CONFERENCE DATE & PLACE
The conference will be held during November 10 - 12, 2005 at The Marmara Hotel, in İstanbul, a five star hotel centrally located at Taksim Square. The opening ceremony will be held at 09:00 hrs on November 10th, followed by the scientific program. The cocktail reception will take place at 19:00 hrs at the same place on the same day.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official language of the congress will be English. Simultaneous interpretation will not be provided.

ISTANBUL AIRPORT & 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, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, 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, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, 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.

CLIMATE
The average daytime temperature of İstanbul 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.

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