SPRING CONFERENCE BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 9-11 MAY, 2013
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Contents
1. Conference host – Billiet & Co 3
2. About Billiet & Co 4
3. Brussels 5
4. Useful information 5
5. Accommodation – Le Meridien Brussels 7
6. How to get to the Hotel 8
7. Conference 8
8. Dinners & special events 8
8.1 Welcome dinner 8
8.2 Gala dinner & dance evening 9
8.3 Farewell dinner 9
8.4 Sightseeing 10
8.5 Spouse programme 11
8.6 Herman van Rompuy 11
9. Sport activities 12
9.1 Horseback riding 12
9.2 Tennis 12
9.3 Running tour in the city park 13
10. Agenda (provisional) & registration 14 2
1. Conference Host – Billiet & Co
The conference will be hosted by Billiet & Co, one of the first members of IPG.
Billiet & Co
Louizalaan/Avenue Louise 146 - 1050 Brussels www.billiet-co.be
tel.: +32 (0)2 643 33 01 fax: +32 (0)2 646 24 31 Contact for all Conference matters: [email protected]
ING account number 630 4214613 22, BIC CODE BBRUBEBB IBAN CODE BE06630421461322
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2. About Billiet & Co Creation of the firm
In 1989, Billiet & Co was founded by Johan Billiet who brought his expertise as bankruptcy liquidator, public prosecutor, alternative judge, high school professor, lawyer and arbitrator. The fundamental aim of the firm is to ensure clients benefit from business efficiency and high quality legal services.
Evolution
Our firm evolved from a niche firm into a full civil and commercial services firm. Since 1989, our team has developed a very strong reputation, particularly in Litigation and Company Law, but also in niche areas such as Distribution Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Our team continued to expand, and today we can offer the full range of civil and commercial legal services, including within the realm of European Law and International Law.
Today
Clients look to Billiet & Co for excellence, a creative and individual approach to solving problems, and a deep understanding of Belgian and European law.
Billiet & Co is a member of IPG. In this way we frequently assist clients in other jurisdictions in close collaboration with local experts.
Our office hosts the secretariat of leading Belgian law journals and hosts the seat of various business associations. It also hosts the Association for International Arbitration (www.arbitration-adr.org) and the European Arbitration Chamber (http://chea-taic.be). We assist clients in Dutch, French, German, English, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Moldovan, Turkish and have in-house sworn translators.
Various members of our team lecture at the Brussels VUB and HUB universities on Dispute Settlement in China, Investment Arbitration, Moot Arbitration, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation and Restructuring of Undertakings.
As collaborator to Legal Matchmakers International (www.legal-matchmakers.com) we are also frequently involved in collective redress initiatives and major asset recoveries.
More information on Billiet & Co can be found at: www.billiet-co.be. 4
3. Brussels
Brussels is quickly becoming a trendy spot for weekend getaways and holidays. Apart from its famous chocolates and beers there are many attractions. It is a centre of European culture, officially nicknamed ‘the European Village’, with over 90 museums, beautiful parks, fascinating walks, trendy restaurants and bars.
"Brussels is the perfect city for holidays with family and friends, or even with colleagues as a team-building event. There is a lot to learn about the history of the city, the architecture, the Belgian obsession with comic strips, and the art of chocolate and beer.”(A recent tourist).
Brussels is also becoming known as a mecca of style, art, and design. While attracting more and more big names in international fashion to its growing shopping districts, home-grown Belgian designers are rapidly gaining global fame. The streets of Brussels feature art and architecture created from an unmistakably Belgian point of view that cannot be replicated. This beautiful city is a centre for fashion, art, and Belgian culture.
Brussels has since World War II become the administrative centre of many international organizations. Notably the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) have their headquarters in the city, along with many other international organisations such as the World Customs Organization and EUROCONTROL as well as international corporations. Brussels ranks third in the number of international conferences it holds and hosts one of the largest convention centres in the world. The presence of the EU and the other international bodies has led to more ambassadors and journalists in Brussels than in Washington D.C. International schools have also been established to serve this presence. FYI, Brussels also hosts the highest concentration of spies worldwide.
4. Useful information
Transport: Brussels is located in the northern half of Belgium just above the main language border which separates the Flemish-speaking northern region and the French-speaking southern region of Belgium. The country is bordered by four countries: France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg and has a coast facing the North Sea across from the United Kingdom. Due to the country’s central location, Brussels transport infrastructure is highly developed and the city is easily reachable by air, train, bus, car and even ferry.
