Logistics

MERI Forum 2018 will take place at Rotana Hotel, Erbil, Kurdistan Region.

Visas

For many nationalities, especially from US and Europe, a 30 Day entry visas to Kurdistan Region can be acquired upon arrival at the Erbil or Suliamaniyah Airports.  These visas are not necessarily valid for travelling outside Kurdistan Region.

Those arriving from other countries should send us a copy of their passport in advance and we will inform the authorities to grant them visas upon arrival.

Please keep MERI and MERI Forum’s name and our staff contact details handy, in case you need it.

Accommodation

Delegates are expected to make their own accommodation arrangements. There are a range of hotels, at a variety of different price points, available across Erbil. For Forum delegates, we have arranged special rates with several different hotels, which will be added below, soon.

If you require assistance with finding accommodation, please get in touch with us at events[at]meri-k.org

Speakers accommodation

MERI covers hotel expenses for speakers only, and between 22 to 25 October (maximum).  Expenses such as minibar, laundry, telephone/fax, room service, gym, pay TV etc are considered as personal, therefore not covered.

Wifi

Wireless Internet is available in all the hotels, and the conference venue, but the latter can be unreliable if overloaded.

Twitter

Feel free to tweet and please use our twitter hashtag:  #MERIForum

 Meeting Languages

Sessions and panel discussions will be conducted in English, Arabic and Kurdish, with instant translation between all three.

Accommodations

MERI covers hotel expenses for speakers only, and between 22 to 25 October (maximum).

Expenses such as minibar, laundry, telephone/fax, room service, gym, pay TV etc are considered as personal, therefore not covered.

Transportation

Speakers will be offered help by MERI between Hotel-conference venue-Airport.  Please inform our staff the exact times and dates of your travel and make sure you find and remind the responsible MERI staff (or the registration desk) several hours in advance of your travel time. Alternatively, you may find your own way to the airport, and taxis cost between $20-25. For internal transportation in Erbil, taxis are safe and cheap ($4-5 per journey).

Meals

During the Forum, speakers and up to 150 invited/sponsored participants will be offered complementary lunch.  For those who requested attendance (via email or online, unpaid)  others who turn up without prior notice are expected to cover their meals. There are several restaurant options available inside and outside Rotana hotel.

Weather

Average temperature in late October is around 25-27℃ during the day and 15-17 lowest).  The days are warm and bright with occasional light rain (not predicted at the moment).

Medical Assistance

There are public and private hospitals in Erbil.  There is no health insurance coverage for the participants. Speakers and participants are expected to come with their own travel medical insurance.

Dress Code

The dress code is formal business attire for all sessions and events.