Information A – Z

Useful details about the meeting and the destination

Abstract Book

Abstracts for the ISER XXIII Biennial Meeting will be available on a USB Stick which is distributed to all registered participants with the Meeting Materials on site. Please note that this USB Stick will be handed to you in a small white box together with the Meeting Bag.

Airports

Getting to Belfast couldn’t be easier. We’ve got three airports, sea crossings from Scotland and England and a direct rail link from Dublin. Coming from further afield? No problem. You can fly direct to Belfast from over twenty European cities and a number of North American locations. And once you arrive, you’ll find it’s just as easy to get around as it was getting here.

George Best Belfast City Airport

The airport is situated just three miles from Belfast City Centre. Please check www.belfastcityairport.com for flight information.

For connections from Britain and Europe Aer Lingus and FlyBE offer direct routes to many major airports.

The Airport Express 600 bus service runs from the airport terminal to the city centre every 20 minutes (05.30 - 22.05) Monday to Friday. Please check www.translink.co.uk for services on Saturdays and Sundays.

Belfast International Airport

Belfast International Airport is 30 minutes drive via the M2 Motorway. Please check www.belfastairport.com for flight information.

The Airport Express 300 service operates between the airport and Belfast City Centre every 15 minutes Monday to Friday, every 20 minutes on Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sunday. This service operates 24 hours a day however night services are less frequent. Please check www.translink.co.uk for services during off peak times and weekends.

Airport Transfer

Airport Transfers
T: 028 7126 9996
www.airporter.co.uk

Value Cabs
T: 028 9080 9080
www.valuecabs.co.uk

See above paragraph (Airport) for public transportation from the airports.

Banks and Money Exchange

As part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland's currency is the pound sterling (£).

Unusually, individual currency notes are available from all the major banks operating in Northern Ireland. This can be confusing for visitors as not only will you find standard English (Bank of England) notes in circulation but also but also Sterling from Ulster Bank, Bank of Ireland and Northern Bank as well as notes from Scottish banks and occasional Bank of Isle of Man notes.

All of these notes are accepted in general commerce throughout Northern Ireland. This can mean up to half a dozen different notes for the exact same denomination.

Important to note if traveling to England after your visit to Northern Ireland: in England, most retailers will only accept standard Bank of England notes so remember to change any notes you have that were issued by a Northern Irish bank if travelling from Northern Ireland to England.

Most banks are open Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm. All major credit cards are widely accepted in the city and some shops will accept euro. There are foreign exchange facilities in the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre and various retail outlets across the city.

Catering

The Welcome Reception on Sunday evening as well as two coffee breaks per day from Monday to Thursday are free of charge for all registered Meeting delegates.

Belfast Waterfront boasts stunning riverside views and easy access to restaurants where delegates are welcome to have lunch/dinner at their own expense.

Certificate of Attendance

Certificates of Attendance will be sent to all registered participants electronically after the Meeting.

Climate

Due to its location in Northern Ireland, Belfast is home to warm summers and mild winters. It’s possible to enjoy Belfast year-round, although the spring and summer months are most popular for sightseeing, thanks to warm, sunny days. To be sure, the weather in Belfast can be fickle, changing during the day without warning, but for the most part, during April – September, you can be sure that you’ll have better luck than during the rest of the year.

Cloakroom

You will have the opportunity to leave your coat and luggage at a cloakroom at Belfast Waterfront.

Courtesies and Code of Conduct

In consideration of all meeting participants, mobile phones should be turned off in all session rooms. Meeting participants are expected to refrain from the following:
- Inflicting personal threat or harm to any meeting participant, exhibitor or staff
- Inflicting damage to any property
- Preventing speakers from giving their speeches


Disabilities

All areas that are used for the Meeting in Belfast Waterfront are accessible to participants with disabilities (i.e. persons requiring a wheel chair).

Electricity

Electricity in Northern Ireland is 230V, with a frequency of 50hz. Visitors from some countries may require a transformer and a plug adaptor.

Emergency Numbers

The number for emergency services is 999. This will connect you to the fire brigade, police, ambulance, lifeboat and mountain rescue services. If you need to speak to police about a matter that does not need an immediate urgent response, you should call 101.

Belfast is one of the safest cities in Europe with an extremely low crime rate. However, it is always wise to be sensible and to follow good advice when exploring a new destination. There are a number of Emergency Contact Points in the city which are monitored by the police.

Exhibition

Meeting participants are invited to visit the exhibition in the Hall 1C, which will feature commercial exhibitors and associations.

Filming and Taking Pictures

Out if respect for speakers’ copyright, it is forbidden to take pictures and/or to film during any session.

Insurance

ISER and the Meeting Secretariat cannot accept liability for personal accidents or loss of or damage to private property of participants.
Attendees are advised to arrange their own adequate travel and medical insurance against medical treatment, accidents, cancellation of bookings, etc.

