ISO/TC 211 N 2061 2006-08-28 Number of pages: 4 ISO/TC 211 Geographic information/Geomatics Title: Logistic information, ISO/TC 211 23rd plenary meeting and other meetings, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2006-11-14/15 Source: SASO/ISO / TC 211 Secretariat Expected action: The secretariat encourages the delegates to complete the on-line registration for the meeting at http://www.isotc211.org/Riyadh/Registration.htm as soon as possible, and no later than 2006-09-15. Please also be aware of the visa application. Delegates are encouraged to submit this immediately. Due date: 2006-09-15 Type of document: Meeting information Meeting date/location: 2006-11-11/15, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Note: The ISO/TC 211 secretariat encourages the delegates to start visa procedures, hotel booking and registration as soon as possible! Hyperlink: http://www.isotc211.org/opendoc/211n2061/ Reference: http://www.isotc211riyadh.org.sa/ ISO/TC 211 Secretariat Standards Norway Strandveien 18 P.O. Box 242 NO-1326 Lysaker, Norway Telephone: + 47 67 83 86 71 Telefax: + 47 67 83 86 01 E-mail: bjs@standard.no URL: http://www.isotc211.org/ Logistic information, 23rd ISO/TC 211 plenary and working group meetings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2006-11-11/15 Venue Intercontinental Hotel Maathar street, Riyadh, 11481 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel: + 966 1 465 5000 Fax: + 966 1 465 7833 E-mail: riyadh@interconti.com Meeting website The meeting website is at http://www.isotc211riyadh.org.sa/. You will find information about the venue, transportation, visa requirements, general information, social events, links to information websites and more at this website. Meeting and banquet registration All registration for the meeting is made on the meeting website at http://www.isotc211riyadh.org.sa/. Hotel reservations The Intercontinental Hotel is the hotel and meeting facility for the meetings. Registration for the hotel is made directly with the hotel. Hotel registration may be made online (http://www.isotc211riyadh.org.sa/) through the link to the hotel website or by calling the hotel directly. A block of rooms at the reduced rate of 150 USD including services and breakfast per night (standard room) is being held for ISO/TC 211 attendees. The group booking code is: Unfortunately this code is not yet available. List of alternative hotels can be found on the website. There are several other conferences at the hotel, so the delegates are encouraged to book their hotel as soon as possible. Meeting breaks Coffee breaks 1000 - 1030 1500 - 1530 Lunch break 1230 - 1330 2 Registration and travel information Registration Please register for the meeting at http://www.isotc211.org/Riyadh/Registration.htm At the meeting you will be provided with a photo ID. For this reason we need a photo of you, please send this to the secretariat bjs@standard.no. Passport and visa All delegates need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. When you have registered, you will receive an invitation letter. This letter will be sent to the address you have given in the registration form and by e-mail or telefax. Please make sure that your information is correct. If you are not earlier nominated to participate in the ISO/TC 211 work, you will not receive an invitation until your registration for the meeting is verified by your member body. Airport to hotel Distance from King Khalid International Airport to the venue: 42 km. Time by taxi: approx. 25 minutes. Cost by taxi: approx. SR 85 Other Information Dress code Saudi Arabian dress is strongly symbolic, representing the people’s ties to the land, the past, and Islam. The predominantly loose and flowing, but covering garments reflect the practicalities of life in a desert country as well as Islam’s emphasis on conservative dress. Both men and women are asked to dress modestly. Women should wear pants or a long dress when they arrive. All female delegates will be provided with a scarf and abayah to use when they leave the hotel to do shopping or touring. Saudi women wear a long cloak (abaya) and veil (niqab) when they leave the house. Visitors are not required to wear a veil that covers their face, but a scarf to cover the hair is recommended. Shopping and business The Kingdom has many world-class shopping malls as well as old traditional shopping centers which give the visitor a unique sense of the country's past. The prices are very competitive and of course all major credit cards can be used to pay for merchandise. Shops and souqs tend to open in two shifts from 9:00am to noon and then 4:pm to 10:00pm Saturday to Thursday and then evening only on Friday. All establishments close for prayer at published times throughout the day. Banks are open from 8:00am until noon and from 4:00pm to 6:30pm, Saturday to Wednesday. Post offices are open from 9:00am until noon and from 4:00pm to 8:30pm, Saturday to Thursday. 3 Time Zone 3 + GMT Riyadh climate Extreme heat and aridity are characteristic of most of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh in November is however normally quite reasonable: Daily minimum 15,3°C ( 59,5°F), daily maximum 27,6°C (81,7°F), with very low possibility of rain. (Source: WMO World Weather Information Service) Currency / credit cards Currency: Saudi Riyal (SR) = 100 halalah. Exchange Rate: US$ 1 = 3.75 Saudi Riyal (SR) Electricity supply 110/220 V (most 110 V) Mobile cell phones Mobile: work for most countries. GSM service provided by STC and Mobily 4