FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(this will be updated as and when new information becomes available)

Last updated : 27 MARCH 2008

1. When will the meeting be held?
   The meeting will commence on Monday morning, 22 September and finish on Saturday evening, 27 September 2008. Registration will take place on Sunday, afternoon/early evening 21 September 2008.
2. Where will the meeting be held?
   The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center.
3. Where can I find a copy of the conference programme?
   To download a programme click here (PDF 450KB)
4. How much is the registration fee?
   US$900 (or $850 if paid in full before 30 April)
5. What is included in the registration fee?
• Conference fee to attend a 6 day meeting at Sheraton Buenos Aires Conference Centre
• Transport to and from Buenos Aires International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini de Ezeiza, otherwise known as Ezeiza)
• Lunches and evening meals from evening of Sunday 21 Sep to Saturday night 27 Sep 2008 inclusive
• Tea/coffee at Sheraton Buenos Aires Conference Center daily 22-27 Sep 2008
• Dedicated internet café for conference delegates only
• Guided early morning bird walks at Costanera Sur Reserva Ecológica, a Ramsar site close to the Sheraton
• Evening entertainment – details to be confirmed
• Free Entrance to Partnership Fair
  
6. What is not included in the registration fee?
• Accommodation
• Breakfast (all accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis so breakfast will automatically be included in the room rate)
• Transport to and from the airport in your home country
• Visa fees and all costs related to obtaining a tourist visa to enter Argentina
• Flights from your home country to Buenos Aires and return
• Any costs incurred en route to Buenos Aires
• Travel Insurance
• Vaccination fees where required
• Pre and post conference excursion
• Airport departure tax of (US$18.00) payable on departure
  
