BANKS AND POST OFFICES
Banking hours are generally Monday to Friday from 9.00 - 17.00 and Saturdays from 9.00 – 14.00. Most banks have branches which stay
open until 20.00. Two cash machines (ATM) are available in the Palace of Culture and Science, PKiN. 

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-18.00; some offices are open on Saturday until 14.00. A bank office as well as a post office is located inside the PKiN. 

CLOAKROOM
There is a supervised cloakroom located on the ground floor of the PKiN. 

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
Participating delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance in the Congress Bag. 

CLIMATE AND DRESS CODE
The weather in Warsaw in June is usually sunny with a day temperature of 18-23°C. Showers may occur. Dress code will be informal throughout the Congress. For weather forecast, please visit www.weathercity.com/pl/warsaw

CME CREDITS
We are happy to inform you that the EAACI will offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for the Congress in Warsaw. The aim of a CME system is to assure a high level of theoretic and clinical competence throughout the working life of medical specialists. At present there is no standardised
CME system in Europe. Some countries have established CME systems with legal obligation to collect a certain number of credits in order to practice medicine, while other countries have no system and CME is considered only an ethical and moral responsibility. In the United States the CME system was established over 40 years ago and this concept is well integrated in the American medical community. EACCME Credits will be available to US Doctors attending the EAACI 2009, due to a reciprocity agreement signed by AMA-American Medical Association, and UEMS-European Union of Medical Specialists. This agreement has been in place since 1999 and has been renewed until 2010. The EAACI Accreditation Committee is the responsible body for Credit evaluation of EAACI events, and EACCME, as the UEMS accreditation body, will be responsible for validation of
European Credits. American Doctors who wish to receive ACCME accreditation must show their EAACI credit certificate for reciprocity status. The EAACI CME Accreditation Committee will review and evaluate CME activities and establish the amount of credits to be given. This will be particularly useful in countries where no CME system is available. The EAACI CME Accreditation Committee will guarantee that the CME programmes are of a high scientific and educational standard, and that they are free from influence from industries and in reciprocity with the American system. The amount of CME Credits that will be assigned to the EAACI 2009 in Warsaw will be announced on the Congress website prior to the event, check out www.congrex.com/eaaci2009. Participants will also receive detailed information and instructions on how to apply for CME credits in the Congress Bag.

CURRENCY
The local currency is Zloty (PLN). PLN 1 = EUR 0.31 (October 2008, www.oanda.com). 

DISCLAIMER
The Host Organising Committee and Congrex Sweden AB cannot accept liability for injuries or losses of whatever nature incurred by participants and/or accompanying persons, nor for loss of or damage to their luggage and/or personal belongings.

EAACI MEMBERSHIP
– Reduced fee for members from low income countries
EAACI wants to make it financially feasible for its colleagues across Europe to be part of one of the fastest growing societies in Europe. In 2007 EAACI introduced a new membership structure which took into consideration the differences in incomes across Europe. Membership will now be more affordable for countries with a per capita GNP of less than US$ 10,000 (50% reduction on the annual fee). Not only does EAACI offer a considerable discount to our colleagues in resource-poor regions, we also give all our members priority status at our Meetings and Congresses. Members over 35 years receive a discount of EUR 150 on the Registration fee and Junior members are entitled to register to the Congress at the low “Student” fee. As of 2009 the EAACI and ERS leadership has decided to introduce a Dual Membership between EAACI and ERS (European Respiratory Society). All Individual Members with a full membership in respective Society will be entitled to a 15% discount on the full membership fee of each Society. As a member in EAACI you will be kept informed on the latest research and developments through our official journals ALLERGY and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (available in printed or electronic version). These journals contain editorials, review articles, original articles, educational series and more. EAACI is a non-profit organisation. Income derived from fees, congresses and meeting profits are devoted to current activities, research and travel awards, and initiatives of interest tomembers. For more information and to apply for membership visit our website: www.eaaci.net

EAACI STAND
We invite you to visit the EAACI Stand in the corner of Marmurowa Hall. If you have any questions regarding membership in EAACI or you simply want to settle your fee, then the staff from the EAACI Executive Office will be on duty to help you from Saturday 08.30 – 19.00, Sunday-Tuesday 08.30 – 17.30 and Wednesday 08.30 –12.00. 

This year, as in previous years, we are allocating some seating space to our members so that they can relax during the Congress. Members can also keep up to date with their emails by using specially designated EAACI Member computers. Samples of EAACI Publications will be on display for your perusal as well as information about our future meetings. Also a Junior Member Representative will be available in the stand to answer questions about JMA Activities. 

On Monday 8 June at 12.00 the EAACI General Assembly will announce the official opening of the new EAACI Headquarters in Zurich. Take the opportunity to come by the EAACI stand during the Congress to welcome the new Executive Director Ms. Silvia Schaller from the EAACI Headquarters.

We hope to see you at the EAACI stand. Remember that after the Congress you can always visit our web site www.eaaci.net and read the latest on EAACI activities and publications.