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The Brussels International Airport is at Zaventem, 14 km from the city centre. How to reach the city-centre from Zaventem Airport:
STIB Airport line, a bus between the city Centre and Brussels National Airport B 12 (express bus) Centre to Airport: rue Ducale, Luxembourg, Rond Point Schuman, Evere, Airport. First departure: 5 a.m. ; last departure: 12 p.m. ; every 30 minutes Trains also connect the city and the airport. All trains stop at the North Station, Central Station and South Station.
Brussels South Airport (Charleroi), situated to the south of Brussels, approximately 60 km away. Brussels-South Charleroi airport mainly hosts low-cost airlines. How to get to the centre of Brussels:
By bus, a bus links Charleroi Brussels-South and the Gare du Midi railway station in Brussels more than 20 times a day. The timetables are organised to coincide with Ryanair airline flights. Brussels to Charleroi: The shuttle departure point is situated at the junction of rue de France and rue de l'Instruction (follow "Thalys" exit at the Gare du Midi station). Charleroi to Brussels: shuttle departs 30 minutes after the Ryanair airline flight arrives at the airport. One-way ticket fare: 13.00 € (tickets are sold inside the shuttle) By train, a bus route (route A) permanently links the Charleroi Brussels-South airport with Charleroi railway station. You can then take the train very easily to Brussels. (Combined ticket 10.00 €) By taxi, the set price linking Brussels to Charleroi airport is 85.00 € By rental car (Hertz), it takes around 45 minutes to drive from the airport to the centre of Brussels by car via the A54.
A high quality public transport infrastructure supports the basis of transportation in Brussels and ensures that people can travel quickly, safely and affordably all over the city without needing to drive a car or pay for expensive parking. Inner-city transport uses the same ticketing system so you can use the same ticket for bus, metro or tram or a combination. All together public transport is made up of metro lines, train lines, buses and trams.
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Currency: the legal currency in Belgium is the Euro (international abbreviation: EUR). There is also an extensive network of cash machines or ATMs. The exchange rate will depend on the bank. Credit cards can be used for any payments practically everywhere in Belgium. Popular cards include Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, and Maestro.
5. Accommodation – Le Meridien Brussels
Le Meridien Brussels is a tribute to Belgium's rich and gloried history. Located just opposite of Brussels-Central Station, a few steps away from Grand Palace and the "Square", Le Meridien Brussels is ideally situated for all kinds of travellers.
Brussels-Central Station is an important point of transportation in the Brussels-Capital Region. It is the busiest railway station in Belgium and one of three principal railway stations in Brussels, but handles primarily domestic traffic.
First completed in 1952 after protracted delays caused by economic difficulties and war, it is the newest of Brussels main rail hubs.
Le Meridien Brussels, Carrefour de l'Europe 3, 1000, Brussels
T +32 2 548 4211 www.lemeridienbrussels.com
Distance from the hotel to:
Brussels Airport, Zaventem - 14 km Station Brussels Central - 140 m Grand Place - 450 m Royal Palace- 800 m
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6. How to get to the Hotel
The simplest solution is to take a taxi or a train to the Brussels-Central Station (Fr. Gare de Bruxelles Central; Nl. Station Brussel-Centraal) – for details see point 4 above.
7. Conference, May 9 - 11
The conference will take place at the Hotel.
8 Dinners & special events
8.1 Informal welcome dinner (buffet), May 9, Thursday
Welcome dinner will take place in L’épisserie room in the hotel.
The dinner starts at 8 pm and lasts until 10 pm.
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8.2 Gala dinner & dance evening (7 pm – 1 am), May 10, Friday
The Gala dinner & dance evening will be celebrated at the elegant Vaudeville Theatre, a legendary place in Brussels life and its collective memory. It was inaugurated in 1884 and is now listed as a historic monument. A recent face-lift has returned it to its former glory.
This theatre is a very flexible venue combining elegant 19th century style with all the advantages of modern technology. A system allowing the seats to be stored under the stage makes it possible to take full advantage of the theatre stalls for a seated dinner. During the Gala dinner & dance evening a music band will entertain the guests.
8.3 Farewell Dinner, May 11, Saturday
The farewell dinner will take place on the top floor of the Sheraton, a 10 min walk from the hotel. 9
8.4 Sightseeing, May 11, Saturday
The Grand Place served as a market until November 19, 1959, and it is still called the Great Market or Grote Markt in Dutch. Neighbouring streets still reflect the area's origins, named after the sellers of butter, cheese, herring, coal and so on. The Grand Place was named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1998. One of the houses was owned by the brewers' guild, and is now the home of a brewers' museum.
Every two years in August, an enormous "flower carpet" is set up in the Grand Place for a few days. A million colourful begonias are set up in patterns, and the display covers a full 24 by 77 metres (79 by 253 ft.), for area total of 1,800 square metres (19,000 sq. ft.). The first flower carpet was made in 1971, and due to its popularity, the tradition continued, with the flower carpet attracting a large number of tourists.
