The congress venue, Palexpo, is close to the airport, but also only 15-20 minutes by bus from the city centre. There is a wide choice of hotels and other accommodation options available throughout Geneva. More information is available here.

 

Hilton Geneva

The Hilton Geneva is conveniently located next to the congress venue and close to the airport. There are efficient transport links to the city centre and with the complimentary ‘Geneva Transport Card’ you can travel by bus to the city centre in 15-20 minutes.

The EEC has preferential congress rates at this hotel: BOOKING LINK

 

InterContinental Geneve

The InterContinental Geneve is located in the diplomatic district with elegant rooms offering breath-taking views of the Geneva lake and Mont Blanc. which is 11 minutes by bus. With the complimentary ‘Geneva Transport Card’ you can travel by bus to the congress venue in 11 minutes and to the city centre in 15 minutes.

The EEC has preferential congress rates at this hotel: Book now

***Please beware of unauthorised agencies***

Please do not engage with unofficial companies claiming to sell registrations, accommodation or other services on behalf of the congress.

There is no official accommodation agency for this congress.

Registration for the congress is only via https://www.ilae.org/eec2022.

The official language of the congress is English.

 

The congress organisers will not accept liability for personal injury or loss/damage to property/belongings of participants, before, during or following the congress or their stay in host city. It is therefore recommended that participants arrange their own personal health, accident and travel insurance.

The ILAE Young Epilepsy Section (ILAE-YES) identified amongst its members the need for more sustainable long-term mentoring, and therefore introduced a Peer2Peer Mentoring programme with the aim to provide a framework for more experienced fellows and Post-Docs to act as mentors for younger colleagues (residents, Master, PhD students) not only at the congress, but possibly beyond.

Eligibility Criteria & Selection:

• Trainees
• Under 35 years of age
• At time of application:
• for MDs: within 2 years of start of fellowship
• for non-MDs: being enrolled in a graduate student programme (Masters or PhD)
• Submission of a letter of motivation

The allocation of mentees and mentors will be based on the field of work and, if desired, geographical region. Applicants will also be required to indicate their topics of interest for mentorship when applying.

ILAE-YES will host a kick-off meeting at the EEC 2022 and all participants in the programme will be invited to join.

Expression of interest will be with registration for the EEC. Applicants for the Peer2Peer Mentoring programme will be contacted by ILAE-YES and invited to submit a more detailed application for acceptance on the programme.

Deadline for expression of interest is 20 May 2022.

For general queries, please email eec@epilepsycongress.org.

Your health and safety at this event are of the utmost importance. We ask that all participants play their part in ensuring guidelines are followed.

Please be advised that a risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any event or public space, including the congress. Prior to registering for and attending the congress, please ensure you have read the latest Swiss guidelines: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende.html.

By attending the congress, you acknowledge this inherent risk and, as a condition of entering the congress, you acknowledge, understand and confirm that you will comply with the following guidance.

Do not attend the congress if you:

• Are showing Covid-19 symptoms such as, but not limited to: fever or a feeling of fever (chills, hot-cold), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, unusual fatigue, sore throat or headache, loss or change in smell or taste.
• Have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 7 days.
• You are unable to comply with the Covid-19 travel requirements of Switzerland: https://travelcheck.admin.ch/home
• You are under any self-quarantine orders.

If at any point during your time at the congress you do not meet all of the above criteria, you will be required to isolate and asked to leave the congress venue, at management's sole discretion.

Additional measures to be taken by the ILAE and the congress venue, for your safety:

• Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the venue, for all congress areas (session rooms, exhibition, catering points, poster points and common areas.
• Increased cleaning measures, to ensure that all high-contact areas will be frequently sanitised.
• Compliance with venue capacity limits: we will ensure that maximum capacity limits are complied with in session rooms and all congress areas.

For information on what the congress venue is doing to keep you safe during the congress, please read here: https://palexpo.ch/en/health-safety.

Finally, we are asking everyone to keep your distance where you can and respect others, who may be apprehensive returning to in-person events. Thank you for your co-operation, we are looking forward to returning to in-person congresses safely.

If you need a negative Covid-19 test to return and you would like to arrange a Covid-19 test before you leave Geneva, please see Book your COVID-19 test online on https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ie/planning/about-switzerland/covid-pcr-test/ for information on how to book a test.

 

Download Guidelines: Health & Safety Information – Covid-19

Sustainability at EEC 2022 is making more environmentally-friendly decisions such as to "reduce, reuse and recycle." And we are set to make EEC 2022 our most environmentally-friendly congress yet.

