You've registered to join us at the largest science communication conference in Europe. We are delighted to be welcoming you soon in Geneva!
Here's the final practical information you'll be needing...
| Before leaving home | Arriving to Geneva |
| Conference venues | Badge & bag |
| Staying connected | Speakers & convenors |
| Sustainability tips | Business Bistro |
| Evening events | Feedback |
| Certificate | Useful contacts |
Plan your days
Did you know you can assemble a personalised conference programme online? All you need is to sign in with your Ecsite account and start assembling your programme by clicking "add" on each session you wish to attend.
Bedside reading
Catch up on the latest developments and trendy topics in European science engagement with Spokes - Ecsite's monthly online magazine.
Unmissable articles from the last few months: Lowering the tone: intellectual humility in science communication by A. Bandelli & W. Gajewski; Science centres as research facilities, exhibitions as explorations by S. Bron, M. Leroy & M. Merzagora; Is it real? by A.M. Land-Zandstra, D.J.J. Van Gerven and W. Damsma.
Get ready for Switzerland
Take into account the fact that the local currency is CHF, that roaming costs still apply in Switzerland and that you're likely to need an electric adapter for Swiss plugs.
Currency, time zone and dialing code
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF).
The time zone is GMT +2 .
The dialing code for Switzerland is +41.
Check out the current weather in Geneva on the national meteorology website (in English).
Welcome desk at airport
A welcome desk will be located in the arrival hall: desk n.16 A/B (next to the visitor centre), it will be open on:
Wednesday 6 June / 09:00 – 17:00
Thursday 7 June / 09:00 – 17:00
A courtesy of the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB).
From the airport to the city centre
Important: just after collecting your luggage, pick up a free single journey ticket available from a machine in the baggage collection area. This will allow you to take a bus to your accommodation, where you'll receive your free transport card.
If you booked accommodation in town, bus 5 (for "Thonex") and bus 10 (for "Rives") are likely to work for you.
To reach the Convention centre directly from the airport, take bus 5 (for "Thonex)" and get off at the "Nations" stop.
Taxi
We would recommend that you avoid taxis, as they are very expensive.
Public transport
Geneva offers an extensive and very convenient public transport system of buses and trams, running until late at night (about 1am during the week and later at the weekend), and connected to the airport. We strongly recommend that you use it.
You will receive a complimentary "Geneva Transport Card" for the full duration of your stay in a hotel, youth hostel or campsite.
Plan your journey at www.tpg.ch/en
CICG Convention Centre
Pre-conference and main conference sessions will be taking place at the International Conference Centre of Geneva (CICG), as well as our Business Bistro trade fair.
Exception: the pre-conference workshops Experience design in practice and When faith and facts collide (Wednesday 6 June) are taking place at the Natural History Museum of Geneva.
Address
Centre International de Conférences de Genève
Rue de Varembé 17
CP 13
CH1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
www.cicg.ch
How to get here
Plan your journey at www.tpg.ch/en
From the airport: take bus 5 for “Thônex-Vallard” and get off at “Vermont”.
From the Cornavin train station: take bus 5 for “Aeroport” and get off at “Vermont” OR take bus 8 for “OMS” and get off at “UIT” OR take tram 15 for “Nations” and get off at “Nations”
Wifi
Username: ECSITE
Password: geneva2018
Natural History Museum of Geneva
The Nocturne (Friday 8 June) will take place in the Museum, its famous diaorama rooms and edgy temporary exhibitions - but also in its beautiful park, recently converted into a natural laboratory and educational place devoted to promoting local biodiversity & nature in the city.
The pre-conference workshops Experience design in practice and When faith and facts collide (Wednesday 6 June) will also be taking place there.
Address
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle
1, route de Malagnou
1208 Geneva, Switzerland
How to get there
Plan your journey at www.tpg.ch/en
From the CICG convention centre, take bus 5 at the “Vermont” stop for “Thônex-Vallard” and get off at the “Muséum” stop. Approx. journey time from CICG convention centre: 30 min.
From other places, take bus 5 or 25 and get off at “Muséum”; take bus 1 or 8 and get off at “Tranchées” or “Muséum”; take tram 12 and get off at “Villereuse”.
Wifi
Select “ville-geneve” network and follow instructions (you need a mobile number in order to connect)
Other conference venues
History of Science Museum - Exhibition Opening, Tuesday 5 June
CERN Globe of Innovation - Speakers Reception, Wednesday 6 June
Les vernets ice rink - Gala Dinner, Thursday 7 June
BFM - Bâtiment des Forces Motrices - Farewell Party, Saturday 9 June
Check all addresses & directions in the dedicated webpage
Registration and information desk
Thursday morning is likely to be the busiest time. If you can, register at another time to avoid queues.
