Information

Conference Dates:

Monday, 29th August – Tuesday, 30th August 2011

Conference Venue:

The Birchwood Hotel , Johannesburg
Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre was established in 1998 with 1 conference and 80 accommodation rooms. From these humbling beginnings, “Birchwood” underwent 4 phases of expansion and today boasts 665 accommodation and just over 50 conference rooms. Spanning over 46 acres of land, Birchwood is South Africa’s largest independent hotel & conference centre capable of hosting over 5 000 delegates at once.
10 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport and easily accessible from 3 major highways, Birchwood is a conveniently located venue for all commuters. In addition to this, Birchwood also offers a complimentary scheduled shuttle service to and from the airport as well as the nearby East Rand Mall shopping centre.

Visit www.birchwoodhotel.co.za

Official Conference Language:

English

Conference Details

• Pre-Conference Registration is available online Registration to open in March 2011
• On-site Registration will open on Monday 29th August at 07h00.
• The Conference and Exhibition will run concurrently
• Welcome Reception will take place on Monday 29th August

Disabled Facilities

If you require disabled facilities, please notify the Local Congress Secretariat, The Conference Company

Liability

The Congress organisers have taken all reasonable care in making arrangements for the Congress, including accommodation. In the event of unforeseen disruptions, neither the Congress organisers nor HISA 2011 can be held responsible for any losses incurred by delegates. The programme is correct at the time of printing, but organisers reserve the right to alter the programme if and when deemed necessary. The Congress organisers act as agents only in securing hotels, transport and travel services, and shall in no event be liable for acts or omissions in the event of injury, damage, loss, accident delay or irregularity of any kind whatsoever during arrangements organised through contractors or by the employees of such contractors. Hotel and transportation services are subject to the terms and conditions under which they are offered to the general public. Delegates should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance. The Congress organisers reserve the right to make changes as and when deemed necessary, without prior notice to the parties concerned. All disputes are subject to resolution under South African Law.

Safety and Security

Like many major cities, Johannesburg has both good and bad areas. It is advisable when walking in Johannesburg, particularly at night, that one should be aware of people around you, and ideally you should not walk alone but in a group. Ostentatious displays of wealth should be avoided, and it is not advisable to look like a typical 'tourist' with many cameras strung around your neck. Do not leave valuables unattended.

Airline Links

South African Airways: www.saairlink.co.za
British Airways: www.britishairways.com
Air France: www.airfrance.co.za
Air Namibia: www.airnamibia.com.na
Malaysian Airlines: www.malaysiaairlines.com
Singapore Airlines: www.singaporeair.com
Turkish Airlines: www.thy.com
American Airlines: www.americanairlines.com

VAT

Value Added Tax (VAT) at the rate of 14% is levied on most goods and services and is included in the display price of most goods. International visitors are encouraged to keep their slips as they can reclaim VAT on goods (not services) priced higher than R250.00 at the airport on departure, some harbours and at Customs Offices.

Travel Requirements

Please note that with immediate effect, anyone travelling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport, which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. left and a right hand page). Passports must also be valid for at least six months. Passengers travelling to South Africa with passports, which do not comply with these requirements, will either be stopped from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa.

In addition, a parent travelling with children, without the other parent, will need a letter of consent from the absent parent. The police must certify the letter of consent.

Visas

Visas are not required for citizens of most European countries and many other countries. A valid passport is required. A list of countries that currently do not require a visa can be found at the South African Government website (http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za/migration/visa/schedule.htm). Participants requiring a visa for entry into South Africa are strongly advised to make their applications in their home countries at least three months before their intended date of travel. For more information please contact your nearest embassy or South African Consulate or consult your travel agency. Delegates wishing to travel to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back to South Africa are advised to apply for a multiple-entry visa. Passengers travelling to South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passport to enable the issuance of an entry visa. If there is insufficient space in the passport, entry will be denied and the passenger is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. Perhaps this is the time to renew those almost-full passports!

Health

There are no compulsory vaccination requirements for persons entering South Africa. However, certain areas of the country, including the North-Eastern half of KwaZulu-Natal are Malaria regions. Being July and mid-winter, these areas will be low risk but we still have to advise that if you anticipate travelling to a malaria area it is recommended that you take prophylactics before arrival and the necessary precautions while in the area (e.g. protective clothing, insect repellents). South African doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped. It is strongly advised that delegates take appropriate health insurance prior to their departure. Yellow fever infected countries require inoculations to enter South Africa, i.e. Brazil, certain South American neighbouring countries and central Africa.

Time Difference

South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year, making it an hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and seven hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter Time.

Currency

Currency in South Africa is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R, with One Rand (R1) made up of 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and bureau de changes. All major credit cards such as American Express, Bank of America, Diners, Master Card, Visa and affiliates, are accepted in most places in South Africa. Generally, credit cards are not accepted for the purchase of petrol. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) offer a complete 24-hour service. Machines displaying international credit card logos can be used with the respective credit cards.