General information
Welcome to Paris!
Venue and Dates
The 65th Congress of the International Fiscal Association will be held from Sunday 11 to Friday 16 September 2011 in the Palais des Congrès.
Congress Venue
Palais des Congrès de Paris
2, place de la Porte Maillot
75017 Paris – France
Paris can easily be reached by plane, train or car, as it is located crossroad of Europe. It is served by two international airports and a very convenient railway system. The shuttle buses from Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports arrive down town.
The Palais des Congrès is easily accessible:
by car (Parking Porte Maillot under the Convention Centre),
by local city bus (lines 82 - 73 - 43 - 244 PC) or by metro (line 1)
or RER (Paris Suburban Express Metropolitan Network, line C). The station is called “Porte Maillot”.
Access
Paris can easily be reached by plane, train or car, as it is located at the crossroads of Europe. It is served by two international airports (CDG and Orly) and a very convenient railway system.
The shuttle buses from CDG airport arrive in front of the Palais des Congrès, which is also accessible through all Paris public transports.
Badges
A name badge will be provided with your registration documents on site (and not mailed out prior to the Congress).
Banks
These are open weekdays from 09:30 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 17:30.
Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.
ATM machines are located throughout the city.
Climate and Clothing
The weather in Paris in September is usually warm and sunny with daily temperatures of 20°C. Night temperatures are usually mild.
Congress time table
All IFA Paris 2011 Congress scientific sessions will be held at the Palais des Congrès in Paris.
Plenary and parallel sessions will start at 08:30 and end at 14:15.
Catering Congress services will be available daily: welcome coffee and tea at 08:00; coffee & tea breaks from 09:45 to 10:15;
refreshment breaks from 11:15 to 12:15.
Social Programme events will be held at various locations. Please consult the social programme section of this Invitation Programme for details.
Congress Website
For detailed and updated Congress information, we invite you to visit the Congress website at www.ifaparis2011.com.
Documents pertaining to the scientific programme of the Congress may be obtained from the IFA website at www.ifa.nl
Currency exchange
All rates given in the Invitation Programme are in EUROS: €
Cyber Café IFA Paris 2011
Participant will have access to Internet facilities at a Cyber Café located within the welcome area, level 3.
Dress code
Business attire is requested for all Congress functions and social events.
Disclaimer
All reasonable endeavours will be made to hold the 65th IFA Congress and to present the printed programme as scheduled under circumstances which assure the comfort and safety of the Congress Participants. However, neither the International Fiscal Association nor any of its Branches, nor their officers, employees, representatives or agents, shall have any liability to any person as a result of any cancellation of the Congress or any of the arrangements, programmes or plans connected therewith or any loss, injury, damage or inconvenience which may be suffered by any person while travelling to or from, or during such person’s presence in, France in connection with the Congress. Participants are advised to consider procuring their own insurance against any such occurrences.
Educational credits
In several juridictions, attending the IFA Congress sessions, qualifies for continuing education credits. Please check with your professional organisation. A certificate of attendance will be available in your Congress bag.
Electricity
Electricity used in France is 220 Volts; its frequency is 50 Hz and the plugs have two male contact points. Plan to bring a transformer for your electrical or electronic equipment using different voltage.
Emergencies
First aid service will be available throughout the Palais des Congrès.
Exhibition
An exhibition will be held on Level 3 of the Palais des Congrès.
Opening hours
Sunday, September 11, 2011 : 14:00 – 22:00
Monday, September 12, 2011 : 08:00 – 16:00
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 : 08:00 – 16:00
Wednesday, September 14, 2011: 08:00 – 16:00
Thursday, September 15, 2011 : 08:00 – 16:00
For Exhibit or Sponsorship, you may can contact any time the Congress Office: exhibition@ifaparis2011.com
IFA 2011 Paris Congress Secretariat
Before and after the Congress:
IFA 2011 - MCI 24 rue Chauchat – 75009 Paris – France Tel.: 33 (0)1 70 39 35 55 – Fax: 33 (0)1 53 85 82 83
E-mail: info@ifaparis2011.com
On-site Secretariat for registration and information
Sunday, September 11, 2011 : 12:00 – 20:00
Monday, September 12, 2011 : 07:30 – 16:00
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 : 07:30 – 16:00
Wednesday, September 14, 2011: 07:30 – 17:00
Thursday, September 15, 2011 : 07:30 – 16:00
The Congress documentation will be available there for pre-registered Participants and for anyone wishing to register on site.
Insurance and liability
The Organisers will accept no liability for personal injuries sustained by or for loss or damage to property belonging to Congress Participants, either during or as a result of the Congress or during all events.
Participants and Accompanying Persons are strongly recommended to seek insurance coverage for health and accident, lost luggage and trip cancellation.
Lost Property
All Participants are kindly requested to report any lost or unattended items immediately to the Congress staff. Should you lose anything while at the Palais des Congrès, please enquire at the Congress Registration Desk, where any lost property will be held
Message Center
A message center will be located near the Congress Welcome desks during official Congress hours.
