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Hotels
Hotels for Photonics Europe will be assigned by the Strasbourg Evenements-Service, by using a printed hotel form or by the online form. When making your reservation, you will need to request a class of hotel, and the Strasbourg Evenements Service will assign you to a hotel in your requested class of service.
Please note that choice of individual hotels is not available though this service. For online reservations go to http://www.strasbourg-events.com. If prompted choose SPIE Photonics 2008 from the drop down menu and use Access Code 0600238.
Alternatively use the hotel reservation form PDF and fax through to +33 (0) 3 88 37 38 43.
Please make your hotel requests before the 25 February 2008, after this date any requests received cannot be guaranteed.
Prices on the hotel reservation form are given, per night per room, without breakfast, taxes and services are included. In order to guarantee your reservation a hotel deposit and reservation fee payment have to paid for each room booked. This amount is indicated on the form and will depend on your hotel class requirements. No reservation will be made without the hotel deposit, this amount will be deducted from your hotel bill when you check out. The remaining amount of your hotel bill will be settled directly by you with the hotel. Please direct any questions relating to hotel reservations to Strasbourg Evenements email hotel@strasbourg-events.com.
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Travel
Local Attractions and Sightseeing
The historic heart of Strasbourg is located in a curve of the Ill, a tributary of the Rhine. There is an impressive number of architectural treasures, including massive medieval towers; neat, half-timbered houses; and prestigious town houses from the 18th Century, all concentrated in this perimeter of 83 hectares. The best way to tour the town is to stroll from one of the many lively squares to the next. Be sure to see the European Quarter, a classic example of contemporary architecture. Alsace's location near the German and Swiss borders makes possible a myriad of excursions. Germany's Black Forest is less than an hour's drive. The Swiss city of Basel is about an hour away. Closer to home, the Wine Road features countless walled villages and vineyards to explore. The Vosges Mountains offer well-marked hiking trails.
Office de Tourisme de Strasbourg et sa Region 17, place de la Cathédrale, 67082 Strasbourg Cedex Tel: 03 88 52 28 28, Fax: 03 88 52 28 29 www.ot-strasbourg.com; Email: info@ot-strasbourg.fr Strasbourg Info: www.strasbourg.fr.
Air Travel
Because of the popularity of discounted airfares available on the Internet, fluctuating fuel costs drastically affecting airlines and their fee structures, and a highly competitive airline market, SPIE Europe is finding that attendees do not book on any "association-endorsed" carrier. Therefore SPIE Europe will not be pursuing special meeting fares with any U.S. or European carrier. Trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific air carriers do not offer group discounts to and from North America.
Strasbourg has regular flights to many European towns and cities including regular, links to Paris direct, London (including London City airport) and Amsterdam with special flights being run during the sessions of the European Parliament. The city is also within easy reach from intercontinental airports such as Frankfurt and Zurich, each being approximately 200 km away by motorway, and the Basel-Mulhouse Euro airport is just 120 km away. Strasbourg is a hub on the central European motorway network on the Hamburg-Munich and Paris-Munich axes.
International Strasbourg Airport-Entzheim (SXB) 67960 Entzheim, Tel: 03 88 64 67 67 www.strasbourg.aeroport.frThe tram and bus service operate every 20 minutes.
TGV Rail Service
In June 2007 Strasbourg has welcomed the arrival of the East European TGV service. Providing 50 services a day including 16 return journeys to Paris and PCDG airport. From the immediate vicinity of the station a range of transport is available to travellers including the Tram-train and taxi services. Further information available on the introduction of this service is located on the official site of the Urban Community and the City of Strasbourg www.strasbourg.fr.
Rail Europe allows you to book all types of European rail passes and tickets online. Eurail passes, Euro passes, Single country passes, Point to Point tickets, Rail 'n Drive passes, Night trains, Special trains, High Speed trains, Eurostar, etc. Online train schedules are also available: www.raileurope.com
Travel by Car
The French freeway network to the west and to the north, consisting of the A4, A34, A31 and A32 freeways, permits easy access of Strasbourg from Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg et Bonn via Metz and Sarrebruck. The south, the axis Strasbourg-Mulhouse and the A36 intersection of the A6 freeway of Beaune, opens routes in direction of Italy and Spain. The German freeway network permits access to Hamburg, Frankfort, Basel, Geneva and Milan and is less than 15 minutes from Strasbourg via Kehl. Keep some change with you as some motorways require toll fees to be paid as you travel.
Travel by Tram
The Strasbourg public transport network is composed of 23 bus lines and 4 tram lines accessing the whole Strasbourg area.
