All the participants are requested to indicate on the registration form the activities in which they wish to participate, whether or not they are included in the congress registration fees.

For the optional activities that are not included in the registration fees, registration will not be recorded until full payment is received.


OPENING CEREMONY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2010
Swissôtel The Bosphorus                                           6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

FOLLOWED BY A WELCOME COCKTAIL
Swissôtel The Bosphorus                                           7:30 pm – 9:00 pm


The congress opening evening will be held at the Swissôtel The Bosphorus, a 5-star luxury hotel, member of the Leading Hotels of the World, which is located on the European banks of the Bosphorus,  within several acres of historical gardens.

The opening ceremony will take place in the hotel ballroom that can accommodate up to 1 600 guests in theatre style seating.
At the end of the opening ceremony, after the opening speeches, you will enjoy a traditional performance with typical musicians and dancers.

The ballroom Foyer, overlooking the Dolmabahce Palace and the spectacular Bophorus view, is the perfect venue for a welcome cocktail prepared by renowned, award winning chefs, and you will then have the possibility to meet with your friends and colleagues.Transport will be provided between the congress hotels and the Swissôtel The Bosphorus, and also for the return transfer. The shuttle schedule will be given in the final programme and will also be displayed in the congress hotels.For security reasons, it is mandatory to carry your badge or invitation card, along with an identity document.

INFORMAL RECEPTION – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2010
Binbirdirek (The 1001 Columns Cistern)                    8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Located between the Forum of Constantine and the Constantinople Hippodrome, Bindirdirek (the 1001 Columns cistern) is an ancient, dry cistern that was used as a rainwater storage tank in the Byzantine period. For several years now, the cistern has been open to visitors and has become a lively, festive cultural site.There is no doubt that you will appreciate the beauty of this unusual location during the traditional reception.

Transport will be provided between the congress hotels and Binbirdirek. The shuttle schedule will be given in the final programme and will also be displayed in the congress hotels.

FREE EVENING – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2010 Located at the crossroads between East and West, Istanbul offers its visitors its perfumes, colours, spices and much more. A modern, cosmopolitan city, Istanbul has nonetheless been able to preserve its myriad traditions. Do not hesitate to make the most of the free evening, to explore the charms of this bewitching city. The DESTINATION PLUS agency will have a list of recommended addresses at your disposal for your free evening in Istanbul.

GALA DINNER – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010
Çiragan Palace (Kempinski Hotel)                             8:30 pm

The Çiragan palace is an opulent structure built in the second half of the 16th century in one of the canal’s most beautiful areas. The palace was home to several generations of Sultans who introduced a number of architectural novelties, but a fire partially destroyed the palace in 1909.Priceless paintings, carpets and books were lost forever. Fortunately, one of the palace wings miraculously escaped the disaster.This section of the ancient palace still boasts of its original stone structure, its marble, paintings and other relics of its age-old splendour. It will be a delightful venue for the congress gala dinner.


Transfers will be provided between the congress hotels and the Çiragan Palace. The shuttle schedule will be given in the final programme and will also be displayed in the congress hotels.


Dress code: Evening dress and dinner jacket or a dark suit.

The price, including transfers, welcome cocktail, dinner and dance is € 165 per person.

GENERAL EXCURSION – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
Commented cruise on the Bosphorus                                    9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Buses are scheduled to leave the congress hotel at 9:30 am to take you to the pier to board a private boat.In the morning, you will spend 2 hours cruising on the bosphorus, with a commentary that will help you explore from the waters of the Bosphorus strait, Istanbul's main architectural jewels.The Bosphorus, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, has retained much of its charm with its fishing villages, its elegant Yali (luxurious 19th century wooden residences), its mosques, its numerous bridges as well as the Palaces of the last Sultans.

You will take a break on the Asian side for lunch at the Del Mare Restaurant, a historical building on the banks of the Bosphorus, built in the 19th century and initially used as a storage depot, to be later converted into a factory in the early 20th century.

Early afternoon, you will board the boat again and continue the cruise. A second stopover will enable you to explore the leander tower, a structure built on the rocky islet of üsküdar in the 19th century, to mark the entrance to the strait, which has now become the symbol of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.

A coffee break will be offered at the Leander Tower.

You will continue the last section of the boat cruise up to the entrance to the Golden Horn, a magnificent natural harbour that was once developed to establish the city of Byzantium. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul because of its history and beauty. You will disembark at the Eminönü port, located just before the Galata Bridge.

Return time to the Swissôtel The Bosphorus between 3:30 and 4:00 pm.

After the excursion, you will be able to visit the city’s largest mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, built for the greatest of the Sultans, Suleiman the Magnificent (additional charges apply).

The price of the excursion, including transportation by bus, the commented cruise, the visit of the Leander Tower (coffee and pastry included) and lunch (beverage included), is € 120 per person.