ABOUT THE FORUM
The FENS Forum is the main European neuroscience meeting, covering disciplines from molecular techniques to clinical studies and from bench to bed side. A dense programme of plenary lectures, special event lectures and symposia as well as a series of parallel oral sessions and poster sessions has become the popular standard of the FENS Forum. Since its establishment in 1998, the biennial event has become increasingly attractive for neuroscientists all over the world. Its attendance has steadily grown with an expected size of more than 6000 attendees and 150 exhibitors for the upcoming Forum in 2010.
The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) has chosen Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to host the 7th FENS Forum. Amsterdam has easy, frequent and regular daily transport lines by air, train and road within Europe and by air also worldwide.
The meeting is held in the up-to-date Amsterdam RAI Convention Center, one of the largest exposition and conference centers in Europe. The spacious Europe hall will be the active and lively center of the meeting with twice daily poster presentations, and with commercial and non-profit exhibitors, and internet, catering and sitting facilities.
The Dutch Neurofederation will be the host of the 7th FENS Forum. The Neurofederation is a foundation representing all neuroscience fields in the Netherlands. A group of active and well-recognized Dutch neuroscientists (see Committees) will guarantee a dedicated local organization with the assistance of an experienced professional congress organizer (Eurocongress International, Amsterdam).
ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS
Clogs, tulips and windmills only touch the surface of the Netherlands, since this "big" small country with its 16 million inhabitants, combines marvellous medieval and modern architecture with World-beating museums and a buzzing artistic and cultural life.
You should see at least once in your life the fantastic Dutch art by Van Gogh and Rembrandt and see how liberal law works in daily life. The beer is cold, the coffee is always "klaar" (freshly brewed) and the apple pie is irresistible. Oh, and they all speak English and some even German or French! It is not a surprise that many international companies have their European or even worldwide headquarters in the Netherlands.
Weather
The Netherlands has a maritime climate. Summer temperatures average about 19°C. July and August are the best months with temperatures between 21-26°C. However you can still get some rain, so a fold-up umbrella or a light raincoat will prepare you for the unpredictability of the Dutch weather. For the current weather forecast click
here.
Electricity
Electricity in Netherlands is 230 V, alternating at 50 Hz. Hotels may have a 110 or 120 V outlet for shavers, but otherwise you will need a voltage converter. "Schuko" and "French" type plugs can be applied without a plug adaptor. Click
here for images and details.
Currency
The currency in the Netherlands is the Euro (€, EUR), which is
used in almost all countries within the European Union. No other currencies
are commonly accepted, so you will have to change your dollars, pounds,
yens, etc. to Euros. For current exchange rates click
here.
Credit cards are widely accepted, though in some small shops or hotels, there might be an extra charge (2-6%) if you pay by credit card. Identification (passport) may be required. Generally, the most preferred payment method is € cash with banknotes up to 50 € bill.
Visa
Participants requiring a visa to visit the Netherlands for a
short stay of up to 90 days will have to apply for a so-called Schengen
visa. A Schengen visa validity may be limited to the Netherlands only or a
specified number of Schengen countries. See for detailed information and the
list of countries with a requirement of a visa on the
Dutch governmental website.
In short, you must submit your visa application in person at the Dutch
mission (embassy or consulate) of your country with the completed and signed
visa application form downloadable here as PDF file.
We recommend that you find out well in advance what additional documents you need as this may vary depending on the country and purpose of visit (phone the mission where you intend to submit your application and use the above internet website to find addresses of Dutch missions abroad and search by country). A final decision can take up to 2 months.
In case you need a letter of invitation for the FENS Forum 2010, please use the Contact form. The letter of invitation can be sent to registrants only and will be e-mailed as a PDF attachment.
Customs
Personal belongings can be brought to the Netherlands and you may
bring in an unrestricted quantity of money and securities. However there are
exceptions for particular alcoholic and tobacco goods. See the
Dutch customs website for details.
ABOUT AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is one of the greatest and most beautiful small cities in the World and a visit to downtown Amsterdam will be a memorable experience. Walking in downtown Amsterdam is like walking through an open air museum with every highlight at a short distance. Its 165 canals and historical sights in the remarkable 17th century city centre, makes Amsterdam a romantic city.
In Amsterdam your destination is never far away. Its population is about 750,000 people from a myriad of different ethnic groups and nationalities. Amsterdam is also an international city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city: world-famous museums, culture, nightlife, international restaurants, good transportation facilities - but it is quiet, and largely thanks to its canals, has little road traffic.
