Venue
The FISITA 2008 World Automotive Congress will take place at the ICM (International Congress Center Munich). The ICM is easy to reach and offers both state-of-the-art technology and professional services. The ICM is directly linked with the buildings of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. With two lakes and plenty of green open spaces, the grounds are ideal for recreation and relaxation. When the weather is fine, you have a magnificent view of the Alps.
For more information see www.icm-muenchen.de
Entry into Germany
Non-EU-Citizens
Any foreign visitor entering Germany must have a valid passport. Visitors from countries whose citizens require visas should apply to the German consulate or diplomatic mission in their own country. For further information, please see www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en
Requests for official invitations in support of visa applications should be sent to fisita2008@vdi.de
EU-Citizens
No visa required. Entry is allowed with both passport and id-card.
Language
The official language of the Congress is English.
Climate
The temperature in Munich during September can vary from 8°C to 19°C (46-66 °F) with the possibility of occasional rain showers.
Programme Changes
The organisers are not liable for any changes made to the programme. Please visit the web site regularly for updates.
Final Programme
The final programme will be provided on-site in the delegate bag.
Currency
The official German currency is the EURO. Travellerīs Cheques are accepted by all banks and major hotels in principal cities. Their use in Germany for general purposes is not as popular as in some other countries. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops and restaurants. Only Euro is accepted in regular stores. All convertible foreign currencies www.oanda.com are exchangable at all major banks. Business hours of most banks are 09:00 am - 04:00 pm (Mon.-Fri.).
Tipping
In Germany prices include service. No tip is required.
Shopping
In spite of the fact that German opening hours are widely regulated by law, a lot of exceptions are tolerated in order to provide service to the consumer. On Sundays and public holidays almost all businesses remain closed.
Tax
German Value Added Tax in included in all prices. Currently this tax is levied at 19%.
Communications
All German mobile nets are UMTS-supported. GSM phones are also supported. W-lan is available at several hotspots in the city and at the congress venue. Many cafes, bars and restaurants also offer free wireless internet.
Electricity
Electric current in Germany is without exception AC 230V/50Hz. Sockets only fit round two-pin plugs (use of adapters is necessary for all devices).
Time Zone
Germany is one hour ahead of GMT, in the summer time 2 hours ahead.
Insurance
Participants are encouraged to obtain travel insurance (medical, personal accident and luggage) in their home country prior to departure.