General Information

ABOUT GLASGOW

Glasgow is one of Europe’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities offering typical Glaswegian hospitality. It has an abundance of architectural treasures and museums including, The Burrell Collection, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Glasgow Police Museum to name just a few. Glasgow has the second largest shopping centre in the UK. You can shop at many major UK high street stores, smaller boutiques, department stores and a wide variety of specialty shops, including craft and antique shops to suit every taste and interest. You will also be spoilt for choice of venues to whet your appetite for eating, drinking and entertainment and there is easy access around the city centre with a highly developed network of train, bus and underground public transport systems. Should you wish to explore outside the city, there is breathtaking countryside right on the doorstep, with plenty of opportunities for walking, golfing, cycling and other outdoor activities. The Scottish great outdoors is truly spectacular!
 
For further information about Glasgow, please visit www.seeglasgow.com

CLIMATE 

The temperature in June is quite warm; between 17 and 22° with very little rainfall. Don’t forget to take warm clothes for chilly evenings.

CREDIT CARDS

Major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, stores, cafés and restaurants. Be prepared to present a picture ID when using a credit card.

ATM/CASH MACHINES

ATM’s offer a convenient way of withdrawing Pounds (£) on a credit or debit card. Most banks have these machines, and all major cards are accepted (be sure to have your PIN code). There is a cash machine inside the SECC Congress Centre.

BANKS & FOREIGN EXCHANGE OFFICES

Banks typically open 9:30 to 16:00 or 17:00 from Monday to Friday, although some open slightly later on Thursday evenings and a few branches may open on Saturday morning until 12:30. Outside banking hours you'll have to use a foreign exchange office, which can be found in the city centre and also at the airport and railway stations. Some offices charge comparatively high commission rates for changing cheques. Avoid changing money or cheques in hotels, as the rates are usually quite low.

CURRENCY

The local currency is the Pound Sterling and the sign for the Pound is £ (GBP). Euros are not used in England. The median exchange rate in May 2010 is 1 GBP = EUR 1.18

ELECTRICITY

The UK, Scotland and Republic of Ireland use a 13 amp plug with 3 rectangular pins which is different to the rest of Europe. As such, an adaptor may be needed depending on the country you are coming from.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

999 for fire, police, ambulance or coastguard services.
Emergency calls are free from pay phones - you will be asked which service you require by the operator.

LANGUAGE

English is the national language...with a very strong regional accent.

TIME

UK Time is in the Western European Time Zone which is the same time as Greenwich Mean Time.

TIPPING

Service is normally included in restaurant, hotel and taxi bills, so any further tip should only be given for exceptionally good service. It is not uncommon, however, to round up the bill.

USEFUL LINKS

www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/AboutGlasgow/Usefullinks/

TRAVEL INSURANCE

A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is recommended. The Organisers will not be held liable for illness, accidents or thefts suffered by participants or accompanying persons during the meeting or their stay in the UK before or after the meeting.

VENUE

Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC)
www.secc.co.uk

The Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre plays a unique role in the city of Glasgow. It is an iconic landmark venue and business destination with facilities that are second to none. As Glasgow continues to evolve, so will the SECC's story. From the practical perspective of facilities the SECC has the space and facility to deliver. The stunning Clyde Auditorium created by world renowned architects Foster and Partners was designed with the requirements of organizers and delegates in mind. It is directly linked to all other meeting rooms and exhibition areas. The SECC is purpose-built to provide a conference “ecology,” with flexible space, experienced staff, the latest AV equipment, high-quality catering and security. Everything is on site for comfort and peace of mind and last but not least is the location, which offers a superb outlook of the Clyde River.

VISA

If you are an EU citizen, you must either present a passport or an ID card valid for the duration of your stay in order to enter Scotland for tourist visits of up to three months.  Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport. Some non-EU citizens are required to produce a visa. Please contact your travel agent or the nearest UK diplomatic post for further information. Should you need a letter of invitation to register to obtain an Entry Visa, please contact MCI. Please note that we cannot enter into correspondence with the Scottish Authorities on your behalf and any invitation letter does not imply any financial liability on our part. For more information, please go to: www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1052.html