Free Seating
Seating inside the conference hall is free, except for a small number of front seats that are usually booked for speakers or certain dignitaries.
Wifi
Wireless Internet is available in all the hotels, and the conference venue, but the latter can be unreliable if overloaded. Please keep mobiles on silence, and do not engage in voice calls during sessions.
Twitter
Please use our twitter hashtag: #MERIForum
Languages
Sessions and panel discussions will be conducted in English, Arabic and Kurdish, with instant translation between all three.
Meals
During the Forum, speakers and up to 150 invited participants will be offered complementary lunch. For all others, a discount of 25% has been negotiated for Forum delegates at Rotana’s Flavours restaurant. There are several other restaurant options available inside and outside the Rotana hotel.
Dress Code
The dress code is formal business attire for all sessions and events.
Guards and Assistants
Guards and assistants are expected to remain outside the conference hall. Please ask them to keep their movement in-and-out of the conference to minimum and protect silence during panel discussions.
Flights and Accommodation
Delegates are expected to make their own flights and accommodation arrangements. Special rates have been obtained for MERI delegates with these hotels:
| Hotels | Star Ratings |
Rate | Distance From Forum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotana | 5 | $242 | Conference Venue |
| Arjaan | 5 | $160 | 10 min |
| Best Inn | 5 | $65 | 10 min |
| Canyon | 4 | $80 | 10 min |
| Dedeman | 5 | $99 | 15 min |
| Ramada | 5 | $162 | 2 min |
Ground Transportation
Taxis to and from the airport cost between $20-25. Taxis within Erbil cost $4.00 to $5.00.
Visas
For many nationalities, especially from the US and Europe, a 30-day entry visa to the Kurdistan Region can be acquired upon arrival at the Erbil or Suliamaniyah Airports. Those arriving from other countries should send us a copy of their passport in advance. We will inform the authorities to grant visas upon arrival. These visas are not necessarily valid for travel outside the Kurdistan Region.
Please keep MERI and MERI Forum’s name and our staff contact details handy, in case you need it.
Medical Assistance
There are public and private hospitals in Erbil. No health insurance coverage is provided for participants. Speakers and participants are expected to come with their own travel medical insurance.
Weather
The average temperature in at this time of the year is around 25-27℃ during the day and 15-17℃ at the lowest. The days are warm and bright with occasional light rain, which is not predicted at the moment.
Further Assistance
For any other query, please get in touch with us at events[@]meri-k.org