Domenico de SimoneECTA First Vice-PresidentChairman of the Organising Committee

Welcome to Italy, welcome to Sicily, welcome to Palermo.The local history is so rich that by revisiting it one acquires the feeling that not only the future is without limitations – as we believe – but the past also. Sicily is both the largest region of the modern state of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and because of its location and resources it was regarded as crucial for monitoring the Mediterranean trade routes, a condition which produced an unusual and seemingly endless series of conflicts. Looking backwards we see a succession of great powers: the Sicani first, an Iberian tribe after whom the island is named, and then Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Catalans, Spaniards, Byzantines, Muslims, Normans.The richness of Sicily’s archeological heritage testifies to the cultural levels of the successive powers. We often find symbols, signs, and identifying marks, very much akin to trade marks or designs, often works of art in themselves; for such Sicily is indeed very much a living museum. It is within this fitting framework that our Conference brings together very varied cultures and considers the very latest issues, both “real” and on the web. The Conference takes place thanks to the work of the various ECTA Committees and to the presence of an impressive series of experts from industry, Institutions and private practice. We will be looking at Internet issues, OHIM New Practices, the Convergence Programme, new EU legislation and relevant case law amongst other things. The presence of our experts is confirmation of the need for good IP to support modern society, even in and one could say, especially in, current economic circumstances.Perhaps the Sicilian lesson is one we should indeed keep in mind: no oneis really isolated, even on an island, and you don’t need to be new in orderto be modern.

Welcome to the 31st ECTA Conference!

ECTA 31st Annual Conference. Palermo 20-22 June 2012

Breaking news

Annick Mottet HaugaardPresident of ECTA

2

ProgrammeWednesday 20 June

Registration and information desk at Villa Igiea

Committee Meetings (by invitation only)

Design Committee Internet Committee

Professional Affairs Committee Law Committee

Anti-Counterfeiting Committee

Geographical Indications Committee Harmonization Committee Membership and Disciplinary Committee

OHIM-Link Committee lunch meeting

Publications Committee lunch meeting

Lunch for Council and Committee Members

08.30-10.30

08.30-11.15

08.30-13.00

11.30-13.00

13.00-14.30

13.00-14.30

08.00-19.00

08.30-13.00

13.00-14.30

3

Workshop - Filing and Enforcement strategies in China

Moderator: Michele Ferrante, Member of the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, Attorney at Law, S&F Intellectual Property, CN

Tips and tricks in filing a trade mark and enforcement strategies in China Horace Lam, Attorney at Law, Jones Day, CN

Experience from Industry

Patrick Marichal, Trade Mark Manager, Solvay SA, BE

Cyril Sayag, Vice-President Legal and Public Affairs, Pernod Ricard Asia, CN

Johannes Waldinger, Chief Technology Officer, TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH, DE

Hong Kong, particularities

Patsy Lau, Trademark Attorney, Deacons, HK

Discussion with the audience

Council Meeting (by invitation only)

Welcome Reception at Museum of Modern Art Sant’Anna

14.30-17.30

14.30-18.30

20.30

4

ProgrammeThursday 21 June

Registration and information desk at Villa Igiea

Annual General Meeting

Coffee break

WelcomeAnnick Mottet Haugaard, ECTA President, Attorney at Law, Lydian, BE

Domenico de Simone, Chair of the Organising Committee, ECTA First Vice-President, Attorney at Law, De Simone & Partners, IT

Giovanni Avanti, President of the Province of Palermo, IT

Loredana Gulino, Director General, Department for enterprise and internationalization, Italian Patent and Trade Mark Office, IT

Headlines in Trade Marks and Designs

Anchorman: F. Peter Müller, ECTA Second Vice-President, Attorney at Law,Müller Schupfner & Partner Patent - und Rechtsanwälte, DE

The IP Translator – Quo vadis? Fabio Angelini, Chair of the ECTA LawCommittee, Lawyer, De Simone & Partners, IT

