What about the Scientific Programme of the congress?

This World Congress will consist of twelve scientific sessions. Lectures will be open to questions from the audience. The conference will also feature abstract sessions and poster viewing. The working language is English.

Where will the World Congress take place?

The congress will take place at the Zentralklinik Bad Berka: Scientific sessions at the Kulturhaus “Station 33” and Trade Exhibition at the West Wing of Zentralklinik (directly adjacent to the lecture hall).

Is there a Registration Fee? Is there a deadline to register?

There are registration fees for the congress covering all conference materials, lunches, coffee breaks. Please note the registration fees and deadlines. Join our website for registration and hotel accommodation.

When does Registration Desk will be open?

Opening hours:

Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 4 pm to 6 pm

Friday, June 24, 2011 from 7:30 am to 5 pm

Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 7:30 am to 5 pm

Sunday June 26, 2011from 7:30 am to 2 pm

Registration tables will be set up at the entrance area of the conference venue.

When and where is the Welcome Reception / Midsummer Night at Rittergut München?

The Welcome Reception will take place on Friday, June 24, 2011 7:30 pm at Schloss Ettersburg. Buses are leaving from Zentralklinik to Schloss Ettersburg at 6:30 pm.

The Midsummer Night (Special Dinner & More) at Rittergut München will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2011 7:30 pm. Buses are leaving from Zentralklinik to Rittergut München at 6:30 p.m.

Can I get CME credits for the meeting?

The conference has been awarded continuing medical education (CME) credits from the Accreditation Council of the Landesärztekammer Thüringen. A certification document will be issued for each participant requesting it.

What about the “Business Hours” in Bad Berka and Weimar?

Most banks are open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 1 pm and 2:30 to 4 pm (Thursday to 5:30pm). Money exchanges at airports and border-crossing points are generally open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Exchanges at border railroad stations are kept open for arrivals of all international trains. Most businesses are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. Store hours can vary from town to town, but shops are generally open Monday to Friday 9 or 10 am to 6 or 6:30 pm (Thursday to 8:30 pm). Saturday hours are generally from 9am to 1 or 4 pm.

What about Emergencies?

Throughout Germany the emergency number for police is tel. 110; for fire or to call an ambulance, dial tel. 112.

What about Gasoline (Petrol)?

Gasoline or petrol is widely available throughout Germany, and service stations appear frequently along the autobahns. The least expensive gasoline is at stations marked SB-TANKEN (self-service), but remember that gasoline is much more expensive than in the U.S. and some other countries. Of course, gasoline prices throughout the world, including Germany, are currently changing weekly.

What about the Climate and Weather in June in Germany?

The weather in Germany is not as stable and predictable as it is in southern Africa. Low and high pressure systems change much quicker, due to the fact that Germany is influenced by dry continental air masses from Eastern Europe and by maritime air masses from the Atlantic. This, generally, leads to a moderate climate with good rains throughout the year. Extreme temperature lows and highs are rare. The weather varies from year to year, so rainy summers can be followed by spectacular sunshine in the next year.

Precipitation in Germany peaks in the summer months. Humidity levels can be high and there is always a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. Summer temperatures usually range between 22 and 30°C. Prolonged heat waves with temperatures up to 35°C are rare. It is - usually - warmer in southern Germany. The particularly pleasant climate in the Rhine and Moselle regions allows for successful cultivation of vine.

What about Taxes?

The major tax in Germany is the Mehrwertsteuer (value added tax). The Mehrwertsteuer assesses a levy on each step in the production and delivery of most items available for purchase. It applies to services as well as goods and the standard current rate is 19%. A reduced rate of 7% currently applies to certain products, including food and printed material. Medical and insurance services are generally exempt, as are exports of goods abroad and services rendered abroad.

What about Telephones?

Public phones are available at the entrance hall of the Zentralklinik Bad Berka, both for local and long distance calls. Pay phones operate by using credit cards or coins (€).

DURING THE SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS MOBILE PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED!

What about the Time Zone in Germany?

Germany is in the Central European Time Zone. Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hour ahed of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). Like most states in Europe, Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time is observed in Germany, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour; 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).

After the summer months the time in Germany is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET) or (GMT+1).

What about Tipping?

If a restaurant bill says Bedienung, that means a service charge has already been added, so just round up to the nearest euro. If not, add 10% to 15%. Bellhops get 1 € ($1.60) per bag, as does the doorperson at your hotel, restaurant, or nightclub. Room-cleaning staffs get small tips in Germany, as do concierges who perform some special favors. Tip hairdressers or barbers 5% to 10%.

What about Travelling to Bad Berka?

Bad Berka can be easily reached by air via Frankfurt International Airport.

There is a direct connection by Intercity Express (ICE) train from Frankfurt airport train station to Erfurt/Weimar (2.5 hrs, departure every one or two hours). For online travel booking for your rail journey join www.bahn.de (and select language).

From Weimar it is 15 min by taxi to the Zentralklinik Bad Berka. You can catch a taxi directly in front of the train station (taxi to Bad Berka around 15 €).

Other ICE train connections run from the east (Berlin), north (Hamburg/Kassel), west (Fulda) and south (Munich).

Alternative international airports for arrival/departure are Berlin-Tegel and Leipzig/Halle.

Bad Berka can be reached by car using the A4 highway (exit Nohra/Bad Berka from the west - exit Weimar from the east) or the A71 from south/north (via Erfurt). Parking is available directly near the congress venue.

What about Visas?

All visitors entering Germany must possess valid passports. For citiziens from the European Union Member countries a valid identity card is sufficient.

Please check the current visa requirements with your local German Consulate/Embassy before your depature to Germany.

The organizers can provide participants who wish to attend the conference, but need a travel visa, with a letter of support. To request this letter, please contact:

Prof. Dr. med. Richard P. Baum

E-Mail: richard.baum@zentralklinik.de

Prof. Dr. sc. nat. Frank Rösch

E-Mail: frank.roesch@uni-mainz.de