ERS > Congresses > Berlin 2008 > Congress and local practical information

Berlin: October 4-8, 2008

Congress venue

Address: Messe Berlin GmbH South Entrance (Messe Süd) Messedamm 22 D-14055 Berlin Germany
Tel: +49 3030380
Fax: +49 3030383032
E-mail: sales@icc-berlin.de
Website: www.icc-berlin.de

The Exhibition Grounds operated by Messe Berlin are easy to reach thanks to excellent road and rail links. The city itself also has an extensive and clearly laid out public transport network.
See Travel Information.

Exhibition

An exhibition of the latest technical equipment and pharmaceutical products will be located in the Exhibition Halls.

Abstract Book on CD-ROM

(sponsored by Novartis Pharma AG)

The ERS, with the support of Novartis Pharma AG, is offering an abstract compilation on CD-ROM. Participants may collect one copy of the CD-ROM from the Novartis Pharma AG exhibition stand, free of charge, in exchange for a voucher in their Congress bag. The CD-ROMs will be distributed on a "first come, first served" basis. Copies will also be sent to European Respiratory Journal subscribers after the Congress.  

Abstract Print Zone

 (sponsored by Nonin Medical, Inc. )

The Abstract Print Zone gives participants free access to PCs in designated areas, allowing them to search for and print PDFs of relevant abstracts in exactly the same format as presented in the official Abstract Book. Each PC will be equipped with its own printer for convenient service, and staff will be on hand to assist if necessary.

Access to the electronic abstracts is made easy by the use of advanced search tools, which allows participants to look up abstracts in three different ways:

  • By day and session. If you have identified a session you are interested in, you can select the day and session number (or title) directly.
  • By Scientific Assembly or Group. Sessions are organised by the ERS Scientific Assemblies and Groups, enabling you to access abstracts from the Free Communication sessions organised by your preferred Group or Assembly.
  • By topic. Sessions have been grouped thematically to include all those that may be related to a specific topic (e.g . asthma, COPD, lung cancer).

All the abstracts will also be made available one week prior to the Congress on the ERS website (www.ersnet.org), again in PDF format. These can be downloaded and/or printed.  

Cyber Zone

(sponsored by Nycomed Danmark APS)

The use of a Cyber Zone will be available to all delegates during the Congress. This area will offer the opportunity to send and receive e-mail messages, and provide access to the Internet with a wireless area.

Dates and Operating Hours of the ERS 2008 Berlin Congress

 Congress Centre Registration & Speaker Preview Room Scientific Sessions Evening Symposia Exhibition
Saturday,
October 4 		07:30
21:30 		07:30
18:15 		09:30
17:30* 		  
Sunday,
October 5 		07:30
19:15		 07:30
17:30		08:30
16:45		17:15
19:15		09:00
17:00
Monday,
October 6 		07:30
19:15		 07:30
17:30		 08:30
16:45		 17:15
19:15		 09:00
17:00
Tuesday,
October 7 		08:00
19:15		 08:00
17:30		 08:30
16:45		 17:15
19:15		 09:00
17:00
Wednesday,
October 8 		08:00
14:00		 08:00
14:00		 08:30
12:45		  09:00
12:00

* Postgraduate Courses Only. All times are subject to change.

Electronic Poster Area

(sponsored by Laboratorios Almirall S.A.)
In addition to their assigned type of presentation, authors of an accepted abstract have the opportunity to create an electronic version of their work before the Congress. These E-communications will be available on site throughout the congress from the workstations available in the Electonic Poster Area.

Business Centre

There is a Business Centre located in the Service Centre Hall 7, on the second floor, in Room 2.30. It will provide services at participants' own expense.

Children

Please do not take children and accompanying persons to scientific sessions. Registered accompanying persons and children are welcome to relax in the various rest areas or visit the Exhibition. Children aged under 16 years must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. Please contact your hotel for a list of babysitters.

Cloakroom

A cloakroom service for clothing and reasonably sized items is available during the opening hours of the Congress. The charge is €1.70 per piece of clothing and €2.00 per piece of luggage.

Dress Code

Dress will be informal throughout the Congress. The ERS reserves the right to refuse access when deemed necessary for the comfort and safety of all delegates.

Hotels Desk

The Hotels Desk will be located in the ERS Registration Area, from Saturday, October 4 to Wednesday, October 8, during Congress opening hours.

Insurance and Disclaimer

The ERS accepts no liability for injuries and/or losses of whatever nature incurred by participants and/or accompanying persons, nor for loss or damage to their luggage and/or personal belongings. Please check the validity of your own insurance.

Language

The official language of the Congress is English. No translations will be provided.

Lunches and Refreshments

No official lunches will be provided. Lunch facilities include the Restaurant Panorama, the Alt Berlin Restaurant on the Mezzanine Level and a Congress Restaurant. Refreshments and snacks will be served in various locations.

Message Centre

An electronic message centre will be available in the Electronic Poster Area.

Public Holiday

The ERS Congress coincides with the German National Holiday on Friday, October 3. Most shops will be closed and festivities around Brandenburg Gate might affect traffic, causing some street closures.

Sightseeing Tours and Concert Desk

The Sightseeing Tours and Concert Desk, in the ERS Registration Area, will be open from Saturday, October 4 to Wednesday, October 8 during Congress opening hours. Information about all tours will be available. It will also be possible to register for the tours and purchase concert tickets at €45 each.

Smoking Policy

As smoking is a major cause of lung diseases, the ERS asks participants and exhibitors not to smoke in the Messe Berlin at any time. This includes the meeting rooms, exhibition areas, poster areas, restrooms, restaurants and cafés, and any area within 100 metres of the main entrances and exits.

Special Accessibility Needs

If you require special arrangements in order to participate fully in the Congress, please contact the Information Desk in the Main Entrance Lobby for on-site assistance. Alternatively, please contact Messe Berlin Logistics ST 24 prior to your arrival. Tel: +49 3030382836 Fax: +49 3030382860 E-mail: Seipold@messe-berlin.de

Taxis

The following taxi companies will offer their services (telephone numbers within Berlin).
Funk Taxi: 0800 0261026 Würfelfunk: 0800 2222255

Tourist Information

For tourist information about Berlin, please visit
www.berlin-tourist-information.de

VAT Refund Conditions

German VAT may be refunded to enterprises and companies located outside of Germany.

Visitor Tracking System

Active participants' badges will contain a barcode, which will act as an electronic business card, enabling visitors to leave their contact details for exhibitors quickly and easily.