The Relay-Tram parking lots offer parking next to a tram station and access the city centre within a few minutes. Information CTS (Company of Strasbourg Transportation) Tel: (33) 03 88 77 70 70 www.cts-strasbourg.fr To get to Palais de la Musique et des Congrès de Strasbourg from the Strasbourg Airport-Entzheim, take the airport shuttle, leaving every 20 minutes from the "arrivals terminal" to Tram stop Baggersee, where there is a connection to Tram Line A to downtown. Take Tram Line A (towards Hautepierre Maillon) and get off at Tram Stop Homme de Fer. Transfer to Tram Line B (towards Hoenheim Gare) and get off at either Tram Stop Lycée Kléber, which is within walking distance and just before the Palais de la Musique, or Tram Stop Wacken, which is just after the Palais de la Musique.
Parking at the Conference
There are 400 parking spaces at the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès. Parking at the Congrès Centre is complimentary.
Taxi
The Taxicabs are present at the airport until about 23.00 (arrival of the last flight). Between the airport and the downtown, the cost will be about 23€ by day and 38€ at night.
Hertz Car Rental
To reserve a car, identify yourself as a Photonics Europe Conference attendee using the Hertz Meeting Code PC# 104683. Note: When booking from International Hertz locations, the PC # must be entered with the letters PC before the number, i.e., CV029B0011. • In the United States call 1-800-654-2240. • In Canada call 1-800-263-0600, or 1-416-620-9620 in Toronto. • In Europe and Asia call the nearest Hertz Reservation Center or travel agent. Outside of these areas call 1-405-749-4434. Book on-line at www.hertz.com
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Facility, Venue and Services
Palais de la Musique et des Congrès Place de Bordeaux Strasbourg, France www.strasbourgmeeting.com Tel: (33) 03 88 37 67 67 The Palais de la Musique et des Congres is located near to the city centre of Strasbourg.
Facility Location and directions http://www.strasbourg-events.com/site/Directions-140.html
Internet Access/WiFi
Check final programme for locations Monday to Thursday during registration hours. Several internet access terminals will allow attendees to access their internet e-mail during the conference. There will be a 10 minute time limit per person's internet session.
The Palais de la Musique et des Congres also has WiFi capability. Information will be posted online prior to the meeting, and in the Final Programme.
Messages
Messages for attendees at Photonics Europe can be left by calling the Palais de La Musique et des Congres at Tel: 33(0) 3 88 37 67 67, Fax 33 (0) 3 88 35 38 17 and asking for the SPIE Europe conference registration desk. Messages will be taken during registration hours Monday through Friday. Attendees should check the message boards at the message centre on a daily basis to receive their messages.
Coffee Breaks
10.00 - 11.00 & 15.00 to 16.00
Coffee will be served during the morning and afternoon breaks in the exhibition hall (Tuesday- Thursday).
Please check technical conference listings for exact times and locations.
Lunch
Lunch breaks will be held in the exhibition area. One lunch ticket will be included in the conference registration fee. Additional lunches can be purchased on the registration form. Alternatively, lunch can be purchased from hotels and restaurants in the vincity of the conference centre. Lunch break in the exhibition area: Tuesday - Thursday, 11.30 hrs.
Welcome Reception
Exhibition Hall Tuesday 8 April 2008 17.30 to 19.30 A welcome reception is being arranged for all of the conference participants and personnel of exhibiting companies for Tuesday evening to follow the conferences. This reception is an opportunity to meet and renew relationships with colleagues.
Desserts
Tuesday and Wednesday 15.00 to 15.30 Complimentary tickets for dessert snacks will be included in attendee registration packs. These dessert snacks will be served in the Exhibition Hall, during coffee breaks.
Coat and Luggage Storage
Convention Centre, Ground Floor near Entrée Erasme Monday-Thursday 7.30 - 18.00 There will be a minimal cost for coat and luggage storage as required by the Convention Centre.
ChildcareISIS Kids 269 avenue de Colmar, 67100 Strasbourg - Meinau, Tél : 03 88 55 43 74 ou 03 88 65 07 26 Fax 03 88 65 07 26 email isiskids@wanadoo.fr www.isiskids.com
Note: SPIE Europe does not imply an endorsement or recommend of this service. The contact is provided on an information-only basis for your further analysis and decision. Other services may be available.
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SPIE Europe Onsite Services
Conference Registration
Sunday 6 April 13.00 to 17.30
Monday 7 April 07.30 to 17.00
Tuesday 8 April 08.00 to 17.00
Wednesday 9 April 08.00 to 17.00
Thursday 10 April 08.00 to 16.00
Exhibition Hours
Tuesday 8 April 12.00 to 19.30
Wednesday 9 April 10.00 to 17.00
Thursday 10 April 10.00 to 14.00
Audiovisual
Instructions will be sent to presenters of oral presentations via email about 8 weeks prior to the event.