EAACI NATIONAL SOCIETY VILLAGE
Our National Societies will be promoting their societies and meetings. Take the time to visit their stands and learn more about other Allergy Societies in Europe. The National Society Village will be located on the 4th floor, in front of the 
catering area.

EAACI HEADQUARTERS
Genferstrasse 21
CH-8002 Zürich
Switzerland
Telephone: + 41 44 205 55 33
Fax: +41 44 205 55 39
Email: info@eaaci.net
Website: www.eaaci.net

EAACI EXECUTIVE OFFICE
P.O. Box 24 140, SE-104 51 Stockholm,
Sweden
Telephone:  +46 8 459 66 23 
Fax: +46 8 663 38 15
E-mail: executive.office@eaaci.org
Internet: www.eaaci.net

ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Poland is 220 volts. Round European style two-pin plugs are used. Appliances designed to operate on 110/120V need a voltage converter and a plug adapter for two-prong, round-prong plugs with side grounding contacts.

EXHIBITION
The EAACI 2009 Congress includes a commercial exhibition that starts on 7 June and will be open during the Congress’ meeting hours. Opening hours: 7 – 9 June 9.00 – 17.30. For exhibition invitation and information, please visit the Congress website, www.congrex.com/eaaci2009 or contact eaaci2009exhibition@congrex.com 

ITALIAN PARTICIPANTS
Promoviaggi S.p.A. has been appointed the official agency for Government Authorisation for Italian participants. You may contact them at the following address:
Promoviaggi S.p.A.
Viale Gian Galeazzo, 3
IT-201 36 MILANO, Italy
Telephone: +39 02 581 891
Fax: +39 02 837 3448
E-mail: promoviaggi@promoviaggi.it

INTERNET CAFÉ
The Internet Cafe will be located in the Exhibition Annex.

JMA ACTIVITIES
A happy welcome to all Juniors who join the annual Congress in Warsaw! This is a special congress where the new JMA working group team will be presented. There will be a new chairperson and new representatives for the Asthma, Immunology, and Dermatology sections and also for the webmaster. Sunday evening we would like to invite you to our best challenging event: The JMA Poster Discussion where you have the chance to win one of the poster prizes! There will also be a JMA Club to enjoy Polish taste and rhythms! 
Like the previous years there will also be a chance to present clinical cases on Tuesday, where all juniors may present and discuss daily clinical practice case reports. All juniors who have submitted a case report, can also win an award. We have also prepared a JMA educational session on the topic: "How to succeed in your research?". I can assure you that we have keynote speakers that will give us precious information on how to improve our research. The JMA Forum is about: "Infections and allergy" where young speakers will guide you through hot topics of the role of bacterial, viral and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. We will also have practical courses where JMA will be actively involved in their organization and design, where hot topics in allergy will be explored. Like previous years, we will have a JMA Business meeting to present and discuss our latest achievements and the new JMA working group. Just come, all JMA have the chance to actively participate and give new ideas!
We are very much looking forward to meeting you in Warsaw 2009. 
On behalf of the JMAs, Luis Miguel Borrego, JMA Chairperson 

LANGUAGE
The official language of the Congress is English. Simultaneous interpretation English – Polish and English – Russian will be provided during one session throughout the Congress.

LOCAL GROUND HANDLER
For evening arrangements and bus transfers,
please contact:
Mazurkas Travel
Aleja Wojska Polskiego 27
PL 01-515 Warszawa, POLAND
Tel: +48 22 38 94 150
Fax: +48 22 536 46 10
E-mail: eaaci2009@mazurkas.com.pl
Website: www.kongresy.mazurkas.pl 

LOCAL TIME
During the Congress, Warsaw will be two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). 

LOST AND FOUND
Please contact the General Information Desk in the Foyer of PKiN in case of personal belongings being lost or found.

MEALS
Coffee/tea is included in the registration fee and will be served daily. There is a cafeteria and several cash bars within the Palace of Culture and Science, and in the exhibition annex.

MESSAGE BOARD/MEETING POINT
Personal messages can be placed on the message board located in the registration area. Delegates are encouraged to check the board daily to pick up any messages left for them.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY
Please respect the Congress policy and switch off mobile phones in all meeting rooms and in the exhibition and poster areas.

NAME BADGES
Your personal badge is your entrance ticket to all sessions, to the exhibition areas and to the social events. Please remember to always wear your badge in the PKiN and the Exhibition Annex. If you have lost your badge a new one can be purchased, against proof of your original registration, from the Congress Secretariat at a cost of EUR 60.

OFFICIAL CARRIER 


SAVE UP TO 20% ON TRAVEL WITH THE STAR ALLIANCE NETWORK 

The Star Alliance™ Members Airlines are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for EAACI2009. To obtain the Star Alliance™ Conventions Plus discounts, please call the reservation office of a participating Star Alliance Member Airline and quote the following Convention Code SK01A09. Registered participants plus one accompanying person travelling to the event are automatically granted a discount of up to 20%, depending on fare and class of travel booked. 
The participating airlines for this event are: ANA, Adria Airways, Air Canada, Air China, Austrian Airlines, bmi (British Midland), Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, SWISS International Air Lines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways

For booking office information please visit: www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus Discounts are offered on published business and economy class fares, excluding website/internet fares, senior and youth fares, group fares and Round the World fares. Please note: For travel from Japan and New Zealand special fares or discounts are offered by the participating airlines on their own network. When making your travel plans please present confirmation of your registration or proof of attendance. 

