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Welcome and information
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WELCOME TO BUDAPEST
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The International Federation of Consulting Engineers
(FIDIC) and the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy
Associations (EFCA) joined with their Member Association for
Hungary, the Association of Hungarian Consulting Engineers and
Architects (AHCEA), to organize the 2006 International Consulting
Engineering Conference.
The conference will focus on the
role played by consulting engineers and their professional
colleagues in providing the all-important connection between vision
and reality; between client and customer; between the built and
natural environment. Their services span a global industry,
providing vital infrastructure that contributes to the development
of economic and social networks.
The conference will assess the consulting industry’s contribution to
networking the world through its leading role in developing the
technical, economic and social infrastructure upon which we all
depend. To name but a few challenges: people need reliable and
affordable systems for energy, water supply and sanitation; highly
efficient road and rail systems; and sustainable buildings that
respond better to the needs of users.
Keynote addresses and plenary forums with participants from
industry, non-governmental organisations, government and the political
arena will review today's achievements as well as tomorrow's
challenges in the era of globalisation, with its consolidation of
major trading blocs in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
That this assessment of the industry takes place in Budapest is
truly appropriate.
The conference theme also reflects on Hungary’s role - the
“Crossroads where the roads meet” - in providing a window
onto the
fast-developing East and Central European regions, and beyond to
Asia, another rapidly growing market for consulting services.
As the capital of Hungary, Budapest is also
among Europe's most popular destinations, and has long been
recognised as one of the world's most fascinating cities. In
addition to exceptional facilities, it offers a remarkable
collection of cultural and historic sites, which attest to its rich
past and vibrant future.
The conference's workshops and roundtables will build upon the spirit
of dialogue that pervades the city: there will be ample
opportunity for everyone to share experience and to build upon best
practice.
The conference starts with a Welcome Reception in the unique
Ethnography Museum on Sunday evening, 24 September. After the
opening ceremony and keynote speeches in Budapest’s sparkling new
National Theatre on the bank of the River Danube, the business
programme continues in the afternoon at the conference venue, the
Hotel
Intercontinental, with forums that delve deeper into the main focus
of the conference - the consulting engineer as the client's trusted
advisor.
Tuesday will be taken up with open discussion workshops where the
themes developed in the plenary keynote presentations and forums
will be debated in detail.
The conference’s Gala Dinner takes place on Tuesday evening across
the river in the world-renowned Gellért Hotel.
Wednesday starts with a plenary session that reports on the outcome
of the workshops and an action plan for participants. It is followed by the
EFCA General Assembly Meeting (GAM)
in parallel with networking events and regional reports. Wednesday
afternoon begins with a workshop organized by young professionals
that is followed by the FIDIC GAM.
Throughout the conference there is a lively and entertaining series
of optional events and tours, and a full programme is offered for
accompanying persons.
We welcome you to Budapest, and to a rewarding and thought-provoking
International Consulting Engineering Conference
Jorge Díaz Padilla, FIDIC President
Yann Leblais, EFCA President
Gyula Bretz, AHCEA President |
INFORMATION
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Registration
Online registration, with payment by credit card is available from 15 March 2006 until the start of the conference. For offline
registration, registration forms must be received by 15 September 2006.
All payments must be settled by the start of the conference or
access may be denied. Registration in the conference secretariat: 14.00 - 18.00 on Sunday
24 September; 09.00 - 18.00 on Monday 25 September and Tuesday 26 September; 08.00 - 12.00 on Wednesday,
27 September. Please note that bookings and payment for optional
events and tours and for extra tickets must be settled by 15 August
2006, which is also the cut-off date for hotel reservations, subject
to availability, made using the conference rates.
Budapest
Budapest, a city of 2.1 million people, stands for
a lot more than being the capital of Hungary. It is a great icon of
the past as well as a modern metropolis. You can discover influences from
Roman times, from Turkish domination in the 16th and 17th
centuries, and from the days of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Participants are encouraged to visit one of the thermal baths, and
any of the restaurants offering world-famous Hungarian cuisine.
Climate and clothing
Hungary has a continental climate. Weather is
remarkably changeable in September, with temperatures around 15 - 25
degrees Centigrade (50 - 68 degrees Fahrenheit). Formal dress is not
required for the business programme. For the excursions and tours,
casual wear is advised, and for the Gala Dinner, evening dress is
preferable.
Currency, exchange and banking
Hungary's official currency is the Hungarian Forint
(HUF). The exchange rate on 1 March 2006 was 1 USD to about 210 HUF
and 1 Euro to about 250 HUF. The rate is subject to change depending
on the daily rate of exchange. Foreign currency can be brought into
Hungary without restriction. When leaving the country, participants
can change back their HUF for an amount up to 50% of the total sum changed during
their stay in Hungary. A receipt showing the official status of the
exchange is required. Exchange facilities are offered to
participants at Budapest's airport, in hotels and at the conference venue,
the Hotel Intercontinental. American Express, Visa, Diners Club,
Eurocard and MasterCard are accepted in the larger hotels,
first-class restaurants and most major shops, but participants
should ask before ordering services.
Travel hints
On arrival by air at Budapest Ferihegy Airport, it
is advisable to use the airport minibus service, which takes you to
anywhere in the city for a set price of about HUF 3000 per person.
Check in is in the arrivals hall at the Airport Minibus Service
Desk.
