°C (60-80°F). Evenings may be cooler.
Fairly warm weather with occasional rain showers is likely. On the
other hand, prolonged periods of warm sunshine or cool rain are
possible. So you might benefit from packing both light summer
clothes and a warm raincoat!
Helsinki
- the congress city
Finland is a member of the
European Union and one of the Nordic countries. Helsinki,
often called the ”Daughter of the Baltic”, is located within good direct
flight connections from most European capitals as well as
from many other locations world wide. Helsinki-Vantaa
Airport is 20 kilometers from the city center.
Helsinki
is a pleasant city for visitors. It offers all necessary
services for travelers within a compact area. All hotels
used for
conference are within walking
distance or short tram ride away from the
conference
venue.
Public transportation
The public transportation system in Helsinki is very
convenient, offering buses and local trains as well as tram and
subway lines. A single public transportation ticket costs 2,50 €.
A tourist ticket for one, two or three days can also be purchased.
Currency
and credit cards
The
official currency in Finland is euro (EUR). Most major
credit cards are accepted in hotels and shops. VISA,
Eurocard and Mastercard are accepted at the
conference
registration desk. Personal or company cheques will not be
accepted at the registration desk or shops. Traveler’s
cheques can be cashed in banks and exchange bureaus.
Tipping
All
restaurant prices and taxi fares include service, but good
service in the restaurant can be rewarded with a tip. Tipping is at guest’s discretion in hotels.
Transportation by
air
Several airlines provide direct flights to Helsinki
from all over Europe as well as from countries outside
Europe. For more information on flights please contact
your local travel agency or one of the airlines providing
flights to Helsinki.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has been rated one of the
world’s best airports. Onward connections from Helsinki to
St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Stockholm are also excellent.
Airport transportation
Finnair provides regular bus transportation between Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the City Terminal
next to the Railway Station at a cost of approximately 6 €.
There is also a bus stop behind the Scandic Continental
Hotel. Taxis
between the Airport and the Helsinki city centre cost
approximately 30-40 € (35 minutes). Group taxis are also
available at the airport (Yellow Line and Airport Taxi,
cost approximately 22 € per person).
Transportation by boat
Helsinki is easily reached by high-class ferries from
Stockholm, Sweden (overnight by Silja Line and Viking
Line) and from Tallinn, Estonia (several lines, duration
1.5 to 3.5 hours).