Arrival
Arrival - When to arrive
Attendees of the conference should plan to arrive on either Sunday, October 13th during the day or Monday, October 14th early in the morning.
The conference starts on Monday, October 14th at 10:00am with the keynote session.
The sessions end on Friday, October 18th at 1pm followed by lunch until 2:30pm.
Arrival Transfers
Due to the easy access of Berlin by car, train and plane, no arrival transfers will be organized.
Arrival by air
You can fly to Berlin from many international airports. Tegel and Schönefeld are Berlin's two airports with many international flight connections.
More information can be found on the ‘Travel Information’ site.
Arrival by car
If you plan to travel by car, please be informed that Berlin is located in an Environmental Zone:
Since January 1, 2008 Berlin's inner city is an 'environmental zone' where only cars that are up to emission standards are allowed. You need a sticker with information about the emission standard of your car. You can get these stickers in authorized garages.
Detailed information for foreign tourists is given in this flyer published by the Senate Department for Health, Environment and Consumer Protection:
Online-reservations for such a sticker are possible via www.car-germany.eu (24 Euro for reservations from foreign countries).
Arrival by train
You can reach Berlin from all directions by using the fast InterCityExpress-, InterCity-, EuroCity- and InterRegio Trains. The new central station Berlin Hauptbahnhof in the heart of Berlin was opened in 2006 and a new concept for the railways and stations in Berlin was installed. All train stations are well connected to the public transport system.
For more timetable details please switch to the Online-Service of German Railways (Deutsche Bahn).
General Information
Electricity
In Germany sockets operate with 230 V and comply with European standards. Plugs are 2 pin so some countries need an adaptor.
Emergency telephone numbers
The most important emergency numbers:
Police: 110
Fire Brigade and Ambulance: 112
German Red Cross: +49(30)85 00 55
Ambulance: +49(30)31 00 31
Emergency Poison Help-Line: +49(30)192 40
Confidential Help-Line: 0800 111 02 22
Environmental Zone
Since January 1, 2008 Berlin's inner city is an 'environmental zone' where only cars that are up to emission standards are allowed. You need a sticker with information about the emission standard of your car. You can get these stickers in authorized garages. More information is given here
Health
It is advised to get an E111 form, which will cover you for emergency health care. Travel insurance is always recommended. Pharmacies are open weekdays from 9am to 6pm. At night and weekends at least one local chemist will be open.
Passports
Non-EU passport holders are advised to contact the appropriate diplomatic or consular authorities for visa requirement details (see visas).
For all travelers from the EU, an identity card or passport is sufficient for travel to Germany.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed within the hotel, restaurants & public areas in Germany. Smoking is only allowed outside or in designated smoking areas.
Taxi
In many situations taking a taxi is the most comfortable option. Often you don't have to wait long to hail a passing taxi. In the larger transport hubs there is generally a taxi rank.
For shorter taxi rides it is good idea to use the "hailing fare" (only when hailing a passing taxi, not from a taxi rank) - a short journey then only costs € 4.00. Make sure you tell the taxi driver that you would like this fare at the start of your journey.
Phone numbers of taxi companies
City-Funk: 21 02 02
Funk-Taxi Berlin: 26 10 26
Quality Taxi: 26 3000 or 0800-26 3000 0 (freecall)
Spree-Funk: 44 33 22
TaxiFunk Berlin: 0800-44 33 22 (freecall)
Taxi-Ruf Würfelfunk 0800-Cabcall: 0800-222 22 55 (freecall)
Time
Berlin lies in the Central European Time Zone, GMT +1 (same as Frankfurt, Paris and Brussels).
Timings
To ensure that the event runs smoothly, we would appreciate if you could respect the timings given.
Tourist Information
Our qualified and multilingual staff will be happy to advice you on how to spent your time in Berlin. We provide you with up-to-date information, will book the tickets of your choice for events and sightseeing tours and make reservations for hotels and hostels. Curious souvenirs and stylish Berlin-Wear complete our range of goods. For further info please see BERLIN infostores
Transfers
Please refer to “Departure Transfers”.