Internet

Belfast Waterfront offers free Wi-Fi to all meeting delegates.

Internet and Wi-Fi access is widely available throughout the city. Belfast is one of 10 UK cities set to become a Super-connected City. Plans include city wide access to high speed ultrafast broadband as well as widespread WiFi.

Language

The official ISER Meeting language is English. Please note that no translation is offered in the scientific sessions or the printed matters of the Meeting.

Letter of Invitation

Official letters of invitation, designed to help overcome administrative difficulties in certain countries in terms of visa issue will be sent upon request. Please note that such letters do not represent a commitment on the part of ISER to provide any financial assistance. If you require such a letter, please apply to the Secretariat during the registration process or at iser2018-registration@kit-group.org and provide your full name and address details with your request.

Meeting Materials

Every registered participant will receive a meeting bag containing the printed final program book, a pocket program book, the abstract USB stick as well as other useful material at the meeting material counter next to the registration area.

Meeting Secretariat

ISER 2018
c/o K.I.T. Group
Kurfürstendamm 71
10709 Berlin
Germany
Email: iser2018@kit-group.org
Website: www.kit-group.org

Meeting Venue

Belfast Waterfront

Address:
Belfast Waterfront
2 Lanyon Place,
Belfast, BT1 3WH
United Kingdom

Name Badge

A badge is required for admittance to all official meeting sessions and events, as well as the exhibition and poster area. Each participant is asked to present the badge in order to gain access to the Meeting. The badge must be clearly displayed. Lost name badges can be replaced at the registration counter for a respective fee.

Poster Exhibition

The Poster Exhibition is located in the Hall 1D of Belfast Waterfront. Poster Sessions including finger food and beverages are scheduled from 17:30 to 19:00 from Monday to Thursday. These sessions are free of charge for all registered participants.

Program Changes

The Organizer cannot assume liability for any changes in the Meeting Program due to external or unforeseen circumstances.

Registration to the Meeting

All Meeting participants are required to register to the Meeting. It is advised to register online prior to the Meeting and then personally check in at the registration counter on site. Participants may also register on site.
To view the registration fees, click here.
Entitlements:
The registration fees include:
- Admission to the scientific program
- Admission to the exhibition and poster area
- Welcome Reception, coffee breaks and poster sessions
- Meeting bag containing final program book and abstract USB stick*

*meeting material cannot be guaranteed for late registrants.

Smoking Policy

It is forbidden to smoke in any part of the meeting venue.

Belfast has been a smoke free city since 2006. It is against the law to smoke in bars, restaurants, cafés, hotels, offices, factories and other places of work. The majority of hotels in Belfast no longer offer smoking rooms - please check this when booking your accommodation. Many bars, clubs and restaurants offer outdoor smoking areas.

Social Media

Visit us on Facebook and Twitter!

Speaker Preview Room

All speakers must report to the Speaker Preview Room at least two hours prior to their presentation in order to hand over and check their presentation.

Tipping

Most restaurants add a discretionary service charge to the bill for parties of six people or more. If this charge is added to your bill, tipping is not necessary. If a service charge is not included, a discretionary tip of 10-15% is customary.



Transportation

Belfast is compact and bijou, so getting around the city is easy on foot or by taxi. However, if you want to wander a little further afield then we've got a network of transport options which will get you to your desired destination.

Taxi Hire / Value Cabs
With a fleet of over 600 vehicles and a wide range of transportation services available including professional taxi service and executive vehicles. Debit/credit card payment facility available in every vehicle.
T: 028 9080 9080 www.valuecabs.co.uk

Public Transport
Translink is Northern Ireland's integrated bus and rail public transport company and is responsible for Metro, Ulsterbus and NI Railways. It operates a comprehensive network of bus and rail services throughout Northern Ireland and on cross border routes.
T: 028 9066 6630 www.translink.co.uk

Car Hire
Renting a car is another great way for visitors to get around Belfast and to visit some of the many fantastic visitor attractions throughout Northern Ireland. Visit our Travel and Transport section for further information.

Bike Hire
Bikes are available for public hire, with over 30 docking stations located across Belfast City Centre. You can register as a casual user or annual subscriber from £5 and the first 30 minutes of each trip is free. To find out more, visit www.belfastbikes.co.uk.

Visa regulations

Citizens from Europe and most other western countries – visas are not usually required.

Further information is available from the British Embassy in your country of origin, call: +44 (0)870 606 7766 or visit www.ukpa.gov.uk

Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception will take place on Sunday, September 9, 2018, from 19:00 to 21:00. Food and beverages will be served free of charge for all registered participants. Location will be confirmed shortly.

Wi-Fi

Please see “Internet”.