PARKING
There is a public parking lot next to PKiN. Parking fees vary with length of time and size of car.

PASSPORT AND VISA
Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering Poland. Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation in order to obtain a visa and authorisation to attend the Congress should direct a request to the Congress Secretariat in Stockholm at eaaci-visa@congrex.com before 4 May 2009. Please allow 6-8 weeks for the Polish Embassy to issue a visa. Note that a letter of invitation will only be issued to registered delegates and when Congrex Sweden AB has received full payment. For a list of countries requiring visa to enter Poland, please visit
www.msz.gov.pl/visa,requirements,2346.html.

PHOTOGRAPHING
Kindly respect that photographing in the session rooms is strictly forbidden. An official photographer is hired for the entire event. If you need help with photographing, please contact Tomasz Boniecki at telephone +48  601 266 622 or
tomek@mediapunkt.pl. DVDs will be aviable to purchase on 9 and 10 June in the Exibition Area in the Main Building. Cost: 30 PLN; EUR 8; or USD 10.

POSTER EXHIBITION
There is a poster exhibition in the Exhibition Annex and in the Foyer of the Congress Hall. During the Poster Sessions sandwiches are available for purchase to visitors of the Poster Exhibitions.

PRESS OFFICE
There is a press office on the 2nd floor in the Goethe Room, during the Congress days.
Press Agent:
Cohn & Wolfe
Tel: +48 502 198 805
Fax: +48 22 332 93 02
E-mail: eaaci2009press@cohnwolfe.pl

PROGRAMME NAVIGATOR
The Congrex Abstract System offers the Congress delegates a way to view the Scientific Programme and to plan for their participation in advance. This service has been highly appreciated among delegates for the last years. Using the Internet-based service - Programme Navigator - participants can
search for invited speakers, abstract authors, word in lecture titles, sessions and easily find and select the presentations of interest. The result of the selection is the Personal Planner, which can be viewed and printed by the delegate. The Personal Planner is an agenda for the Congress, specifying date, time, location and presentation title for the selected presentations. This information is presented in a calendar format. The Programme Navigator is available on the Congress website around one month prior to the Congress, www.congrex.com/eaaci2009

PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE ORGANISER

 Congrex is an independent group of companies that was established in 1982. We employ over 300 full-time experts and operate out of 17 offices in 9 countries. We have production hubs in Europe and Latin America and strategic partnerships in the USA and Australia. Congrex arranges more than 7000 small, medium and large events annually, involving more than 250.000 participants in over 850 venues across 40 countries. No matter where in the world you want to stage an event or meeting, we have the vision and creativity to make it a success. Congrex mission is to be the leading world wide expert offering integrated solutions for the association services industry and corporate and governmental events.

SAFETY
Please be aware of thieves and pick-pockets in the area surrounding the PKiN, and downtown Warszawa. Do not carry your badge outside the PKiN, and do not give it to anybody even if you are leaving the Congress. If you carry a laptop, always keep an eye on it. In the event of a robbery, please contact the General Information Desk who will call PKiN Security.

SMOKING POLICY
In accordance with the policy of the EAACI, this is a non-smoking event. 

SPEAKERS’ PREVIEW ROOM
There is a Speakers’ Preview Room on the 2nd floor of the PKiN, located to the left of the EAACI Stand in the Marmurowa Hall.
The opening hours are:
Saturday 6 June 07.00 – 18.30
Sunday 7 June 07.00 – 19.00
Monday  8 June 07.00 – 19.00
Tuesday 9 June 07.00 – 19.00
Wednesday 10 June 08.00 – 13.00

TRANSPORTATION
Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport is located approximately 10km south-west from the PKiN. 
By taxi
The journey from the airport to the PKiN takes about 25-30 minutes depending on the time of day. The trip costs 25-30 PLN. 
By Bus
Bus 175 departs every 10 minutes from the Airport and costs 2,80 PLN.
By Car
The best way to reach the PKiN by car is by going south on Zwirki I Wigury and then continue on road 634. It takes about 25-30 minutes depending on the time of day. 

TRAVEL GRANTS 
Travel costs will be refunded on site at the Cong- ress from Sunday 7 June at 12.00. Please present your original ticket and travel receipts.

TOURIST INFORMATION
The Tourist Information Desk next to the General Information Desk and the reception in your hotel will be glad to answer any questions.

VENUE
The 2009 EAACI Congress will be held at:
Warsaw Palace of Culture, PKiN
Defilad Square 1
00-901 Warsaw
Poland
tel:  +48 22 656 77 34   
 +48 22 656 77 26     
 +48 22 656 63 45 
fax: +48 22 656 62 08
email: pkin@pkin.pl
http://www.pkin.pl/home/