Useful Info:
1. Emergency Telephone numbers: Text or call or whatsapp (put them in your phone before travel)
Vince Marazita, Conference Director: +1 / 818 / 917-6046
Maggie Marazita, Program Manager: + 1 / 818 / 620 - 8404
Peter Harrison, Co-Director: + 44 / 7711 / 983 627
When dialing a number from Italy, you will normally need the international code. The USA is +1; Italy is +39; the UK for Peter is +44.
Italian area codes have anywhere from one to 4 digits; and italian telephone numbers have from 4 to 8 digits.
You should plan on talking with your telephone service provider about their international plans. Some have fixed daily rates...others have none and roaming can be very expensive. I have ATT and they charge $10.00/day for telephone and cell service. I suggest something like this.
TAXIs and DRIVERS (Radio taxi)
Italy does not have UBER so Taxi or Drivers suggested by the hotel are the best. You can always request a taxi at a hotel and many cities have taxi stands near the station or other prominent places. There are apps for RADIO TAXI in Italy (reserve a taxi) and there is also a train app by the national railway called trenitalia.com REMEMBER: You will need to get a ride to the hotel on Sunday night. We will have two times to take participants to the airport in Venice on Sunday morning. All others will need to get a ride or a taxi.
Vince Marazita, Conference Director: +1 / 818 / 917-6046
Maggie Marazita, Program Manager: + 1 / 818 / 620 - 8404
Peter Harrison, Co-Director: + 44 / 7711 / 983 627
When dialing a number from Italy, you will normally need the international code. The USA is +1; Italy is +39; the UK for Peter is +44.
Italian area codes have anywhere from one to 4 digits; and italian telephone numbers have from 4 to 8 digits.
You should plan on talking with your telephone service provider about their international plans. Some have fixed daily rates...others have none and roaming can be very expensive. I have ATT and they charge $10.00/day for telephone and cell service. I suggest something like this.
TAXIs and DRIVERS (Radio taxi)
Italy does not have UBER so Taxi or Drivers suggested by the hotel are the best. You can always request a taxi at a hotel and many cities have taxi stands near the station or other prominent places. There are apps for RADIO TAXI in Italy (reserve a taxi) and there is also a train app by the national railway called trenitalia.com REMEMBER: You will need to get a ride to the hotel on Sunday night. We will have two times to take participants to the airport in Venice on Sunday morning. All others will need to get a ride or a taxi.
2. Electronics and Adaptors: Of course a cell phone and a battery pack and adaptors are what I suggest for the trip. I do not suggest carrying a laptop during the day. An adaptor from USB to Italian plugs works great for telephones and laptops, etc. Anything that creates heat (hairdryers or electric teapots) needs a trasformer and adapter. In general, there are not many plugs in hotel rooms, so it's good to have a few different types of adaptors. If you forget yours, airport electronics stores are good places to pick them up. Be sure you get one that works in Italy
Sample adaptor with US plug to Italian outlet and two USB adpators (one for the telephone and one for an extra battery
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Italian plugs generally come with two or three rounded prongs depending on if there is a ground or not.
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A sample USB to Italian plug adaptor
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3. What to wear: I never know what to tell people here, so i will include a few photos of past groups. In general, you will need comfortable casual clothes all day everyday. We probably won't have many real dress up occasions. Perhaps the welcome dinner is the one where you can wear business casual, but after a long flight, whatever is comfortable. Please bring a pair of shoes/boots or shoe coverings for the quarry days. These should be closed toed shoes with a good tread to help keep from slipping. We will be visiting 3 quarries (weather permitting).
The day we are at the show, Business Casual or Business attire is fine. Most people working booth will be in dressed up. Keep in mind it is a huge show with lots of walking, and we will be going to a small Village on the lake after the show is over (walking and then eating dinner).
Generally, watch the weather forecasts. Late September, Early October can be hot or cool, wet or dry, so I would suggest having the possibility of layering. We will always have the same bus from Day one to the final day, so you can always leave a jacket and/or umbrella on the bus. A small umbrella and a fall jacket, perhaps a sweater or pullover are good to keep with you.
Here are some photos of past groups to get an idea of what people wear during the days of the conference:
The day we are at the show, Business Casual or Business attire is fine. Most people working booth will be in dressed up. Keep in mind it is a huge show with lots of walking, and we will be going to a small Village on the lake after the show is over (walking and then eating dinner).
Generally, watch the weather forecasts. Late September, Early October can be hot or cool, wet or dry, so I would suggest having the possibility of layering. We will always have the same bus from Day one to the final day, so you can always leave a jacket and/or umbrella on the bus. A small umbrella and a fall jacket, perhaps a sweater or pullover are good to keep with you.