Visas
An identity card is sufficient for Nationals of the European Union (excl. UK and Ireland) and Switzerland.
Nationals of the UK and Ireland, and countries outside the EU, need a valid passport. Leaflets with the requirements for individual countries for stays of less than 90 days are available at relevant German embassies.
If you need a specific invitation letter to obtain your visa, please send a request to stg_conferences@be.ibm.com and we will send you an official invitation letter.
Weather
Berlin lies between oceanic and continental stamped climate. During the autumn-months daily temperatures can vary between 10°C-20°C °C and it will get chilly in the evenings.
For an actual weather forecast, please click HERE
Event Location
The 2013 IBM Systems x and System Storage Technical Conference is pleased to welcome you at the Hotel Berlin, Berlin in Berlin, Germany.
The hotel is located in the city center of Berlin and within easy reach of almost every famous sight and hip venue – by car, public transport or often easily on foot
Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Lützowplatz 17
10785 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 30 2605-0
Fax: +49 (0) 30 2605-39 2716
E-Mail: info@hotel-berlin.de
Website: www.hotel-berlin-berlin.com
For more information regarding Berlin, please visit:
http://www.berlin.de/international/index.en.php
Conference Information
Badge collection
You will be able to collect your badge at the conference registration desk located in the main lobby of the Hotel Berlin upon your arrival on either Sunday afternoon or Monday.
Badges should be worn at all times for security reasons. Your access to the conference area and other events will be restricted in case you do not wear your badge.
Contact Person
For any questions related to the conference, please contact Andrea Andernach at aandernach@be.ibm.com or Bouchra Ammama at bouchra_ammama@be.ibm.com.
Conference desk opening hours:
Throughout the event, the conference desk opens 30min prior to the first session in the morning and closes 30min after the last session.
Conference Language:
All conference sessions will be presented in English.
Currency
The currency used in Germany is the EURO (€). Most leading credit cards are accepted.
If you would like to know the exact exchange rate to your local currency, please go to: http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic
Departure Transfers to Airport
Airport shuttles will be organized on Friday afternoon after the last sessions have ended. You can reserve your seat on the shuttle as part of your online registration. If you prefer not to reserve a seat during online registration, you will have the possibility to book a seat on site at the registration desk but upon availability only.
Dress Code
Business casual throughout the event.
Evaluation form
Session evaluations will need to be submitted via the conference portal. Please complete a session evaluation form after each session. The more session evaluations you complete, the greater the changes of winning a prize (minimum of 4 session evaluations required to qualify for the prize draw).
Overall conference evaluations will need to be submitted via the conference portal.
In exchange for submitting your overall conference evaluation, you are invited to pick up your conference gift at the IBM welcome desk in exchange of the code received upon submitting the evaluation via the web portal.
Instructions on how to access the portal will be provided the week prior to the conference and during registration.
Language
Official language is German. English is also widely spoken and understood.
Meals
From Monday through Friday, lunch and coffee breaks are foreseen. Also included is a welcome drink on Monday evening and a drink in the Expo Area on Tuesday evening. There will be a special event on Wednesday evening.
Individual travel expenses, lodging, incidental expenses and additional meals are not included in the conference fee and will be paid by each attendee at the time the expense is incurred.
Mobile phones
Please switch off your mobile phones during the sessions.
On-Site Registration
For your convenience, we will have an IBM registration desk set up in the Conference Foyer (Sunday through Friday). There, you will be able to receive further information on the event.
You will also be able to leave messages directly at the IBM Information desk should you need further assistance during your stay and can not find an IBM contact person to help you immediately.
Substitutions and Cancellations
Substitutions can be made at any time.
Late cancellations (fourteen calendar days before the event) or no-shows will be charged the full tuition fee.
For conference substitutions and/or cancellations, please use the online registration tool.
IBM employees should cancel using Learning@IBM.
Hotel cancellations and substitutions must be made directly to the hotel.