Thank you again for registering to attend the 25th Annual FIRST Conference! We are very excited to see you all in Bangkok!

We wanted to prepare this page just for our attendees to have handy as they prepare for the trek to Bangkok. It is broken down into Things Before You Go, Arrival at BKK and At the Conrad. If you are local to Bangkok, we hope you find some useful information as well.

Things Before You Go

Program Agenda
A quick copy of the program agenda can be downloaded and/or printed here. We will mark this agenda final the week of June 10th so we do recommend that you please wait to print or save a copy until then. A program booklet and pocket agenda will be provided to you onsite.

Mobile Agenda - EventBoard
We will once again be utilizing EventBoard as our mobile agenda app for your devices. Our event will be available to acces starting the week of June 10th. The app is free to download and works on the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and Windows 8 platforms. Go to your app store and search for EventBoard Mobile, or navigate to this page on your mobile device http://www.eventboardmobile.com/download_web.html. Gain access to a mobile version of the agenda, speaker bio, floor plans and social media feeds (even if you don't have an account!)

Presentations
Presentations will be available online the week of June 10th. We will be emailing you with information on how to access these public versions of the presentations. We do not print presentations nor do we put them on USB drives. Attendees have access to Wifi in all of our meeting rooms and can easily access presentations on demand. We will also provide everyone with a link to download the final presentation package post-conference.

What's the Dress Code at a FIRST Conference?
While our general recommendation is "Friday Business Casual," our attendees mix it up...we have those that prefer a more relaxed outfit (jeans, shorts) to those that feel most comfortable in suits. We do always recommend that you plan to pack a few light layers to have handy in case you get too cold the meeting rooms. Given Bangkok's climate in June, we have asked hotel engineering to keep all the meeting rooms cold!

Special Dress Code Reminder for Monday, 17 June
We are delighted for the opportunity to have Thailand's Prime Minister join us for opening remarks on Monday of the conference. That said, we are kindly asking our attendees to be in their best business casual, or business suit attire. We have also been asked by the local delegation to please prohibit any flip-flop type sandals or shorts as it is considered disrespectful. While we don't want to dictate your dress, we do ask that you please adhere to the recommended dress code for Monday. Thank you!

Other Packing Considerations
If you plan on getting any sightseeing in during your stay in Bangkok, we highly recommend that you pack a few easy coverups to take with you through the temples and palaces.

• Men - shoulders and legs must be covered. T-shirts and easy to throw on pants that can go over shorts or convertable pants should do the trick.
• Women - shoulders and arms up to your elbows need to be covered - higher cut shirts should also be considered. Capris, shorts, dresses or skirts that cover the knee cap are OK.

There are many pop-ups that sell coverups for both men and women for very reasonable prices.

Have a Copy of Your Registration Confirmation
Please have a copy of your registration confirmation readily available. If like to have a printed copy, please print this before you go. If you'd rather pull it up on your mobile device, please be sure it ready as soon as you reach the registration desk.

Don't Forget Your Business Cards!
Please don't forget your cards! Networking is a huge component at a FIRST conference. We don't provide our exhibitors with any type of lead retrievel, so if you want to connect, you'll need to give them your business card.

Letter of Invitation
If you requested a letter of invitation to attend, we recommend that you have that printed and readily available just in case you need it through immigration.

Don't Forget Your Power Adapters!
You can check our Quick Facts page for this information.

Bug Spray
The mosquitos are out and about in Bangkok. If you feel more comfortable bringing a travel size repellant spray from home, we do recommend it. (Our conference staff is bringing some of their own!) There is a full grocery store connected to the Conrad that contains many of your standard toiletries shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc., but we can't guarantee that they will have bug repellant. Better to be safe than itchy!

Directions to the Conrad in Thai and English
If you are taking a taxi to the Conrad, please be sure to print and have a copy of this Conrad map with you. Not all taxi drivers speak English very well (or at all) and this will come in handy throughout your stay in Bangkok. For those of you who would like to know the translation of Wireless Road, it is "Whitthayu" - the Conrad is part of the All Seasons complex near Lumpini Park - all very good location points to program into your heads/mobile devices!

