General Information

Venue and date
The ISPD-EuroPD 2004 Congress will be held from Saturday August 28 untill Tuesday August 31 in the Amsterdam RAI Congress and Exhibition Centre, located at Europaplein, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Tel.: + 31 20 549 12 12
Fax: + 31 20 646 33 39

Registration hours
The registration area in the Amsterdam RAI, Forum Lounge, will be open at the following hours:
Saturday, 28 August: 08.00-20.00 hrs.
Sunday, 29 August: 07.30-18.00 hrs.
Monday, 30 August: 08.00-18.00 hrs.
Tuesday, 31 August 08.00-14.00 hrs.


Badges
All participants and accompanying persons will receive a personal badge upon registration. You are kindly requested to wear your name badge when attending any meeting or social gathering. Only participants who are wearing their name badge will be admitted to the lecture halls. Please note: accompanying persons and exhibitors will not be admitted to the scientific sessions. Accompanying persons do have free access to the exhibition.

Name badges have been color-coded a follows:
Delegates Transparent
Local Organizing Committee Red
Accompanying Persons Yellow
Exhibitors Blue
Press Orange


The charge for replacement of lost badges will be € 15.

Coffee and tea breaks in Hall 10
During session-breaks coffee and tea will be served free of charge to delegates wearing name badges.

Cloakroom and Luggage
A cloakroom including a luggage storage area is located in the registration area.

First Aid
A First Aid room is located near the registration area.

Internet
On the exhibition floor there will be an Internet Corner available
(see floor plan).

Liability and Insurance
The Organising Committee of ISPD-EuroPD 2004 nor the Congress Secretariat accept any liability for personal injury, loss or damage of property belonging, or additional expenses incurred to congress participants either during the congress or as a result of delays, strikes or any other causes. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements in respect of health and travel insurance.

Language
The official congress language will be English. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.

Lunch in Hall 10
Lunch boxes will be provided.

Message Desk (Registration Area)
At the Message Desk delegates can leave or collect messages, make photocopies or send faxes. The desk will be located in the Registration Area (Forum Lounge). Services provided at desks in the Registration Area and Exhibition Floor include:
Copying Service: Registration Area
E-mail Service: Internet Corner on the exhibition floor
Exhibition Information: Exhibition Desk in the Registration Area
Hotel Accommodation: Last-minute availability at the Hotel Desk in the Registration Area
Lost and Found: Porters Desk Forum Lounge
Meeting Room Reservations: Registration Area
Telephone: Cloackroom Forum Lounge
Telefax: Cloackroom Forum Lounge
Tours: Tickets for sale at the Social Desk in the Registration Area


Staff
If you have any questions, the members of the congress staff, who can be recognised by their ISPD-EuroPD shirts, will be very pleased to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact them if you have any questions. Useful telephone numbers Registration Desk T +31 (0)20 544 59 30

Banking Service
The official currency in the Netherlands is Euro (€). It is recommended that foreign currency is converted to the Euro at Dutch chartered banks, which are usually open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 - 17:00 hours. A branch of the ABN-AMRO Bank is located opposite the Amsterdam RAI Congress and Exhibition Centre. Exchange of foreign currency and traveller's cheques is also possible in most hotels. A cash dispenser, to be used with bank and credit cards, is available at the Amsterdam RAI.

Eating Out in Amsterdam
Dutch restaurants are open from 18:00 to 22:00 hours. Please note that all restaurant service charges are included in the bill. If you deem the service good enough to warrant a tip, we suggest a tip of about ten percent. More information for reservations are available at the Social Desk.

Electricity supply
Electricity in the Netherlands is supplied at 220V - 50Hz AC.

Shopping in Amsterdam
Most shops in Amsterdam are open from 09:00 to 18:00 hours, Monday through Saturday. Shops in the city centre (around Dam Square) are also open on Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00 hours.

Weather
The weather in the Netherlands in August is usually sunny. The average temperature is around 18-25°C.
 

HOW TO REACH THE RAI


By air
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: There is a direct railway connection between Amsterdam RAI Congress Centre (10 minutes) and closeby hotels to the Amsterdam Airport.


By train / Tram
From Amsterdam RAI Railway Station: From this station it is a short walk (8 minutes) to the Congress Centre. You can also take tram 4; first stop in front of the Congress Centre.
From Central Railway Station: There is a direct connection to the Congress Centre by tram 4 or 51.
From Amstel Railway Station: The Congress Centre can be reached by bus no. 15, 69 or 169, or tram no. 51. There will be no shuttle service available between Schiphol Amsterdam International Airport, the Amsterdam RAI and the congress hotels.


By car
Via Utrecht (A2): follow the signs RAI, the Congress Centre exit (S 109) is the first one on the A10, directly after the A2-A10 intersection.
Via The Hague (A4): follow the signs Amsterdam-Zuid/RAI signposted just before entering Amsterdam (S 109).


Public transport ticket
A voucher to obtain a public transport ticket is enclosed in the registration material. It can be exchanged for a valid ticket at the registration desk. It is also possible to buy a four day public transport ticket.
Maps and more detailed information about getting around in Amsterdam are also enclosed in the congress bags.

The public transport ticket is valid on trams, busses and underground trains in Amsterdam. Please note that the public transport ticket is not valid for use in trains to and from Schiphol Airport or for use in other railway trains.


Car parking
Ample underground parking space is available at the Amsterdam RAI Congress Centre and delegates arriving by car are strongly advised to use these facilities. Parking fees are not included in the registration fee. Car parking tickets for one entry (no hourly rate) are available from the ticket machines near the Hall Porters’ stations and cost EUR 10 per day.
Those who have ordered a special multi-entry ticket including overnight parking for the whole period from August 28 to 31, 2004 will find a voucher in their congress material, which can be exchanged at the registration desk.


 ISPD-EuroPD Congress Gold Sponsors:
Baxter Fresenius Medical Care Gambro