Information A-Z

Abstracts

All accepted abstracts (incl. Late Breaking abstracts) will be published in the online journal
Acta Crystallographica Section A as well as on the website of the ECM-30 meeting.

Badges

Access to all scientific sessions are only possible with your personal badge. Please always wear your badge!
CHF 30. will be charged for replacement of a lost badge.

Climate

Its position in the Rhine Valley gives Basel an exceptionally mild climate. In September temperatures are in average at around 18 degrees Celsius or 64 Fahrenheit.

Cloakroom

An unattended cloakroom is available during the registration opening hours.

Coffee Breaks

Morning and afternoon coffee breaks are included in the registration fee and are served in the exhibition area. Please refer to the Programme Overview for the times.

Conference Venue Congress Center Basel (CCB)

ECM 2016 will take place at the Congress Center Basel which is one of the most modern congress centers in Switzerland. Equipped with the latest technology, it provides an excellent atmosphere for conferences and exhibitions. The Congress Center is located directly alongside Messe Basel in the heart of the city. The historic Old Town, the shopping areas and the many museums and parks can be reached comfortably by foot or by public transport.

Congress Center Basel
Messeplatz 21
4058 Basel / Schweiz
www.congress.ch 

Currency 

The currency in Switzerland is Swiss Francs (EUR 1 = CHF 1.10). All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. For taxi rides we recommend to bring Swiss Francs in cash as not all taxis accept credit cards

Electricity

The electrical current in Switzerland is 230 Volts AC, 50H (continental European standard)z. Sockets take the standard, round-pinned European plugs. There is a limited compatibility with other continental European plugs: the standard continental type hexagonal plugs with two round pins (Euroconnectors, pin distance 19 mm [3/4 inch], pin diameter 4.0 mm [1/6 inch]), applied for many electrical travel products, may be used without problems. Please note that German / French / Austrian plugs with thick pins (diameter 4.8 mm [1/5 inch]) and Italian plugs with three thin pins in a row are not compatible with Swiss wall outlets, despite of the equal distance of their two main pins.

Exhibition

The exact opening hours will be announced shortly.

Insurance

The meeting organiser cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss or damage of property belonging to meeting participants, either during, or as a result of the meeting. Please check the validity of your own insurance.

Invitation Letter

Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation may write to the Congress Secretariat. This procedure is designed to assist participants to obtain a visa or permission to attend the meeting and does not apply to registration fees or other expenses. Please note that invitation letters can only be sent if the registration and payment has been received by the Congress Secretariat.

Language

The official language of Basel is Swiss-German. French and English are widely spoken. 

Mobility Ticket

Each guest staying in a hotel in Basel, receives a Mobility Ticket upon check-in. This allows free use of the public transportation system in the city of Basel and its environs (zones 10, 11, 13 and 15, incl. the way to and from the Airport). The ticket is valid for max. 30 days. On the day of arrival, the reservation confirmation from the hotel guarantees a free transfer by public transport from the train station or the EuroAirport. So please don't forget to print your hotel confirmation and to take it with you on the tram or bus!  

Registration / Secretariat

Email: registration.ecm30@congrex.com

Opening hours: The exact opening hours will be announced shortly.

Speakers Service Centre (SSC)

All speakers are requested to hand in their PowerPoint presentations at least one hour before their lecture at the SSC.

Restaurants

Basel offers a wide range of international restaurants (Italian, Chinese, Japanese, French etc.) as well as typical Swiss cuisine (such as Roesti, Fondue and Raclette). People usually have lunch between 12:00 and 14:00 and dinner between 18:00 and 20:00

Shopping

Shops in Basel are usually open Monday through Friday from 09:00 18:30, Saturday from 09:00 17:00. Several larger department stores are open until 20:00. On Thursdays most of the stores in the city center are open until 21:00. All major credit cards are accepted.

Tipping

Service is almost always included in hotel and restaurant bills. A further tip of a few coins is appropriate
(Restaurants 5 10%).

Transport in Basel

The Congress Center Basel (Tram stop Exhibition Square) is easily accessible from all railway stations:

• From the SBB/SNCF railway station, take tram no. 1 or no. 2 directly to the Exhibition Square (Messeplatz)
• From the Badischer Bahnhof, take tram no. 1, no. 2 or no. 6
• From Basel downtown take trams No. 6 or 14

Reservation in a Basel hotel includes the Mobility Ticket which allows you to use the public transportation system free of charge. The ticket will be handed out to you upon arrival at the hotel and is valid for the duration of your stay.

Please find here detailed information regarding the travel opportunities.

Visa Requirements

In case you need an invitation letter for visa purposes, please contact the Congress Secretariat (registration.ecm30@congrex.com). We strongly advise to contact the Congress Secretariat as early as possible.

WLAN

Free WLAN is available throughout the congress centre.