1. Conference location
DevelopingEM will be hosting the 2018 conference at the beautiful InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa.
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa
Nestled amongst 35 acres of tropical gardens, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa is located on the beautiful and picturesque Natadola Bay on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu.
This five-star resort boasts 266 rooms, world-class dining, a luxury spa, three swimming pools, an 18-hole championship golf course and a kid’s club as well as authentic Fijian hospitality. This is one of the most magnificent luxury retreats in Fiji.
Resort details
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Maro Road, Natadola Bay, Sanasana
Viti Levu, Fiji Islands
Website: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Telephone: +679 673 3300
Fax: +679 673 3349
E-mail: enquiries.fiji@ihg.com
Accommodation
Accommodation is available at the conference venue. DevelopingEM has negotiated a special rate for all conference delegates. For all details regarding rates, rooms and inclusions please visit the website.
2. Customs and immigration
Passport and Visa
Everyone needs a valid passport to enter Fiji. You will also need to have an onward ticket and a passport valid for at least six months longer than your intended stay. A free tourist visa for four months is granted on arrival to citizens of more than 100 countries. Please review the list of visa exempt countries. If you are not from a visa exempt country, please apply for a visa through the Fijian Department of Immigration.
Customs and immigration
Fiji has very strict regulations concerning the import of goods into the country. Please refer to the Fiji Revenue and Customs website for more information about what you can and cannot bring into Fiji.
Quarantine
The following items must be declared.
Food of any kind.
Plants or parts of plants – live or dead, including seeds, bulbs, nuts and wooden articles.
Earth, rock, soil or mineral samples.
Animals or parts of animals – live or dead including coral, shells and goods made from
protected wildlife.
Equipment used with horses or other animals.
Biological specimens or tissues – human or animal.
3. Money
The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa is a cashless resort. A credit card pre-authorisation is required for all guests staying at the resort and a tab can be set up for those who are not staying at the Resort.
The Resort accepts all major credit cards. Visa, Diners Club, China Union Pay, Amex and MasterCard are widely used. Please note effective 1 April 2016 a service fee of 3.5% will apply to all credit card and foreign debit card payments.
Guests are welcome to change their preferred method of payment upon checkout to cash or local access card to avoid the service fee surcharge.
Tax
VAT (Value Added Tax) of 9% applies to many goods and services in Fiji. All hotels and resorts also charge a Service Turnover Tax of 6% and an Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy of 10%.
Currency
The currency in Fiji (currency code $FJD), is the Fijian dollar. Bill denominations are $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coins are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2.
Important: Tell your bank about your travel plans two weeks before you leave. Card activity in a
foreign country could be mistaken for fraud and you could find your account frozen.
Money exchange
Exchange booths can be found at the airport and in tourist areas. You will get a better rate if you wait until you’re in Fiji to change your dollars, although exchange rates will likely be higher at the airport and in hotels than in banks or booths in town.
Automatic Teller Machines
ATMs are common in major urban areas and most accept the main international debit cards including Cirrus and Maestro. There are ATMs in the airport arrival hall and one on-site at the resort.
Tip: Westpac and ANZ have ATMs throughout Fiji. Australian Westpac customers pay no ATM withdrawal fee at Westpac Pacific ATMs, just a conversion fee.
4. Airport and transfers
Centrally situated in the South Pacific, Fiji is one of the main airline hubs of the Pacific region. Fiji is serviced by most major carriers in the Pacific region including its national carrier Fiji Airways; Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Korean Airlines, Qantas, Pacific Blue, Air Niugini and AirCalin.
The Nadi International Airport is approximately 55 km from the resort and a transfer usually takes 45-60 minutes to travel (by car).
Transfers
DevelopingEM recommends you arrange a shared or private transfer to travel from the airport to the resort through Uniquely Fiji Hotel Transfers; a Fijian owned transfer and touring business.
DevelopingEM has negotiated special rates for conference delegates to travel to and from the airport to the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa.
1. Shared Transfer (one way)
$45 ($FJD) per adult
$20 ($FJD) per child (10 to 15 years)
Children below 10 years are FOC
2. Private Standard Car Transfers (one way)
$90 ($FJD): 1-3 traveller’s
$160 ($FJD): 4-9 traveller’s
$240 ($FJD): 10-15 traveller’s
3. Private VIP Sedan Transfers (one way)
$200 ($FJD): 1-4 travellers (includes bottled water and refresher towels)
Note:
Prices are quoted in Fijian Dollars ($FJD) and are for one way only.
Baby car seats are at an additional $10 Fijian dollars per seat per trip.
The above prices are inclusive of a meet and greet.
Payment can be made in cash in AUD, NZD, USD or by credit card which will incur an
additional 4% surcharge fee.
To book
To secure your transfers, please use the following booking links:
For any other transfers pre or post conference, please contact Uniquely Fiji Hotel Transfers and
Tours – Ms Zahira Bano by telephone +(679) 8368222 or by email and mention that you are attending the DevelopingEM conference to secure the best rate.
Taxi
A taxi fare is approximately $90.00 ($FJD) from the airport to the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa.
5. Weather
During the month of December, visitors to Natadola should expect an average maximum
temperature around 31°C (87°F) and overnight temperature of 22°C (72°F). You should also plan to bring a raincoat, as rain is likely.
The water temperature will be around 27.0°C (80.6°F) so pack your swimsuit, as this is a great month to swim!