On arrival by train, participants can take a taxi
at the main railway station, but the prices are not set. Excessively
high fares can be offered so participants are advised to engage
a taxi belonging to a well-know company, such as TELE5 TAXI, CITY
TAXI, FŐTAXI, TAXI2000, 6x6 TAXI.
Public transport
Budapest has an extensive public transport system,
which ensures access to all parts of the city by metro, bus, tram,
trolley bus and even suburban railway. Tickets are sold in every
metro station and bus terminal; they are valid for a single trip on
a metro, tram, bus or trolley bus line. One-day, seven-day, 14-day
and 30-day passes are also available.
Notice for drivers
The speed limits are 130, 80 and 50 km per hour on
motorways, on highways and in cities, respectively. While
driving, the use of headlights is compulsory and drinking alcohol is
prohibited.
Electricity supplies
In Hungary, electricity is supplied at 220V, 50Hz.
The two-pin connecting plug is different from that used in some
countries, e.g., USA, UK, Japan, etc. Hotels may provide outlets
suitable for operating razors.
Special meals
Vegetarian and Muslim
food is available at every meal organized by the conference. Please indicate your requirements on
the registration form.
Luggage handling
For the post-conference tours, luggage can either be left in the
hotel used during the conference or taken with the participant as
there is sufficient capacity in the tour buses.
Venue
Except for the opening ceremony, opening plenary session and lunch on Monday, 25 September,
which take place in the National Theatre, the conference takes place
in the elegantly modern Hotel Intercontinental on the Danube. The
other two conference hotels are 15 minutes away by underground, and other proposed hotels are within walking distance. During the
conference, delegates will never be far from the magnificent views
of the river, with the Buda Hills, historic public buildings,
bridges, museums and impressive castle providing a panoramic
skyline. Our aim is to provide a cosy, quiet and entertaining
environment for participants, close to a bustling city
atmosphere.
Passport and visa
As result of accession to the European Union (EU) on 1 May 2004,
Hungary is now a member of the EU. Residents of other EU member
states only need an identity card to enter Hungary. Other foreign visitors
travelling to Hungary should hold a valid passport and possibly a valid visa,
except for citizens of most European countries. Please check the
visa and passport regulations that apply to your country of
residence
before making your travel arrangements. To facilitate applications,
those participants needing an official invitation letter sent by the host
organization AHCEA in order to apply for a visa should send a
completed visa invitation form, one for each participant and accompanying person/s, to
AHCEA which will send an invitation letter. Visas can be granted by Hungarian
embassies and consulates, which are listed at www.mfa.gov.hu
under: Missions - Mission Abroad. Visa application forms can be downloaded
from www.mfa.gov.hu
in PDF
under: Entry for foreigners to Hungary - Visa Application
Forms.
Hotel accommodation
Hotel accommodation at attractive rates is available for registered participants at the venue, the
Hotel Intercontinental, and at
two nearby hotels. The organizers guarantee the conference rates up to 15
August 2006, subject to availability, after which rates may vary. Bookings and the payment of a one-night’s guarantee are generally made directly to hotels. The exception
is for participants needing to pay by bank transfer for special reasons, in which case hotel booking forms should be faxed to
FIDIC, with payment of the full amount required.
Further accommodation
Participants have to make their own arrangements to further
accommodation if they want to arrive before or stay longer than the official programme.
The three conference hotels generally offer the conference
rate for a few days either side of the conference period.
Accompanying persons
Accompanying persons
will be able to enjoy Hungary’s fantastic spas and spoil themselves
with the best of Hungarian cuisine. During
the city tour on Sunday, 24 September, participants will have an
opportunity to see the Parliament Building, Saint Stephan's
Basilica, Castle Hill with the Hungarian Coronation Church,
Heroes’ Square and, for a change, the amazing Grand
Market where one can shop for genuine Hungarian paprika. As an option for
accompanying persons, the organisers also offer a one-day trip on
Tuesdsay, 26 September, along
the Danube to the picturesque town of Szentendre and the landmark
hilltop castle of Visegrád.
Insurance
The organizers are not responsible for mishaps. Participants should
make their own insurance arrangements by taking
out whichever insurance they consider necessary. They are
advised to arrange health and travel insurance
prior to arrival in Hungary. The registration fees do not include
provision for the insurance of participants against personal
accidents, sickness, theft or property damages. This applies to all
events during the conference period.
Conference secretariat
Hotel Intercontinental, Apáczai Csere J.u. 12-14
1368 Budapest . Fax: +36-1-327 64 66; Tel.: +36- 1- 327 65 59;
kati_zahorecz@interconti.com;
www.budapest.intercontinental.com. Visit the conference website, www.consulting2006.org after 1 August 2006 for further details.
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| POST-CONFERENCE TOURS |
| :: Great Hungarian Plain (3 days) |
:: Lake Balaton (2 days)
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| INFORMATION |
Registration, hotels, events: FIDIC
Box 311, 1215 Geneva 15,
Tel: +41 22 799 49 00
Fax: +41
22 799 49 01
fidic@fidic.org
www.fidic.org
EFCA
Av. des Arts 3-5, 1210
Brussels
Tel: +32 2 209 07 70
Fax: +32 2 209 07 71
efca@efca.be
www.efcanet.org
Visas:
AHCEA
Krisztina krt. 99, 1016 Budapest
Tel: +36 1 488 20 37
Fax: +36 1 375 79 82
fidic2006@tmsz.org
www.tmsz.org
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