Getting around
All participants of the FENS Forum 2010 will receive at the registration desk a free local transportation ticket valid for the city of Amsterdam.
Information on the Amsterdam public transport system (GVB) including maps are available here, but see also below under Forum venue. The density of the city however may minimise for some the need for public transport and taxis as many things are within walking distance.
Eating
Amsterdam is rich in restaurants from all continents of the World and offers a wide price range. To view a perfect website to find any type of dining restaurant in
Amsterdam click here. Note that many bars often have a plate service that is a good alternative for a snack bar or fast food restaurant on the one hand and a standard restaurant on the other hand. Restaurants and bars usually serve food till 10 p.m.
If you need suggestions from the local Amsterdam neuroscientists and students, see by December 1, 2009 their favourite eating places on the "Jump the FENS" web pages.
Entertainment and culture
Amsterdam being an important city for theatre, it has each evening a variety
of shows to offer. You can find English-language theatre in the Leidseplein
area and on Nes street. Dutch cinemas show movies in their original
language with Dutch subtitles. Live music, in many concert halls, among which
the famous Concertgebouw and the pop temple Paradiso, and in clubs and jazz
cafes as well as opera in the Muziektheater (The Dutch Opera plays
Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore") encompass a repertoire for the
international visitor.
The social programme of the FENS Forum offers on Monday evening and night the "Jump the FENS" party in the famous Melkweg, usually a dynamic center for all cultural activities for young and old "Amsterdammers". See the Socials page.
Shopping
Main shopping streets downtown are the Leidsestraat, Kalverstraat and
Nieuwendijk around the Dam square, and the "millionaires shopping" P.C. Hooftstraat in the museum district. About halfway between the RAI Conference Centre and the Dam square, there is the famous Albert Cuyp market. In this area also many small restaurants can be discovered.
TRAVEL TO AMSTERDAM
Plane
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is acknowledged as one of the world's best airports.
It has frequent connections to all major European cities and is a main European
hub for intercontinental flights. For an overview of all direct connections and
flight company links click
here.
On arrival, a train takes the traveller directly to RAI Railway Station within 12 min, leaving a 3-5 min walk to the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre, or to Amsterdam Central within 20 min from where nearly all city trams leave from and serve all parts of the city to reach your hotel. Train services in both directions (watch the signs!) depart every 15 min. Ticket machines are available in the central hall of the airport for those possessing a card with Maestro logo, others have to go to the NS ticket office also in the main hall. Ticket prices respectively are € 3 and € 4, one-way. For further information see the English Nederlandse Spoorwegen website.
A taxi at Schiphol Airport takes 15 min to reach the RAI conference venue outside the rush hours, other destinations take more time. Costs are as of € 30.
Train
International express trains and the Thalys high-speed train also serve Amsterdam from many major European cities. See the international HiSpeed
website of the Dutch Nederlandse Spoorwegen. All trains arrive at Amsterdam
Central in the centre of the city with tram connections to all parts of the
city. Tram 4 brings you to the front door of the Amsterdam RAI Convention
Centre, metro line 51 to the neighbouring RAI Railway Station.
Car
Highways to Amsterdam all connect to the Amsterdam A10 ring. The Amsterdam
RAI Convention Centre is located next to the A10 exit S209. Large parking facilities are available at a fixed rate of € 14 per day.
FORUM VENUE (AMSTERDAM RAI CONVENTION CENTRE)
The Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre is highly suited to accommodate large-sized meetings and provides a modular structure of facilities that fits the configuration for the FENS Forum 2010. Small-size rooms are available for any size of specialized meetings (see Call for events).
The Centre can cater for up to 20,000 people. During the Forum 2010 professional services for audiovisual presentations, free Wi-Fi internet, exhibitors and catering will be available. On top of that a computer service centre with printing facilities will be set up as well as storage facilities.
How to reach it
The RAI complex is perfectly situated along the South part of the highway
ring A10 of Amsterdam, and direct access from the train (RAI Railway Station) and local transport by bus 15, tram 4 and metro 50 and 51. See the website of the Amsterdam public transport system GVB, click here.
Upon registration at the RAI Convention Centre, participants will receive a card for free public transportation in the city.
Parking
The Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre has ample parking facilities. A fixed
rate of € 14 per day is charged upon departure.
Venue map
Click here to open Google maps for orientation.
Catering
Coffee, soft drinks and snack service points will be open during the meeting,
as well as restaurant facilities during the lunch hours and early evening
hours. More details will follow in due time.
Last update: June 15, 2009
