Venue

Convention Hotel

Sheraton Brussels Hotel & Towers

Place Rogier 3
1210 Brussels
Belgium

T. +32 2 224 31 11
F. +32 2 224 34 56

www.sheraton.com/brussels

For most of our delegates, the Sheraton Brussels is a well-known convention venue. This business hotel, which has hosted many BIR conventions in the past, fulfils the main requirements for our successful Autumn Round-Table sessions.

The hotel is very close to the most interesting tourist attractions and shopping areas of downtown Brussels and therefore offers easy leisure escapes. Its restaurant and various bars as well as its beautiful indoor pool area on the top floor ensure that hotel guests spend very pleasant moments.

As usual, BIR has pre-booked a limited number of rooms at preferential rates for Convention participants. If our delegates/guests want to take advantage of these special BIR rates, they must return their registration and hotel reservation form to the BIR Convention Department or preferably register online by 17 September 2010 at the latest. After this date, accommodation at preferential rates cannot be guaranteed.

Conference Organiser

Since BIR meets in Brussels, the organisation of the convention, registration and hotel bookings will be the responsibility of:

BIR
CONVENTION DEPARTMENT

Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 24
1050 Brussels
Belgium

T. +32 2 627 57 70
F. +32 2 627 57 73
convention@bir.org
www.bir.org

Access

All major international airlines fly to Brussels airport with several daily flights to and from European and overseas capitals and major cities.

Transport by train from the Brussels Airport takes less than twenty minutes to the city centre. From 05:30 till nearly midnight, the Airport City Express links the airport (level -1) with Brussels (Midi, Central and North stations) four times per hour. Get off at the North station from where you can easily walk to the Sheraton (5-6 minutes).

Taxis are available in front of the arrivals hall. The fare from the airport to the city centre of Brussels is normally around 40 Euros, but can be more expensive due to rush hour congestion (travel time between 30 and 50 minutes).

Brussels is also easily accessible by train from many European cities (Thalys from Paris, Cologne, Amsterdam and Eurostar from London).

Local Information

Hereafter you will find some information that simplifies the preparation of your trip and helps you get the most out of your convention attendance in Brussels.

Culture and Lifestyle

Brussels has become the administrative centre of many international organisations. Notably the EU and NATO have their main institutions in the city, along with many other international organisations such as the Western European Union, World Customs Organization and the international air traffic organisation Eurocontrol as well as international corporations. Brussels is also becoming one of the largest convention centres in the world. The presence of the EU and other international bodies has for example led to there being more ambassadors and journalists in Brussels than in Washington D.C..

Climate

Autumn in Brussels is in general quite mild with an average temperature of around 52°F/11°C. However, it can be quite foggy and rainy, so please bring an umbrella and/or raincoat.

Visa

Check the requirements for your country at your local Belgian Embassy/Consulate or under http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/travel_to_belgium/visa_for_belgium/visa_needed/

If you need a visa, you will have to apply several weeks before departure. After October 1^st, BIR will not be in a position to help you with your visa. Upon request, the BIR Convention Department will send you a written confirmation of your participation in the Convention.

Time zone: GMT +2
Currency: Euro, divided into 100 Cents. For exact exchange rates, you may consult this currency converter.
Electricity: Operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz (adaptor plugs available at hotel)
Learn more about Brussels www.bruxelles-tourisme.be

Services at the Convention

Registration Desk

The convention Secretariat and registration desk are located on the 2nd floor of the Sheraton Brussels Hotel.

Opening hours:
Sunday, 24 October 2010 14.00 to 18.00
Monday, 25 October 2010 08.30 to 18.30
Tuesday, 26 October 2010 08.30 to 17.00

Upon arrival at the registration desk, each registered delegate will receive a pack containing their personal credentials (badge, invitation cards, tickets), the final convention programme and a list of all registered participants.

Access to the Convention Area

You are requested to wear your badge at all times! Access to meetings, hospitality areas, networking sessions, luncheons and social events are restricted to registered delegates and guests wearing their badge and showing the relevant invitation cards or tickets. Always carry some photo ID or a copy of your passport.

Lost badges and tickets will not be replaced and will imply new registration.

List of Participants

To help delegates identify potential customers, each registered delegate will receive the official list of participants (registered before 5 October 2010) detailing full delegate names, company names and addresses, the hotel where they are staying and the division codes. An additional list of late registrants is available at the convention registration desk.

As from 15 September 2010, BIR Gold Members are able to access a regularly-updated list of participants on the BIR website (link) using their personal access details. As from 15 October 2010 other BIR members have also access to this list.

Divisional Luncheon

Registered delegates may join the luncheons on each day of the convention (except Sunday 24 October). One lunch is included in the delegate’s registration fee. Please indicate the day by checking the appropriate box on the registration form. Subject to availability, additional tickets can be purchased at a price of 60 Euros.

Interpreting

Simultaneous interpretation in English, French and German will be provided at all plenary sessions. Participants speaking Italian or Spanish will also be able to speak their own language during debates.

Hospitality Areas

Complimentary coffee, tea and soft drinks are served in the hospitality area, i.e. the foyer of the meeting room, during the convention secretariat’s opening hours. On Monday and Tuesday the O Bar, located on the ground floor of the Brussels Sheraton Hotel & Towers, are exclusively reserved to registered BIR delegates, from 11.00 to 13.00 and from 14.30 to 18.00. Access is only granted upon presentation of the badge and your photo-ID.

Press

Registered journalists have access to fax, telephone and Internet facilities in the press room. In addition, a press table is available exclusively for the trade press to display their publications near the plenary meeting room. Commercial advertising on the press table is not permitted.

Gold Member Privileges

Delegates representing BIR Gold Member companies benefit from special discount registration fees and early access to the list of participants (see above). They also benefit from the exclusive Gold Member Lounge (open on Monday and Tuesday) with complimentary coffee/tea, secretarial facilities and Internet access. For full details on Gold Membership privileges, please visit our website (www.bir.org) or contact the Brussels secretariat.

LME and COMEX quotations will be provided to all delegates during convention hours.

“Business Suite” Rental

BIR is renting additional meeting rooms which delegates can book for up to 2 hours for their business appointments. Prices and availability can be checked at the convention registration desk during the convention but advance booking can be made as from 4 October 2010 with the BIR Convention Department.