General Information

DATES TO REMEMBER

Deadline for Abstract Submission	31st March 2009
New Deadline for Abstract Submission for POSTER PRESENTATIONS ONLY	30th July 2009
Acceptance and notification of abstracts	30th April 2009
Acceptance and notification of abstracts submitted after March 30th 2009	August 30th 2009
Congress Dates	7th -10th October 2009
Opening Ceremony	7th October 2009, 20:30
Scientific Program	7th -10th October 2009
Gala Dinner	9th October, 2009, 20:00
Closing Ceremony	10th October 2009, 11:15 - 12:30

Registration Opening Hours

Wednesday 07/10/09	10:00-18:30 Congress Venue, Registration Desk Side Entrance
Thursday 08/10/09	08:00-18:30
Friday 09/10 /09	08:00-18:30
Saturday 10/10/09	08:00-13:00

Registrations on Wednesday, Οctober 7th 2009 will take place at the Creta & Terra Maris Convention Center and Access will be possible only from the Side Entrance of the Registration Area (Due to Exhibition Set Up Needs)
Group Registrations can be arranged for Tuesday, October 6th 2009 in the afternoon and for Wednesday, October 7th 2009 from   09:00 to 10:00. More information will regarding location will be communicated in due time from the Congress Secretariat.

Exhibition Operating Hours

Wednesday 07/10/09	20:00-22:00
Thursday 08/10/09	09:00-18:00
Friday 09/10/09	09:00-18:00
Saturday 10/10/09	09:00-12:30

The Exhibition will be operating in Levels 1 & 0 of the Creta & Terra Maris Convention Center.

Transportation Schedule

 

GORNA OFFICES

Mesogeion Avenue 83,
11526 Athens Greece
Tel/Fax: +30 210 7486514
Email: sydnox@otenet.gr

Ion. Dragoumi 4,
54624 Thessaloniki, Greece
Tel/Fax: +30 2310 260 261
Email: sydnoxth@otenet.gr

 

WFHSS OFFICES

Email: secretariat@wfhss.com

 

ORGANIZING SECRETARIAT

ΑFEA S.A. - Travel & Congress Services
Congress Department:
Τel. +30 2103668853-854/ Fax. +30 2103643511
General Email: info@creta2009.com
Sponsorship Email: sponsors@creta2009.com

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location and Date

The congress will take place in Hersonissos, a tourist resort which lies 25km east of Heraklion, the city capital of the island of CRETE, from 07-10 October 2009.

Congress Venue

The congress will take placeat Creta & Terra Maris Conference Center, www.maris.gr

The purpose - built Convention Center at Creta & Terra Maris Hotel, the largest Convention Center in Crete and one of the largest in Greece, is an extremely flexible and sophisticated venue for congress, exhibitions, product launches and banquets. It covers an area of 6.000sqm and with its 68 halls, can accommodate in full function up to 5.500 delegates.  The Convention Center is situated on the South Western section of the luxury Creta & Terra Maris Hotels. It is equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, advanced telecommunication infrastructure, excellent technical support and expert staff. High quality accommodation combined with traditional Cretan Hospitality is the prime ambition of the congress venue.

Transportation

Shuttle bus Service will be provided between the Heraklion Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” and the congress hotels for the dates 07/10 & 10/10/2009 (only for participants who have booked their accommodation in the official congress hotels and through the official congress secretariat)

Directions

Directions Heraklion Airport to Creta Maris Convention Center (24km)

From the exit of the airport follow the national road direction to Agios Nikolaos. Go straight ahead for about 20km. Turn right in the exit to Kastelli and then turn left to Hersonissos. Go straight ahead for 2km and turn right to Hersonissos village (old road). At the time you arrive in Hersonissos you come across to a gas station on the right side; turn left, pass the round-about, and continue straight ahead for about 30m, to reach a second round-about; turn left and you will reach the Creta Maris Convention Center.

Directions Heraklion Port to Creta Maris Convention Center (26km)

From the exit of the port turn left in the traffic lights. After 500m turn right and go straight ahead. Approx 300m ahead turn right, direction to Agios Nikolaos through the national road. Go straight ahead for about 20km. Turn right in the exit to Kastelli and then turn left to Hersonissos. Go straight ahead for 2km and turn right to Hersonissos village (old road). At the time you arrive in Hersonissos you come across to a gas station on the right side; turn left, pass the round-about, and continue straight ahead for about 30m, to reach a second round-about; turn left and you will reach the Creta Maris Convention Center.

Official Language

The official languages of the Congress will be English and Greek. Simultaneous translation will be provided only in the main meeting room ZEUS, at level 1. Kindly note, that there will be no translation for the  Workshops.

Exhibition

A professional Exhibition with advanced sterilization and disinfection products and equipment will be operating throughout the congress.

Cash Bar

A Cash Bar will be operating in the Veranda of Level 1 for the convenience and the better service of exhibitors, participants and invited persons. The Cash bar will operating daily during the Scientific Program apart from 12:45-14:15.

Smoking policy

Smoking is prohibited at all times in the meeting halls, exhibit halls and restrooms. Your compliance is appreciated.

New smoking regulations will be valid for Greece starting from July 1st, 2009. More information will follow.

Mobile phones

Please note that mobile phones must be switched off during all sessions.

Insurance

The Organizers accept no liability for any personal injury, loss or damage of property belonging or additional expenses incurred to Congress participants either during the Congress or as result of delays, strikes or any other circumstances. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.

Accreditation Units

The Scientific Committee of the Congress has already applied for UEMS and EORNA accreditation units. Further information will be announced soon and will also be available on the Congress Secretariat Desk on site.

Congress Badges

The congress badges are absolutely necessary for the admission and access to the congress halls and exhibition. All badges will bear a barcode which will be checked and controlled by specialized personnel at the entrance of the meeting rooms.

The entrance in the Congress’s Meeting Rooms and Halls as well as the average time of attendance will be a significant criteria for the distribution of the Certificate of Attendance and the UEMS and EORNA accreditation units.

Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance will be distributed  to all participants. The Certificate of Attendance will indicate the accreditation units based on the total number of  the attendance hours of the congress.

Weather Conditions

In October the average temperature on the island of Crete ranges from 17 to 25 degrees Celsius.  An occasional rain shower or some clouds might appear, however the period is suitable for walking, but also for the beach.

Entry in Greece

Participants requiring an invitation letter in order to attend the Congress may contact the Congress Secretariat. The procedure aims to facilitate participants’ visa arrangements and should not be considered as commitment by the Congress Organizing Bureau to provide funds for the attendance to the congress

VAT/Sales tax

There is a value add tax of 19% applied to most items and services. Most hotels and restaurants also add a 9% service charge to the bill.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and stores, but visitors are always advised to check the vendor before a purchase is made.

Currency

The Greek currency is Euro. There are banknotes in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 Euros. There are also 1 and 2 euro coins. The euro consists of 100 cents. There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents coins.

Electricity

The electric current in Greece is 220v, 50 Hz and the socket type is European Standard.