READ BEFORE BUDAPEST

Arrival in Budapest

Most participants will arrive at the Budapest Ferihegy Airport. The simplest means of transportation to any place in Budapest via minibuses. This is a door-to-door service with reasonable price: HUF 2200/person (approx. 10 USD). The Minibus Service Desks can be found in the Luggage Area and in front of the "check out" gate as well. ATMs can be also found there.

Conference Venue

Budapest Congress Centre
Jagelló út 1-3.
H-1123 Budapest
Phone: +36-1-372-5400
Fax: +36-1-372-5735

Weather

Hungary is in the temperate zone, the end-May weather is usually nice and quite warm. Daily temperatures range from 20°C to 25°C (70F to 78F). However, the evenings may be chilly so a light jacket/sweater is recommended.

Please check before: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/HUXX0002.html

Bank, Currency, Credit Cards

The unit of currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), denoted as "Ft" by the Hungarians. As of early May 2003: EUR 1 = HUF 245, see current exchange rate on the web: http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic.

International credit cards (American Express, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops. ATMs are available at the Airport and all over the city.

WWW2003 Registration and Information Desk

The Registration and Information Desk will be located on Level 2 of the Budapest Congress Centre and will be open as follows:

Opening Hours for Posters and Exhibition

Instructions for Session Chairs

The Session Chairs will be given a Best Presentation Evaluation Form before each session by the Session Assistants. They are kindly asked to fill in and hand it to the Session Assistants or to the Registration and Information Desk after the Session.

The main duty of the Session Chairs is to keep their eyes on the speakers time limits. Your polite but strict cooperation will be contribute to the smooth running of the Session.

In need of any help, please contact your Session Assistant.

Best Presentation Prize

The participants are also invited to be Adjudicators for the Best Presentation at WWW2003. Please ask for the evaluation forms at the Registration and Information Desk. The completed forms should be handed down at to the Registration and Information Desk as soon as possible after the session. The award will be announced in the closing ceremony on Friday, May 23. Do not evaluate sessions in which you have any conflict of interest.

Wireless Internet

Wireless Internet will be available through out of the Budapest Congress Centre. Bring your laptop equipped with an 802.11b wireless card and driver.

Wire Club

Terminals and plugs will be available on Level 3 and operates:

Speakers Room

Speakers Room will be available during the Main Conference on Level 1.

Voltage

The electricity supply in Hungary is 230 V AC (50Hz). For plugs in Hungary see: http://kropla.com/electric2.htm and bring an adapter if required.

Birds of a Feather (BoF) Session

Thursday, 22 May 2003
12.30-14.00
Budapest Congress Centre, Room Brahms
With inquiries for further BoF Sessions please contact the Registration and Information Desk. Final locations will be posted at the Meeting Point.

Tours

Special buses for all tours leave from the Conference venue, Budapest Congress Centre.

No Smoking Policy

There are a few restricted smoking areas in the Budapest Congress Centre where participants can smoke.

Turn Off Mobile Phones and Pagers

All conference participants are reminded to turn off their mobile phones and pagers before attending a session. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Insurance

The Organizers of the Conference do not provide insurance and do not take responsibility for any loss, accident or illness that might occur during the Conference or in the course of travel to or from the meeting site. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the participants to check their coverage with their insurance provider.

Welcome/Poster Reception
    sponsored by the Ministry of Informatics and Communications
Wednesday, 21 May 2003, 17.30-19.30
Budapest Congress Centre, Poster Area

Main Conference badges (white colour) are required for admittance to the Welcome/Poster Reception.

Conference Evening
    sponsored by the Hungarian National Tourist Office
Thursday, 22 May 2003, 17.30-22.30
Budapest Congress Centre, Room Pátria & Boat "Europa"

Performance of the world famous Hungarian State Folk Ensemble will be followed by a dinner on Boat "Europa". Cruising on the Danube you can enjoy the sunset and the evening beauty of Budapest.
A bus transfer to Boat "Europa" and back to the Budapest Congress Centre will be provided.
Main Conference badges (white colour) are required for admittance to the Conference Evening.