For all you need to know about the Venue - go here

EQALM website

Final Symposium Programme

Symposium Information

Please read the following Information carefully!

• Why use online reservations? : It provides an easy to use interface for you which gets your details rapidly into our database with the minimum of work for us!  All you then have to do is send us your payment!   The confirmation page indicates that your submission has 'worked' and has been processed by our web server.  If you provide an email address, an acknowledgement may also be emailed to you on request.

• Who should register? : It is important that everyone who wishes to attend the EQALM 2008 Symposium sessions uses this registration process.  This will enable us to capture their travel details and other requirements.  With regard to payment of registration fees, Board members and specially-invited speakers will be re-imbursed.

• Accompanying persons :  Persons accompanying delegates who are not attending the Symposium sessions, need not register, but their name(s) should be entered in the registration form.   If accompanying persons wish to attend the Symposium Dinner on Thursday 11th September 2008, this should also be indicated on the form.

• Fees and payment details :
  
  EQALM will benefit if you register and pay as soon as possible.  You will benefit because registration fees will be cheaper and your Hotel may offer a much better rate.  The Symposium will be cancelled if insufficient delegates register!  Thank you!
  
  The basic cost of the Symposium for EQALM members before 1st August 2008 is €225, which includes registration, refreshments, lunch on both days and the EQALM dinner on the Thursday evening.
  
  Accommodation and travel are NOT included - delegates must make their own arrangements for this (see advice below). 
  
  Board members and invited speakers will have their registration fees and up to two night's accommodation re-imbursed
  
  Submission of an online registration form is regarded as a firm committment to attend EQALM 2008.  Payment is expected within two weeks of registration submission.  
  
  Registrations now (from 1st August 2008) attract a €20 surcharge, ie the cost for EQALM members will be €245
  
  Statements will be mailed four weeks before the meeting.  If payment is still outstanding at this time, it must be made immediately or a further charge will be levied and collected at the Symposium 
  
  Payment in cash at the Symposium is only possible by prior arrangement with the Treasurer, whose decision is final.  The fixed cost of this for EQALM members is €275. 
  
  There is a €60 surcharge on all these costs for non-members (see table below)
  
  Payment must be made in euro by electronic bank transfer to the EQALM account, with all transfer fees paid so that EQALM receives the full amount.  The payment reference must unambiguously identify the Registrant. 
  
  Payments covering several registrants must be preceded by an email to the Organiser  with full details of all persons covered by the payment. 
  
  EQALM's Bank details are as follows:
  Account name: EQALM
  Account number: 240-699974.70F
  IBAN: CH16 0024 0240 6999 7470 F
  BIC: UBSWCHZH80A

Fees for EQALM Members

Fees for non-Members

• Withdrawal of registrations : You may withdraw your registration at any time in writing or by email up to four weeks before the meeting.  Under these circumstances, we would expect you to transfer your place to someone else in your department (see below).  Refunds will be made at the discretion of the Treasurer whose decision is final.  An administrative fee will be charged.

• Transfer of places : You may transfer your place to a colleague if you are unable to attend, but we would appreciate two week's notice of this so that badges and attendance lists can be updated.

• Working Group Meetings : On the morning of the first day we hope to have six working group meetings - possibly in two blocks of three in parallel - 08:30 - 10:30 and 10:30 to 12:30.  Please indicate TWO Working Groups in the form below which you have most interest in and we will try to organise the schedule accordingly.  Note that you will probably have to arrive the day before (10th September)  if you wish to attend Working Group meetings.

• Programme - please go here   for the Final Programme

• Posters and Presentations - if you wish to submit an Abstract for a Poster or for an Invited Presentation, please go here but read the instructions below first 

• Accommodation and Tourist Information :
  Birmingham has many Hotels within a 5-10 minute walk from Broad Street and the Austin Court venue. 
  Favourable rates are much easier to obtain by booking individually online rather than us making block bookings.
  
  The Hotels in the Table below are suggested, but no guarantee is made that they will have rooms or that they will be of a required standard for the individual. 
  
  Note that Broad Street is the night-life centre of Birmingham and can be rather noisy if you are easily disturbed. 
  
  Real bargain-hunters could try the Laterooms  website, but please check with Jonathan by email if you are unsure about the quality of the Hotel and its location. 
  
  A Streetmap map for Austin Court (indicated by orange arrow) is here  (Broad Street is shown in red). 
  
  You may wish to consider adding nights before and/or after the Symposium to take advantage of the many attractions of Birmingham.  You may get a better Hotel rate if you include the weekend.
  
