General information

Conference dates
The actual conference dates are Monday-Friday, 11-15 June 2007. The welcome reception will already be on Sunday, 10 June 2007 at 18:00-20:00. There will also be a possibility to register on Sunday before and during the welcome reception (16:00-20:00).

Conference Map of Turku

ICT Building - the conference venue
Address: Joukahaisenkatu 3-5, 20520 Turku

The new ICT Building is situated in the heart of the Turku Science Park, next to the Kupittaa train station. Bus 32 or 42, leaving from the Market Square in the city centre goes directly to the venue. By foot it takes about 25 minutes to reach the ICT Building from the city centre. The closest airport is Turku airport, serving direct flights to Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen.


Turku - the conference city
Situated by the Baltic Sea, along the Aura river, the city of Turku has always been the heart of culture and education in Finland. The first school in Finland, the Cathedral school was founded in 1276 and is still active. During the Swedish period the first university in Finland, old Åbo Akademi was founded in 1640.

Today Turku is a city of three institutions of higher education and high technology. In addition to the University of Turku and the Turku School of Economics and Business, the city is the home of the country's only university for the Swedish-speaking Finns, namely Åbo Akademi University.

Turku for visitors
Turku is also an interesting city for tourists. Shopping areas as well as museums and other attractions will offer plenty to see for participants travelling with accompanying persons and families. Daily regular sightseeing tours are arranged by Turku Touring (the Tourist Office). For more tourist information please contact turku.touring@turku.fi or visit www.turkutouring.fi.


Transportation by air
There are direct flight connections to Helsinki from most European capitals as well as excellent intercontinental connections. The closest airport is Turku airport serving direct flights to Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Please contact your travel agency or airline for detailed flight information.

Airport transportation
Turku Airport is situated approximately 10 kilometers north of the city center. There are regular buses available from Turku Airport to the city centre. Taxis cost approximately 25 euros to the city center.
For those arriving through Helsinki, Finnair provides regular bus transportation between Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the City Terminal beside the Railway Station at a cost of approximately 6 euros. There are good train or bus connections to Turku from the Helsinki City Centre.

Transportation by sea
Turku is easily reached by ferries from Stockholm, Sweden by Silja Line and Viking Line.


Welcome reception
The welcome reception will be held at the ICT Building on Sunday, 10 June 2007 at 18:00-20:00. There will be a possibility to register for the Conference before the welcome reception at the ICT building starting at 16:00.

Registration desk at the ICT Building
Participants may pick up their material at the registration desk, which will be open as follows:
• Sunday, 10 June, from 16:00 to 20:00 (before and during the welcome reception)
• Monday, 11 June – Thursday, 14 June, from 8:00 to 18:00 (before and during the conference hours)
• Friday, 15 June,  from 8:00 to 13:00
The conference secretariat will be available to assist you during the Conference at the ICT Building. Please do not hesitate to contact the conference secretariat for help or advice.

Contacts during the OP 2007 conference
Telefax (conference secretariat): +358-(0)9-560 75020
E-mail: op2007@congrex.fi

Official language
The official language of the conference will be English.

Lunch and refreshments
Complimentary coffee, tea and other refreshments will be available outside the main hall during the breaks. Lunches can be purchased for the price of approximately 6 euro in the UNICA restaurant at the conference venue (ICT Building). There are also a number of other restaurants and cafes in the neighboring area as well as an supermarket just outside the ICT building.


Climate and time zone
The weather in Finland in June is relatively warm. The average daytime temperature in Southern Finland is between 15°C and 20°C. The time in Finland is 1 hour ahead of Central European Time (CET).

Currency and credit cards
The official currency in Finland is euro (EUR). Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and shops. VISA, Eurocard and Mastercard are accepted at the conference registration desk. Personal or company cheques will not be accepted at the registration desk or shops. Traveller’s cheques can be cashed in banks and exchange bureaus.

Telecommunications facilities
Good IT facilities are available in Turku ICT Building (GSM, UMTS, broadband internet - in main hotels wireless LAN). Computers with internet connection will be available for participants.

Dress code
Smart casual dress is recommended for most official and social happenings (welcome reception, lectures, meetings, evening events included).

Exhibition
The conference will welcome commercial exhibitors. The exhibition area will be located next to the meeting facilities. A non-smoking policy will be applied within the conference venue including the restaurant and exhibition area. Smoking is allowed only outside the conference venue.

Electricity
Electricity supply in Finland is 220-240 volts (50 Hz) and wall outlets are to the Northern European Standard (CEE 7/4) with two round contacts. The standard two-pin Euro plug (CEE 7/16) can be connected to these outlets. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets for shavers.

Tipping
All restaurant prices and taxi fares include service, but good service in the restaurant can be rewarded with a tip. Cloak-room attendants should be paid about 1.5 euros per coat. Tipping is at guest’s discretion in hotels.

Liability and Insurance
The organisers will not assume any responsibility for damage or injuries to persons or property during the conference. It is recommended that participants and accompanying persons arrange for personal travel and health insurance.

Further information
For further information please contact the conference secretariat (op2007@congrex.fi).