PROPOSAL TO HOLD THE EPHAR 2016 CONGRESS IN LAUSANNE / SWITZERLAND

Transcription

1 PROPOSAL TO HOLD THE EPHAR 2016 CONGRESS IN LAUSANNE / SWITZERLAND JULY 2016

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction by the President of the Swiss Society of Pharmacology & Toxicology 2. Welcome to Lausanne 3. Access 4. Lausanne, the right choice 5. Curiosities and cultural activities 6. Accommodation 7. Other activities 8. Swiss Tech Convention Centre 9. Congress organization 10. Budget 11. Letters of recommendation Edited by: - Lausanne Tourism & Convention Bureau - Symporg SA, Conference Organizers, Geneva

3 Swiss Society of Pharmacology & Toxicology To the EPHAR Council and Member Societies Invitation to hold the EPHAR Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland, in July 2016 Dear Madams, Dear Sirs, The Swiss Society of Pharmacology & Toxicology would like to cordially invite the EPHAR 2016 congress to Lausanne, Switzerland. Switzerland is situated in the centre of Europe, and therefore easily accessible from all over the continent with its 3 international airports (Geneva, Zurich and Basle), high speed trains (TGV, Cisalpino, ICE) and its well connected road system. Switzerland is a country of innovative technology, excellent infrastructure, and picturesque countryside. This is illustrated by the flourishing pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland, as well as by the Sailing Project Alinghi that won twice the America s Cup. Switzerland and particularly the Lake Geneva region around Lausanne have an established reputation for organizing international events and scientific conventions. We propose the Swiss Tech Convention Centre in Lausanne, situated on the campus of the Federal School of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) as the Congress venue. This centre, which will be functional in 2013, will impress not only by its modern architecture, but also by its modulatory infrastructure, which will allow flexibility to match all the requirements for a congress in only a few minutes, from plenary sessions for up to 3000 participants, to parallel symposia of various sizes, to the transformation into a gala dinner venue for up to 1000 people. In addition, the region around Lausanne and Geneva is the site of many international organizations and corporations, the 2 nd most important economic region in Switzerland, and is also an attractive venue for tourism, cultural and recreational activities. The Swiss Society of Pharmacology & Toxicology was founded in 1978, and is the umbrella for four daughter societies, namely, the Swiss Society of Experimental Pharmacology (SSEP), the Swiss Society of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology (SSCPT), the Swiss Society of Toxicology (SST), and the Swiss Society of Pharmaceutical Medicine (SSPM). At present the society has close to 600 members, who are active in higher education at several Universities, including the ETH Zurich and the EPFL Lausanne, and in the many pharmaceutical companies in Switzerland. Pharmacological research is active in many areas including immunopharmacology, cancer pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology and neuropharmacology. Our industry members are involved in many highly innovative approaches such as systems pharmacology, target validation and drug development, bioinformatics, pharmacogenetics, and individualized drug treatment. The Swiss Society of Pharmacology & Toxicology would like to extend its contacts with the European Pharmacological communities and the other EPHAR member societies by encouraging and supporting the development and the integration of pharmacological sciences within Europe. In order to emphasise our contribution we are making this bid for the organization of the EPHAR 2016 meeting in Lausanne. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome colleagues from all over Europe to Lausanne in Prof. Michael Arand President, SSPT Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse Zurich, Switzerland arand@pharma.uzh.ch Prof. Olivier Staub Congress President Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology University of Lausanne Rue du Bugnon Lausanne, Switzerland Olivier.staub@unil.ch

4 2. WELCOME TO LAUSANNE! It is with great pleasure that we propose Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, as a candidate to host the European Congress on Pharmacology in After having studied the requirements for the Congress, we are convinced that Lausanne and its region have the capacity to provide all the facilities for this event, especially with the futuristic Swiss Tech Convention Centre, which will open its doors in The Lausanne authorities, the economic and tourist boards, with the full support of the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Vaud, can reassure the organizers that everything will be done to ensure the success of this event. Our city has considerable experience in organizing large conferences and international congresses. Lausanne is a human-sized city that offers all the infrastructure of an international metropolis. When completed, the Swiss Tech Convention Centre, with a capacity of 3 000, will be the most sophisticated, fully modulatory convention centre in Europe, thanks to its futuristic technology. Flexible conference rooms, exhibition halls, restaurants and a car park will make this centre the benchmark for congress centres in the future. High standards of security and political stability are part of the quality of life in Switzerland. The hotels in the city of Lausanne are located close to the congress centre and travel time by public transportation will be between 5 and 25 minutes. In Lausanne, you will find the charm, freedom and efficiency of a welcoming, technology, business, cultural and sport city.

5 3. ACCESS Lausanne is situated at the crossroads of major rail and road networks and there are three international airports within easy access by train. By plane The Geneva International Airport, which is located 45 minutes from Lausanne, offers direct flights to nearly 100 international destinations. It is designed for speedy and simple check in, and has essential services such as currency exchange, information and restaurants at strategic points. Moreover, it is a major hub for the low cost carrier Easyjet, offering cheap flights to over 50 destinations in Europe. BY TRAIN Lausanne railroad station is a hub of The Swiss National Railway system and offers very convenient and efficient links to all over Switzerland. Moreover it is linked to the European High Speed Trains systems: Paris in 03h40 by TGV Milan in 2h30 by Cisalpino Frankfort in 05h45 by ICE BY ROAD Lausanne is situated at a junction of the Swiss motorway system leading south to Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, north and east to Germany, Scandinavia and the Eastern European countries. IN THE CITY The whole city is served by a modern fully automated metro system, and by a comprehensive and reliable public transport network. Free public transport for all guests staying in a hotel (for entire length of stay)

6 4. LAUSANNE, THE RIGHT CHOICE The city of Lausanne overlooks Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Western Europe, and faces the majestic splendour of the snow-capped Alps. It boasts a backdrop of scenic beauty that is truly breathtaking. Sweeping views of the turquoise expanse of the lake and the pristine magnificence of the Alps can be seen from each street corner, square and every window. LAUSANNE, A HUMAN-SIZED CITY With a city population of 125,000 and 250,000 in the metropolitan area, including 80,000 international residents, Lausanne boasts business, cultural, sports and educational facilities that are truly remarkable for a city of its size. LAUSANNE, JUST AROUND THE CORNER Only 45 minutes from Geneva-Cointrin International Airport by rail or car, Lausanne is at the junction of major motorway and rail arteries. Every 30 minutes, trains depart for all of Switzerland s major cities and there are easy connections to more remote areas. Paris and Milan are less than 4 hours away by train, with train services from 3 to 8 times a day. LAUSANNE, A CITY OF TOURISM AND CONVENTIONS An efficient transport system, state-of-the-art facilities and a professional meeting infrastructure draw numerous seminars and conventions to Lausanne each year. LAUSANNE, A CITY OF EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY A favourite with students, Lausanne features numerous private schools and the country s largest university campus with the Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL) accommodating more than students. The Swiss EPFL is an outstanding centre of innovation and competence, devoted to the continuous promotion of joint-ventures with partners in industry, business and science. This tradition, among other things, enabled the creation of the first computer mouse and the development of improved methods to decipher DNA.

7 LAUSANNE, THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CROSSROAD This town, which is the provincial capital of the Canton of Vaud, also has a very rich history extending from Lousonna of the Roman era to Lausanne, the modern European city. Lausanne has always been an important city on the North-South route from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. Its citadel, dominated by the 13th century Gothic cathedral, was built in the Middle Ages. To this day, the old town remains a magnificent architectural and artistic heritage with its paved roads and period houses sporting their shop signs and housing craftsmen s workshops and cosy pubs. In the world of dance, Maurice Béjart, one of the greatest choreographers of our time, has established his company, the Béjart Ballet Lausanne, in the city. LAUSANNE, OLYMPIC CAPITAL The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Lausanne s history have been closely intertwined since the IOC settled in Lausanne in For its 100th anniversary in 1994, the IOC designated Lausanne the official Olympic Capital, a unique and prestigious title. In 1993, Lausanne inaugurated the Olympic Museum, a real window on the IOC s activities.

8 5. CURIOSITIES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES EXCURSIONS A large range of excursions are open to congress participants and their accompanying friends and family. Here are just a few examples: City tour of Lausanne, with excursion to the vineyards and/or visit to a museum. Chillon Castle and Montreux. Montreux and the Rochers-de-Naye. Gstaad with the Golden Pass Belle Epoque train. Jura, vallée de Joux, Gros-de-Vaud or Gruyères. Vaudoises Alps, such as Les Diablerets and its Glacier 3000, Leysin, Villars or Châteaud OEx. Valais Alps, for example Zermatt and the Matterhorn. Swiss cities, such as Bern, Geneva, Lucerne or Interlaken. France with Evian and its Casino, Chamonix or Annecy. Wine tasting in one of the numerous wineries in the Lavaux region, which has been listed recently in the World Heritage of the UNESCO. The Montreux Jazz Festival, the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe, is held in early July every year in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva

9 GALA EVENING A special gala evening can be organized during the congress, for example: Dinner-cruise on Lake Geneva (up to 900 people 2 boats) or a cocktail-cruise (up to 1,500 people on 1 boat). Gala evening at the exhibition area of the Olympic Museum with sports and the Olympic spirit as the main themes (banquet 250 pax, cocktail 800 pax). Evening in a medieval castle (up to 400 people). Typical Swiss folklore evening (up to 300 people). Casino-evening in Evian, France (up to 320 people). Classical concert at the Cathedral (up to 1,000 people). Gala dinner in Portes des Iris (banquet up to 450 pax, up to participants in the main building and under tents in the garden).

10 6. Accommodation Lausanne offers a wide choice of hotels situated in the centre of the city or by the lake. A walk from the hotel to the Swiss Tech Convention Centre may take as little as 5 minutes, and no more than 25 minutes. With its 60 hotels and a capacity of 3200 rooms / 5500 beds, the larger Lausanne region is able to offer comfortable and personalized accommodation. Our city also offers low cost accommodation for students (1000 beds). The novel Starling Hotel (4*) is close to the Convention Centre (5 minutes) and can accommodate the invited speakers, chairmen and executive committee members (150 rooms, see below). Together with the nearby cities of Vevey, Montreux and Geneva, there will be sufficient hotel rooms to accommodate up to participants for the EPHAR congress. HOTELS/ ACCOMMODATION IN LAUSANNE Capacity of Lausanne-city hotels Category Hotels Rooms Beds Rates 5* *+ sup * * Without* Total A further 1000 beds are available in low cost student accommodation from 25.

11 7. OTHER ACTIVITIES GASTRONOMY The Lake Geneva Region has developed a notable gastronomy tradition with more than 16 restaurants appearing in the two gourmet bibles (Michelin and GaultMillau). Philippe Rochat in Lausanne-Crissier and Bernard Ravet in Vufflens-le-Château are just two of these restaurants. Surrounded by lakes and mountains, the culinary specialties of Lausanne are very varied and range from regional dishes to international cuisine. For example, the Papet Vaudois is a local specialty of leeks, potatoes, cabbage and sausage. Restaurants feature different menus in harmony with the rhythm of seasons. There are numerous fish dishes the most famous one is the perch fillet with fish from the lake. SHOPPING Lausanne is a shopping paradise. There are shops to suit everyone, from the most luxurious boutiques and big department stores in the most popular street in town, rue de Bourg, to the traditional open-air markets which are set up in the old town every Wednesday and Saturday morning. LEISURE, FUN AND RELAXATION After a hard day at work, the city offers its guests a large variety of leisure activities. Relax and enjoy your stay in one of the various discotheques, nightclubs, jazz caves or cabarets.

12 8. SWISS TECH CONVENTION CENTRE The Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is to open Europe s first fully automated convention center in the spring of Located at the heart of Europe, just 60 km from Geneva, the Swiss Tech Convention Center with a total capacity of 3,000 will include a 2,200-seat conference room with an 800-seat balcony, as well as fifteen fully modular meeting rooms at ground level. There is also 2500 m 2 of exhibition area. Making the most of futuristic technology to easily combine flexibility and scalability for maximum event openness, this Centre will be the benchmark for congress centers in the future. The Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology. Its mission is threefold: education, research and technology transfer at the highest international level. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, EPFL, and the neighboring University of Lausanne (UNIL), bring together almost people on a single campus. Through its innovative organization, EPFL fosters encounters between students, academics, scientists and entrepreneurs. These daily encounters facilitate the emergence of novel scientific, technological and architectural projects. The Swiss Tech Convention Center is therefore a key place for future science conventions, for people who need to place themselves at the heart of innovation, at the heart of Europe, on a campus where ideas abound and research prospers.

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14 10. Congress Organization A local organizing committee will be selected by the host Society and approved by the EPHAR Executive Committee. All congress arrangements will be made in close collaboration with the EPHAR Executive Committee and an extended Scientific Advisory Committee. The Congress President will be Prof. Olivier Staub, University of Lausanne. The Congress will be planned for 4 days in July We intend to organize plenary lectures followed by 4 to 5 parallel symposia in the mornings. At lunchtime, there will be poster sessions and in the afternoons, free communications (selected from submitted abstracts). Each day there will be 3 poster prizes. The EPHAR member societies will be solicited for suggestions for the subjects for the symposia. Possible topics at EPHAR 2016 are cancer pharmacology, immunopharmacology, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology and clinical pharmacology, which are all active research interests among our members. Many SSPT members are involved in pharmacological research in academia or industry and are recognized experts in systems pharmacology, target validation and drug development, bioinformatics, pharmacogenetics and individualized drug treatment. A local Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) will be hired to deal with all the practical arrangements, including registration services, accommodation and organization of the social program.

15 EPHAR 2016 IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND Preliminary Budget in based on 1200 participants Renting of Conference Facilities 100'000 Full paying participants average registration fee Rental of technical equipment + technicians and poster boards Marketing - programme printings and mailings - Webpage - Badges - Bags (sponsored!) PCO services - registration - hostesses and volunteers - Hotel Booking, Credit Card Costs Scientific Program secretariat - Abstract Handling - Speakers (120), chair persons, LOC *) - 50 fellowships Opening Ceremony, Welcome Reception Coffee Breaks (8 breaks) Gala Dinner (Speakers, Chairmen, LOC) 150 x Members: 700 x 500 Non members: 350 x 600 PhD Students: 200 x 200 Accompanying persons: 200 x SUBTOTAL FOR 1200 PARTICIPANTS Sponsoring: Government, Pharmaceutical Industry Cultural Evening Subtotal VAT (7.8 %) Unforeseen (7 % of Budget) Profit TOTAL TOTAL *) Amount includes travel and hotel for invited speakers Registration Fee includes - Welcome Reception, Congress Material, Coffee/tea breaks, Cultural Evening Accompanying persons fee includes: - Welcome Reception, Cultural Evening, 2 excursions

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