3 times 3 - The 9 most important news items for the EU Trademark Practitioner, Katja Grabienski, Chair of the ECTA Publications Committee, Attorney at Law, Jonas Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft, DE

Client/attorney privilege and Confidentiality before the OHIM – a hiddentrap? Sozos-Christos Theodoulou, Chair of the ECTA Professional AffairsCommittee, Trademark Agent and Attorney at Law, The Law Offices of Dr. Christos A. Theodoulou, CY

National Domain Name systems vs. gTLDs, Andrew Mills, Chair of the ECTAInternet Committee, Head of Intellectual Property & Litigation, Solicitor &European Trademark Attorney, Experian Limited, GB

OHIM practises and procedures – the MUST KNOWs for each EU TMpractitioner, Dr. Andreas Renck, Chair of the ECTA OHIM Link Committee,Lawyer, Hogan Lovells, ES

Goods in Transit – When and Where to strike, Marius Schneider, Chair ofthe ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, Lawyer, Eeman & Partners, BE

Interview regarding new IP interface with Neil Wilson, Director, Functional Support Division, Brands and Designs Sector, WIPO, CH

Discussion with the audience

09.30-10.00

10.00-10.30

10.30-13.00

08.00-19.00

09.00-09.30

5

13.00-14.30

15.45-16.15

16.15-17.30

17.45-19.15

20.30

Lunch

Special Report on Art & Functions: Design Trade Marks or Trade Mark Designs?

Anchorman: António Andrade, Chair of the ECTA Design Committee, Attorney at Law, Vieira de Almeida & Associados, PT

Three dimensional Trade Marks before Court – Filing Designs as Trade Marks: is it a success story?

Keith Hodkinson, Member of the ECTA Design Committe, Patent and Trademark Attorney, Marks and Clerk LLP, GB

The most recent decisions of the OHIM Board of Appeal and European Courts relating to designs

Martin Schlötelburg, Head of Legal Affairs in the Department for Designs and Register, OHIM, ES

Discussion with the audience

Coffee break

Special Report on Internet Issues

Anchorman: David Taylor, Member of ECTA Internet Committee, Attorney at Law, Hogan Lovells, FR

Domain name strategies and valuation after the launch of the new gTLD

Lorna Gradden, Operations Director, Com Laude, UK

L’Oreal v. Ebay, Interflora, etc : case-law review of the most recent decisions of the European courts relating to the use of trade marks on the internet and in particular the role and responsibilities of the internet intermediaries

Philippe Péters, Member of ECTA Law Committee, Attorney at Law, Nauta Dutilh, BE

Discussion with the audience

ECTA Committee Chairs Meeting (by invitation only)

Dinner at Castello di Solanto

14.30-15.45

6

Programme Friday 22 June

Registration and information desk at Villa Igiea

Special Report on OHIM New Competencies and Practices

Anchorwoman: Monika Wenz, Chair of the ECTA Harmonization Committee, Attorney at Law, Siebeke Lange Wilbert, DE

Special Guest: António Campinos, President OHIM, ES

Enforcement strategies and the role of the European Observatory, OHIM and National offices

Reporter: Olivier Vrins, Member of the ECTA Anti-Counterfeiting Committee and of the Sub-Group of Legal Experts of the European Observatory, Attorney at Law, Altius, BE

Jason Buratti, Vice-President, Global Intellectual Property Counsel of Zumba Fitness LLC, USA

Giovanni Kessler, Director General of European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), BE

Discussion with the audience

Coffee break

Convergence Programme

Reporter: Ingrid Buffolo, Head of Institutional Relations, InternationalCooperation and Legal Affairs Department, OHIM, ES

Special focus on the proof of use in opposition and invalidity proceedings

Irma Spagnulo, Trademark Attorney, SIB - Società Italiana Brevetti, IT

Geographical indications

Reporter: Benjamin Fontaine, Secretary of the ECTA Geographical Indications Committee, Trademark Attorney, E.G.Y.P. SAS, ES