The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians in the centre of the nation's capital Brussels. However it is not used as a royal residence, as the king and his family live in the Royal Castle of Laeken on the outskirts of Brussels. The palace is situated in front of Brussels Park.
A long square called the Paleizenplein/Place des Palais separates the palace from the park. The middle axis of the park marks both the middle peristyle of the palace and the middle of the facing building on the other side of the park, which is the Palace of the Nation (the Belgian Federal Parliament building). The two facing buildings are said to symbolize Belgium's system of government: a constitutional monarchy.
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8.5 Spouse programme
The spouse program includes walking tours, shopping & visiting.
8.6 Herman van Rompuy, May 10, Friday
Herman van Rompuy is the first full-time President of the European Council, aka the first “President of Europe”.
As a Belgian politician of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party, Van Rompuy served as the 49th prime minister of Belgium from 30 December 2008 until his predecessor (Yves Leterme) succeeded him on 25 November 2009.
On 19 November 2009 Van Rompuy was elected by the members of the European Council as the first full-time President of the European Council under the Treaty of Lisbon.
He was appointed to chair the institution for the period starting from 1 December 2009 until 31 May 2012, though he only took up his position officially on 1 January 2010.
On 1 March 2012 Herman Van Rompuy was re-elected by the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states. His second (and last) term is set to last two and a half years, from 1 June 2012 to 30 November 2014.
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9. Sport activities
9.1 Horseback riding, May 9, Thursday
We would like to invite the participants to a horseback riding event (optional).
Located near Dinant, 2km from the Lesse, the circle Equestrian Belle Vue offers superb guided horseback rides.
We will walk along and cross the river “Lesse” through the fields and woods.
9.2 Tennis, May 9, Thursday
We would also like to invite you to play tennis in Brussels (optional).
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9.3 Running tour in the city park, May 11, Saturday
We would like to invite you to a running tour in the Brussels City Park. (Departure from the registration desk in the hotel at 07:00).
The park was created between 1776 and 1783 on the site of the gardens of the former Coudenberg palace. The park was designed in a neoclassicist, geometric style by Gilles-Barnabé Guimard and Joachim Zinner.
Its main entrance is on the north side, opposite the Belgian House of Parliament. An avenue leads to the main pond, from which three other avenues offer views of three important places in Brussels: the Palace of Justice, the Royal Palace and the Place du Trône (Troonplein).
The park is surrounded by a double row of lime trees and a monumental fence designed by Tilman-François Suys.
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10. Agenda (provisional) & Registration
1. REGISTRATION FORM
IMPORTANT: Registration is only valid and complete if the subscribed delegate packages have been fully paid for prior to 1st March 2013.
Please return this registration form to Philippe BILLIET [email protected] or fax it to +32 2 646 24 31)
Delegate package (EUR 985) for the following person:
Name:
Surname:
Function:
Firm:
Address:
Email:
Signature:
Optional (not included in package):
o Yes I would like to join (at my own expense) the Horseback riding trip on Thursday 9th May 2013 (optional - limited number of places); OR
o Yes I would like to join (at my own expense) the tennis tournament on Thursday 9th May 2013 (optional - limited number of places)
Spouse package (EUR 450) for the following person:
Name:
Surname:
Partner of:
Address:
Email:
Signature:
Optional (not included in package):
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o Yes I would like to join (at my own expense) the Horseback riding trip on Thursday 9th May 2013 (optional - limited number of places); OR
o Yes I would like to join (at my own expense) the tennis tournament on Thursday 9th May 2013 (optional - limited number of places)
2. DELEGATE PACKAGE
Only full payment of the delegate package fee as per below results in a valid registration.
The delegate package fee amounts to EUR 985 per person and includes the standard hotel accommodation, meetings, breaks, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, leisure events, seminars and the gala event as indicated in the agenda below.
IMPORTANT: Due to hotel and other arrangements it is not possible to derogate from the delegate package fee when registering. However, additional nights can be arranged before and after the conference – please ask if this is of interest.
This net package fee must be transferred prior to 1st March 2013 on the following third party account of Billiet&Co, with reference “First name - Surname - Name of firm”: ING account number; 630 4214613 22, BIC CODE BBRUBEBB and IBAN CODE BE06 6304 2146 1322.
Specific requirements (e.g. allergies, vegetarian, diabetic, etc.) should be communicated to [email protected] prior to 1st March 2013.
3. SPOUSE PACKAGE
Only full payment of the spouse package fee as per below results in a valid registration.
The spouse package fee amounts to EUR 450 per person and includes the standard hotel accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, leisure events and the gala event as indicated in the agenda below.