Here are some photos of past groups to get an idea of what people wear during the days of the conference:
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4. Food and Meals:
Breakfast will be served every day in the hotel. Usually breakfast will begin at 6:30 - 8:00 and will be served buffet style. Please don't wait until 5 minutes to 8:00 to come and eat. Each day, we will try to be on the bus at 8:00am.
Lunch: Lunches will be provided to the group each day, usually by the company we are visiting that day. The exception will be the day at the show where there will be a buffet lunch in the seminar room.
Dinners: Dinners will be sponsored the whole week, usually at restaurants or pizzerias.
FOOD ALLERGIES or FOOD PREFERENCES:
Food at most places will be buffet style or with a fixed menu. People with food allergies or special diets need to let the waiter know each time. With all meals, water, mineral water, and soft drinks will be included. Alcoholic drinks or coffee/tea will need to be ordered separately to the waiter. We will communicate any food allergies, but always check with the waiters and restaurant staff if you have serious food allergies, as you would at home.
If you or your guest has a food allergy or special diet. please write an email to Maggie Marazita, the program director:
email: [email protected]
Breakfast will be served every day in the hotel. Usually breakfast will begin at 6:30 - 8:00 and will be served buffet style. Please don't wait until 5 minutes to 8:00 to come and eat. Each day, we will try to be on the bus at 8:00am.
Lunch: Lunches will be provided to the group each day, usually by the company we are visiting that day. The exception will be the day at the show where there will be a buffet lunch in the seminar room.
Dinners: Dinners will be sponsored the whole week, usually at restaurants or pizzerias.
FOOD ALLERGIES or FOOD PREFERENCES:
Food at most places will be buffet style or with a fixed menu. People with food allergies or special diets need to let the waiter know each time. With all meals, water, mineral water, and soft drinks will be included. Alcoholic drinks or coffee/tea will need to be ordered separately to the waiter. We will communicate any food allergies, but always check with the waiters and restaurant staff if you have serious food allergies, as you would at home.
If you or your guest has a food allergy or special diet. please write an email to Maggie Marazita, the program director:
email: [email protected]
5. GUESTS:
This will be an educational WORK conference. There is not a collateral itinerary for guests that will be joining us. That said, all of our activities will be varied and, I think, interesting. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact me.
There will be approximately 10-11 guests with us on the tour. All guests are welcome to participate in all activities and tours and seminars. We will also plan on them for all meals. The best day for souvenir shopping will be in Venice on the final day of the tour.
If guests choose to not join the group, they will be responsible for their own transport and meals. This is not included in the cost of participation.
Because we are changing cities and places so often, we suggest that the guests stay with the group when possible.
This will be an educational WORK conference. There is not a collateral itinerary for guests that will be joining us. That said, all of our activities will be varied and, I think, interesting. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact me.
There will be approximately 10-11 guests with us on the tour. All guests are welcome to participate in all activities and tours and seminars. We will also plan on them for all meals. The best day for souvenir shopping will be in Venice on the final day of the tour.
If guests choose to not join the group, they will be responsible for their own transport and meals. This is not included in the cost of participation.
Because we are changing cities and places so often, we suggest that the guests stay with the group when possible.
6. Hotels and Check in: Remember you will be responsible for your airport transport when you arrive. You will need to get to your hotel by Sunday evening for the Welcome dinner. Please let me know if you will not be at the welcome dinner. If you are arriving late, please let me know and plan on having breakfast and be ready to go with quarry shoes on at 8:00am on Monday morning.
There will be 50 of us checking in at the same time. The hotels will need your birthdate to check in as a group. Anyone who has not furnished their birthdate on the information form, please do so. This will help speed up the check in process.
Checking out: You will be responsible for all incidentals and you will need to pay on check out. If you order room service, or make long distance calls or order other services, you will need to pay at check out. If we say we need to leave at 8:00, give yourself time for eating and checking out and bringing down your bags. These hotels are small and we will all be using the services at the same time.
There will be 50 of us checking in at the same time. The hotels will need your birthdate to check in as a group. Anyone who has not furnished their birthdate on the information form, please do so. This will help speed up the check in process.
Checking out: You will be responsible for all incidentals and you will need to pay on check out. If you order room service, or make long distance calls or order other services, you will need to pay at check out. If we say we need to leave at 8:00, give yourself time for eating and checking out and bringing down your bags. These hotels are small and we will all be using the services at the same time.
Any further questions, feel free to contact Maggie or myself:
Maggie Marazita: [email protected]
Vince Marazita: [email protected]
Maggie Marazita: [email protected]
Vince Marazita: [email protected]