If you encounter any VISA application problem, please contact with Ms. Seekee Zhang (zhangxi@ceac.com.cn) for assistance providing the following information.

• Full Name
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Passport No.
• The country in which you will apply for the visa
• The beginning and ending dates for your stay in China

The ICC 2008 Organizing Committee has recently received a number of messages from ICC participants talking about their unsuccessful experience of visa application. We strongly suggest that you submit your visa application no later than 20 days before your travel date.

Major international credit cards are accepted at most hotels, department stores, restaurants, and shops.

The currency in the People's Republic of China is Renminbi (RMB). The exchange rate is subject to market fluctuations. A rough estimate of the exchanged rate is 7.65 RMB to 1 US dollar (May, 2007).
Foreign bank notes and traveler's checks can be converted into RMB in banks and other authorized money exchange outlets. Hotels also provide exchange service for major currencies such as the US Dollar, Euro, UK Sterling and Japanese Yen.
For Exchange Rate Information, please click here.

Beijing's climate is defined as "continental monsoon." The four seasons are distinctly recognizable. Spring and autumn is the best time to be in Beijing, particularly in the month of May, when ICC 2008 will be held. The average temperature throughout May is 19.9C/67.8F and a light jacket is advisable for the mornings and evenings.

Most of the hotels in China have both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in the bathrooms, though in the main portion of the guest room, only 220V sockets are available.
Outlets in China generally accept 2 types of plug:

Flat blade plug:	V-shaped flat prongs:

If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.

Beijing is 8 hours ahead of GMT(Greenwich Mean Time).

All attendees and accompanying guests must register and obtain conference badge in order to participate in the conference. Please wear your badge at all times during IEEE ICC 2008. Tickets are required for the Awards Luncheon and the Conference Banquet.

All conference related events will be held at three locations (BICC, Crown Plaza and Continental Grand). Please check your conference program for exact event location.

Conference registration desks will be located on the 1st floor in the BICC. The conference Information Desk is adjacent to the Registration Center.

Hours of operation for the Registration Center and Information Desk will be:

Sunday, 18 May:	3:00pm - 7:00pm
Monday, 19 May:	7:00am - 8:00pm
Tuesday, 20 May:	7:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday, 21 May:	7:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday, 22 May:	7:00am - 5:00pm
Friday, 23 May:	7:00am -5:00pm

Welcome Reception: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Awards Luncheon: Tuesday, May 20 12:00pm
Conference Banquet: Wednesday, May 21 6:30pm

Additional tickets for Awards Luncheon and Banquet can be purchased at registration.

Luncheons for Wednesday and Thursday are included with the full registration fee. Additional tickets will be available on-site on a space available basis. There will be one cash catering outlet and various restaurants available in the BICC and hotels in the surrounding area.

For information on the social events, please see
http://www.ieee-icc.org/events.html

IEEE ICC 2008 Expo is located on the 1st floor of BICC. The Expo will be open from 2:00pm-8:30pm on Tuesday, 8:30am-5:00pm Wednesday and Thursday. There will be an exhibition reception on Tuesday from 6:00pm-8:30pm. For detailed information on Expo, please see http://www.ieee-icc.org/exhibitions.html

Coffee breaks will be provided in the exhibition area on the 1st floor and hallway of the conference rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floor in the BICC.
Hours of Coffee Breaks: 10:15am-10:45am; 3:45pm -4:15pm

The conference language will be English.

The Hall No.2 VIP Room A (2A) on the 2nd floor of the BICC will be our Speaker Ready Room. The room has been set aside as the speaker rehearsal room complete with overhead and LCD projector. The room will be available from Monday to Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm for any presenters who wish to rehearse and prepare for their presentations.

Poster boards will be set up at the exhibition hall on the 1st floor of BICC. For the poster presentation guide, please see http://www.ieee-icc.org/paper_sub_guide.html

The internet café will be located in the exhibition area and will be available during Expo hours. Wireless access will also be provided for IEEE ICC 2008 delegates within the BICC for the duration of the conference. Significant effort was made to ensure that wireless provision is sufficient to meet the needs of ICC2008 delegates. However, given the number of conference attendees, it is not possible to make absolute guarantees with regards to wireless access and connectivity quality may vary during the course of the conference.

Business Centers are available at Crown Plaza and Beijing Continental Grand Hotel during business hours.