Frequently asked questions
In the past, an EU-based business that participated in an educational event in Belgium (or any country within the EU) did not have to pay VAT in the host country. In the summer of 2021, a European ruling changed this. The new ruling states that VAT must be paid in the host country. Thus, if your business is based in an EU country and you have an EU VAT number, you are still required to pay VAT to the Belgian authorities.
Yes you can! Read more on how to reclaim the VAT:
Please
come to the registration desk on the first floor in the ICC – International Convention Center Ghent.
All participants must wear the symposium wristband and badge at all times. The wristband identifies you as an ESER participant and grants you entry to the lecture hall and all social activities (coffee breaks, lunch, and reception). The wristband and your name badge are provided in your registration package.
The ESER meeting will take place in the congress hall of the ICC – International Convention Center Ghent ICC. The ICC is centrally located, just a 10 minute walk from the St. Pieters train station in Ghent, close to the E17 and E40 highways, and every 30 minutes there is a train to and from the Brussels International Airport. There are several bus lines that stop in front of the ICC. The convention center has its own underground car park with 70 spaces available during business hours. For directions on how to get to the ICC, consult the ICC Accessibility pages.
The following public buses have a stop in the “Ledeganckstraat” directly across from the Gent ICC main entrance: routes 9, 28, 34, 35, 36, 55, 57, 58, 70, 71, 72, 76, 77, 94, 95. Check the De Lijn website for more info
The registration desk will open at 7:45 and lectures will start at 8:30.
The meeting ends on Friday Oct 21 at 17:00. For those who need to catch a flight on Friday evening, there will be free shuttles going from the ICC to the St Pieters train station starting at 16:00. The journey from Ghent to Brussels Airport takes 1h and trains depart every 30 min. For train schedules from Ghent St Pieters train station to the Brussels International Airport in Zaventem-Brussels check the NMBS website.
Yes, there will be a shuttle to the Ghent St Pieters railway station starting at 16:00.
The convention center has its own underground car park with 70 spaces available during business hours. For directions on how to get to the ICC, consult the ICC Accessibility pages.
On Thursday and Friday, a simple lunch will be served in the exhibit hall. A vegetarian menu will also be available.
The reception on Thursday evening will take place directly in front of the congress hall in the exhibition hall. The reception will start immediately after the afternoon lectures, at 18:00, and will end at around 21:00.
Yes, the reception is offered by the sponsors and will include food, drinks, snacks and sandwiches, as well as local specialties such as Belgian waffles and pancakes.
Yes, there are two breaks per day. In the morning, there is a break with coffee, tea, water, juice and other complimentary drinks.
You will be able to visit the commercial booths of our sponsors during the morning coffee breaks, lunches and during the reception on Thursday. Booths will close after lunch on Friday.
Yes, there will be food, including vegetarian options. Food and drinks are free at the reception. Join us!
Yes!
Yes, participants may bring a friend or relative to the reception at no extra charge.
If you plan on checking out from your hotel on Friday morning and leaving from the meeting to the airport or your home, you are welcome to bring your luggage to the meeting. We will receive it at the registration desk and keep it for you. There is no charge for this service.
Yes, there will be a proper cloakroom where you can leave your belongings.