Matthijs Geuze, Head, International Appellations of Origin Registry, World Intellectual Property Organization, WIPO, CH

Discussion with the audience

10.30-11.00

11.00-13.00

08.00-19.00

09.00-10.30

7

14.30-16.45

16.45-17.00

20.30

Mediation

Reporter: Isabelle Leroux, Member of ECTA Council, Attorney at Law, Salans, FR

Ulla Wennermark, Mediator, Member of the Board of Appeal, OHIM, ES

Ignacio de Castro, Deputy Director, WIPO Arbitration and mediation Center, WIPO, CH

Discussion with the audience

Lunch

Special report on New EU legislation package and Case law

Anchorwoman: Cristina Bercial-Chaumier, Secretary of the ECTA Law Committee, Trademark Attorney, Bureau Casalonga & Josse, ES

New EU Legislative package

Tomas Eichenberg, Principal Administrator, Directorate General Internal Market and Services, Industrial Property, European Commission, BE

Another reading of the package

Oscar Benito, Vice-Chair of the ECTA Law Committee, Assistant GeneralCounsel – Legal: Global Trade Marks, GlaxoSmithKline, GB

The most recent and relevant decisions of the European Courts for our every day practice

Richard Ashmead, International IP Consultant and Trade Mark Specialist, UK

Special Focus on Dormant Trade Marks

Ruta Olmane, Secretary of the ECTA Professional Affairs Committee, Trademark Attorney, Borenius, LV

Discussion with the audience

Summary of the Headlines of these last two days & Meteo for the weekend

Anchorman: Domenico de Simone, ECTA First Vice-President, Attorney at Law, De Simone & Partners, IT

Dinner at Villa Alliata Cardillo

13.00-14.30

8

Just off the tip of the Italian peninsula, the island of Sicily is markedly distinct from the rest of Italy. This is where Europe gets a full flavour of Mediterranean, even some hints of north Africa. It is not just the hot weather - sometimes fiercly so - but also its certainly unique history, that has given Sicily a peculiar, hybrid culture. Sicilian - a close cousin of Italian, but with influences from Greek and Arabic - is the first language of the island, though you will find regular Italian (and indeed English) commonly spoken.

Its position in the centre of the Mediterranean - of which it is the largest island - has made Sicily strategically important since classical times for both trade routes and military purposes. Greek colonists arrived here around 750 BC to displace the ancient inhabitants. The Sicilian Greeks (amongst them the famous mathematician Archimedes) were overthrown in turn by the rise of Rome in the late pre-Christian era. Christianity arrived around 200 AD, then a series of different invaders including the Vandals, Goths, Byzantines, Lombards, Normans, Spaniards, Persians, Aragon and others. Sicily was an independent kingdom in 1860 when Garibaldi landed here from Genoa to begin its ‘Mille’ expedition, which eventually led to the Unification of Italy.

Little wonder then that the language, culture and cuisine are an eclectic mix of everything Mediterranean. On the menu you will find plenty of seafood - sardines, tuna, swordfish and anchovies. Street food is very tasty with a choice of rice balls, fritters and potato croquettes. If you have a sweet tooth, try the ‘cassata’, a cheese and marzipan cake, or the ‘cannoli’, fried pastries stuffed with ricotta and chocolate or canditi. Wines are excellent and of many varieties: both reds and whites.

The capital city of the island is Palermo, dating from an 8th century BC Phoenician settlement. Superb Norman buildings dot the historical city centre, where standout sights include the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Normanni, the Palazzo Abatellis and the Teatro Massimo opera house, together with countless fine palaces and churches with their baroque oratories. Just outside the city try not to miss the Norman town of Monreale - its Cathedral has a stunning collection of medieval mosaics - and further out the archeological site of the Greek town of Segesta.