  Go here  for Birmingham tourist and leisure information. 
  For those who like shopping, the Bull Ring Shopping Centre  is within 5-10 minutes walk of Austin Court and Broad Street Hotels.
  The historic Jewellery Quarter  is well worth considering. 
  Birmingham has more canals  than Venice - yes it is true!  Austin Court is right on the canal - a few minutes walk from the Brindley Place  canalside development. 
  Also very nearby is Symphony Hall  and the International Convention Centre  at Centenary Square.
  
  Birmingham is the home of 'Balti' - if you like Indian food, you will know what that is! 
  There is also a thriving Chinese quarter  with many good restaurants. 
  One of the best Italian restaurants in the UK outside of London (San Carlo ) is quite near New Street Station.

• Travel:
  Birmingham is the central hub of the transport network of the UK so is well served by all modes of transport. 
  
  Non-UK delegates should get a flight to Birmingham International Airport (BHX), which is served by the major carriers and many of the cheap airlines. 
  
  The taxi fare from BHX to central Birmingham is at least €35 (£25), so the best option is to take the frequent short (10 minute) train journey from the nearby Birminghgam International train station into Birmingham New Street station.  This will cost less then €10. 
  
  Those without too much luggage can walk from New Street Station to Broad Street Hotels in 5-10 minutes. 
  
  Those spending some time in London first can get a train from London Euston station to Birmingham New Street station (at least two per hour, 90 minutes travel time).  Prices are very variable depending on the time of day.  Depending on your country, you may be able to use the Trainline online booking service  - booking well in advance can save money.

• A word of caution : Like all major cities, Birmingham has its measure of crime and social deprivation.  The main shopping areas and the location around the Symposium Venue and Broad Street Hotels are quite safe, but it always pays to be 'streetwise'. Look after your valuables and stay in groups if you are out late.   It is best to use TOA  London-style black cabs (+44 121 427 8888) for taxis rather than other taxi firms - especially late at night.    There is not a lot of street-begging in Birmingham but you will encounter numerous 'Big Issue' sellers.  This is a magazine which is sold by homeless people that live on the street and is a good cause.   Do not be alarmed if approached as you walk in the shopping area.  All Big Issue sellers must display ID badges.

• Weather : The UK in September can have any weather you like with temperatures between 10 and 25 C, winds between a gentle breeze and full gale and rain from nothing to torrential!  So come prepared for anything!  Best to check out the five-day forecast here  before you come!

• Help and support : It is our aim to make the Meeting a relaxed and beneficial experience for all with the minimum of paperwork and fuss.  If you have any problems, questions or concerns about the meeting venue, arrangements and programme, please call Jonathan Middle on +44 (0) 121 414 7300 or email clinchem@ukneqas.org.uk with "EQALM 2008" as the subject line

Please go here  to Register online

The Registration Form opens in a new window so that you can view these instructions as you complete the form.  After you click the Submit button a  'successful submission' page should be displayed.  You are strongly advised to print a copy of this for your records.  If there appears to be a problem with form submission, please download a paper registration form here  and fax this to +44 121 414 1179.   

Poster / Presentation Abstract Submission

Please read the following Information carefully!

• Registration : In order to submit an Abstract you must either have already registered using the online registration form, or been formally invited to give a presentation at the meeting

• Scope - Work for Poster presentation must be original and not presented previously at a public meeting or for publication.  Topics must have general relevance to the field of EQA.

• Length - For Posters, the Title must be no more than 20 words and the Abstract no more than 300 words.  There is no formal limit for title or Abstract length for invited presentations, but it would do no harm for authors to abide by the same limits as for Posters

• Co-authors - Please include any persons who have made a substantial contribution to the work presented.  Give their places of work.

• Deadlines - the deadline for submission of all Abstracts has passed, but will be kept open for a few days extra.

• Acceptance procedure - all Poster Abstracts will be reviewed by the EQALM Executive Board and the first author informed by email of acceptance or otherwise as soon as possible after the closing date.  If there are any problems with an Abstract for an invited presentation, the speaker will be asked to modify/amend thier Abstract as soon as possible

Please go here  to submit your Abstract

The Abstract form opens in a new window so that you can view these instructions as you complete the form.  After you click the Submit button a  'successful submission' page should be displayed.  You are strongly advised to print a copy of this for your records.  If there is a problem with form submission, please email  your details and Abstract with "EQALM Abstract" in the subject line.  Thank you.