IMPORTANT: Due to hotel and other arrangements it is not possible to derogate from the spouse package fee when registering. However, additional nights can be arranged before and after the conference – please ask if this is of interest.
This net package fee must be transferred prior to 1st March 2013 on the following third party account of Billiet&Co, with reference “First name - Surname - Name of partner”: ING account number 630 4214613 22, BIC CODE BBRUBEBB and IBAN CODE BE06 6304 2146 1322.
Specific requirements (e.g. allergies, vegetarian, etc.) should be communicated to [email protected] prior to 1st March 2013.
Thursday 9th May 2013: Arrival and sports events
Registration: - IPG registration desk at hotel entrance (3 pm – 8 pm) - Hotel check-in possible as of 3 pm
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Sports event: - Tennis/ horseback riding (optional – price not included in package) - Meeting at 11 am at registration desk - Price per person estimated at EUR 50 (not included in package fee)
IPG director meetings (4pm – 7.30pm): - Location: Tilleul room
Informal dinner (buffet): - 8 pm – 10 pm - Location: L’épisserie room
[Spouse program: Same as delegate pack]
Friday 10th May 2013: Full day meetings
Networking breakfast (buffet): - 8 am – 9.30 am - Delegates location: Camomille room - Spouses location: guest breakfast room
Late registrations: - IPG registration desk at entrance - 9.00 am – 9.30 am
Morning presentations: - Location: Romarin room - 9.30 am – 12.00 pm Opening speech by the Chairman of IPG (9.30 am – 9.45 am) Presentation of the hosting law firm Billiet&Co (9.45 am – 10.00 am) Speech of the European President - Herman van Rompuy (10 am – 10.30 am) Coffee break (30 min) Joint presentation on “what lawyers, accountants & tax specialists should know about Belgium” (Billiet&Co and guest presenters) (11.00 am – 12.00 am)
Lunch: - Location: Sambal room
Afternoon programme (1.30 pm – 5.30 pm)
A) Presentation of new candidates (1.30 pm – 2.00 pm) o Location: Romarin room
B) Presentation A in the Sésame room , presentation B in the Romarin room (2.00 pm – 3.00 pm)
C) Coffee break (3.00pm to 3.30pm)
D) Presentation A in the Sésame room , presentation B in the Romarin room (3.30 pm – 4.30 pm) – delegates are to swap between presentations after the coffee break
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E) Speed networking session (4.30 pm – 5.30pm) o Location: Romarin room o Complementary drinks and refreshments provided
Gala dinner & dance evening (7 pm – 1 am) – celebration of 25 years IPG - Meeting at hotel reception (7 pm) - Formal dress code (suits for gentlemen) - 10 minutes walk to venue
[Spouse program: walking tours, shopping & visits]
Saturday 11th May 2013: Half-day AGM + Half-day leisure
Sports (7.00 am – 8.00 am): - Running tour in city park o Meeting at hotel reception (7 am) o 5 minutes walk to venue
Breakfast (8 am –10 am) - Location within the hotel to be confirmed
Annual General Meeting - AGM (10 am – 12 noon) - Location within the hotel to be confirmed
Lunch (1 pm – 2.30 pm) - Location within the hotel to be confirmed
Afternoon programme (2.30 pm – 5.30 pm) - Guided tours through city centre - Meeting point: hotel entrance (2.30 pm)
Evening dinner (7 pm – 1 am) - Meeting at hotel reception (7 pm) - Smart casual - 10 minutes walk to SHERATON hotel
[Spouse program: walking tours, shopping & visits]
Sunday 12th May 2013: Departure day
- Check out up until 12 pm
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USEFUL INFORMATION:
Permanent contact person of the host: Philippe Billiet Mobile: 0032486319579 Email: [email protected]
There will be a permanent IPG office room at the venue (with printer, copier, etc)
Wifi connection is included in the day seminars. In the hotel room, 30 minutes free wifi connection is available per day. Additional wifi connection in hotel room can be obtained for EUR 5 per 24h or EUR 15 per 24h for an upgraded connection.
Consumptions outside the above package will be added on the individual hotel bill and must be paid at the latest when checking out.
Additional bookings are possible and should be communicated to the permanent contact person prior to 1st March 2013. The host will communicate the additional bookings to the hotel. Additional bookings are not included in the IPG package and are to be paid by the participant directly to the hotel during the course of the event. Prices for additional bookings:
6 May 2013: 219 EUR / single room 239 EUR / twin room 7May 2013: 219 EUR / single room 239 EUR / twin room 8 May 2013: 219 EUR / single room 239 EUR / twin room 12 May2013: 139 EUR / single room 159 EUR / twin room
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