Social Programme

About Sicily

9

Evening programme

Galleria D’Arte Moderna di Palermo Complesso di Sant’Anna alla Misericordia

Castello di Solanto

Villa Alliata Cardillo

You will have the opportunity to live the unique experience of tasting all the local dishes that are part of the Sicilian cuisine just as if you were in the streets and squares of Palermo. The open-air kiosks will prepare and serve incredible regional food. The dinner will be hosted in the gardens and “tonnara” of a castle overlooking the sea.

Dress Code: Informal AttireBus transfer from all hotels will be provided (approx 40 minutes). Address: Via Castello 20, 90017 Santa Flavia, Palermo

A XVII century residential villa with marvellous gardens, Villa Alliata Cardillo has belonged to the Alliata family since 1870. The garden where the dinner will be held offers lovely spots such as two majolica fountains.

Dress Code: Dark SuitBus transfer from all hotels will be provided (approx 30 minutes)Address: Via Faraone 2, 90147 Palermo

Wednesday 20 JuneWelcome Reception

Thursday 21 JuneA taste of Sicily

Friday 22 JuneFarewell Dinner

The Welcome reception will be held in the magnificent Monumental Complex of Sant’Anna, site of the Modern Art Gallery.

Dress Code: Cocktail AttireBus transfer from specified hotels will be provided (approx 10 minutes). 20 minutes walking distance from other hotels. Address: Via Sant’Anna 21, 90133 Palermo

10

Accompanying persons’ programme

Morning - Arab-Norman Palermo - You will be guided through a collection of monuments with a decorative apparatus of mosaics, paintings and sculptures that resulted from a socio-cultural syncretism which, during the period of Norman domination (1071-1194), gave birth to an extraordinary artistic and architectural heritage of outstanding value.

Lunch - In the heart of old Palermo, Palazzo Alliata di Pietratagliata.

Afternoon - Baroque Palermo - Since the XVII century on, in Palermo city centre, there’s been a competition among the noble families and the religious orders for building the most beautiful and the richest churches and palaces. The Oratory of the Rosary in Santa Cita, and the Oratory of the Rosary in S. Domenico are the local sculptor Giacomo Serpotta’s masterpieces: all the interior walls are covered with beautiful stuccoes and statues from the end of the 1600’s and early 1700’s.

One day tour: 155 euroMorning tour and Lunch: 110 euroAfternoon tour: 45 euro

Morning - Palazzo Abatellis and Monreale - A walk through the Kalsa quarter to reach Palazzo Abatellis, site of the Regional Gallery of Art and home to numerous fine works. The tour continues in Monreale to visit the Cathedral, one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture in the world and the marvelous Monreale cloister.

Lunch - Restaurant “La Botte”, Monreale.

Afternoon - Palazzo Gangi (minimum 20 persons) - Setting for Luchino Visconti’s movie “Il Gattopardo” (The Leopard), you will have the chance to be guided through one of the most famous and beautiful palaces of Palermo.

One day tour: 145 euroMorning tour and Lunch: 100 euroAfternoon tour: 45 euro

In the morning visit to the archaeological site of Segesta. In the afternoon the Belice Valley: Salemi, Gibellina Nuova, Gibellina Vecchia and its “Cretto di Burri”. Accompanied by a wine maker, visit to a vineyard and a cellar with typical lunch and wine-tasting.

One day tour: 110 euro

Thursday 21 June

Friday 22 June

Saturday 23 June Segesta - Saturday Excursion

Palermo City

Requests of reservation will be processed on a first come first served basis. We reserve the right to cancel trips due to low enrollment. Participants will be offered the opportunity to book an alternative excursion or to a full refund. We recommend to wear sneakers or comfortable walking shoes.

Monreale - Palermo City

11

Golf

Tennis / Five-a-Side Soccer

A thrilling, pleasurable and relaxing experience. Not only golf but culture! You will have the chance to play in a 9 hole field in a spectacular location in the heart of the city, surrounded by an ancient park with fountains, monuments and very old trees. The Villa Airoldi Golf Club offers many other facilities like a swimming pool and a nice little restaurant for your lunch break.

