Proposal to host The EPHAR Congress in July 2012 in Tampere, Finland
To the EPHAR Council and Member Societies Invitation to hold the EPHAR Congress in July 2012 in Tampere, Finland Dear Madams, Dear Sirs, Finnish Pharmacological Society has taken the iniative to cordially invite the EPHAR 2012 Congress to Tampere, Finland. Finnish Pharmacological Society was founded in 1948 to promote research, education and training in pharmacology in Finland. Today the Society has over 500 active members. Pharmacological sciences are widely represented in higher education and research in pharmacy and medicine in Finland. Extensive pharmacological research is being carried out in several Finnish universities and research institutes. Strong research areas are neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, immunopharmacology and drug metabolism. Finland has a solid reputation for an efficient organisation of scientific congresses and other international events. It is a safe and reliable destination. The special geographical location at the crossroads of East and West makes Finland a conference destination, that is easily accessible for delegates from all over world. I propose Tampere Hall - located in the city of Tampere, Finland s second largest urban region as the venue for the EPHAR 2012 Congress. Tampere Hall has every facility to ensure a well-organised congress. This internationally recognised congress centre has thrice been evaluated best congress centre in Finland and is known for its environmentally conscious efforts. One highlight on Tampere Hall s reference list is the ICT X, World Congress of International Society of Toxicology with 1,500 delegates which was held in Tampere in July 2004. Tampere is located between two large lakes that grace the city with their beauty and provide water-based recreational opportunties. The city centre is enhanced by Tammerkoski rapids and pristine green parks. With its art museums, exhibitions, theatres, amusement park and other attractions, Tampere offers visitors a wide assortment of cultural and leisure activities. I look forward to welcoming colleagues from all over Europe to Tampere in 2012. Yours sincerely, Finnish Pharmacological Society Eeva Moilanen, MD Professor of Pharmacology President of Finnish Pharmacological Society C/o University of Tampere, Medical School 33014 University of Tampere Phone +358-3-3551 6741, email: eeva.moilanen@uta.fi
Why Finland Why Tampere Finland is safe and reliable Finland offers an excellent setting for international conventions, congresses and incentive tours. Finland is a stable and secure country. Congresses can safely be booked for years ahead. Finns are famous for their dependability. They keep their promises and hold their agreements. Most Finns speak fluent English. The World Congress of Pharmacology with about 4000 delegates was organised in Helsinki in 1975. Tampere, Finland s second urban region, is ideal for international congresses Tampere Hall is the leading congress facility in Finland and a major congress and concert centre in Scandinavia. Tampere Hall hosts over 20 international congresses every year. During Finland s EU Presidency in 2006 Tampere will be the venue for many presticious EU meetings. Tampere has a population of 205,000. The centre of Tampere is compact: all major hotels, restaurants and shops are within a convenient walking distance. There are 2,300 hotel rooms with over 4000 beds in the city. Hotel rates are reasonable, ranging from 160 (first class) to 55-100 (regular) to 25 (economy). Youth hostels and dormitories are also available. Tampere is easily accessible. Over 20 international airlines offer regular flights to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. From Helsinki, there are 7 daily connecting flights on week-days to Tampere. Tampere International Airport is served by direct flights from Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, London/Stansted, Liverpool, Frankfurt/Hahn and Riga. Tampere offers an extensive and experienced network of congress professionals to help with local arrangements. The city of Tampere supports international congresses by hosting a complimentary reception at the City Hall, and by guaranteeing the congress organisation a starting loan of up to 100,000. Tampere is a beautiful green city between two lakes, offering an array of recreation and leisure activities.
Congress and Concert Centre Tampere Hall Tampere Hall offers excellent facilities for major international congresses and exhibitions. It is within easy walking distance of the city centre and the various attractions there. State-of-the-art electronics and technical equipment with, for example, ATM data links, meet the highest international standards. Tampere Hall has also excellent restaurant facilities for catering and banqueting services up to 3,000 people. Congress facilities Number of Seats Theatre Classroom Main Auditorium 2,000 600 Small Auditorium 500 160 Studio 200 80 Sonaatti 1 120 92 Sonaatti 2 120 92 Rondo 250 200 Sopraano 154 100 Park Hall 743 340 8 seminar rooms 18-64 8-48 Exhibition facilities Tampere Hall has superb facilities for poster presentations and commercial exhibitions held in conjunction with congresses in the Park Hall and in the spacious foyers. The adjacent university campus just across the street offers additional facilities for concurrent sessions and workshops, if needed.
Finances General Cost Level It isn t expensive to organise an international congress in Finland. Prices are generally among the most reasonable in the Nordic countries and other OECD countries. Hotel rates are also moderate, ranging from 55 to 160. Dormitories and youth hostels offer economy accommodation from 25. Government Subsidy International scientific contacts and researcher networking are among the Government s special priorities. Special funding in support of international congresss is available through the Academy of Finland. The City of Tampere The City of Tampere supports international congresss by hosting a complimentary reception at the City Hall, and by guaranteeing the congress organisation a starting loan of up to 100,000. Other Support To keep the registration fee at an attractive level, the organisers will negotiate sponsorships with the involved industries and other sources of funding. The Congress Budget and Registration Fee The Local Organising Committee (LOC) will prepare a budget for the Congress, based on realistic calculations and previous experience of similar congresses. Registration fees are determined by the LOC in collaboration with the EPHAR Executive Committee. Congress Organisation The Congress will be hosted by the Finnish Pharmacological Society, in co-operation with University of Tampere. The Local Organising Committee is selected by the host Society and approved by the EPHAR Executive Committee. All congress arrangements will be accomplished in close co-operation with the EPHAR Executive Committee. The congress centre and accommodation have already been pre-booked, to ensure availability. Tampere offers a network of experienced congress professionals to assist the Planning Committee in practical arrangements: Tampere Convention Bureau offers free assistance with planning and preparatory arrangements. Tampere Hall will appoint an event manager, who will act as the contact person for all the congress arrangements pertaining to Tampere Hall. A local Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) will be hired to handle all of the practical arrangements, including registration services, accommodation and arrangement of the social programme.