 

Getting to Geneva:

Trains can use 50% less fuel per passenger than planes for the same trips. Bus travel is an even eco-friendlier alternative, emitting even less carbon dioxide than trains on short and long trips. Food for thought, are you using the optimal means of transportation to help reduce your carbon footprint?

Train:

We are encouraging all who can to travel by train instead of plane. Buses and trains produce far less emissions per passenger kilometer than airplanes and cars.

Plane:

We encourage all delegates to fly Economy. Did you know that short distance flights are less environmentally friendly as they emit more CO2 compared to long distance flights?

When flying, try to use a carbon neutral airline. If your airline carrier is: being carbon neutral the airline will calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the fuel used for the flight, and will invest in environmentally sustainable projects that can offset it - such as planting trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (E.g JetBlue, Delta AirLines – tbc)

Before you book your transportation by plane to Geneva, please check out the emissions your flight would distribute:

https://co2.myclimate.org/en/flight_calculators/new

 

Walking:

In the city, we encourage all delegates to walk, use a bicycle or public transportation where possible. Each delegate will receive a free public transportation pass when booking into their hotel or hostel.

Venue:

Palexpo is ideally located in Geneva, just a 10 minute walk from the airport. It is easily accessible, well-served by public transport and you can use your free public transport pass. Geneva offers free public transport during the entire stay in a hotel, hostel, campus or B&B in Geneva

In 2018, Palexpo SA obtained the first ISO 20121: 2012 certification for its infrastructure.

This standard, which is dedicated to the events business, attests that the building is operated with a view to sustainability for events.

In 2019, Palexpo SA obtains the second ISO 20121: 2012 certification for its events.

This refers to a responsible management system and recognizes that all these events are organized in a sustainable manner and with respect for the environment. The result of a pronounced commitment to sustainable development over many years, these certifications underline the efforts made by Palexpo SA to limit the ecological impact of its activities and to align itself with the UN’s 2030 objectives.

Two energy audits have made it possible to increase the energy efficiency of Palexpo, in particular by reviewing the ventilation and lighting of the halls. A weather station installed in Hall 6 adjusts the heating and ventilation in real time. The collection of electricity consumption data is computerized and provides detailed indicators in real time. Palexpo uses only Swiss electrical energy of sustainable origin, either from renewable sources or hydroelectric power. A pioneer in sustainable development, when it was built in 1981, Palexpo designed the roof of its halls with a view to installing solar panels and connected it to the distance heating network.

With its 30,000 m² of photovoltaic panels on its roof, Palexpo is the second largest solar power plant in the country. This installation currently covers the equivalent of the annual needs of 1,350 households.

More information can be found here:

Printables:

There will be no congress bags or printed programme book at the congress. All information is available through the congress app (available shortly) and via the website. This will help to reduce waste produced due to printed material. All delegates will have access to the WIFI on site. Bring your mobile or laptop device, log on to the congress WIFI, download the scientific programme or create your personalized itinerary and you are congress ready!

E-posters:

Posters will be available on the congress app and platform as well as terminals on-site, instead of the traditional printed paper posters.

Waste:

There will be clearly indicated recycling bins located around the venue. Please do not hesitate to ask a steward or staff member if you are unsure which items should be placed in which particular bin. Your contribution can help us recycle our surplus items during the congress.

Catering:

Palexpo Restaurants’ culinary offering uses locally-sourced sustainably produced where possible, to both reflect the seasonality of ingredients and cut down on imports by air.

100% of food waste is recycled and converted into biogas, which is used by the trucks collecting waste on-site. In 2022, Palexpo Restaurants has banned all single-use plastic tableware in all catering outlets. Many biodegradable options are proposed as alternatives.  

There will be ‘water stations’ throughout the venue, thus avoiding the use of plastic bottles.

In an effort to be more sustainable the menu served during the congress will be vegetarian.

Bring Your Own:

We are encouraging everyone to bring your own recyclable and/or reusable water bottle. We will have plenty of water coolers on site that you can refill your bottle from. Tap water is safe to drink in Geneva. We also encourage delegates to bring your own bag if you wish as we will not be providing congress bags at the registration desk.

About Geneva

Geneva Convention Bureau will have an information desk at the congress from 09:00 – 18:00CEST 9-13 July.

Ideally located at the crossroads of a motorway network between Italy, France and Germany, Geneva is easily accessible. Nearly 935 flights and 200 trains daily serve Geneva and connect with the Geneva public transport network to facilitate your mobility in the heart of the city.

Cosmopolitan and open to the world, Geneva, a global micro-city, offers a quality of life in keeping with its small size but also services worthy of the largest international metropolises.