Saturday 23 June 2012 Price per person: 85 euroPrice includes: bus transfer, golf tournament, green fee, lunch at the club, hostess.Golf bag available for hire at approx 15 euro.

Villa Igiea1 hard tennis court at guest disposalSalita Belmonte 43, 90142 Palermo

Fly Tennis4 hard tennis courts, 4 all-weather five-a-sideVia dell’Autonomia Siciliana 125, 90142 Palermo

Mediterraneo Club5 clay tennis courts, 3 all-weather five-a-sideVia Imperatore Federico 74, 90143 Palermo

We will be glad to provide additional information and support on-site.

Sports and leisureRequests of reservation will be processed on a first come first served basis. We reserve the right to cancel the activity due to low enrollment. Participants will be offered the opportunity to book an alternative activity or to a full refund.

Beaches

Palermo is famous for its beaches with clear water. Some suggestions:

Addaura (12 km): white carbonate reef that runs along the northern slope of Monte Pellegrino, over Punta Priola. Due to rocky beach we suggest to rent recliners at a seaside resort. Easy parking in weekdays, served by AMAT public transport, 833 bus from Piazza Politeama.

Arenella/Vergine Maria (6 km): small golden beach, dominated by massive and looming cliff of Monte Pellegrino; few parking places, well served by AMAT public transport, 139 bus from Central Station.

Mondello (13 km): the beach of excellence with white sand and shallow water. Served by AMAT public transport, 806 bus from Piazza Politeama.

12

Online RegistrationThe preferred method of registration is on-line.

To register for the 31st ECTA Annual Conference, please visit ECTA web site www.ecta.eu, select 31st Annual Conference (under events) and select “register on line”. Follow the steps and choose your payment method. You will receive confirmation of your registration upon receipt of payment.

Registration FeesRegistration fees are valid only if payment is received on or before the deadline dates.

A completed registration form must be submitted for each participant, including accompanying persons, speakers and invited guests.

Registration PaymentThe preferred method of payment is on-line by credit card (Visa or Mastercard accepted). The payment will be charged in euros. If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, please select your payment choice “bank transfer”. Please note that all bank charges must be settled by the remitter.

Registration Cancellations / ChangesNotification of cancellations or changes must be sent in writing to the EGA Secretariat (ecta2012@ega.it). Cancellations will be accepted until 15 March 2012 at no charge, from 16 March to 30 April with a refund of all prepaid fees, less 25% cancellation charges. From 1 May 2012 no refunds will be made.A 15 euro administrative fee will be charged for each registration change after 8 May 2012.

EntitlementsDelegate’s registration includes:

•Publication of your name and firm in the list of participants;

•Attendance at all Conference working sessions coffee breaks and lunches;

•Gift and conference bag;•Welcome reception at Sant’Anna Museum,

Wed. 20 June;•Dinner at Castello di Solanto, Thurs. 21 June;•Gala dinner at Villa Alliata, Fri. 22 June.

Accompanying person’s registration includes:

•Welcome reception at Sant’Anna Museum, Wed. 20 June;

•Dinner at Castello di Solanto, Thurs. 21 June;•Gala dinner at Villa Alliata, Fri. 22 June; •Gift.

Registration Information

13

Registration Information

Hotel PaymentWhen the registration for the conference is made, choose your hotel and complete the form according to your requirements. In order to confirm your reservation, a credit card guarantee is required: Visa or Mastercard.

No charge will be applied to the card at the time of reservation; it is merely to hold the room reservation. Payment will be made directly to the hotel upon check-out. For those paying by bank transfer the prepayment of the entire stay is required to guarantee the booking; the amount will be forwarded to the hotel.

Hotel booking and cancellationsRequests for hotel reservation will be processed on a first come first served basis according to availability. If your 1st choice is not available we will do our utmost to place you in your 2nd choice hotel.

Hotel cancellation policy:

•All hotel cancellations and changes to booking must be in writing.

