General information
Location
The meeting will be held in the Doelen Congress Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Doelen is located in the center of Rotterdam surrounded by many buildings of architectural interest, museums, galleries, hotels and restaurants – and within 5 minutes walking distance from Rotterdam Central Railway Station.
The Doelen Congress Center
Kruisstraat 2
PO Box 972, 3000 AZ Rotterdam
The Netherlands
www.dedoelen.nl
Timing
The meeting will start on Friday 26 march 2010 at 08.00 hrs and end on Saturday 27 march 2010.
Target group
Physicians (anesthesiology, internal medicine, intensive care medicine, surgery) and other care providers engaged in the perioperative care for the obese patient.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest port in the world, the second city and the industrial heart of the Netherlands and the economic, social and cultural center of the Rijnmond (Rhine Estuary) region. In addition, Rotterdam is a city of modern architecture, events, leisure and recreation. More than one million people from 162 countries live in the Rotterdam region. Rotterdam was founded in the mid 13 th century and received municipal rights in 1340. Over the centuries Rotterdam grew from a fishing village into an international center of trade, transport, industry and distribution. At the beginning of the Second World War, on 14 May 1940, virtually the entire city center was devastated by bombardment. This explains why there are scarcely any pre-war buildings in this part of Rotterdam. After the war, reconstruction of what had been destroyed was given the highest priority. Now, sixty years later, a new, modern city center has risen from the ashes. The avant-garde architecture is famous at home and abroad.
Website: www.vvvrotterdam.nl
Transportation
By air
From Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam there is a direct train connection to Rotterdam Central Station (every half hour). The traveling time is approximately 50 minutes.
From Rotterdam Airport (Zestienhoven) it takes about 15 minutes by car (A13) and by bus 33 to Rotterdam Central Station.
By train
From Rotterdam Central railway station it is 5 minutes walk to “De Doelen” Congress Center.
By taxi
Transport by taxi is expensive due to congested roads and is not recommended in the Netherlands. For example, a ten-minute ride in the city center will cost about €10 - €15 and a transfer from Amsterdam (Schiphol) airport to the center of Rotterdam will cost about €125.
Public transport
For public transport (tram & metro) in Rotterdam you need a special type of card, the so called “OV-chipkaart”, which is sold at all Metro-stations.
Parking
The Doelen has its own underground parking (Parking Schouwburgplein). Close by, there are other parking facilities with about 1000 additional parking spaces; e.g. Parking Plaza (underneath the shopping center Plaza, entrance Kruisstraat) and Parking Weena (opposite The Doelen) entrance Karel Doormanstraat. All these charge similar prices per hour/day.
Accommodation
Special arrangements have been made with several hotels in Rotterdam (see: Registration). In order to avoid disappointment, early booking is advised. Rooms are reserved based on request and availability. Prices are in euro (€), breakfast, city tax and VAT are not included. To make a reservation, a non-refundable deposit of €100 must be made, the remainder of the balance must be paid directly to the hotel.
Travel and visa
Entry into the country is granted to all foreigners taking part in congresses organized in the Netherlands, regardless of their nationality. Delegates must of course meet the normal requirements, i.e. they must possess valid travel documents and sufficient means of support. Delegates requiring a visa for entry to the Netherlands are strongly advised to make their application in their home countries at least 3 months before the intended date of travel. Visa application procedures are easier when the acknowledgement of registration is included. Refunds cannot be made when visa applications are not granted.
Accreditation
The 4th International Ermasmus Master Class is accreditated by the Netherlands Society of Anesthesiology (9 points). Accreditation for this International Master Class has been applied by several Societies and is still pending.
Conference language
The official conference language is English, no simultaneous translation will be provided.
Letter of invitation
The Organizing Committee will send you a letter of invitation after receipt of the full payment of the registration fee. It should be understood that this letter only helps delegates to raise funds for their travel or to obtain a visa and is not a commitment of the organizers to provide any financial support. Applications for a letter of invitation should be received at the registration office no later than December 30th, 2009.
Liability and insurance
Neither the Organizing Committee of the Fourth International Master Class on Anesthesia an Perioperative Care for the Obese Patient nor the Congress Secretariat accept any liability for personal injury, loss or damage of property belonging, or additional expenses incurred to congress arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.
Climate
Rotterdam has a maritime climate and the weather in the early springtime is not very predictable. It can already be sunny with a soft temperature, but some rain showers are also common in march. The average temperature in march is around 8-10 degrees Celsius.
Currency
The currency in the Netherlands is Euro (€).
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made in writing to Congresbureau Interactie no later than February 1st 2010. An administration fee of
€ 50.00 will be charged as handling costs. In case of cancellation after February 1st 2010 no refund will be made.