Nestled in an exceptional setting between the lake and the mountains, and ranked as the 9th most pleasant city in the world in 2019 according to the American consultant Mercer, Geneva attracts people both for its economic activity and its quality of life.

Nearly 190 nationalities live here.

Geneva brings together experts from all backgrounds to work together in perfect harmony. From start-ups to universities, multinationals and the public sector, Geneva is a unique hub for world specialists and innovators. The city provides excellence in a variety of fields such as Healthcare, Biotech & MedTech, Clean Tech, Banking, Finance & Sustainable Finance and Microtechnology.

 

Electricity

The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz. Switzerland uses type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. (Type C 2-pin plugs also fit J sockets.) Most power sockets are designed for three pin round plugs.

 

Time zone

Geneva lies within the Central European time zone (CET). From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, summer time is in effect (CEST).

 

Currency

The currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF).

 

Visa Regulations

Who does not need a visa

You may enter Swiss territory without a visa if you are a citizen of the European Union (EU) or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and in possession of a valid recognised identity document.

For a stay over 90 days you will require an authorisation from the migration authority of the canton concerned. An application for authorisation accompanied by the relevant documents should be submitted to the said cantonal authority.

State Secretariat for Migration, SEM

List of cantonal immigration and labour authorities, SEM

 

Who needs a visa

If you are not a citizen of Switzerland or of a country in the EU or EFTA, the conditions for entry to Switzerland will vary in relation to your nationality, the reasons for your proposed stay (tourism, visit, employment, studies, family reunification, etc.) and the length of your stay (short or long duration).

The website of SEM below will inform you whether or not you require a visa to enter Switzerland and on the travel documents that are recognised.

Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality, SEM

Persons who require a visa should submit their application to the Swiss representation competent for their place of residence.

 

Airport

Genève Aéroport

Geneva International Airport is one of the top rated airports in Europe and is located just 5 km from the city center. Geneva and its region are connected to over 137 destinations, operated by 48 airlines. The airport is a 10-minute walk from the congress venue, Palexpo.

https://www.gva.ch/en/

 

 

Getting around in Geneva:

 

FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT !

• Free public transort card available from your hotel, the card gives free and unlimited use of the entire public transport network (buses, trams local trains, taxi boats)

 

ON-SITE PARKING - UNDERGROUND P12 PARKING

• 3,000 parking spaces are available on-site
• Designated disabled parking
• 4 recharging points (fast charge 20 kW) for electric vehicles (level -1)

 

TRAVEL BY TRAIN TO PALEXPO

• The train is an easy and trouble-free way of getting to Palexpo
• Only a 10-minute train ride between the city centre and the airport
• Once at the Geneva Airport Station, Palexpo is just a 7-minute walk away
• Timetables available on the SBB website: https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

 

CATCH A BUS TO PALEXPO

• Bus 5 travels between the airport, Palexpo and the city centre. This line will take you from the airport to Palexpo in 3 minutes (line Aéroport - Thônex-Vallard). It will take you from the city centre to Palexpo in 15 minutes (line Thônex-Vallard – Aéroport).
• Timetables available on the TPG (Transports Publics Genevois) website: http://www.tpg.ch/en/web/site-international
• Be aware: Some stops are available only on request : press the red button on the bus.
• Bus 5+ doesn’t stop at Palexpo (goes directly to the airport)

 

WALK FROM GENEVA AIRPORT TO PALEXPO

• Palexpo is located 500 meters from the airport and railway station and is within easy reach on foot
• The journey takes only around 10 minutes
• Follow the signs for the quickest route

 

TRAVEL TO PALEXPO BY TAXI

• Pick-up and drop-off point outside the main entrance hall
• To book call +44 (0) 22 33 141 33 or visit: http://www.taxi-phone.ch
• Cost of an average journey from the city centre : CHF 30.-

 

Alla Guehkt - COI declaration

Barbara Tettenborn - COI declaration

Caroline Neuray - COI declaration

Eugen Trinka - COI declaration

Georgia Ramantani - COI declaration

Margitta Seeck - COI declaration

Matthew Walker - COI declaration

Meir Bialer - COI declaration

Nicola Specchio - COI declaration

Sandor Beniczky - COI declaration

Stephan Rueegg - COI declaration

Karl Schaller - COI declaration

The Welcome Ceremony will take place on Saturday 9 July at 18:00 CEST. Welcome addresses from ILAE and ILAE Europe representatives will be followed by the awards ceremony. All are invited to the Welcome Reception afterwards.