•For cancellations/changes received before 2 April 2012 no penalty will be incurred, less a handling fee of 50 euro;

•Any cancellations/changes received between 3 April and 23 May 2012 will incur a penalty equal to one night’s accommodation;

•Any cancellations/changes from 24 May 2012 will incur cancellation charges equal to their entire stay.

Confirmation and Joining InstructionsConfirmation of registration will be sent to all delegates once full payment has been received. In addition, joining instructions will be sent out in May 2012 by e-mail to assist with your visit to Palermo. Please ensure you provide your personal e-mail address when registering.

Educational CreditsECTA is an authorized course provider namely:

•UK Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys – educational content recognized

•UK Solicitors Regulation Authority Accredited (ref DBL/ECTA)

•UK Bar Standards Board Accredited •CNF (Consiglio Nazionale Forense) IT•Ordre des Barreaux francophone et germanophone

de Belgique (OBFG) BE

14

Map of the Hotels

1

2

3

4

5

67

8

9

10

11

500 m

2000 ft

Villa Igiea Hilton Palermo - Venue of the conference

Centrale Palace Hotel

Grand Hotel Wagner

Excelsior Palace

Falkensteiner Hotel Palazzo Sitano

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa

Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro

Hotel Plaza Opéra

B&B 22

Cristal Palace Hotel

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

15

Accommodation

Hilton Villa Igiea *****Venue of the Conference, the hotel, design by famous architect Ernesto Basile, is a magnificent example of Art Nouveau. Only 3km from the commercial centre of the city. Many amenities like a pool and a solarium by the sea.On demand WiFi connection available from 17 euro per day.www.villaigiea.hilton.com

Guest Rooms: Double Room Single Use 210 euroGuest Rooms: Double 230 euroDeluxe Rooms: Double Room Single Use 270 euroDeluxe Rooms: Double 290 euro

Room rates quoted include breakfast and VAT at the prevailing rate. Please note that should this rate change, VAT will be charged at the applicable percentage.

Centrale Palace Hotel ****Old World charm in a central city location.Free WiFi connection available in the common areas, on-demand WiFi-connection available in the rooms from 4 euro per 30 minutes.www.centralepalacehotel.it

Double Room Single Use: 127 euroDouble Room: 150 euro

Cristal Palace ****Located in the city centre of Palermo. Each of the 87 bedrooms is furnished to the highest possible standard.Free WiFi connection available in the entire structure.www.cristalpalacepalermo.com

Double Room Single Use: 125 euroDouble Room: 170 euro

Grand Hotel Wagner *****A neo-classical Palermitan palace which was built in the early 20th century. The hotel has been furnished stylishly down to the last detail. Located in the city centre.Free cable connection available in the entire building.www.grandhotelwagner.it

Double Room Single Use: 155 euroDouble Room: 195 euro

16

Grand Hotel et Des Palmes ****The history and the beautiful salons make it one of the most famous hotels in the world, but above all make it the favorite destination for holidays and business. On demand WiFi connection available from 8 euro per hour.www.hotel-despalmes.it

Double Room Single Use: 200 euroDouble Room: 215 euro

Falkensteiner Hotel Palazzo Sitano ****Well located hotel to enable easy access to most sights. Spacious rooms with modern furniture.On demand WiFi connection available in the common areas and on-demand cable connection available in the rooms. Price starting from 4 euro per hour.www.hotelpalazzositano.com

Double Room Single Use: 110 euroDouble Room: 140 euro

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa ****Classical elegance and historic beauty, one of the best hotels of the city. Superb location just few steps from the squares, parks, shopping streets and cafes.Free WiFi connection available in the hall, cable connection available in the rooms.www.piazzaborsa.it

Double Room Single Use: 176 euroDouble Room: 199 euro

Excelsior Palace ****One of the oldest and most well known luxury accommodations in Palermo.On demand WiFi connection available from 8 euro per hour.www.hotelexcelsiorpalermo.com

