REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA

Transcription

1 REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA Montecasino Entertainment Complex Johannesburg, South Africa 28th to 30th October 2013

2 LOGISTICS AT A GLANCE Suggested Date of Arrival: Sunday, 27th October 2013 Participants should plan to arrive in Johannesburg (OR Tambo International) by Sunday, 27th October and depart either on Wednesday, 30th October after the closing ceremony or on the following day on Thursday, 31st October Registration Only non-sponsored participants are required to register online at and must receive an invitation letter to participate at the Conference. Participants will be required to present the invitation at registration on 27th October Online registration ends on 18th October 2013 To streamline the registration and collection of conference packs, all participants are required to present themselves to the conference organisers on Sunday, 27th October between 14:00 to 18:00, at the Montecasino Ballroom. Once you have registered you will be given your conference bags, name badges and WIFI vouchers. The Montecasino Ballroom is located just off the Montecasino Square. Directions can be obtained from your hotel concierge. 1

3 Meeting Venue The 2013 African Economic Conference will take place at: Montecasino Entertainment Complex Montecasino Boulevard Cnr William Nichol and Witkoppen Roads Fourways, Sandton Johannesburg GPS Co Ordinates: S E Tel: Meeting Languages The working languages of the meeting are English and French and simultaneous translation will be available in all sessions. Accommodation Participants will be lodged at: the Palazzo Montecasino, Southern Sun Montecasino and Sun Square Montecasino. The cost of all accommodation for sponsored participants will be covered by the organisers. Non-sponsored participants are to make direct bookings with their preferred hotel and will be required to guarantee their payment by credit card upon check in at the hotel. The rates indicated below are based on a single occupancy rate and includes breakfast and free WIFI, but does not include the 1 % tourism levy. 2

4 Palazzo Montecasino Superior Single Rand 2,550 Deluxe Single Rand 2,700 Booking Reference: Reservations: Tel: or montecasino.reservations@ tsogosun.com General Enquiries Tel: Fax: Southern Sun Montecasino Reservations: Superior Single Rand 1,895 Booking Reference: Sun Square Montecasino Superior Single Rand 1,350 Booking Reference: or montecasino.reservations@ tsogosun.com General Enquiries Tel: / Local: Fax: Reservations: or montecasino.reservations@ tsogosun.com General Enquiries Tel: Fax: Hotel Check in Check out Palazzo Montecasino 14:00 (standard time) 11:00 (standard time) Southern Sun Montecasino 14:00 (standard time) 11:00 (standard time) Sun Square Montecasino 14:00 (standard time) 11:00 (standard time) 3

5 Note: we have arranged with each of the hotels that AEC participants who require assistance with an early check in or late check-out, will be accommodated should the room be available. Should the room not be available at the time of arrival guests will be able to leave their baggage in a secure room until the room is ready for occupation. Participants are requested to make these requests directly to the hotel staff upon arrival. Payment Options All major credit cards are accepted at Montecasino hotels. All invoices are calculated and charged in South African Rands. Meals and Dining All hotel prices have been secured on a bed and breakfast rate. Lunch will be supplied on each day of the conference in the marquee situated on the grass area, which is located outside the Montecasino Ballroom (Plenary venue). Mid-morning and afternoon teas will also be served daily. The cost of dinner will however be covered by individual participants. All participants will be invited to a cocktail function on Monday, 28th October. Hotel Bookings Please note that hotel reservations are subject to room availability, so early registration is encouraged. Non sponsored delegates who are not interested to stay at the suggested hotels and wish to make their own alternative accommodation arrangements are kindly requested to inform the organisers of their arrangements as a courtesy, by sending an to Rosemary Viljoen at rosemary@stonedpebble.co.za, with a copy to Audrey Chouchane, African Development Bank a.chouchane@afdb.org and Sello Ramakau, Protocol Officer, Southern African Resource Centre s.ramakau@afdb.org. Reminder: suggested date of arrival is Sunday, 27th October

6 Passports and Visas Every person seeking to enter South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport for travel to South Africa and, where necessary, a visa. For those delegates requiring visas these need to be obtained prior to entry into the country. No visas are issued upon arrival. Visit the website of The South African Department of Home Affairs at for more info. You will need the following before travelling to South Africa: A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay At least one blank page in your passport for endorsements A valid visa, if required A return or onward ticket Yellow fever certificates are required if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa. We recommend that you include your letter of invitation to the AEC Conference together with your visa application (if required) When completing your application forms you may use the following information: The purpose of the visit is the African Economic Conference 2013 Contact person is: Mrs. Rosemary Viljoen, Event Co-ordinator, Stoned Pebble Consulting, 24 Fountain Road, Beverly, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2191 Conference Address is: Southern Sun Montecasino Hotel, Montecasino Boulevard, Fourways, Johannesburg, 2055 Hotel telephone: Tel:

7 It is also advised that you print out and bring along a copy of your letter of invitation to the AEC Conference sent to you by the, as this could be requested by your airline before departure and/or South African Immigration upon arrival. For a detailed list of countries exempt from visas, please visit or see the separate detailed list on the African Economic Conference website. Ground Transport Shuttles will be arranged for all sponsored participants from OR Tambo International airport to your respective hotel at the Montecasino Entertainment Complex. Non-sponsored delegates will be required to arrange their own transportation to and from OR Tambo International Airport and your hotel. All hotels within the Montecasino Complex are a short walking distance to conference venues where the African Economic Conference 2013 will be held. Delegates are invited to stroll through the beautiful complex, or can alternatively make use of the complimentary golf carts which run between the hotels and drop off points located near the main event venues. Additional Information: As Montecasino Entertainment Complex is a replica of Tuscany, Italy, the streets are made of cobblestones. This can be challenging for participants wearing high heels and we advise that female participants consider packing a variety of footwear options. Security and Health As South Africa is a developing country, crime does exist, so we would advise you to take a few basic precautions. All valuables, passports, cameras, should be locked in the safe of your hotel. Valuables should be carried discreetly when walking in cities. Montecasino Entertainment Complex is however a highly secure environment and the entire complex is monitored by closed circuit television. Montecasino has its own professional security force supported by the South African Police Service. Security officers undertake handbag and body scans at each entrance into the complex. No guns are allowed into the complex. These will have to remain locked in the hotel safe or be handed in at the special gun safe at Montecasino Complex security. 6

8 There is a 24 hour full medical facility based at Montecasino for any emergencies which might arise during the conference. NEARBY HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL FACILITIES: Life Hospital Fourways Netacare Sunninghill Hospital Intercare Medical & Dental Centre Fourways Both hospitals have 24 hour Emergency and Trauma units, as well as specialist and general doctors and 24 hour pharmacies available. Telecommunication Facilities Free WIFI access is available at all Montecasino Entertainment Hotels. Free WIFI access will also be made available to all participants attending the conference. Each delegate will be issued a voucher upon registration at the Montecasino Ballroom on Sunday, 27th October 2013, between 14:00 to 18:00. Participants will be responsible for the purchase of their own SIM cards from any of the mobile operators (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Virgin, and Telkom 8a). The South African government has introduced laws that require all contract, prepaid and top-up customers to register their voice and data SIM cards RICA. This means it is not possible to obtain a telephone or number without completing the necessary RICA documentation. You can RICA your SIM card at any MTN, Vodacom, Cell C or Telkom store. Please ask the event organisers for further information during the conference. Currency Exchange The currency in South Africa is the Rand. You will recognise it by the colourful images of our big five wildlife or the face of ex-president Nelson Mandela. Currency includes: One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c. 7

9 Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press or see South Africa Current Exchange Rates which are updated daily at The main banks are Standard Bank, ABSA Bank, Nedbank, First National Bank and Capitec. There are many ATM s available in Johannesburg. Montecasino also has a number of ATM s located within the centre as well as near the Ballroom and La Toscana meeting rooms in Montecasino. Forex exchange can be converted at your hotels, however there is a Forex shop located inside the Montecasino Complex. Local banks as well as additional Forex shops are also available at the nearby Fourways Mall. Telecommunication Facilities The conference package only includes WIFI and does not include SIM cards or airtime. Participants will be required to purchase (and RICA) their own SIM cards and airtime. Please ask the conference organisers for the nearest shops where SIM cards and airtime can be purchased. Electricity The electricity voltage in South Africa is 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so we suggest that you bring an international adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances. Climate Gauteng is generally warm and sunny all year round. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended whenever you are outdoors during the day, particularly between 10h00 and 16h00, regardless of whether there is cloud cover or not. For weather updates closer to your travel time we suggest that you visit Time South African Standard Time is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2), one hour in advance of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United States Eastern Standard Time throughout the year. There are no time zone differences within the country. 8

10 Recreation, Dining and Shopping at Montecasino and surrounds Montecasino is Gauteng s premier entertainment destination, with many opportunities to shop, eat, relax, enjoy a spa treatment, dance, watch comedy shows, enjoy the movies, take in a theatre production, visit the bird gardens and even soar the heights of Sandton in a secured hot air balloon to name but a few. There is too much to mention and with weekly updates on events and shows, we advise participants to visit Montecasino s website to plan your free time during the conference. Nearby shopping centres with a host of retail and specialist shops, and restaurants include: Cedar Square Fourways Mall Fourways Crossing and Design Quarter For those who would like to travel a little further (15-20 minutes) you could also visit Sandton City can make use of the Gautrain bus service between Montecasino (Palazzo Hotel) and Sandton City. Please ask the conference organisers for more information. 9

11 Further Information: General matters Ms. Lynette Mwaikinda Tel Protocol matters Mr. Sello Ramakau Protocol Officer Southern Africa Resource Center Tel: Security matters Mr. Philip Ackatia-Armah Security Officer Southern Africa Resource Center Tel: The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement! God bless Africa! Nelson mandela 10