LANGUAGE

English is the official language of the Congress.

CONGRESS DOCUMENT AND NAME BADGES

The congress documents must be collected on-line and on-site at the registration desk on the Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Taichung. Please wear your name badges at all times in the congress and in the exhibition area for security reason.

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

A certificate of attendance will be included in the Congress Packet at reception on your arrival.

INVITATION LETTER

Upon request, the Congress Secretariat will be happy to issue an official letter of invitation to the Congress. This official letter of invitation is intended to help participants in raising travel funds, obtaining visas or permission from their institutions to attend the Congress and it does not include or imply any payment by APAGE 2009 Organizing Committee for any related expenses such as registration fee, travel or hotel accommodation.

PASSPORT AND VISA

All foreign visitors entering Taiwan must have a passport which is valid for at least 6 months. The Taiwan government allows 38 different nationalities such as North America, Europe, Oceania, and some Asian countries to enter the country for 30 days without applying for a visa. If visa is required, please apply to the Taiwan consulate or diplomatic mission office in the relevant countries. Participants are advised to contact their local travel agents or air carriers for details.

INSURANCE

Participants are advised to make their own arrangement with respect to health and travel insurance.

PROGRAM CHANGE

The Organizer can not assume any liability for any changes in the program due to the external or unforeseen circumstances.

TRAVELER'S CHEQUE AND CREDIT CARD

Major credit cards, such as VISA, Master Card and American Express are acceptable in most hotels and shops. Traveler's cheques can be conveniently cashed at all commercial banks and authorized money exchanges.

CURRENCY

Only Taiwan Dollar (NTD) is acceptable at stores and restaurants. Foreign currency exchange services are available at major banks and hotels. Banking hours are from 9:00 - 15:30 hours from Monday to Friday. The exchange rate of 1 US dollar is around 33 Taiwan dollars.

TRANSPORTATION

From Taoyuan International Airport to Taichung City, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by car and 40 minutes by THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail). If one arrives in Taichung RMQ international airport directly, it takes about 30 minutes from this airport to the congress venue. At each location, there are choices of different transportation services: taxi, private car, van and public buses. The hotel also offers pick-up service from the airport.

ELECTRICITY

Voltage in Taiwan is 110V AC using two-pin flat sockets.

TEMPERATURE

During October the temperature averages 30-32 ^oC in the daytime and 25-28 ^oC at the night time.

TIME DIFFERENCE

Taiwan time is GMT plus 8 hours.

COMMERCIAL EXHIBITION

During the Congress, the Organizing Committee wishes to present an attractive exhibition of pharmaceutical products and medical equipment to the Congress participants. Coffee, tea and other refreshments will be available within the exhibition and poster area.

SAFETY & HEALTH

Although no responsibility can be assumed by the Symposium for a participant's personal accidents, sickness, and property damages, we, as host of the symposium, shall ensure that all participants have a safe stay in Taiwan and shall do our utmost to assist should any unexpected situations arises.

Community Safety

We are proud of the low crime rate in Taiwan; however, it is our responsibility to remind you that burglary, pick-pockets, and robbery are not unknown. It is wise to be cautious during your stay in Taiwan, especially when you are in crowded areas or alone in remote quiet places. Keeping photocopies of your passport, identification documents and credit cards could be useful. You should exercise caution when crossing streets as some drivers might not respect your right of way.

Drinking Water

Although Taipei Water Department claims that tap water is drinkable, drinking unboiled tap water is not recommended. Most hotels provide brand-name bottled water and boiled drinking water. Bottled water is available at most convenience stores and supermarkets.

Emergencies

In case of emergency, call 110 for Police; 119 for Ambulance. No coins are required in using public telephones for these two numbers.

PUBLIC TELEPHONE SERVICES

Public telephones are either coin-operated or card-operated. All local and domestic long-distance calls are timed. The basic charge for a local call is NT$1. Telephone cards can be purchased in most convenience stores. International Direct Dial (IDD) calls can be made by dialing the international access code 002 + country code + area code (without the preceding "0") + local number. For local calls, dial the 8-digit numbers for calls inside the city. For outside the city, you need to dial the area code first. Taipei area code is "02" and Taichung area code is"04". International collect call and credit-card call can be made through dedicated telephones located at international airports and major hotels. You can also use the AT&T Direct service number 0080-1102-880, MCI service number 0080-1134-567 or Sprint service number 0080-1140-877 if you have an account with them. For English-speaking directory assistance in Taipei, call 106. Copy and fax facilities are available in most convenience stores, major post offices and tourist hotels.

SHOPPING & VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS

The 5 % sales tax is included in the sale price. Bargaining is common in traditional stores and night markets, but not in departmental stores. Foreigners, who on the same day and from the same authorized TRS (Tax-Refund Shopping)-labeled store purchased more than NT$3,000 (VAT inclusive) of goods are eligible for VAT refund. On your departure, the goods must be within thirty days from the date of purchase, and you may claim for refund. Please proceed to the "Foreign Passenger VAT Refund Service Counter" of the Customs Service located in the airport and present the Application Form for VAT Refund, the passport (travel document or entry/exit permit), the goods to be carried out of the country and the original copy of the "uniform invoice" to the Customs officers for verification and approval.

After verification, the Customs officer will issue the "VAT Refund Assessment Certificate". Present the "VAT Refund Assessment Certificate" to the designated bank located in the airport to receive the payment of the VAT refund. For more details, please refer to the following web site address http://www.ntat.gov.tw/english/03information.htm, or you may call the tourist bureau at (02)2717-3737 or 0800-011765 or the CKS service center at (03)383-4631 for more information.

TIP

In general, no tips are expected in Taiwan! You do not have to tip waiters and taxi drivers. However, in some international hotels, tipping hotel porters and maids will be appreciated. In some restaurants a 10% service charge is automatically included.

TELEPHONES OF AIRLINES
http://www.taoyuanairport.gov.tw/english/index.jsp

TELEPHONES OF AIRLINES IN TAICHUNG AIRPORT (RQM)
http://www.tca.gov.tw/english/introduction.htm

Flight schedules: Taichung <<->> Hong Kong (RQM)

FOREIGN CONSULATES IN TAIWAN

SPONSORED ORGANIZATIONS:

TUGA: Taiwan Urogynecology Association
http://www.tuga.org.tw

TAGO: Taiwan Association of Gynecologic Oncologists
http://www.tago.org.tw

TSRM: Taiwan Society for Reproductive Medicine
http://www.tsrm.org.tw

CSCSM: Chinese Society of Cosmetic Surgery And Anti-Aging Medicine
http://www.cscsm.org.tw

Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital
http://www.cbshow.org.tw/changbin

Asian Institute of Telesurgery (IRCAD TAIWAN Training Center)
http://aits.tw/Default.aspx

ORGANIZED BY

CMUH: China Medical University Hospital
http://www.cmuh.org.tw

TAMIG: Taiwan Association for Minimally Invasive Gynecology
http://www.tamig.org

APAGE SECRETARIAT OFFICE

Department of Ob/Gyn, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital
5 Fu-Hsing Street, Kuei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan 33305
Phone: (886)-3-3960356
Fax: (886)-3-3286700
Email: mit.apage@gmail.com
Website: http://www.apagemit.com

CONGRESS SECRETARIAT

Department of Ob/Gyn, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital
5 Fu-Hsing Street, Kuei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan 33305
Secretary: Catherine Tang
Phone: (886)-3-3960356 Fax: (886)-3-3286700
Email: apage2009taiwan@gmail.com
Congress Website: http://www.tamig.org/apage2009