- Select Workshops and Special Interest Sessions (Limited availability)
- View the conference programme
- See speakers profiles
- Vote for the 3MT® People’s Choice winner live at the conference dinner
- Visit the community and connect with other participants via instant message
- View the conferences live twitter feed
- Find your way around with the venue map
Administrative details
Registration
Registration will take place in Monarch Suite Foyer from 09:00 on Monday 17th September. You will be issued with a participant pack and name badge. Please wear your name badge at all times during the conference.
During the conference if you have any queries please direct them to staff on the registration desk.
Selection registration
Please register in advance to the workshops and special interest sessions you would like to attend by amending your registration form here: https://events.bizzabo.com/208578/settings/registration
Once you have confirmed the email address you registered with, you will be able to select the sessions towards the end of the form.
Conference app
Make sure to download the Bizzabo app to:
The app can be downloaded from any smart device. For those who do not have access to a smart device, there will be a limited number of tablets available to borrow – please contact events@vitae.ac.uk if you would like to reserve a tablet. The Vitae Conference App can also be accessed via the Vitae Zone.
Networking, exhibition and poster session
The viscount suite will provide plenty of networking opportunities, including exhibitors, poster presentations including the PGR Catalyst fund posters.
There will be an Exhibition Prize Draw which involves participants visiting each exhibition stand in order to receive a stamp for their card. Once they have completed their card, they are entered into a prize draw to win an Amazon voucher.
The Vitae Zone situated in the Monarch Foyer will give you the chance to pick up the new Vitae publications.
Please use the conference hashtag #Vitae18
Certificates
For those of you who would like a certificate of attendance please email events@vitae.ac.uk by Monday 10th September and they will be available to collect from the registration desk when you leave the conference.
Meals and refreshments
Breakfast
For residents of The Hilton Birmingham Metropole, breakfast is served in The Boulevard between 06:30-10:00.
Lunch
Lunch will be served in the Viscount Suite at the following times:
Monday 17th September 12:20-13:45
Tuesday 18th September 12:30-13:40
Drinks reception
The pre-dinner drinks reception is being held from 19.00 on Monday 17 September in the Viscount suite.
Sunday buffet
For delegates who have registered for the buffet dinner on Sunday 16th, this will take place in the Terrace Room from 19:30.
Special diets
Dietary requirements will be catered for during the conference. Please note that the vegetarian menu must be pre-ordered and any special dietary requirements must be communicated in advance to the Vitae events team (01223 460277) unless already stated on your booking form.
Conference dinner and Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition
The drinks reception will be followed by the final of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition in the Monarch Suite. at 19.45 sponsored by our headline sponsor Taylor & Francis, with a prize from UKRI. Once all finalists have presented, the dinner will begin. The dress code for the conference dinner is smart.
Travel
Hilton Birmingham Metropole is situated next to the NEC, Genting Arena, Birmingham International Train Station and Birmingham Airport. This Birmingham hotel enjoys a privileged location and allows guests to enjoy great offers, including Park & Fly specials.
Address:
Hilton Birmingham Metropole
The NEC Birmingham
Pendigo way
Birmingham
B40 1PP
Tel: +44 121 780 4242
Rail:
Birmingham International Train Station
Rail Station with links to Birmingham city centre, London, Manchester & many more. From Birmingham International railway station, guests may use the free telephone to arrange a collection to the hotel, by courtesy bus. The bus stop is Bus Stop C and located next to the taxi rank in the bus depot. The journey to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel takes approximately 5 minutes. The 24-hour service runs at 30-minute intervals.
Distance from the hotel:
Walking - 15 mins, 0.8 miles
Driving - 7 mins, 1.8 miles
Birmingham New Street train station
From Birmingham New Street Station, take the train to Birmingham International Station. The journey normally takes around 10-15 minutes depending on the time of day. At Birmingham International Station, use the courtesy telephone (adjacent to Subway) to ask for the hotel bus to pick you up. The journey from Birmingham International Station to Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel takes 5 minutes by courtesy bus. The 24-hour service runs every 30 minutes.
Information on all rail routes can be found at National Rail Enquiries
Taxi:
For a taxi from Birmingham Airport to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, it is a 2-mile drive and costs around £6.
Taxi company recommended by hotel:
A2B Radio Cars, 0121 695 9807 or admin@a2bradiocars.com
Walking:
It is advisable to take the Hilton hotel courtesy bus or a taxi but walking directions can be found below:
Once you have arrived at Birmingham International Rail Station, simply follow the directions inside the station to head toward the NEC. As you enter into the NEC, take an immediate right and head down the stairs/ramp towards the main exit. Once outside, cross the road and follow the signs towards the Hilton Metropole.
Air:
From Birmingham International Airport, bear right onto Concorde Road, turn right onto Vanguard Road and then bear left onto Airport Way. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit then merge onto Coventry Road A45 (sign posted M42, M6, M1, M40, M5, Coventry). Branch left (sign posted M42, M6, M1, M40, M5, NEC), then at the roundabout take the first exit onto Pendigo Way (sign posted NEC). At the roundabout take the first exit into the car park of the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
Distance from the hotel:
Walking - 20 mins, 1.5 miles
Driving - 6 mins, 1.7 miles
https://www.airporttaxis-uk.co.uk
Car:
M42 Motorway
The hotel is easily accessible from Junction 6 of the M42, connecting to the M40 for London or the M6 for Manchester & Liverpool.
Distance from the hotel: 8 mins, 2.4 miles
Parking:
The Hilton Birmingham Metropole has 600 parking spaces in total and parking is available at a discounted day rate (8 hours) of £9 per car.
To pay for your parking at the Hilton, please visit the car parking machine in the main hotel foyer. In order to receive the discounted parking, please enter the unique code: JDUIS
Your car registration should be entered in capital letters with no spaces. This will allow the barrier to automatically lift for you upon exit.
Alternatively, you can access the online parking system on the below link at any time during your stay and choosing the first option "start" for a quick and easy exit.
Facilities
Accessibility
Assistance
If you need any assistance concerning your arrival or booking immediately before or during the conference please call Lois Yardy on 07545 204685.
Leisure facilities
All Hilton Birmingham Metropole residential guests have use of the LivingWell health and leisure club.
Internet access
Wi-Fi is free of charge for all conference participants within all areas of the conference. For access in hotel bedrooms, this is a charge of £14.99 per 24 hours which would can be paid for on arrival directly with the hotel.
Accommodation
All bedrooms are en-suite and are supplied with desk area, LCD TV, tea and coffee making facilities, air conditioning, towels and toiletries
Room keys and luggage storage
Room keys will be available from 17:00 in the Warwick Suite, this is also where one piece of luggage can be stored. Luggage will be transferred to your room during the afternoon sessions. Rooms must be vacated by 10:00 on your day of departure. For early check-in or late check-out, this would be a charge of £50. Please notify events@vitae.ac.uk if you wish to book this option.
Cloakroom facilities
Coats can be stored in the Greville room.
Please note that CRAC, Vitae and Hilton Birmingham Metropole are unable to accept responsibility for loss of or damage to personal property.