Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has been rated one of the world’s best airports. Onward connections from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Stockholm are also excellent.

Airport transportation
Finnair provides regular bus transportation between the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the City Terminal near the Railway Station at a cost of approximately 5 €. Taxis between the Airport and the Helsinki city centre cost approximately 30-40 € (30 minutes). Group taxis are also available at the airport (Yellow Line and Airport Taxi, cost approximately 20 € per person).

Transportation by boat
Helsinki is easily reached by high-class ferries from Stockholm, Sweden (overnight by Silja Line and Viking Line) and from Tallinn, Estonia (several lines, duration 1.5 to 3.5 hours).

Transportation by train
There is a good daily train connection between Helsinki and St.Petersburg. The duration of the train ride is about 6 hours.

Letter of invitation
Upon request, the congress organisers will be pleased to send a personal letter of invitation to enable participants to obtain supporting funds or visas for attending the conference. These invitation letters cannot be considered as an offer of financial support by the organisers.

Visa and passports
EC citizens only need their national identification papers. Carrying passport is, however, recommended for EC citizens especially if you plan to travel to Tallinn, Estonia. Citizens from most other countries will need a valid travel passport. They are encouraged to contact their local Finnish embassy or consulate to enquire about the necessity of visa application. If you plan to travel to St.Petersburg, you will need both passport and visa to Russia.

Liability
By registering into the conference and/or by participating in the exhibition joined to the conference, participants and exhibitors agree that neither the organising committee nor the conference secretariat assume any responsibility for damage or injuries to persons or property during the conference. Participants and exhibitors are adviced to organise their own health, travel and personal insurances.

Registration desk
Participants can pick up their personal conference material at the registration desk, which will be open at Marina Congress Center (street address: Katajanokanlaituri 6) as follows:

The conference secretariat will be available to assist you during the conference at Marina Congress Center. Please contact the conference secretariat for help or advice.

Language
The conference language is English. There will be no simultaneous interpretation. There is a preconference session in Finnish on Wednesday, 21 May 2008.

CME accreditation

• The NECTM 2008 Conference is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), www.uems.net.
• The NECTM 2008 Conference is designated for a maximum of 15 hours of European external CME credits. Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.
• EACCME credits are recognized by the American Medical Association towards the Physician's Recognition Award (PRA). To convert EACCME credit to AMA PRA category 1 credit, contact the AMA.

Accreditation in Finland
The NECTM 2008 conference is accredited by Helsinki University to provide education for medical specialisation.
For the designated specialities and hours see Lääkärien koulutuskalenteri: www.terveysportti.fi/pls/terveysportti/kou_selaus.koti

Approvals from the Norwegian Medical Association
The NETCM has got approvals from The Norwegian Medical Association for the following specialities education scheme (number of ours approved):
General Practice (21 hours/points), Infectious Diseases (21 hours), Occupational medicine (15 hours) and Public Health/Community Medicine (21 hours).

Climate and clothing
The average day-time temperature in Finland in May is around 15-20°C (55-70°F). Evenings are cooler. Occasional rain showers may occur. It is advisable to bring some warm clothes with you.

Name badges
Participants and accompanying persons are obliged to wear the official conference name badges on all conference occasions. Additional fee will be charged for reproduction of lost name badges.

Exhibition
The commercial exhibition highlighting medical devices, pharmaceutical products and books will take place in the lobby areas of Marina Congress Center.Access to the exhibition is free for registered participants.The exhibition will be open throughout the meeting hours on Thursday-Saturday, 22-24 May 2008.

Lunch and refreshments
Lunch is not included in the participants’ registration fee. However, lunch will be served in possible lunch satellite symposia organised by the industry. Coffee, tea and other refreshments will be available in the exhibition area during the breaks.

Non-smoking policy
Smoking will be prohibited in the conference and exhibition areas.

Certificate of attendance
All participants will receive a certificate of attendance during the conference together with the conference material.