General Information
Venue
The International Congress Centre Munich (ICM) has been selected to host IGARSS 2012. It is one of the most modern and successful congress centers in Europe and satisfies the best prerequisites for major international conventions. Read More
Munich
Munich - the capital of Bavaria - is a city with an 850-year history, full of culture, music, natural beauty, charm and hospitality. The city boasts attractive architecture, with palaces and churches, museums, theatres, nearby fairy-tale castles and idyllic mountain resorts in the Bavarian Alps. Munich is also a center of high-tech science and home to four universities, research institutes, software companies, space industries and various international enterprises, making it an ideal location for IGARSS 2012. Read More
Population
Munich is the third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. It has a total population of around 1.3 million people, 22.9% of those are non-German and come from around 180 different countries.Languages
Munich, known as the "Cosmopolitan city with a heart" is indeed a very cosmopolitan place. Beside German, many people in Munich speak English. So don't be afraid in approaching people in English. You will get the help you need.
Time Zone
Munich is in the Central European Time (CET) zone which is UTC + 1 hour in winter time and UTC + 2 hours in summer time (during IGARSS 2012).
Weather and Climate
Munich has a continental climate, strongly modified by the proximity of the Alps. Summers in Munich city are warm with typical temperatures of 16°C to 30 °C (61° F to 86 °F) in July. The humidity in July is at 55% (dry). Evenings might be cool and rain is not uncommon, so be prepared! Read More
Latest Munich weather updates: Read More
Registration and Information Desk
The online registration will be available here. At least one author must register per paper or poster in order to secure the paper's publication in the conference proceedings. An on-site registration will be possible at the registration desk directly at the conference venue, the ICM, in the entrance hall every day from Sunday to Friday. Day tickets can be purchased as an alternative to whole-symposium tickets.
Badges
Participants will receive a badge showing their name and company. All participants are kindly requested to wear their badge throughout IGARSS 2012, even at social events.The badge also doubles as an MVV Congress CombiTicket and can be used as a substitute for a ticket to travel in all the Munich inner district "Innenraum", free of charge during IGARSS, i.e. from July 22 until July 27, 2012.
Proceedings
Each registered participant will receive one copy of the Conference Proceedings upon registration on-site. Additional copies can be purchased via online registration or on-site.
Conference Language
All presentations will be in English only.
Social Events
We would like to encourage all participants to come to the social events organized at IGARSS 2012. Especially, we would like to invite you to our Bavarian Evening which will turn out as "Little Oktoberfest". As there might be a shortage of tickets for that, be sure to book early! You will not regret it. All bookings can be done via the online registration.
Accommodation
A block of rooms are reserved at some selected IGARSS 2012 conference hotels located at convenient locations in Munich. A free booking service is available at MeetingMasters. Note that booking is bindingly and is best done via credit card. Note that economically priced hotel rooms in the IGARSS contingent might be exhausted early, so don't be late. Read More
Payment
Advance payment for hotel, tours and visits must be made in EURO. All conference fees and social events have to be fully paid in advance, preferably via credit card.
Credit Cards
Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard, American Express, Diners Card and some other credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Hotels willingly accept credit cards in order to reserve hotel rooms. Visitors without credit card should be prepared being asked to pay the hotel bill in advance upon arrival.
Currency
The currency in Germany is Euro (€). All prices advertised and all payments for IGARSS 2012 are required to be done in Euro. Here you may find out the exchange rate to your local currency: Currency Converter.
In Germany, visitors can exchange currencies at offices of foreign exchange brokers, chartered banks and some hotels for example. However, it is advised to have local currency on hand prior to arriving. At the latest, you may exchange your currency for Euros directly upon arrival at the Munich airport.
Euro coins are issued in €2, €1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1c denominations. Notes are issued in €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5. Each banknote has its own color and is dedicated to an artistic period of European architecture. Read More
Taxation
Prices in Germany usually include value added tax (VAT). No additional costs will be charged when purchasing goods or services. The included VAT rate is indicated separately on bills and receipts.
Tipping
Tipping is at your own discretion. In Germany all taxes and tips are included in hotel and restaurant bills. A good service may be rounded up by 5 to 10%. In restaurants, it is usual to at least round up to the next or after next whole-number.
Passport, Visa and Vaccination
Participants are kindly requested to check regulations regarding passport, visa and vaccination and, particularly, regarding length of notice for obtaining a visa, if required, with their local travel agency well in advance. In case of doubt, information may be obtained from the nearest German Embassy or Consulate.Read More
Participants requiring a confirmation from the symposium organizer for their visa application must register online first and will then receive a confirmation, stating their registration for the conference.
Electricity
The standard household voltage in Germany is 220-240 volts - as in most of Europe. Please be aware that compared to North America standard for example, this is twice the voltage that North American electrical appliances are designed for. If plugged into a European outlet without a voltage converter, those devices may provide a nice fireworks display, complete with sparks and smoke.
If your computer, shaver, video camera, iron, or whatever is a multi-voltage model (and most newer ones are), all you'll need for Europe are plug adapters. If not, you'll also need to buy a voltage transformer or converter. A German plug ("ein Stecker") has two round prongs, and a German electrical outlet ("eine Steckdose") has, quite logically, two round holes for a receptacle. There are two common types of plugs and sockets in Germany: The European norm TYPE C and the traditional one TYPE F. Suitable plug kits are offered at international airports. However, buying it at your local store just around the corner might save some money! Read More
Public Telephones
At Munich airport, you will find an adequate number of public telephone cells for making national or international calls. However, coin-operated phone boxes are becoming increasingly rare in Germany due to the rapid developments in mobile communication. More boxes can be found which work with phone cards. You can buy these cards from the post office or newsagents' and tobacconists' shops.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones in Germany are usually called "Handys". Mobile phone use is high, although not quite as in Finland or Italy. Germans love their mobiles and use them frequently.
Germany operates on a GSM network, so if you're coming from Europe and many other countries, your current mobile will probably work in Germany. If you are coming from North America or parts of Asia, you will probably have a CDMA phone which will not work. For a GSM phone, you need to check whether your phone is unlocked as some phones are network-specific.
Restaurants and Cafes
In Munich, you will find a lot of excellent restaurants and cafes. Also fast-food restaurants can be found virtually everywhere. A small variety of restaurants and cafes are available directly at the conference venue ICM, but be sure the IGARSS 2012 catering service will care about your convenience in the first place.
Shops and Business Hours
In Germany, we have the "Ladenschlussgesetz" (Shops Closing Act) which dictates that shops must be closed on Sundays and public holidays and during workdays (Monday to Saturday) they shall not be opened before 6 am and must close at 8 pm. However, beside the rule there are many exceptions, bakeries and pharmacies for example. Also, at airports and in gasoline stations, you may shop around-the-clock. As a rule of thumb, shops are open from 9 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday and until lunch time on Saturday. Supermarkets are open until 8 pm usually, even on Saturday.
Emergency Calls
| All kinds of emergency calls (Fire/Ambulance/Police): | 112 (Europe wide, also from mobile phones!) |
| Police (traditionally in Germany): | 110 (Germany) |
Insurance
The organizers cannot accept any responsibility for accidents, losses and/or damages pr personal injury which may occur. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements for travel, medical and personal accident and luggage insurance in their home country, prior to departure.