Mobile Phones
Contact your mobile phone operator who will confirm whether or not your mobile is compatible with the French network and also explain how you will be charged for calls received from your own country or that you make while abroad (local and international calls). Some mobiles from other countries don’t automatically connect with the French networks. All you need to do is choose the option “network selection” on your mobile to manually make the connection. In order to use your mobile in France, it should be compatible with GSM 900 or GSM 1800 norms. If this is not the case, or if it is not working, you have the possibility of hiring a mobile phone in one of the many specialist boutiques.
For international calls to France, dial the international code followed by 33 and the correspondent’s number without the “0”.
Official language
The Congress language is English. All sessions will be conducted in English. For French Participants, headsets will be available for simultaneous translation into French for some sessions.
Passports & Visa
Every person entering France should be in possession of a valid passport and/or identification card. Some countries require a Visa. Please contact the nearest French Embassy or Consulate to your home for further information.
The Congress Secretariat can issue, upon request, an official letter of invitation. Please apply to registration@ifaparis2011.com.
Photographer
An official photographer will be present during the Congress. Photographs will be available on the Congress website after the Congress.
Poster Programme
Closer to the Congress, up to a maximum of ten (10) candidates will be selected for the 2011 Poster Programme. A list of delegates in the Poster Programme will be distributed in the Congress kits. Posters will be available for viewing in the Palais des Congrès on level 3.
Preview Room
A preview room will be available for Chairs, Panelists and Secretaries of all Panels to check/finalise their audiovisual presentations for the respective sessions.
Questionnaire and Give-away
Participants are kindly requested to complete a Congress Questionnaire which will be available in the Congress kit. This Questionnaire is an important tool to provide your input and suggestions to IFA. An IFA 2011 Paris Congress T-Shirt will be provided to those who return a completed Congress Questionnaire to the Welcome Desk on September 14 and 15, 2011.
Refreshment Breaks
Food and beverage (including vegetarian and vegan food) will be served during the refreshment breaks from 11:15 to 12:15 on level 3 of the Palais des Congrès. Coffee and tea will be available at 08:00 prior to morning sessions and a coffee/tea break will be held from 09:45 to 10:15.
Restaurants You can find a wide selection of restaurants where all kinds of gastronomic specialities are served. n Security To spend a quite calm and safe stay don’t tempt fate or pickpockets! Have your wits about you in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises: don’t keep wallets in your back trouser pocket, keep bags safely closed, make sure you don’t leave your mobile phones lying around. Be wary if you are approached by individuals offering their services, choose instead to visit the official sales point.
Shopping
More shops than you can imagine will tempt you with their offer of the best in clothes, shoes, accessories and much more.
- • The Gallery of the Palais des Congrès
• Boulevard Saint-Germain des Prés
• Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
• The department stores : - Galeries Lafayette - Printemps - Bon Marché
Smoking Policy
Smoking is banned in all indoor public places and in all workplaces. The Congress will be a smoke-free event and smoking shall not be permitted in the Palais des Congrès. n Sponsorship Opportunities For Sponsorship and Exhibition information please contact the IFA Paris Congress Secretariat at exhibition@ifaparis2011.com
Taxes
Like most other European countries, France imposes a value added tax (VAT) on most goods and services purchased in the country. This tax is known as TVA. It is normally included in the price of most goods and services. Generally, the rate stands at 19,6% of the sale price. n Taxis Licensed taxis can be recognised by the sign “TAXI” on the roof and by the identifying licence number on the doors. Do not take any car that is not an authorised Paris city taxi or trust people who approach you offering private taxi service. In the city centre there are a number of ranks where taxis may be picked up.
Time
Paris is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Differences with other major cities are London: -1 hour; New York City: -6 hours; Sydney: + 10 hours; Tokyo: + 8 hours. n Tipping In France, all prices shown include tax and service (the latter is around 15% of the total price). However, if the service has been particularly good, you may wish to leave a tip in order to show your appreciation. As a general rule, the amount is 5 to 10% of the total bill.
Transportation (Social Programme)
Transportation to and from official Congress hotels/venue/social events will NOT be provided by the organisers. Each Participant will get a free metro and bus pass to access easily the social events venues. However, for the Gala Event, bus transportation will be provided to the Participants.
Transportation (Public)
Public transportation is readily available and convenient within Paris. Buses, metro and trams are available.
Information on rates and route maps are available on the following website: www.ratp.fr
VAT reclaims
For a VAT refund, ask for a Tax free Shopping France invoice when you shop in any major store or “Tax free for tourists” boutique. The amount to be refunded is shown under the heading “montant de la détaxe”. You should have your invoices stamped at airport customs on leaving the EU and return the validated pink copies within three months using the stamped addressed envelope given to you at the time you made your purchases.
In order to receive your tax refund, it’s important to know that Paris train stations, unlike airports, do not have a customs office.