Do I need a visa to enter Turkey?
All visitors will require an e-Visa; please obtain this ahead of entry here:
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

Please also note that Turkey requires nationals of some countries to have a special letter of invitation in order to obtain a visa, and check your entry requirements. Should you need an invitation letter, you may request one here:
www.meetonthemed.com/visa-letter
Password: SojournVisa

When should I arrive for the conference?
The conference begins on the evening of 8 October 2023. Registration is from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. that day, so you should aim to arrive in time to register. If you must arrive a day early due to flight availability, your room cost for the extra night will not be covered by the conference.

Where is the conference venue?
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Istanbul Tuzla
Aydınlı, Camlibelde Sitesi Hasan Tokatli Sokak 13,
Yolu Cd No: 34, 34953 İstanbul, Türkiye

Phone: +90 216 560 60 00
Hotel e-mail: [email protected]

Are there any COVID-19 entry requirements?
Entry restrictions or requirements are subject to change. Please check this website for up-todate entry requirements pertaining to COVID-19:
https://www.ivisa.com/turkey-blog/turkeycovid-entry-requirements 

How far is the airport from the hotel venue?
There are two airports in Istanbul:

1. SAW (Sabiha Gokcen International Airport) is predominantly serviced by Turkish Airlines and is closer to the hotel (15 minutes via taxi)
2. IST (Istanbul International Airport) is approximately 1 hour from the hotel

How should I get from the airport to the hotel venue?
There are several options; please be prepared to pay for your own transportation. 

– Ride-share apps: Uber is available in Istanbul, but the recommended (cheaper) option is to download the BiTaksi app for yellow and turquoise cabs. Keep in mind that these options will require mobile data.
– Taxi: Taxis are also available at the airports. The price of a cab from IST to the conference hotel is approximately €60-70; from SAW to the hotel is approximately €30. Prices may vary. 

Are meals provided?
Breakfast is included in your hotel room rate, and the conference will provide all other meals starting with dinner on 8 October and ending with lunch on 12 October. 

Will there be any time for sightseeing?
We will take a field trip on the afternoon of 10 October. If attendees wish to do any sightseeing after the conference, we will have the opportunity for guests to sign up for a group tour around some of Istanbul’s most historic locations. At a 40-person signup minimum, the price will be $58USD. Please note that this is an additional expense, not included in the conference fees. 

Should I exchange currency?
If you wish to change money, there are many currency exchange services in the airport. However, credit card is usually the easiest method of payment while visiting. Euros are also widely accepted as foreign currency. 

What safety/security concerns should I be aware of?
We will have minimal security on site outside the meeting rooms. Please remain vigilant in wearing your name tag so we can efficiently and quickly identify who belongs in the venue. 

If you do not recognize someone in our midst and they are not wearing a name tag, please be cautious—especially if they are taking photographs. On occasion, agents of certain foreign governments may loiter in the lobbies, restaurants and halls of conference venues, often well disguised as families or tourists. Some may even try to help as volunteers or may offer to register and purchase a name tag. 

We do not anticipate many participants from “creative access” nations, but we have some participants who would prefer to remain off social media. So please be sure to ask before taking group photographs or selfies. 

If you wish to photograph activity in the main meetings, the best option is to do so from the rear so that participants’ faces are not clearly seen. For your personal safety, please refer to online guides such as https://travellersworldwidecom/is-istanbul-safe/. 

What is the dress code?
The dress code is generally business casual. The average temperature for Istanbul in October is around 22°C (75°F).

Women are not required to wear head coverings in Türkiye, but please bear in mind that many religious sites in Istanbul require shoulder/knee coverage if you wish to tour any of the city.