7. How do I register to attend the meeting?
   If you are a self-funded delegate, from the BirdLife Partnership or otherwise, please complete Form One and forward to the conference organisers for processing.
   If you are a member of the BirdLife Partnership and require full or partial funding, please complete Form Two and forward to the conference organisers for approval.
8. How do I pay for my registration and accommodation? (applicable to self-funded delegates)
   Payment may be made by bank transfer or by credit card. Please see further details on Form One
9. Will I need a visa to enter Argentina?
   Depending on the nationality of your passport, you may need a tourist visa to enter Argentina. For further information, please see the visa information page. In some instances it may take as long as two months to procure a visa depending on your nationality. Please be aware that if your flight to Buenos Aires is via another country, then you may also need to obtain a transit visa for that country. It is the responsibility of each delegate to obtain their own visa should one be required.
10. Flights to Buenos Aires
    All delegates, both self-funded and funded by BirdLife, are required to make their own flight bookings to Buenos Aires.  Delegates who are funded by BirdLife must not pay for the flight until the conference organisers have approved the cost of the air ticket which must be in the cheapest economy class seat available.  All delegates must advise the conference organisers of their flight details as soon as possible. Without this information, your accommodation cannot be confirmed and arrangements cannot be made to collect you from the airport on arrival in Buenos Aires. Depending on airline flight schedules, please aim to arrive in Buenos Aires on Sunday, 21 September and to depart on Sunday, 28 September 2008.
11. What should I do on arrival at Buenos Aires International airport?
    On your arrival at the airport in Buenos Aires (EZE), you will be met by a representative of Ana Juan Congresos. Pre-arranged transport will be provided to your hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. The distance between the airport and downtown is 35km and takes about 45 minutes depending on the traffic. Transport from the airport will be provided on Saturday and Sunday 20 and 21 September. Transport to the airport will be provided on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 September. Delegates arriving and departing on dates other than these, will be required to arrange for their own taxi at their own expense.
12. Where should I stay in Buenos Aires? (relevant to self-funded delegates)
    Accommodation is being held by BirdLife at 8 hotels in downtown Buenos Aires, all within walking distance of the Sheraton Convention Center from Sunday night 21 September to Sunday morning 28 September 2008 (check in 21 - check out 28 September, a total of 7 nights). All rates quoted are per person per night and include the room, breakfast daily and 21% VAT and are subject to availability at the time of booking. Accommodation is on a first come, first served basis so it will be beneficial to book and pay for your accommodation as soon as possible. September is a busy time of year in Buenos Aires and hotel accommodation is in high demand. All accommodation to attend this meeting must be booked through BirdLife International as BirdLife has pre-paid a deposit to these hotels to hold the rooms for the delegates’ convenience. For further information on hotels available and their rates, go to the accommodation page. BirdLife funded delegates will have their accommodation allocated by BirdLife and will be on a room share basis.
13. Is there a map available?
    To download a map of downtown Buenos Aires showing the location of the hotels and the meeting venue being used for the conference click here (PDF 161KB)
14. The BirdLife International Partnership Fair
    Each BirdLife Partner, Partner Designate and Affiliate organisation will be invited to participate in the BirdLife Partnership Fair which will commence on the evening of Wednesday 24 September in the San Isidro Room at the Sheraton. For further details, please contact Lisa Canessa on email lisa.canessa@birdlife.org. Further updates will appear on these pages as they become available.
15. What should I do on arrival at my hotel in Buenos Aires on Sunday, 21 September?
    Delegates should register and collect their welcome pack on Sunday afternoon or evening 21 September at the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center between 16h00 and 20h00.  The registration desk will be located at the Sheraton. Please use the Conference Center entrance, accessible from the street and take the escalator to the first floor. The desk will be found in the foyer immediately outside the Retiro Room, the main meeting venue.
16. Will there be WiFi or internet access available?
    There will be internet access available to delegates at the meeting venue in the form of an internet café set up within the luncheon venue. WiFi access will vary, depending on where you are staying.
17. What are the arrangements for pre- and post conference excursions?
    Pre and post conference excursions are being arranged by Seriema Nature Tours - http://www.seriemanaturetours.com/birdlife.htm  Please contact them directly for further information. These tours are for delegates’ own expense. Please note that in order to book a tour, you will need to provide Seriema with your conference registration number which will be issued to you by the conference organisers.
18. Will there be an excursion during the conference?
    Conference delegates will be able to participate in guided early morning bird walks in the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, a 350 hectare Ramsar site with 300 species, on the edge of the Rio de la Plata. All the hotels selected by BirdLife International for conference delegates’ use are within walking distance of the reserve, using the Acceso Viamonte entrance. These walks will take place every morning for the duration of the conference. Further details to follow.
19. Do I need a Yellow Fever Certificate to enter Argentina?
    Not for Buenos Aires or the south, but you do need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are visiting the north of the country, especially to the Province of Misiones (such as Guaraní, Montecarlo, El Dorado, San Pedro, General Manuel Belgrano and Puerto Iguazu). Therefore if you plan to travel to this area before or after the conference, please ensure you are vaccinated against yellow fever before arrival.
20. Is there an Argentinean Departure tax?
    This tax is not included in your ticket cost. The departure tax is US$18.00 per person (subject to change) and should be paid in cash at a designated counter in the departures hall at Ezeiza airport. Do this before you go to the check-in desk. You may pay this in local currency if you prefer.
21. What is the local currency?
    The Argentine peso is the national currency and is accepted everywhere. Only higher-end hotels accept US dollars, and most restaurants do not. In Buenos Aires, US dollars are more commonly accepted at both, but you should always carry pesos. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards. Please note the $ sign is also used to represent a Peso in Argentina so be aware of the difference between $ and a US$ or U$ as it is often displayed. The rate of exchange at time of writing is US$1.00 = ARS Peso 3.16 but is subject to change.
22. What will the weather be like?
    September is the beginning of spring. The weather is still cool with minimum temperature around 7°C and maximum around 19°C. Rainfall is about 80mm for the month. Bring some warmer clothing for early morning bird walks and a waterproof jacket. Sunrise will be at approx. 06h45 and sunset at approx. 18h50.
23. What is the time difference?
    Argentina standard time is 3 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (or 4 hours behind British Summer Time in September).  
24. What is the Power Supply?
    There are 2 different electric plug shapes used in Argentina. The electric current is 220/110V. Please bring your own adaptors.
    European plug with two circular metal pins
    

Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade