Concept of STI International Service Convent

The STI International Service Convent is organized as a three days event which aims to gather the STI International services community and to present their achievements.

Location

Hotel Information

The Marmara Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 251 4696
Fax: +90 212 244 0509
Address:Taksim Meydanı Taksim 34437 Istanbul, TURKEY

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.themarmarahotels.com/The-Marmara-Istanbul/index.asp

Located in the heart of Istanbul the Marmara Istanbul offers a stunning view of both classic and contemporary Istanbul.

The Marmara Istanbul offers outstanding atmosphere for the business travelers or for the visitors coming to enjoy Istanbul's pleasures, all from its convenient location in the heart of the city, in Taksim Square. From central Taksim Square, tourist attractions, shopping and business are within footsteps or a short taxi ride.

Meeting Facilities

The Marmara Istanbul provides flexible business facilities and a wide range of meeting options. The conference rooms have natural daylight. Meeting room Tepe has a stunning Bosporus view and is booked for all meetings.

Meeting package at 50 EUR per person:

• Meeting Room
• 2 Coffee Breaks
• Buffet Lunch
• Flipchart
• Screen
• Projector

How to get there

The Marmara Istanbul Hotel is the heart of Taksim and is very easily accessible.
It is located within walking distance of the nightlife of Beyoğlu, the historic Dolmabahçe Palace (1km.), The Bosporus (500m.) and magnificent shopping experience of districts such as Teşvikiye and Maçka. The hotel is only 100 metres from the busy shopping area of Istiklal Street, one kilometre from Dolmabahce Palace and within five kilometres of many of Istanbul's top attractions, including the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palce and Hagia Sofia.

By taxi:
The best way to get from the airport is by taxi. Istanbul Airport and Atatürk Airport are both 35 kilometres away with an approximate driving time of 30 minutes.
Taxis cost approximately 15 EUR.

By car:
To get from the Atatürk Airport, Yeşilköy to the hotel you should take E5 motorway and exit at Beşiktas on to Barbaros Blvd, follow to Taksim.
It takes around 35 min.

The hotel provides an airport shuttle service to the airport between 7 AM and 9 AM at a cost of 5 EUR.

Exchange rate

Exchange currency rates to Turkey New Lira (TRY):

1,00 EUR	1,94 TRY
1,00 USD	1,23 TRY

Accommodation

All the rooms in the hotel have been recently renovated and feature the latest computer and telephone systems as well as all the amenities expected in a five-star hotel. All the rooms have spectacular views over the city or the sea and are decorated in the best of taste.

Single room (city view) EUR 150 / per night (incl. breakfast, incl. tax 18 %)
Single room (Bosporus view) EUR 180 / per night (incl. breakfast, incl. tax 18 %)
Double room (city view) EUR 170 / per night (incl. breakfast, incl. tax 18 %)
Double room (Bosporus view) EUR 200 / per night (incl. breakfast, incl. tax 18 %)

Recreation

Of course the Marmara Istanbul Hotel provides various opportunities to recreate one’s body and soul. The hotel’s swimming pool and fitness rooms help to get the perfect relaxation and balance.

Agenda

Day 1 – Wednesday July 2nd – STI International Day
	Discussions: STI Organisation
10:00 - 11:00	Does the board (and the president) function?
11:00 - 12:00	Do the service coordinators function?
12:00 - 13:00	Does the organization function
13:00 - 14:30	Lunch
14:30 - 15:30	Does the advisory board function?
15:30 - 16:30	Do the members function?
16:30 - 17:00	Coffee Break
17:00 - 17:30	Wrap up
18:00 - 19:30	Telecon on "Semantic Web Handbook"
20:30	Dinner
Day 2 – Thursday July 3rd – Future Internet Day
	Discussions: Semantic Technology
10:00 - 11:00	The web versus semantic aspect of the semantic web community (moderated by Dieter Fensel)
11:00 - 12:30	Industrial matureness of Semantic Technology (moderated by Michael Brodie)
12.30 - 14.00	Lunch
14:00 - 15:00	The Future Internet (by John Domingue)
15:00 - 16:30	Future of Internet Discussion & Dissemination presentations on some flagship projects going on
16:30 - 17:00	Coffee Break
17:00 - 18:00	Wrap up/resulting actions
20:30	Dinner
Day 3 – Friday July 4th
	Day Trip
10:00 - 12:30	BoF (Birds of a Feather) session: Future of STI
12:30 - 14:00	Lunch
14:00 - 17:00	Individual and group discussions
17:00 - 17:30	Closing

Daytrip in Istanbul

For Friday, July 4th, the third day of the 2nd Service Convent there will be a group tour organized to see beautiful Istanbul, to get some impressions and continue the STI discussions. We propose the following tour: The Marmara Hotel Istanbul will arrange a daytrip divided into three program stations. The tour will be arranged flexible in order to choose individually which block to participate in.

· Morning Tour

The tour will begin in the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul, at Hagia Sophia. Next visit is the Blue Mosque, which is a stroll away from Hagia Sophia. This Morning tour also includes the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts and the Hippodrome.

Time schedule:

· Lunch and City Afternoon Tour

In a city with as many fabulous eateries as Istanbul, Hamdi would certainly be one of the top five Turkish restaurants. Its setting on a rooftop with panoramic views across Galata district and back to the Old Istanbul skylines is wonderful and its food is among the best in town.

After lunch the tour continues by enjoying the dim light and underground ambience of the Basilica Cistern and a visit at the Arasta Bazaar to get a taste of the city’s mercantile possibilities.

· Bosporus Cruise and Diner

As an evening program a relaxing boat trip on the Bosporus follows to experience the unforgettable Eurasian culture-feeling. Istanbul offers countless restaurants with lovely settings and stunning views of the Blue Mosque and Sea of Marmara.

Costs of all-day trip: around 100EUR

Time schedule for Day Trip

10:00 - 12:30	Morning Tour
12:30 - 14:00	Lunch
14:00 - 17:00	City Afternoon Tour
17:00 - 18:30	Bosporus Cruise
19:30	Dinner

Visa Regulation

VISA on entry at the airport receive:

· Austria (15 EUR)

· United Kingdom (15 EUR or 10 English Pound)

· Netherlands (10 EUR + identity card)

· Spain (10 EUR + identity card)

· USA (15 EUR or 20 US Dollar)

No VISA necessary:

· Germany (identity card)

IMPORTANT!!

Passport has to be valid 3 month after the granted visa.