Each conference room will be provided with Computer, Podium, microphone, Projection pointer, Screen, LCD Projector
Marketplace
The SPIE Marketplace is your source for the latest SPIE Press books, Proceedings, and Educational and Professional Development materials. Located near the SPIE Europe Registration Desk.
Visit the SPIE Digital library stand in the Exhibition Hall for information about accessing the resources.
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Visa Information and Invitation Request Letters
A passport valid for at least three months beyond the length of stay is required by visitors from all Western European countries (and UK, USA, Canada and Australia) staying up to 90 days without a visa. A national ID card is required for all other EU nationals. For further details of visa requirements for other countries, please contact the French embassy or Consulate in your country.
See French embassy information and links.
Authors requiring letters of invitation to obtain travel visas to present their papers/posters may access and print an Invitation Letter Request Form.
Please fill out a separate form for each author requesting a letter. Fax completed form to SPIE at 1-360-647-1445.
All letters of invitation will be sent by airmail and by PDF e-mail attachment unless a courier account or credit card number with expiration date is provided with the original request Please allow ample time for processing requests. SPIE Europe is not able to contact Embassies in support of an individual attempting to gain entry to attend a SPIE meeting. Because the application for a visa can be a lengthy process we recommend that you start your visa application process as soon as you have been notified that your paper or poster has been accepted. We also recommend that you secure your travel visa before registering for the symposium. Cancellations after the pre- registration cut-off can result in a cancellation fee.
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Policies
Audio/Video/Digital Recording Policy
Personal photographs and video taping of individual booths (and their displays) is not allowed without the explicit permission from the company representative on-site. Failure to obtain consent could result in losing your film and being asked to leave the Exhibition Hall.
Due to copyright restrictions, no recordings of any kind are permitted without prior written consent of the presenter in any conference session, short course or poster sessions. Consent forms are available at the SPIE Europe Audiovisual Desk and anyone wishing to record must have a written consent form signed and filed for each presenter being recorded. Individuals not complying with this policy will be asked to leave a given session and asked to surrender their film or recording media.
In the Exhibition Hall: For security and courtesy reasons, photographing or videotaping individual booths and displays in the exhibit hall is allowed only with explicit permission from on-site company representatives. Individuals not complying with this policy will be asked to surrender their film and to leave the exhibition hall.
Laser Safety Policy
SPIE Europe supplies tested and safety approved laser pointers for all conference meeting rooms, and for short course rooms if instructors request one. For safety reasons, SPIE Europe requests that presenters use our provided laser pointers available in each meeting room.
If using your own laser pointer, have it tested at your facility to make sure it has <5 mW power output. Laser pointers in Class II and IIIa (<5 mW) are eye safe if power output is correct - but don't automatically trust the labeling. Commercially available laser pointers, red or green (or any color), could be incorrectly labelled as to their wavelength and power output.
Presenters intending to use their own laser pointer for presentations are required to come to the Audiovisual Desk onsite and test their pointer on our power meter. If the pointer fails the safe power level you may not use the pointer at the conference. You will be required to sign a waiver releasing SPIE Europe of any liability for use of potentially non-safe laser pointers.
Use of a personal laser pointer at a SPIE Europe event represents user's acceptance of liability for use of a non-SPIE Europe supplied laser pointer device. Misuse of any laser pointer could lead to eye damage.
Underage Persons on Exhibition Floor
For safety and insurance reasons, no persons under the age of 16 will be allowed in the exhibition area during move-in and move-out. During open exhibition hours, only children over the age of 12 accompanied by an adult will be allowed in the exhibition area.
No Suitcasing Policy
Suitcasing is the act of soliciting business in the aisles during the exhibition or in other public spaces, including another company's booth or a hotel lobby. Please note that while all meeting attendees are invited to the exhibition, any attendee who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles or other public spaces, in another company's booth, or in violation of any portion of SPIE Exhibition Policy will be asked to leave immediately. Additional penalties may be applied. Please report any violations you may observe to show management.
Refund Policy
There is a €35 service charge for processing refunds. Requests for a refund of a Conference Registration should be received no later than 10 working days, by 17.00 hrs UK time from the start of the Conference Note - these must be received in writing. All registration fees will be forfeited after this time. SPIE Membership renewals or new memberships are not refundable. SPIE Digital Library subscriptions are also not refundable.
Unsecured Items
Personal belongings such as briefcases, backpacks, coats, books, bags, etc., should not be left unattended in meeting rooms or public areas. These items will be subject to removal by security upon discovery.
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