Final instructions for participants
We remind all participants to check their personal need to obtain a visa to enter Brazil. Depending on the country the process may take a while. If an invitation letter is necessary, contact the ICNO executive secretariat.
On-site registration
A registration desk will be open during the following hours at the congress venue - Centro Fecomércio de Eventos - C floor:
June 17 - Wednesday - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
June 18 - Wednesday - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
June 19 - Thursday - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
June 20 - Friday - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
June 21 - Saturday - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Those registering and or making payments on-site may use USD dollars, Brazilian currency Reais. Personal checks nor any other currencies will be accepted.
Venue
ICNO will be held at Centro Fecomercio de Eventos- São Paulo, located at Rua Dr. Plínio Barreto, 285, São Paulo, Brazil.
Two of the main Shopping Malls in town (Center 3 - located at Paulista Avenue, 2.024 and Shopping Frei Caneca - Located at Frei Caneca Street, 569) are located just a few minutes taxi ride away.
Electric Voltage
Electric voltage in São Paulo is 110V.
Weather in São Paulo
Temperatures June
Max 22ºC / 72.0 F
Min 13ºC / 55.0 F
Disclaimer
The Organizing Committee will not be responsible for:
- Changes in advertised prices,
- Stolen or lost personal belongings
- Attendees' health problems, accidents or other casualties in or outside the Congress Venue
- Claims related rendered by any commercial or not commercial organization.
Official Invitations:
Official letters of invitation are designed to help overcome administrative difficulties in certain countries. Such letters do not imply any financial support, nor offer the guarantee of a visa. Letters can be requested to the executive secretariat at
info@icnobrazil.com
Congress Official Language:
English is the official language for the Congress. It has been arranged that some of the major sessions will have simultaneous translation:
English / Portuguese - Portuguese / English
Language in Brazil:
The language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese.
Regular Transportation:
Public transportation (bus, underground) is not a good choice as it requests a fairly good knowledge on the bus and/or underground networks in São Paulo. There is no underground station nearby the São Paulo Airport.
Telephone:
The country code for Brazil is 55. The city code for Sao Paulo is 11
Currency:
The Brazilian currency is the Real (R$). Foreign currency may be exchanged in local banks, exchange bureau and hotels.
Registration Information:
Registration will be submitted on line. The Congress will offer discounted registration fee for early registration. Pre-registration ensures timely processing of your registration and helps avoid lengthy on-site lines.
Arriving in São Paulo - Airport Transportation
São Paulo has two main airports. All international flights arrive and depart from the São Paulo International Airport - Guarulhos, 18 1/2 miles (30km) northeast of the city-center. Local people will also refer to this airport as Cumbica. São Paulo International Airport is the largest in Brazil and one of the biggest in South America. Unlike airports in Europe and North America, it has a duty-free shop upon arrival before clearing customs, where you can purchase up to US$500 of goods.
Arriving at São Paulo's international airport is straightforward. Still you may have to wait up to an average of half an hour to have your passport stamped by the federal police. Be sure to keep the stamped copy of your entrance/exit form for your return journey.
The downtown Congonhas Airport is the base for the São Paulo-Rio shuttle service (45 minute flight), in addition to offering other domestic flights.
Once you have cleared customs you can change money or traveler's checks or use an ATM to obtain cash in Reais (R$).
The American Express office is open daily from 7:30am to 10:30pm and charges no commission on changing cash or traveler's checks (as long as they are American Express checks), located in Terminal 1 Departures.
The Banco do Brasil charges a US$20 flat rate for traveler's checks transactions and US$5 flat rate for cash transactions. The ATMs are compatible with Visa/Plus, located in Terminal 1 Arrivals.
São Paulo International Airport - Guarulhos (GRU) - Tel: +55 (11) 6445-2945
Congonhas Airport (CGH) - Tel: +55 (11) 5090.9000
Transportation options available between the airports and the Congress Venue and Official hotels
TAXI GUARUCOOP - GUARULHOS AIRPORT (+ 55 11 6440.7070)
A taxi co-operative that has the monopoly on cabs leaving Guarulhos International Airport. The queue is just outside the exit of the arrival terminal. You can pre-pay for the taxi at a booth in a room left of the exit, by credit card (AMEX, VISA, MASTER). The amount is fixed. Average fare from the International Airport to the congress venue and hotels is U$ 40,00 (up to 3 people). 24hours service.
RADIO TAXI - CONGONHAS AIRPORT (+ 55 11 3146.4000)
A taxi co-operative that works on cabs leaving Congonhas Domestic Airport. The queue is just outside the exit of the arrival terminal. The average fare from the Airport to the congress venue and hotels is US 20,00 (up to 3 people). Service from 5AM to 11PM
Security Guidelines
São Paulo city, especially where the congress will be held, does not present high crimes rates.
The congress will be fully supported by the local police. We have done everything to ensure total safety. Make sure that some precautions will be followed.
Feel free to e-mail us in case of any specific questions and concerns.
- At the congress, wear your badge all times (including social events). You will not be allowed access to the conference or social events without it. Remove your badge when away from the congress areas.
- Do not be careless, even at low risks areas. Be alert if walking out, day and night. Use only hotel or restaurant taxis (not expensive), take advantage of them. Take a cab even for short distances.
- Always look as though you know where you are going. Do not take shortcuts through dark alleys or parks.
- Do not over indulge in alcohol; it could make you an easy target for thieves. Always be with the congress groups. Do not try to walk or jog by yourself
- Lock all valuable items in a safety deposit box in your hotel.
- Do not talk or accept help from strangers.
- Carry little cash with you. Credit cards are widely accepted.
- Do not wear expensive looking jewellery; leave it in your room safe. Due to the high disparity of incomes in Brazil it is not politically correct to give the impression of wealth such as expense jewellery and watches. Pay special attention to motorcycle drivers in suspected areas. They usually are associated to the stealing of laptops and cameras.
- If the worst happens and a thief approaches you, do not try to resist, even if they are teenagers.
- If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest public place/well lit area and call for help.
- Take maximum care with your laptop: Avoid carrying it in public places; if you need, try to use common luggage and not the typical "laptop cases". Keep it with you at all times, don't place it on the floor or on luggage carts in airports or hotels. Do not leave luggage or laptops unattended.
- If you need to call the police dial 190
Useful words and phrases in Portuguese
Yes =
Sim
No =
Não
Good morning =
Bom dia
Good afternoon =
Boa tarde
Good evening =
Boa noite
Goodbye =
Tchau
Please =
Por favor
Thank you =
Obrigado/a
Thank you very much =
Muito obrigado/a
How are you? =
Como vai?
Very well thank you, and you? =
Muito bem obrigado/a, e você? (pronounced vosSEH )
Bill, please =
A conta, por favor
I beg your pardon =
Perdão
Sorry! =
Desculpe!
Where to (taxi driver) =
Para onde?
Where can I get a taxi? =
Onde posso tomar um taxi?
Can you call me a taxi? =
Pode me chamar um taxi?
How much is it? =
Quanto é?
