Dubai has a wide range of hotels and places to stay ranging from the Dubai Youth Hostel to the self-rated 7 star Burj Al Arab (see the list of Dubai budget hotels for less expensive options), and in 2010, the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa tower.

Most hotels in Dubai and UAE quote a price per room (not per person) per night and often include breakfast.

There is an additional 10% service charge and another 10% Dubai Municipality tax added to Dubai hotel bills.

Check in time is around 2pm and checkout at noon but late checkouts are normally available.

Prices range from 100-150 dhs per night for bargain basement hotels (not easy to find many this cheap) to several thousand dhs for the most luxurious rooms.

For overseas travellers, the best deals are usually found by booking a flight to Dubai with an accommodation package included.

Most 4 and 5 star hotels (and some of the 3 star hotels) can arrange a Dubai tourist visa for their guests (for a fee). They will also do airport pick-ups and drop-offs.

Dubai International Airport (or just Dubai Airport, DXB) is in the Garhood / Garhoud area of Dubai. A second international airport called Dubai World Central Airport is already operational and used by a few international airlines.

Dubai International Airport was voted Best in the Middle East and Africa for 2005 by Business Traveller Magazine Germany

Alcohol is freely available in hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. However, many restaurants outside hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages.

Many international banks are represented by branches in Dubai. Bank hours vary but in general are 0800 – 1400, Sunday to Thursday and 0800 – 1200, Saturday.

Bargaining is expected in the souq and is quite usual elsewhere. Vendors will usually drop the price and often quite substantially, particularly for a cash sale.

Business: 0800-1300 and 1600-1930, Sunday to Thursday.
Most of the multinational companies work from 0900-1800 with a one hour lunch break.
Government offices: 0730-1430, Sunday to Thursday.
Exchange houses: 1000-2200.
Shopping malls: 1000-2200, Sunday to Wednesday and 1000-0000, Thursday and Friday.

Cancellations of registration will only be accepted in writing sent to the PCO by email or fax. The notification must include all relevant information regarding the bank account to which a possible refund may be remitted. In case of cancellation before 15 November 2017 registration fees will be refunded minus a handling fee of US$ 75. After this date there will be no refund.

The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. May to September is summer, when temperatures range between 40C and 48C. However, during the winter months, between November and March, temperatures range from 10C to 30C. Rainfall is predominantly in winter and amounts to some 13cm annually.

Summer clothing may be worn for most of the year but the temperature can drop during the winter. At the pool or on the private beaches, swimwear is quite acceptable, but when in the city and public areas, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing that may be considered revealing.

The Congress program will be CME accredited by the UAE Ministry of Health. CME units will be awarded based on the number of session hours a delegate accumulate over the three-day program. Certificates of attendance will be sent by e-mail after the conference to the email address provided during registration.

American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard, etc. are generally accepted in the main hotels and shops

Professional Congress Organizer (PCO)

Please do not hesitate to contact the PCO if you require any additional information or assistance.

Meeting Minds – Experts
Dubai Media City
Shatha Tower – Office 3113
P.O.Box 502464
T: +9714 4270492
F: +9714 4270493
emirateshf@meetingmindsexperts.com
www.meetingmindsdubai.com

The monetary unit is the Dirham (AED), which is divided into 100 fils.
It is fixed to the US dollar at a current rate of US$1 = Dhs3.675

Compared to other Arab cities, this city has a calm and relaxed dress code. In summer, lightweight clothing is always advisable. Even though this city is famous as a summer destination, it is necessary to carry warm clothes in winter as temperatures are quite low in the evenings. Improper dressing should be avoided in public areas but swimsuits or short clothes are allowed on the beaches

Cars are driven on the right hand side of the road. Seat belts must be worn in the front and it is recommended that passengers buckle up in the back as well. Speed limits vary from around 70 kmph in built up areas to 120 kmph on the highways. There are plenty of speed cameras and zero tolerance for drinking and driving.

Visitors on a visit visa can obtain a temporary driving license provided they have a valid license from a recognized country: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and USA.

The conference will hold a parallel exhibition running from 15-16 December 2017.

The official language of the Congress is English. No simultaneous interpretation will be offered. The official language in Dubai is Arabic but English is widely spoken and understood throughout the country.

Delegates requiring a formal letter of invitation to enable them to make their arrangements to participate in the congress may request a letter via the PCO. Please note that this letter cannot be regarded as a commitment regarding scheduling or financial support from the organizers. All expenses incurred in relation to the congress are the sole responsibility of the delegates.

Gulf Standard Time: + 4 hours GMT

Medical services in Dubai are of international standards.

Normal tourist photography is acceptable but like anywhere in the world, it is courteous to ask permission before photographing people, especially local women.

Registration fee includes entrance to all scientific sessions, congress proceeding, the exhibition, unless otherwise specified.

Conference delegates are entitled to the following:

• Official conference documentation, including advance program and proceedings
• Opening ceremony and Welcome reception
• Coffee breaks during/within official conference program/venue
• Delegate bag
• Please note conference registration fees do not include accommodation, visa and optional tours

Additional Information

1) Registration requests will be processed on “first-come, first-served” basis.

2) Registration Forms received without payment will not be processed.

3) Cash payments will not be accepted.

4) Each delegate should complete a separate registration form.

5) Group registration form may be requested from the PCO by email.

6) Please carry along a print out of your registration confirmation for badge collection.

7) Conference proceedings are subject to change without prior notice.

8) Enquiries, changes and cancellations should be made in writing to the PCO at emirateshf@meetingmindsexperts.com

Registration Fees

Residents/Students: A valid certificate (official certificate of the head of department including the date of birth/ valid student ID) will have been submitted at the time of badge collection.

Registration of Groups

Registrations of groups can be made by requesting a group registration form from the PCO. For any assistance, please contact the PCO via emirateshf@meetingmindsexperts.com

Dubai is considered a very safe city and crime rate is very low. Even though crime rate is near to zero, city police still maintain tight control over security and safety issues. Therefore, it has become one of the lowest crime rate cities in the world.

Please contact the PCO at emirateshf@meetingmindsexperts.com for assistance.

Smoking is not allowed in government facilities, offices, malls and shops. Smoking outside designated areas is subject to fine.

Tipping practices are similar to most other parts of the world. Most restaurants include a 10% service charge, but tipping in general is at the customer’s discretion.

All taxis are metered. Taxis can be ordered or flagged down outside the hotels and in town. It is good to know a landmark close to your destination in order to direct the driver.

To travel around the city, there are four major means of transportation available; taxi, bus, tour, and rental cars or private cars. There is a good network of roads in the city and hardly any major traffic jams issues even in peak time. Modern bus transportation is available at all major places 24 hours. Another more economical option is to explore the city will be by taxi or car rental, which are conveniently located all around the city.

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On man-made islands just offshore is Atlantis, the Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.