Double Room Single Use: 194 euroDouble Room: 209 euro

17

Mercure Palermo Centro ****Mercure Palermo Centro is a hotel with a stylish and modern design, located in the heart of the city, just few steps far from the Teatro Massimo, Teatro Politeama and the Cathedral.Free WiFi connection available in the hall, on demand cable connection available in the rooms from 5 euro per hour, 10 euro per day.www.mercurepa.com

Single: 139 euroDouble Room Single Use: 169 euroDouble Room: 189 euro

Hotel Plaza Opéra ****Very well positioned boutique hotel with lots of stylish touches.On demand WiFi connection available in the entire building from 4 euro per hour.www.hotelplazaopera.com

Single: 144 euroDouble Room Single Use: 171 euroDouble Room: 207 euro

B&B 22Historical home which offers spacious, elegant and refined rooms, a peaceful and serene hideaway in the historical centre of an otherwise vibrant and dynamic city steeped in tradition. Free WiFi connection. No elevator.www.bb22.it

Double Room Single Use: 100 euroDouble Room: 160 euro

18

VenueThe Conference venue will be Villa Igiea, Salita Belmonte 43, 90142 Palermo, Italy.www.hotelvillaigiea.com

DatesThe ECTA Conference will take place from Wednesday 20 June to Saturday 23 June 2012. ECTA Council and Committee meetings will be held on Wednesday 20 June 2012.

Registration and information deskThe desk for registration and distribution of documents will be located in the conference hotel and will be open as follows:

Tuesday 19 June 14.00 – 19.00

Wednesday 20 June 08.00 – 19.00

Thursday 21 June 08.00 – 19.00

Friday 22 June08.00 – 18.00

Social EventsECTA requests that during the entire period (Wednesday 20 June to Saturday 23 June 2012) no other non-official Conference Events should be arranged.

InsuranceParticipants are advised to arrange adequate travel insurance as the Conference organisers/ECTA do not cover persons against cancellation of bookings, theft of belongings or any other risk.

BadgeDelegates, guests and accompanying persons are requested to wear their identification badges during all the events.

Official LanguageThe official language of the ECTA Conference is English. No simultaneous translation will be offered.

General Information

19

Travel to PalermoThe Airport Falcone-Borsellino (Punta Raisi) is well connected with the city of Palermo through the subway (Trinacria Express), with trains operating during the entire day between the airport and the Central Railway Station in Palermo, or by bus (Linee Prestia e Comandè) with the first bus leaving at 5 am.

TaxiBeppe TaxiTel: +39 3391928604 www.palermointaxi.it

Cooperativa AutoradiotaxiTel: +39 091513311www.autoradiotaxi.it

Cooperativa Radio Taxi TrinacriaTel: +39 0916878www.radiotaxitrinacria.it

Palermo Shuttle ServicesTel: +39 337962693www.untaxiapalermo.it

Passport and/or VISAFor EU citizens a valid ID card is required to enter Italy. A valid passport is necessary for non-EU citizens. Participants from some countries may require a visa to enter Italy. Please check with your local Italian Consulate or Embassy. The travel agency issuing the airline ticket is responsible for visa-information.

ElectricityThe normal electric current in Italy is 220 volts AC in 50 cycles.

ClimateThe climate in Sicily is definitely Mediterranean, with hot summers, short and mild winters. In June, rain is scarce and there are maximum temperatures around 28°C and minimum of about 20°C. If, as often happens, Scirocco blows, temperatures exceed 30 degrees. As for the sea, the water temperature varies from about 16°C recorded in winter to 27°C in summer. In June you can enjoy sunbathing and swimming. We recommend light clothes, a shawl or a jacket for the evening and a swimsuit for the beach.

CurrencyThe monetary unit in Italy is the Euro.Currency can be exchanged in any bank or exchange office. Major credit cards (VISA and MasterCard) are widely accepted in Sicily.

Time differenceUTC +2.00

SmokingItaly has a strict non-smoking policy and smoking is prohibited inside public places such as restaurants, hotels and bars. Some places offer a special room for smokers, otherwise smoking is only allowed outdoors.

20