INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION | INFORMATION PACK

VISA REQUIREMENTS ACCOMMODATION

PESGB Conferences Ltd is not able PESGB have appointed Event Express as the Official Accommodation Agency to provide to provide any specific VISA advice discounted hotel accommodation exclusively for exhibitors and attendees of the Africa to our delegates, but below we Conference. If you’re unsure of your requirements at this stage, Event Express offer flexible have given recommendations of the cancellation policies which allow you to make amendments and cancellations at no charge websites to visit for the information until closer to the event date. However, we do advise that you book now and amend later in you require. order to guarantee your preferred hotel.

VISAS FOR DELEGATES The Event Express service is completely free to use with no hidden charges and no booking FROM THE EU or transaction fees, and the friendly reservations team will liaise with the hotels directly on This section will be updated regularly your behalf. For more information, please contact Event Express directly via the email or to reflect changes dependent on telephone number listed below, or alternatively refer to the accommodation weblink to book the outcome of Brexit negotiations. your accommodation online. We recommend that you visit www. gov.uk/check-uk-visa for up to date +44 (0) 1905 732 737 information and to find out if you [email protected] require a visa and which one is most http://www.eventexpressuk.co.uk/africa-conference-2019/ appropriate for you. Additional hotels and information is available at: https://olympia.london/visiting/ VISAS FOR DELEGATES accommodation FROM OUTSIDE OF THE E U FLIGHTS & SECURITY CHECKS The visa application process can take up to 3 months, so we The closest to Olympia are London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London City encourage attendees to apply for and . visas as early as possible, if you from outside the European Economic When departing the UK after the conference London , Area (EEA) or Switzerland. To check and London Stansted Airport ask passengers to check in three hours before departure for if you require a VISA, please visit international flights. At London , it is four hours. Please be aware that London https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa airports are very busy and therefore baggage inspections and passport control may take more time than usual, depending on the volume of passengers at a given time. Please check If you require a VISA to visit the UK your airline’s baggage policies regarding contents and size/weight limits. Ensure that your for Africa E&P Conference 2019, hand-carry baggage does not include hazardous materials or liquid containers with more please visit: https://www.gov.uk/ than 100ml. visit-uk-business-trip The website will take you step- It is best to check the details for the airport you are flying from to the UK for their individual by-step through the application advice regarding travel. process and provide further details, dependent on the country from TRANSPORT TO OLYMPIA LONDON where you are applying. Step 1: Check which VISA you Olympia London is easy to reach from all the airports, which serve London. It is often quicker require at and easier to use public transport to reach the venue. Step 2: Apply for your VISA Step 3: Check what you can bring Almost all of London public transport is can be paid for by using an (https:// with you oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do ) or a contactless payment cards, typically the Visa, Step 4: Check what you need to MasterCard or American Express cards you use for everyday expenditure. Trains and tube show at the UK Border and make journeys can be purchased as paper tickets, but it is often cheaper and easier to pay with a sure you bring it with you. contactless card or oyster card.

The earliest you can apply is 3 LONDON HEATHROW (9.6 MILES) months before you travel. You Use the at Heathrow and travel directly to Baron’s Court Station. Olympia should get a decision on your visa London is then only a 5-minute bus ride, or 9-minute walk away. (Journey is 45 – 55 minutes within 3 weeks, although please long dependent on ) note there is no guarantee. You can check how long your VISA CITY AIRPORT (12.5 MILES) Processing might take at: https:// Take the (DLR) to Bank. Change onto the Central line for Shep- www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times. herd’s Bush and take the Overground one stop to (Olympia). (Around 1 hour) Please note some VISA application centers offer fast-track services, for LONDON GATWICK (23.5 MILES) an additional cost. Simply jump on the train from London Gatwick to Clapham Junction. Then change onto the Overground, direct to Kensington (Olympia) Overground Station. (Around 45 minutes) Please note PESGB Conferences You can also use easyBus to travel to/from Gatwick Airport. The easyBus picks up and drops Ltd. are only able to provide VISA off around the corner from Station, and Kensington (Olympia) is one stop Invitation Letters, once you have away on . (Not included on Oyster Card/Contactless Card) paid in full for your conference ticket or, if you have received a BLACK CABS/TAXIS complimentary ticket, when we Olympia London recommended Chauffeur Services are: have formally registered you for the Abbey 020 8969 2777 conference. Browns 020 8589 9993 Don Williams 020 8766 8811 We kindly remind you that your VISA Hurlingham Cars 020 7381 1111 is valid only for the inclusive dates Maxwell Cars 020 8748 3000 approved by the embassy. You are required to leave the UK before your Please note due to traffic in London, your journey will likely be longer should you choose to visa expires. travel by taxi and the costs of your journey may increase as a result of being delayed in traffic. For conference-related matters call +44 (0)20 7408 2000 and ask for:

Stephanie Best Event Officer

Bethany Parkinson-Hunt Event Manager

Or email [email protected]

VISITING LONDON

London is filled with history and culture, with numerous famous places and attractions. We would encourage all delegates to visit these during their free hours outside of the event and are looking to arrange some small group visits to the local museums and destinations. Olympia London is located just 20 minutes away by tube from the centre of London, allowing you to easily travel to view sites such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Guides to the local area surrounding Olympia London can be found at https://olympia.london/ visiting/local-area/guides

CURRENCY & MONEY EXCHANGE WEATHER

The official currency of the is the pound sterling, known as the pound. Major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, etc) can be changed at the currency exchange offices October is a fairly cool time to visit London, UK, when the at your airport or at Currency Exchanges across London. autumn season is well underway. During this month, the average However, it is recommended you change your currency prior temperature is 12°C. It is recommended that you prepare for cool to travelling. weather as well rain showers. You can check the forecast before you travel at https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/0/w14

ELECTRICITY & PLUGS

In the power plugs and sockets are of type G (which EMERGENCY NUMBERS IN UK is commonly referred to as a 13 amp plug or 3 pin plug). The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in England, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as Ambulance: 999 is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). Although you may be able to purchase plug converters at The National Health Service (NHS) is the main healthcare provider the airport, it is recommended you purchase them prior to in the UK. travelling to the UK. Overseas nationals are not eligible for free NHS treatment, except if they need emergency treatment while in the UK. If you’re visiting LONDON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM from Europe, you need to carry a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) in case you need immediate and necessary is a local government body responsible medical treatment in an NHS hospital. Without this, you can be for the transport system in Greater London, England. London charged for treatment. You are strongly advised to take out travel has a large transport network with multiple options for travel. insurance to cover any medical expenses. You are advised to check: https://www.visitlondon.com/ traveller-information/getting-around-london/london-transport Fire: 999 for further details. Police: Call 112 or 999 for an emergency. To report non-urgent crime, call the police on 101 from within the UK. PHONING Gas emergency: 0800 111 999 International phone dialing country code for the UK is: 0044