General information

Language: Official congress language is English.

Invitation Letter for Participation: Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation to attend the congress are requested to write to the Secretary of the congress: bass2023@topkon.com

Registration has to be completed to apply for the invitation letter. This invitation letter does not apply to exemption of registration fees or does not offer any financial assistance.

Certificate of Attendance: Congress certificate will be given online (pdf) and you can download your certificates from the system as of 16.00 on 11 November 2023.

Visa Requirements: Please visit http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa for visa requirements.

Currency: The official currency of Türkiye is the Turkish Lira with TL as abbreviation. Banks and currency exchange offices are located all over the city, and ATMs are found in various places throughout the city.

Exchanging Money: Foreign Exchange offices can be found throughout the country. Operating hours are mostly Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00. In the arrivals section of Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport, there are 24-hour exchange offices. The exchange offices located in shopping malls and touristic areas are usually open later and on Saturdays. US Dollars and Euros are accepted in highly touristic districts.

ATMs: ATMs can be found all around the country. All of them offer foreign language options and pay out Turkish liras. Cash withdrawal limits vary from bank to bank and are around $/€500 to $/€1000.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely used and accepted. Most hotels, car-rental agencies, shops, pharmacies, entertainment venues and restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard; Amex isn’t widely accepted and Diner’s is often not accepted. Inexpensive eateries usually accept cash only.

Smoking: The venue is a designated non-smoking premise.

Time zone: Time in Türkiye is given by UTC+03:00 year-round. This time is also called Turkish Time (TRT). All of Türkiye is on Eastern European time, 3 hours ahead of London and Coordinated Universal Time (GMT/UTC), 7 hours ahead of New York.

Airport: Istanbul Airport
https://www.istairport.com/en/?locale=en
Istanbul Atlas University is approximately 30 km from Istanbul Airport
Airport facilities include ATM, currency exchange office, Taxi Desk and cell phone rentals. Major car rental companies have offices located on the arrivals/ baggage claim level.

Opening Hours: Offices and banks are generally open from 09:00 to 17:00 Mondays to Fridays, and close for lunch from 12:00 to 13:30.

Climate: Climate varies between 16°C and 25 °C in November.

Pharmacies: Pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 19:30. Most of them are closed on Sundays, but there is always one pharmacy in an area that is open for 24 hours.

Medical Treatment: You will need to pay for any medical treatment which you receive in Türkiye. For this reason it is advisable to take out medical insurance before traveling.

Driving: Driving in Türkiye is on the right, as in the continental Europe. Turkish road signs conform to the International Protocol on Road Signs, and archaeological and historic sites are indicated by yellow signs.

Hospitals: In Türkiye, you can find world-class hospitals and medical facilities. Many doctors in Türkiye speak English. In an emergency, foreigners who do not have insurance can go to any hospital, where they will not be charged.

Country Code and Important Telephone Numbers

• Country Code: +90
• Emergency Services: 112

Insurance The Congress Organizing Committee, or its agents, will not be responsible for any medical expenses, loss, damages or accidents during the Event. We would in particular draw your attention to the cancellation policy in respect of registration fees and accommodation. In the event that, for whatever reason, the Conference has to be cancelled or postponed, the Organizing Committee, and/or its agents, will be responsible only for refund of monies received. We recommend that delegates insure themselves for medical and cancellation charges.