The information and registration desk is located at the CICG Convention Centre. Registration desk opening hours:
Tuesday 5 June / 08:00 - 17.:30
Wednesday 6 June / 08:30 – 17:30
Thursday 7 June / 08:00 – 18:00
Friday 8 June / 08:30 – 17:30
Saturday 9 June / 08:30 – 17:00
Registered pre-conference participants with workshops at the Natural History Museum: your badges will be waiting for you there at the start of your workshop.
Paying for your registration
Please note that entrance will not be allowed without either proof of payment or onsite payment:
If you have paid only shortly before the conference by bank transfer, please bring the proof of payment with you in case your payment doesn't appear on our bank statement yet and go directly to the payment desk.
If you have not paid the invoice for your registration, please note that you will need to pay on site at the payment desk. Payments can be done by cards (VISA, Master Card and Maestro only) and in cash (CHF or euros). Cheques, Diner’s Club and American Express are not accepted.
Programme
Upon your onsite registration, you will get a conference bag including the printed programme, a participants list and goodies. Some of you have opted for a sustainable approach and chose not to have a printed programme and participants list in your bag - well done! You'll be able to fully enjoy our online programme experience: with possibilities for a personalised programme and an easy search for sessions, speakers and themes!
Free Internet access at the CICG
Username: ECSITE
Password: geneva2018
Free Internet access at the other venues (except CERN)
Select “ville-geneve” network and follow instructions (you need a mobile number in order to connect)
Social media
Use the Twitter hashtag #Ecsite2018 and add your voice to the Twitter feed. Each room will also have its own hashtag, use it together with #Ecsite2018 to allow conversations to flow easily! You can also follow us on Twitter and contribute on Ecsite's Facebook and/or LinkedIn group pages.
A selection of pictures will be uploaded on Ecsite's Flickr every night and presentations will be downloadable from Ecsite's website at the end of each day.
If you missed the email we sent you on 8 May, check out these tips & guidelines for your presentations at #Ecsite2018, your registration and your presence at the conference.
Conference hosts, together with Ecsite, are taking steps towards a more sustainable conference - with your participation.
BUSINESS BISTRO: EXPLORE & RELAX
The Ecsite Business Bistro is the social and commercial hub of the Ecsite Annual Conference. Part coffee bar, part trade show, it’s a relaxed environment in which to explore cutting-edge products and strike commercial deals.
Opening hours
Thursday 7 June: 11:00 – 17:45
Friday 8 June: 09:00 – 19:30
Saturday 9 June: 09:00 – 16:30
Coffee breaks take place in the Business Bistro and a lounge area will be located there too in order to boost business opportunities between exhibitors and Ecsite conference delegates.
Meet our friendly team at the Ecsite booth and discover a wealth of services and our Ecsite-led European collaborations.
Near the Business Bistro, the pop-up office is the ideal space to catch up with urgent work, burning emails or perhaps that book you cannot put aside. Bring your own laptop or tablet and enjoy the large communal table and available electricity plugs.
The lively Business Bistro Happy Hour, which always promises a large crowd, takes place on the Friday afternoon of the conference.
The Ecsite Conference is famous for its unmissable networking opportunities. Our high-level social events are attended by an open & friendly crowd, creating the perfect cocktail for those looking to expand their network.
Gala Dinner, Thursday 7 June
Enjoy a giant Swiss Fondue at the Patinoire des Vernets, Geneva's ice rink. More
Recommended dress code: your own interpretation of smart - if you like dressing up, this is your chance to show your glamorous self.
Note: there won't be any ice on the rink at this time of year, no need to bring your winter jacket. As for all events, don’t forget to have your conference badge with you.
Nocturne, Friday 8 June
Takes place at the Natural History Museum of Geneva, its famous dioramas and edgy temporary exhibitions - but also in the beautiful Malagnou park. More
Recommended dress code: casual. Bring comfortable shoes. As for all events, don’t forget to have your conference badge with you.
Farewell Party, Saturday 9 June
Takes place at the Bâtiment des forces motrices, a beautiful building on the river Rhône whose initial function was to supply Geneva’s households with drinking water and regulate the level of the lake. More
Recommended dress code: casual. As for all events, don’t forget to have your conference badge with you. There will be no meal served that evening, only drinks and snacks.
Feedback forms are at your disposal at each session (put them in the colourful collection boxes in each room). You will also be meeting a team of evaluators conducting “snapshot interviews” onsite during lunch and coffee breaks on the last day of the conference, and you will be receiving an online questionnaire after the conference.
If you need a certificate of attendance, please email Raquel who will send it to you after the conference.
Conference Hotline for general questions & for our local hosts: Alice Brighi
Tel: +41 79 476 69 12
For Ecsite: Raquel da Cunha
Tel: +32 471 49 07 02
Emergency:
#112 is the international emergency number and will be automatically forward to the police.
#117 is the number of the police station
#144 for the ambulance
and #118 in case of fire
First aid ambulances are located nearby the Nocturne and Farewell Party venues.
We wish you all a safe travel to Geneva!
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to yet another great conference!