WORLD TRADE CENTERS ASSOCIATION
WTCA 39th General Assembly
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
November 7-10, 2008

The following information will assist you in preparing the World Trade Centers Association 39th General Assembly. We are making every effort to ensure that your stay in Dubai is a beneficial and memorable experience.

HRG North America of Stamford, Connecticut, USA has been selected by the World Trade Centers Association as the official travel management company for the program, and will be handling all travel arrangements and on-site coordination on its behalf. Their hours of operation are 08:30 to 17:30 Monday through Friday EDT.

AIRLINE FLIGHT CONFIRMATION
Prior to departure, you should reconfirm your round-trip flight reservations with your originating carrier. Since airline schedules are subject to periodic change, we suggest you leave your home phone number with the airline when reconfirming, enabling you to be contacted quickly in the event of any change of flight numbers or times.

AIRLINE TRANSPORTATION
After reservations have been ticketed, any changes or cancellations will probably result in penalties and/or fare increases. If you have made your reservations through HRG North America and if you must change your flights, please call the Group Department at HRG North America at: (800) 635-8100 in the United States or (203) 965-0310 outside the United States, or email us at wtca.us@hrgworldwide.com. Any unused tickets should be returned for credit to: HRG North America, 30 Spring Street, Stamford, CT 06901 USA, Attn: Events and Meetings Management.

Airport Check-In: Security has increased at most airports worldwide. Passengers are advised to allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in and security. For further information, contact HRG North America. Please have the ticket agent check your luggage through to your destination, Dubai International Airport. Your luggage claim ticket should indicate the airport code for your FINAL destination "DBX".

Travel Documentation: Only ticketed passengers will be allowed past airport security into the gate area. Passengers must show a valid photo ID and one of these documents: an electronic ticket receipt, a print out of your HRG North America generated itinerary or a paper ticket. International travelers need to have their passport, and visa if applicable. Policies vary between airlines and specific airports. If you have any questions about the requirements, check with HRG North America.

Luggage Restrictions: To ensure the safety and security of passengers as well as to expedite the airport check-in process, the Transportation Security Administration has prepared a list of items banned from the aircraft in both carry-on and checked baggage. Please be advised that lighters have been added to the list of these banned items. For more information, visit www.tsa.gov.

Carry-On Baggage Restrictions: Passengers should expect a higher level of security and enforcement of carry-on luggage policies. One carry-on bag and one personal article, such as a purse or briefcase are allowed on board the aircraft. Airline regulations do not permit carry-on luggage that cannot be placed beneath the passenger's seat or in the overhead compartment. Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag. At the checkpoint, travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

Checked Baggage: For most carriers, maximum weight of checked baggage is limited to two pieces, 50 - 70 lbs. (23-32 kilos) each, plus one carryon bag as described above. If you feel you may exceed this allowance, please contact HRG North America for specific policies and fees. Airlines are strictly enforcing their policies.

Baggage Claim Restrictions: Hold onto your baggage claim check. Individual airports may elect to provide more security in the baggage claim area.

IF YOU MISS YOUR FLIGHT
To avoid inconvenience, we strongly suggest you be at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled flight time. If you arrive too late to make your flight, go to the appropriate ticket counter for rescheduling. Or, if you made your flight reservations through HRG North America, call HRG North America immediately during regular work hours at (800) 635-8100 or (203) 965-0310 or after 17:30 Eastern Time at 1-800-345-8070 for prompt information and assistance. Should you reschedule directly with the airline, HRG North America should be advised of your new flight schedule. If you miss or change your flight, you may be charged a fee for changing or rescheduling. Any penalties or surcharges under these circumstances are at your personal expense.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP
To visit Dubai your passport must have at least six months validity from your date of arrival. Officially, you will be denied entry if your passport shows any evidence of travel to Israel, and Israeli passport holders are not permitted to enter.

