Good to know

Climate
Helsinki’s climate is typical of its northerly situation. Its intermediate climate combines characteristics of both a maritime and a continental climate. The proximity of the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic creates cold weather, while the Gulf Stream brings in warmer air.

The summer in Helsinki is bright. The days are at their longest in the second half of June, when the sun stays above the horizon for 19 hours.

Source: Visit Helsinki

CME Credits
EAACI Congress 2017 has been accredited 24 European CME credits (ECMEC) by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) in cooperation with the European Board of Accreditation in Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EBAACI).
European Accreditation is granted by the EACCME in order to allow participants who attend the above-mentioned activity to validate their credits in their own country. Through an agreement between the European Union of Medical Specialists and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Information on the process to convert EACCME credit to AMA credit can be found at www.ama-assn.org/go/internationalcme.
Live educational activities, occurring outside of Canada, recognized by the UEMS-EACCME for ECMEC credits are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Currency
The local currency is the Euro (EUR).

Dress Code
The dress code will be informal throughout the Congress.

EAACI Membership
EAACI gives its members priority status at EAACI Congresses, Focused Meetings and all other EAACI events and activities. Members receive a discount of 25% on the registration fee. Junior members are entitled to register for the Congress for an even lower fee. EAACI offers free Junior membership to individuals up to 35 years of age (with online access to the journals Allergy and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology). In addition, EAACI also offers a 50% reduction of membership fees to members from countries with a GNP of less than USD 10,000 per capita, with all membership benefits. As an EAACI member you will be kept informed of the latest research and developments through our official journals Allergy, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, and Clinical Translational Allergy (electronic version). These journals contain editorials, reviews, original articles, educational series and EAACI Position Papers. A wealth of resources, such as webcasts and slide kits hand outs, is also available in the Members Area of the website. Experience and be part of the advancement of the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology for optimal patient care! For more information and to apply for membership, visit: www.eaaci.org.

Exhibition
The EAACI Congress 2017 in Helsinki will include an exhibition that will be open from 09:00 – 17:30 on 18 – 20 June. For more information regarding the exhibition and other sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Congress website or contact eaaci2017exhibition@eaaci.org

Language
The official language of the Congress is English.

Local Time
The time zone in Helsinki is Eastern European Time (EET).

Transportation
By car
Street address: Messuaukio 1, 00520 Helsinki, Finland
Address of the Messukeskus Car Park for GPS devices: Ratapihantie 17
Address of the Conference Centre for GPS devices: Ratamestarinkatu 13
Map

By train
Local trains I and P operate between Helsinki Airport and the city centre on the Ring Rail Line, which opened in July 2015. The journey time between the airport and the city centre (Central Railway Station) is approximately half an hour. A regional ticket costs EUR 5,50 and can be purchased from Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) ticket machines and on board trains from a ticket sales carriage.

By bus
The Finnair City Bus operates between the airport and city centre (Elielinaukio) every 20 minutes and takes around 30 minutes. Click here to see the schedule. A single ticket costs EUR 6.20 when purchased online in advance or EUR 6.30 from the driver.
Bus 615 (“Lentoasema-Rautatientori”) is operated by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). A regional ticket costs EUR 5.50 and can be purchased from Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) ticket machines or from the driver with cash. At night you can also take the 415N night bus.

Taxi
Taxi stands are located outside the arrival terminals at Helsinki Airport. It takes around 15-20 minutes to the city centre and will cost around EUR 45.00.

Public Transport between the City Centre and Messukeskus

EAACI is pleased to provide delegates with a complimentary 5-day travel pass, offered courtesy of Helsinki Region Transport. Please order your travel pass during the registration process. Kindly note that travel passes are not valid for long-distance trains.

Messukeskus is located close to the centre of Helsinki, with excellent transport connections. It has two entrances: the Southern Entrance at Messuaukio 1 and the Northern Entrance on the same side as the car park.

• I and P trains run from the airport to the nearby Pasila railway station. The journey time is 30 minutes. The trains leave every 10 minutes in the daytime. By taxi, you can reach Messukeskus in 15–20 minutes.
• Trams from the centre of Helsinki: 7A, 7B and 9
• Buses: 506 and 69 to Messukeskus, and buss 551 from Espoo to Pasila railway station
• Trains: all local and long-distance trains stop at Pasila railway station, just a 300-metre walk from Messukeskus

Further details can be found in the Journey Planner under www.reittiopas.fi.

Visa
Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering Finland.
If you need a letter of invitation, contact eaaci2017registration@eaaci.org after your registration fee is settled.
Please apply for a visa within a reasonable time prior to making your bookings.