General Information

Congress Date and Venue
9th ECC and 16th MCC will be held between Saturday 8th to Tuesday 11th November, 2008 at Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Center (ICEC) in Istanbul, Turkey. The opening ceremony will be held at 18:00 hrs on Saturday November 8, followed by Reception.
On site registration will start on November 8^th at 14:00 hrs at ICEC.
Scientific Programme will start at 8:30 a.m. on November 9^th

Official language The official language of the congress will be English. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.

Istanbul Airport and Visa
İstanbul Atatürk Airport is connected by direct flights to major cities in the world. Visa is not required for nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chili, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Macedonia Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, San Marino, Singapore, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunis, Uruguay and Vatican.

Nationals of Albania, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldavia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia can get a visa at the Atatürk Airport entrance gate. Nationals of other countries should apply to the Turkish Consulates in their home countries for a visa. Visas are subject to change. Please check with your local Turkish Consulate before you leave.

Climate
The average daytime temperature of Istanbul in November is usually 15 – 20 degrees C, with occasional showers.

Currency
The Turkish currency is the New Turkish Lira (YTL). Cash may be exchanged in banks and exchange offices during office hours. The official exchange rate is listed daily at the banks and exchange offices. All major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and stores.

Electricity
The electric current in Turkey is 220 V, 50hz.

Banking Services
The regular banking hours are 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday inclusive. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Major hotels will exchange foreign currency and travelers checks. All major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and stores.

Official Invitation
For those participants requiring an invitation to facilitate their travel and visa arrangements, letter of invitation can be provided by the organizers. This however will not be a commitment for any financial or other support by the organizers.