HCV 2011 General Information

Symposium Information

Dates:	8 – 12 September 2011
Venue:	Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers 1400 6th Avenue Seattle, Washington 98101 United States Phone: 1.206.621.9000 Fax: 1.206.621.8441 www.sheraton.com/seattle
Language:	English is the official language of the 18th International Meeting on Hepatitis C Virus and Related Viruses.
Letters of Invitation:	Delegates who have already registered for the Symposium may request a Letter of Invitation to assist with their visa application to attend the Symposium. Please send your email request to Register@ConferenceSolutionsInc.com and include the following information: Name, Date of Birth, Passport Number, and Country of Citizenship. Information on U.S. visa requirements and visa application can be found on the website at http://travel.state.gov/visa. The Letter will then be issued and may be presented to your Embassy/High Commission to assist with the application of your visa. However, this, in no way constitutes an official invitation or offer to cover the cost of registration, travel or any other expenses.
Liability:	Neither the Organizing Committees and/or Symposium Secretariat shall be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered delegates of the Symposium. Delegates should make their own arrangements regarding personal insurance. Each registrant grants the Symposium the right to photograph delegates during any symposium function, and to use such photographs and the names of delegates in any materials which either represent the proceedings of the Symposium or promote future symposiums.

Traveler Information

Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is located 20 minutes south of Seattle, and is the closest airport to the Symposium. Transportation options from the airport to the Sheraton include taxi service, the Link Light Rail and airport shuttles.

Climate

September is a nice time to visit Seattle. Temperatures are usually comfortable, averaging 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and in the 50s or 60s at night. However, the weather in Seattle can be unpredictable, so be sure to pack a rain coat or umbrella. We suggest you dress in layers to adjust your comfort from the warm days to the Hotel air conditioning and cool evenings.

Currency

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of the United States and is normally abbreviated as the dollar sign, $, or as USD or US$. It is divided into 100 cents. Current exchange rates can be found online at: http://www.xe.com/ucc/.

To exchange foreign currency to USD, visit Travelex Currency Services at Sea-Tac airport or Westlake Center in Seattle, just two blocks away from the Sheraton. Most local banks are also able to exchange currencies. ATMs will also dispense USD for a nominal fee.

Traveler’s checks are becoming relatively uncommon in Seattle, and they are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels. VISA, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

Electricity

United States operates 110 volts AC, 60 hertz electricity which is half of the 220 volts that many other countries use. Dual voltage appliances are recommended.

Passport and Visa Information

You must have a valid passport to visit the United States. Depending on the country that issued your passport, the country in which you reside, and your travel status, you may need a visa to enter the United States. Please refer to the following websites for document, inoculation requirements and contact information: http://travel.state.gov http://www.usembassy.gov http://www.cdc.gov

In addition, a “transit visa” may be required if you are making an airline connection before entering the United States. It is your responsibility to contact the embassies or consulates of any countries you will be connecting through to determine if a transit visa or inoculations are required for that country.

NOTE: Visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. Therefore, it is important to apply very early. The U.S. State Department advises that some applications may take more than two months to process.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Click here for the list of participating countries and more information on the VWP.

Smoking Policy

Washington has a very strict smoking ban in place. Seattle is a smoke free city, which means that smoking is prohibited in all public places and workplaces, including all restaurants and bars. You may not smoke within 25 feet (~7.5 m) of any door or window. Violating this ban can result in a $100 USD fine.

Tipping

For restaurants that do not provide table service, it is at your discretion to tip 0-10%.

In a restaurant that provides table service, a 15% to 20% tip is customary. For large parties of 6 people or more, restaurants will often include the tip or “gratuity”. If the tip is included, it will be clearly indicated on your itemized bill and you do not need to leave an additional tip.

When ordering hotel room service, a tip will already be included on the bill and you do not need to add an additional tip.

For carrying luggage to your room, $3-5 is average, unless you have excess luggage.

For taxis, a 10-20% tip is customary.

Time Zone

Seattle lies within the Pacific Time Zone (PTD) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) -7 hours.

Vaccinations

There are no required vaccinations for entry into the United States. Click here for a list the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended vaccinations.