Welcome Reception
The Welcome Reception will be held in the early evening of Monday, June 23, 2014 at the CICG. This will allow delegates to relax and socialise, renewing old friendships and making new ones prior to the start of the Congress week.
Young Professionals Get Together
An informal get together of young professionals will take place at the CICG on Monday, June 23, 2014 after the reception. The Congress will encourage networking amongst young persons by holding a reception specifically for them, allowing them also to meet some of their senior colleagues. Interested persons are requested to tick the relevant box on the registration form.
Congress dinner
The Congress Dinner will take place at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices (BFM), on Thursday, June 26, 2014.The BFM is an example of the successful restoration and transformation of an industrial site. In May 1886 it was opened as a factory to exploit the hydraulic power of the River Rhône delivering water under pressure for use in the fountains, houses and factories of the city. The building was decommissioned in the 1960’s when the industry moved to the outskirts of the town. In 1988 it was classified as a historic building, and in September 1997 it became an opera house. Today it is also open to the public for festive, promotional or cultural events. See www.bfm.ch to get a taste of what to expect.
The Congress Dinner will be organized in Swiss Style including some local entertainment.There will, however, be ample time to enjoy the meal and for conversation. Since the BFM can supply seats for up to 500 people, the number of participants will be limited. Registration for the Congress Dinner is required and will be handled
on a first-come-first-served basis.
Excursions
It will be possible for all participants and accompanying persons to book excursions before, during or after the Congress. A dedicated registration form will be available for that purpose on the Congress website as well as on site during the Congress. Due to the limited capacities, the CERN excursions require registration on a first come first served basis during the online registration process.
CERN
Monday Morning and Friday Afternoon
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research. Its business is fundamental physics, finding out what the Universe is made of and how it works. At CERN, the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments are used to study the basic constituents of matter — the fundamental particles. By studying what happens when these particles collide, physicists learn about the laws of Nature. The instruments used at CERN are particle accelerators and detectors. Accelerators boost beams of particles to high energies before they are made to collide with each other or with stationary targets. Detectors observe and record the results of these collisions. Founded in 1954, the CERN Laboratory sits astride the Franco–Swiss border near Geneva. It was one of Europe’s first joint ventures and now has 20 Member States.
The congress will allow the participants to visit CERN. There will be two possibilities, one on Monday morning before the opening ceremony and one at Friday afternoon after closure of the congress. Bus transfer will be organized. Due to the limited space, participants will be asked to register for the excursions. Registration will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
City Tour
Every day – 2 hours tour
The city tour of Geneva will take you through the centre of the world’s peacemaking organizations followed by a tour of the main tourist attractions of the city including the world famous Fountain and the wonderful flower clock. Then you will be offered a taste of Geneva’s history with the mini-train Tramway Tour and encouraged to dig even deeper into the Old Town with your guide on a walking tour.
Gruyeres – Golden Pass
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday – From 9.30am to 7.00pm
There is no better temptation than the smell of chocolate! Take a journey through chocolate tradition, tasting the most famous of Swiss delicacies. Admire the breathtaking landscapes of Gruyère. At the top of the hill, breathe in pure mountain air and hear cowbells in the pasturelands and enjoy authentic Alpine cheese. After that, relax in a comfortable ride aboard the famous Golden Express train overlooking magnificent views over Lake Geneva. A day full of different tastes and special sentiments.
Lausanne – Montreux – Chillon
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday – From 9.00am to 6.30pm
Lausanne is a picturesque town built on hills and a cultural center of Switzerland. After the city tour there will be free time at the lake side or to visit to the Olympic Museum. In the afternoon, the tour will continue through the Vaud countryside close to Lake Geneva, passing through the famous towns of Vevey and Montreux. We will then arrive at the Chateau de Chillon, one of the finest monuments of our country where you will be invited to take a guided tour. A steam boat trip will enable you to admire the splendor of the scenery from the water and you will disembark at Montreux where you can wander through the streets of this attractive town.
Chamonix – Mont Blanc
Every day – From 8.30am to 2.30pm or 6.15pm
A must! Mountain resorts at the foot of the majestic Mont-Blanc, highest peak of Europe. (4807m). A must see!!! Passport necessary to cross the French border!
Schedules and rates could change in 2014
Our partner for the tours:
Keytours S.A.
Tél. – Fax (www.keytours.ch)