6. Accommodation
Whether you are staying at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa or elsewhere, here are some top tips about your stay.
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa: check in and check out times
The Resort has a standard check in time of 2:00 pm and a standard check out time of 11:00 am.
Earlier check in times and late check out times are available upon request, subject to availability.
Water
Tap water in Natadola is safe to drink however; we recommend you drink bottled water when possible.
If staying at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa you will be provided with two complimentary bottles of Fiji Water daily in your room and bottled water will be provided at the conference.
Electricity
Electricity is 220-240 volts, 50Hz and a three pin flat plug is standard (similar to Australia and NZ).
You will need a voltage convertor if the application is 110 volts.
Gratuities
Tipping is not encouraged anywhere in Fiji. Tip with a smile and ‘vinaka’, which is Fijian for ‘thankyou’.
Should you wish to render a gratuity to staff at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa please charge this to your account. It will be evenly distributed amongst all resort service staff on a quarterly basis.
7. Registration process
The registration desk will be located on the ground floor of the main building, outside the Conference Centre at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa. All delegates must visit the registration desk to collect their Conference materials and name badge before gaining access to the Conference. The Conference will begin promptly at 8:00 am Monday, 3 December. All delegates are requested to be seated in the Main Ballroom by 7:50 am.
We encourage you to register as early as possible to allow for easy access to the opening of the Conference.
Registration desk opening times are:
Saturday, 1 December: 7:30 – 9:00 am
Sunday, 2 December: 7:30 – 9:00 am & 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Monday, 3 December: 7:00 – 9:00 am
Tuesday, 4 December: 7:00 – 9:00 am
Wednesday, 5 December: 7:00 – 9:00 am
Thursday, 6 December: 7:00 – 9:00 am
If on arrival at the Conference you have not paid for your registration, you will be asked to do so by credit card. All outstanding accounts must be settled upon registering for the Conference and credit card is preferred. If you plan to pay in cash, please have the correct amount available as change will not be limited. Please arrive early to avoid delays.
8. Dietary requirements
If you have not already done so, please advise us of any specific requests (including vegetarian requirements). All attempts have been made to meet these requirements.
9. Conference program
The Organising Committee for DevelopingEM is very pleased to announce the detailed Conference Program is available online: DevelopingEM program. You will receive a printed program with your registration pack and name tag at the conference.
The Conference program commences on Sunday, 2 December 2018 at 6:00 pm with the official Welcome Reception. Please make your way to the Kama Beachfront at this time.
10. Workshops
Workshops are part of the Conference program and involve a separate registration and fee.
Prior to arriving at the Conference, please take note of your selected workshops. Unfortunately, places are strictly limited and you can only attend workshops for which you are registered.
Workshops include:
December 1 – 2, 2018 Ultrasound Workshop
December 2, 2018 EMS Medical Direction Workshop
December 5, 2018 Pacific Regional Emergency Medicine Development Forum
December 6, 2018 Emergency Nursing Workshop
11. Social events
Welcome Reception – Sunday 2 December 2018 (6:00-8:00 pm)
Kick off the conference in style over canapés and drinks on the Kama Beachfront at the Intercontinental Hotel. Reconnect with old friends and meet colleagues from all over the world!
Dress code – neat casual.
Gala Dinner – Wednesday, 5 December 2018 (7:00-10:00 pm)
Soak up the romance of the Pacific at the DevelopingEM Gala Dinner. Located right on the beach,this event will be one of the highlights of the conference and a place where new friendships, concepts and initiatives are born.
Full registration ensures your attendance at this event; day only delegates and partners/children are also welcome at an additional cost. Dress code – semi formal.
12. Communication
Complimentary Wi-Fi
There will be complimentary Wi-Fi provided to all conference delegates during the conference and
in guest rooms. Specific details will be provided on check in to the resort or at the commencement of the Conference.
Communication at the Conference
At DevelopingEM we will be using WhatsApp – a web-based social media platform both in and out of the conference. This App enables you to communicate to the conference group via text message.
You can download the application free through iTunes or Google Play store.
Instructions on joining the group: DevEM 2018
1. Connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data
2. On your mobile device, tablet or computer, complete one of the following:
a) Click on the following link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BhiMZSSvtBq1ieGpplvUtF
b) Scan the QR Code via one of the following methods;
Android users can scan the code using a third-party QR code reader.
iPhone recipients can scan the code using their phones’ cameras.
Once you have completed steps 1 and 2, WhatsApp will confirm whether you would like to join the group. If you select yes, a similar screen to the following screen 
will pop up to indicate you have joined the DEM2018 group.
13. Photography and filming
Delegates are advised that segments of the Conference may be recorded by still photography, video and/or audio (referred to as ‘the recordings’ in this document) for educational/promotional/media purposes including social media.
If you do not consent to recordings, please:
Advise us via email at admin@developingem.com prior to the event and provide us with a recent photograph so that you can be identified.
Advise the operator at the Conference and move out of the camera range.
You can withdraw your consent to DevelopingEM’s use of the recordings at any time by notifying us in writing.
DevelopingEM will take all reasonable measures to remove the recordings from publication upon such a request.
14. Certificates of attendance
All Conference delegates will be required to complete a feedback form which will be issued electronically (via direct email) following the conclusion of the Conference. Once you have submitted your feedback form, you will automatically receive your certificate of attendance.
When Jon isnt presenting he will no doubt be 20 metres under the ocean surface checking out Fiji’s coral and fish life.