Visit visas valid for 60 days are available on arrival in the UAE at approved ports of entry, including all airports and ports, for citizens of most developed countries. These include all Western European countries (except Malta and Cyprus), Australia, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America. Tourist visas are valid for 60 days despite the fact that the stamp on your passport, which is in Arabic, says it is valid for 30 days. No fee is charged for tourist visas.

Citizens of the other Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) countries do not need visas to enter the UAE, and can stay as long as they need. For citizens of other countries, a transit or tourist visa must be arranged through a sponsor.

For more information: click here

BAGGAGE TAGS
All airlines require a form of identification on luggage. Please print your name and address clearly on baggage tags provided in your ticket packet and secure them on each piece of your luggage, both carryon and checked. These baggage tags are necessary for airport and hotel identification. We also suggest that you include identification inside your luggage in case exterior tags become detached. If you should need additional or replacement tags during your stay, see your HRG North America representative at the World Trade Centers Association Hospitality Desk.

Should you arrive in Dubai and discover that your luggage has been lost by the airline, FILE A LOST CLAIM IMMEDIATELY with the carrier. Notify the HRG North America staff once you have arrived at the hotel. An HRG North America representative will make every effort to recover it within the limits of the carrier's normal liability.

VALUABLES
We suggest you carry all travel documents, identification and medicines on board the aircraft with you for your safety and accessibility. Do not pack them in your luggage, which will be placed in the aircraft cargo area.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the baggage claim area and secure your luggage. Transportation between the airport and the hotel has been arranged according to your flight schedule. A representative from HRG North America and MTC Transportation Company will be at the airport to assist you with your transfer to the hotel. If you are unable to locate either representative, contact the World Trade Centers Association Hospitality Desk at the hotel + 971 4 3345000.

Please Note: Ground Transportation for you will be provided between
Dubai International Airport and the hotel on the designated WTCA 39th General Assembly arrival day in November 2008, as well as for all WTCA-planned events. If your travel plans are different from these, you are responsible for making/paying for your ground transportation arrangements.

CHECK-IN
Upon arrival at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City or the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai Festival City proceed to the front desk for check-in. You will be required to present a major credit card to cover your incidental charges i.e., mini bar, in-room movies, phone calls and room service. All major credit cards are accepted in the hotel. Personal cheques are not accepted. After check-in, please visit the World Trade Centers Association Hospitality Desk to pick up your information packet and to confirm your schedule of events.

Official check-in time at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai Festival City is 1400. Should you arrive at the hotel prior to these times, your room may not be ready. However, the bellmen can store your luggage while you enjoy lunch or explore your new surroundings.

PERSONAL EXPENSES
Incidental charges incurred at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Crown Plaza Hotel Dubai Festival City will be at your own personal expense. Please be sure to settle your incidental account with the hotel cashier upon check-out. The hotel will accept traveler's checks and major credit cards for payment.

TRAVEL STAFF / HOSPITALITY DESK
World Trade Centers Association and HRG North America representatives will be on hand to assist you at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. They will be available at the World Trade Centers Association Hospitality Desk throughout your entire stay. Please check with the desk upon arrival and occasionally during your stay to note times, function rooms, bulletins and any special announcements regarding the program agenda. The location of the Hospitality Desk will be announced closer to the program dates.

NAME BADGES
Name badges will be distributed upon arrival at the hotel. Please wear your name badge to all group activities so that your fellow delegates, as well as hotel and travel staff, may easily identify you as a member of the World Trade Centers Association General Assembly Meeting.

DRESS CODE
Standard business attire for the World Trade Centers meetings and sessions is recommended. Casual clothing and comfortable shoes are suggested for the Spouse/Guest Programs. Summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but something slightly warmer clothing may be needed during winter evenings (or air conditioned areas). During the day, protect yourself from sun with hats, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

Please Note: Even though Dubai has a liberal attitude, it is always wise to respect the religion and culture of the city by wearing appropriate, more modest clothing in public places, and not exposing too much skin.

