Registration

Registration for congress, hotels and excursions
  Please click here for the Registration Form

Please fill in the form and return it, by email, together with your payment by credit card (number, expiration date and security code), or bank transfer, before February 15, 2008, to benefit the reduced rate. Registration forms will be processed only after payment.

The full registration rate will be applied for any form and payment received between February 15 and April 30 2008. Registrations received after April 30 will be processed as on site registrations.

Reservations for the various events not included in the registration fee must be indicated on the registration form.


Congress registration fees
Prices quoted in Swiss francs CHF (approx. eq. in Euros in January 2008)

* Proof of trainee status has to be provided by letter to be sent to Symporg SA. The letter should enable clear identification of the resident or fellowship programme, the university or hospital affiliation, and the programme director, who has to countersign this letter. Date of birth must be after January 1st, 1971.


Included in the registration fees of participants
Participation in all scientific sessions
Meeting bag with programme, abstract book, information
Access to exhibition area
Lunches and coffee breaks
Opening ceremony and Welcome reception on Monday, May 26, 2008
All societies gala dinner on Thursday May 29 (pre-registration compulsory)
One society dinner of your choice (pre-registration compulsory)

Methods of payment

The registration fees for the Congress, the hotel deposit (cf.Hotel reservations) and the amount for the selected excursions must be paid to Symporg at the same time as the registration form is received. The only currency accepted is the Swiss franc (CHF).

Three methods of payment are possible
1. Bank transfers:
Bank transfers must be addressed to:
SYMPORG SA
UBS SA, 8 rue du Rhône, Geneva Switzerland
IBAN: CH33 0024 0240 4618 43 14Z
BIC/SWIFT: UBSWCHZH80A
2. Payment by credit card (American Express, Diners, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa)
3. Payment by cheque: only cheques drawn on a Swiss bank are accepted. Cheques must be in Swiss Francs and made out to SYMPORG SA SPINEWEEK 2008. No personal cheques are accepted.
Payments by cheque or bank transfer should strictly be made net of all bank charges (customer and correspondent).


Hotel reservation and deposit

Symporg has made reservations for participants at special rates in several hotels. To benefit these rates, please return your registration form to Symporg, Congress secretariat, as soon as possible, indicating your preferred hotel and a second choice should your first choice not be available. However, Symporg reserves the right to book you in a similar hotel should your preferred hotels be fully booked.

After April 10, 2008, requests will be accepted but hotel accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
1. Payment by cheque or bank transfer : You add the amount of the first night as hotel deposit: this amount will be deducted by the hotel from your bill.
2. Payment by credit card : In order to limit the credit card commission, the hotel will be informed of your name, your card number and expiration date. In case of no-show, the hotel will debit your credit card of the amount corresponding to your reservation.
3. Modifications : If you need to change your booking, please notify Symporg SA and NOT the hotel. Modifications can be accepted until April 27, 2008.


Confirmation of registration and hotel reservations

Upon receipt of your registration form and total payment, we shall send you a letter confirming your registration at the Congress and the selected events as well as your hotel reservation. Please show this letter at the Congress Centre Welcome Desk to pick up your Congress documents and invitations.

NB: Registrations received after April 30, 2008 will be processed but not confirmed. Please show proof of your payment when arriving at the registration desk at Palexpo.


Cancellation policy

Symporg must be notified of any cancellation in writing, either by registered letter or by fax.

Registration fees
In case of cancellation received

  • Before January 15, 2008 : the amount paid will be refunded less CHF 120.- for administrative charges.
  • Between January 16 and March 20, 2008 : a refund of 50% of the total fees, minus CHF 120.- for administrative charges.
  • After March 20, 2008 : we regret that no refund can be given for cancellation received after this date.

Hotel deposit
In case of cancellation received
  • Until April 10, 2008 : full refund less CHF 30.- for administrative charges.
  • As of April 11, 2008 : no refund will be made in case of payment by money order or bank transfer. The first night will be charged by Symporg on your credit card in case of payment by credit card. In some cases, depending on each hotel booking policy, the hotel might charge the entire reservation.
  • No-Show and early departure : Once your reservations have been made, any changes are based on availability. Failure to arrive at the hotel on the scheduled arrival date will result in the charging of no-show fee, same as late cancellation. Depending on the hotel policy, early departure fees may also be charged.
These fees will be charged by the hotel and not by Symporg SA.

Excursions
In case of cancellation received
  • Until April 20, 2007 : full refund
  • As of April 21, 2007 : we regret that no refund can be given for cancellation received on or after this date.

Participants are advised to contract cancellation insurance.

Please note that for administrative reasons refunds for cancellations received after March 10, 2008 will be processed after the congress.