Social Program

SOCIAL PROGRAM:

Activities in the social program included in the delegates’ and accompanying persons’ registration fee are as follows:

Sports activities

- Jogging: every morning from 7:00 to 7:30

- Football match: on Saturday afternoon, buses leave at 16:00

- Golf: organized on the spot upon request

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

19:00 -

Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception will be held after the speed-dating session in the ballroom and on the terrace of the Marriott Hotel right on the riverbank, facing the majestic Buda Castle. You will meet and exchange memories or your first impressions in a comfortable atmosphere. To facilitate networking, we will have an extra “corner” for first-timers.

DRESS CODE: Smart casual.

AFTER HOURS: If you wish to extend the evening, you can do so at Aqua Bar in the Marriott or alternatively the local organizing committee will give tips for a nearby nightclub.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Guided tours of the Parliament

Before the congress Opening Ceremony, we have arranged for guided tours of the Parliament building, the most stunning historical and prestigious building in Budapest. The style of the exterior recalls Gothic Revival, with a 96m-high dome and 18,000 square meters of surface area and 473,000 cubic meters of space. The building has 27 gates, 29 interior staircases and 13 personnel and service elevators. Around 50 five-story apartment buildings could fit into the Parliament.

BUSES will leave from the congress hotel between 17:00 and 18:00. (If you wish to attend the VOP session in the Parliament, you will have to leave earlier, with buses leaving at 16:30!) The length of the guided visits will be adjusted so that all participants will gather for drinks in the Parliament before the Opening Ceremony.

NOTE: in order to enter the Parliament building through the security check, you must bring your passport and your badge. Your full, official name as indicated on your passport as well as your passport number must be provided to the Parliament three days in advance. Please provide this information on the registration form.

Dress code: Business attire or stylish and elegant for ladies as you will not have time to change before the Opening Ceremony.

Opening Ceremony

19:30 – 20:30

The Opening Ceremony will be held in the Upper House Hall of the Parliament building at 19:30 sharp.

BUSES will leave from the congress hotel at 18:00 (the latest). Participants will gather for drinks in the Parliament before the Opening Ceremony. (If you wish to attend the VOP session or a guided tour in the Parliament, you will have to take the buses leaving at 16:30 for the VOP or between 17:00-18:00 for the guided tours.)

Dress code: Business attire or stylish and elegant for ladies

21:00 -

Dinner Cruise

After the Opening Ceremony participants will walk to Boat Europa (5 minutes), to spend a memorable night aboard the cruise ship on the Danube absorbing the beautiful panorama and lit sights of the city.

NOTE: You can disembark the boat as of 23:00 only

WALK: you will walk back to your hotel (5 minutes)

AFTER HOURS: If you wish to extend the evening, you can do so at Aqua Bar in the Marriott or alternatively the local organizing committee will give tips for a nearby nightclub.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

20:00 -

Home Hospitality Dinner

On Thursday evening, local lawyers will open their homes to AIJA delegates for the most charming aspect of any Congress: the traditional “Home Hospitality” dinner.

Dress code: smart casual unless otherwise indicated by your local host.

NOTE: You will each individually receive the name of your host and the other guests, as well as instructions on how to get to the host’s home. Should you not be able to attend, please let the organizers know as soon as possible! Please remember to bring a small gift to your host, which is often in the form of a souvenir from your country. Don’t forget that most of the hosts are not AIJA members and have never attended AIJA events before.

TRANSPORTATION: You will have to arrange for transportation yourselves. The Home Hospitality desk or the concierge will help you to arrange taxis.

AFTER HOURS: If your home hospitality dinner finishes early and you wish to extend the evening, you can do so at Aqua Bar in the Marriott or alternatively the local organizing committee will give tips for a nightclub.

Friday, August 28, 2009

15:00 -

Day Out at Lazar Equestrian Park – A PARADISE FOR THE CHILDREN

The day trip will take us to the Lazar Equestrian Park where you will experience a little of the traditions of the “Puszta”, including activities using typical Hungarian tools for horseshoe-throwing, whip-cracking, and wine-lifting, all rounded off with a traditional “Csárda” dinner and some music and dancing.

BUSES will leave from the Marriott at 15:00. The venue is outside Budapest, so make sure you catch one of the buses! BUSES will start to take ou back to the Marriott after dinner.

DRESS CODE: relaxed and comfortable for activities.

AFTER HOURS: If you wish to extend the evening, you can do so at Aqua Bar in the Marriott or alternatively the local organizing committee will give tips for a nearby nightclub.

Saturday, August 30, 2009

19:30 -

The 1920s: Nostalgic Gala Dinner

The Gala Dinner on Saturday will be a nostalgic one, with a 1920s theme, held in the Museum of Lokomotives and Trains which is located in an industrial edifice or warehouse that used to be a marshalling yard. The dinner will be rounded off with dancing until dawn!

BUSES will leave from the Marriott hotel at 19:30. Don’t miss the buses; there will be a surprise before you arrive at the venue!

DRESS CODE: Stylish and elegant, or anything characteristic of the 1920s: ladies do not forget your feather scarves, gentlemen, remember your black hats!