CLIMATE
Dubai enjoys 365 days of warm sunshine, with cooler evenings and occasional showers in the months between November to March. The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate with infrequent and irregular rainfall, amounting to less than 13 centimetres a year. Temperatures range from a low of 10 degrees (Celsius) to a high of 48 degrees. The average daily maximum is 24 degrees in January, rising to 42 degrees in July.

TIME ZONE
The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT (+4 GMT). When it’s 8:00am in Dubai, it’s 12:00am in New York, 5:00am in London, 8:00am in Moscow, 12:00pm in Hong Kong and 2:00pm in Sydney.

LANGUAGE
The official language of the Dubai is Arabic, although English, Urdu and Hindu are widely spoken. All road and shop signs, restaurant menus and tourist information leaflets are in both Arabic and English.

ELECTRICITY
The current used throughout the Dubai is 220 Volts (AC). Most power sockets are designed for three pin plugs. Adapters are available in most hotels.

MONEY EXCHANGE PLACES
Dubai banks offer the best exchange rates for your traveler's checks or cash for foreign currencies (only bank notes). Official exchange offices located at airports and main railway stations (western union) and hotels may charge a fee for their services.

CURRENCY
Please note that the currency in Dubai is the UAE dirham (Dh).

CREDIT CARDS
The safest and easiest form of money are traveler's checks and credit cards. The cards most used are Visa, MasterCard and American Express. There are globally linked ATMs in Dubai, at banks, shopping malls and at the upmarket hotels. It is recommended to have a small amount of cash on hand upon arrival in Dubai for immediate expenses, i.e. taxies, city transportation etc.

MODERN ARABIC CUISINE
Modern Arabic Cuisine usually means food with a heavy Lebanese influence. Typical ingredients include beef, lamb, chicken, seafood, rice, nuts, dates, yogurt and a range of spices.

Please Note: Muslims are forbidden to eat the meat of any animal that has not been slaughtered in accordance with Islamic rituals. Pork is not included on Arabic menus. This meat is taboo for Muslims - not just eating it, but also the preparation and serving of it.

CHECK-OUT AND DEPARTURE
Check-out time at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai Festival City is 1200 on the last day of the WTCA 39th General Assembly, unless you have made prior arrangements to extend your stay. You must pay any incidental expenses you have charged to your room at check-out time. Everyone must check-out, even if you have not made any charges.

Transportation will be provided to Dubai International Airport according to your flight schedule. Exact times of departure will be included in your Welcome Packet.

DEPARTURE TAX
If you made your flight reservations through HRG North America, the airport departure tax has been included in the cost of your airline ticket.

MEDICAL INFORMATION
Hospitals - Most hospitals in Dubai are generally well equipped and enjoy a good standard of care. Emergency cases are seen in the Accident & Emergency of public hospitals free of charge. All other treatments are however chargeable to tourists and these can be costly. It is therefore advisable to have travel medical insurance when traveling to Dubai. Travelers may want to check whether their country has any special reciprocal medical agreements with the UAE.

Public Hospitals include:
New Dubai Hospital
Rashid Hospital
Al Wasl Hospital

Private Hospitals include:
American Hospital Dubai
Canadian Hospital
Emirates Hospital
Iranian Hospital
Welcare Hospital

Ambulances
Ambulances are run by the government and take patients to a public hospital. Response times as in many other major cities can be variable.

Pharmacies
Pharmacies are located on most street corners and are generally well stocked. Travelers are however advised to buy well-known brands. Travellers should not always rely on advice from pharmacy staff.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Should you need to be reached by family or associates:

InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Bani Yas Road, (formerly InterContinental Dubai)
Dubai 476 United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 701 1111
Fax: +971 4 232 9095

Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai-Festival City
Bani Yas Road, (formerly InterContinental Dubai)
Dubai 476 United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 04 7012222
Fax: +971 04 2329097

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:
HRG North America Group Desk
+ 800 635 8100 or +203 965 0310 outside the US
Monday Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm EST

HRG North America After Hours Help Desk
Within the US: + 800 345 8070 and Membership Code: C8G0
Outside of the US: + 402 398 3000 and Membership Code: C8G0