Want to order an airport transfer? Special Rate for Attendees - Expires 10 June 2013
If you are interested in ordering an airport transfer before you head to Bangkok, we have been provided a special offer from Meeting Point Asia. The following Early Bird rates are being offered to FIRST attendees:

• Private Transfer - Toyota Camry
  From BKK to the Conrad Hotel or BKK to other city hotels and vice versa:
  • 2 passenger max; $50 USD
    
    
• Private Transfer - Toyota Commuter
  From BKK to the Conrad Hotel or BKK to other city hotels and vice versa:
  • 6 passenger max; $55 USD
    
    
• Join Airport Transfer - From BKK to the Conrad Hotel only on 14-16 June 2013
  • Minimum of 4 travelers; $15 USD per person
  • Time table: 12:00; 17:00; 22:30; 24:00; 01:00

To reserve your transfer, please send email to Ms. Montira Intason at montira.intason@meetingpointasia.com.

Outstanding Payments
If you have an outstanding registration fee, we will recommend that you get this cleared up before your departure. Otherwise we will need you to pay for your registration onsite with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), pay via check, or bring proof of wire payment processing. NO CASH will be accepted. We will have the right to deny access to delinquent registrants.

Arrival At BKK

FIRST Conference Information Desk Next to Baggage Claim 18
We will have several banners welcoming you into Bangkok as you navigate through the airport. As many of you will be arriving late night/early morning, we will have an information desk situated near baggage claim 18 to help you make your way through Bangkok. If you are not staying at the Conrad, this is also a great place to stop and get directions. The desk will be available 24 hours starting on Friday, 14 June through Sunday, 16 June - our heaviest arrival times.

Currency Exchange
The currency exchange is very easy to locate in the arrivals area. We recommend that you get Thai Baht as soon as you arrive as you will find many bars, markets, restaurants and cabs do not accept credit cards.

Taxi Cabs
Taxi cabs are plentiful at BKK. Follow the signs towards ground transportation and you will find the taxi line. Traffic is light during the late evening/early morning hours and it should take you roughly 20 minutes to get to the Conrad. A ride during this time will cost you roughly $25-30 US or anywhere from 600-700 Thai Baht.

Tipping
It is customary to tip in Thailand. 10% at restaurants; generally round up the nearest Baht for taxi fare; and 20-50 THB for hotel staff is the normal.

At the Conrad

Checking In
The Conrad reservation team is a wonderful group! Please be sure that they review all your amenities with you including breakfast times, your complimentary in-room Wifi access and if you are a Hilton Honors member, be sure to get their lounge hours.

Internet - Sleeping Rooms
As stated above, your reservation does include complimentary in-room wifi access. As you all are aware, hotel networks do have their kinks. If you have trouble accessing the internet in your room for any reason, please kindly call down to the front desk and ask for assistance.

Internet - Meeting Rooms
The FIRST Conference network (sponsored by Cisco) will be available for use starting on Sunday the 16th and will be available only in the meeting room areas. This year, the Cisco team is deploying 802.1x authentication - meaning that all of our registered attendees have been pre-assigned credentials. These credentials will be given to you at registration. If your device does not support 802.1x, please see the registration desk for further instruction.

Groceries, Shopping and Starbucks!
The Conrad is conveniently connected to the All Seasons Shopping Centre for all your basic needs. There is a full grocery store, many clothing stores, a luggage store, a food court...and of course, a Starbucks. We urge to walk around and take note of what is available. Fun fact: if you want to purchase food and water for your room, but your refridgerator is full of mini-bar items, simply call down to the front desk and kindly ask if they can send someone up to empty your refridgerator so you may use it for your own groceries during conference week.

Siteseeing Tours
Meeting Point Asia is offering our attendees discount tour rates.

• Half Day City, Temples and Grand Palace Tour (4 hours) - prices range from $55-95 per person depending on pax
• Half Day Grand Palace Tour (3 hours) - prices range from $55-75 per person depending on pax
• Half Day Kongs and Wat Arun (3 hours) - prices ranges from $40-75 per person depending on pax
• Half Day Bangkok Private Tour Guide (4 hours) - prices range from $25-45 per person depending on pax
• Half Day Bangkok Private Night Tour (4 hours) - prices range from $35-65 per person depending on pax

To reserve your transfer, please send email to Ms. Montira Intason at montira.intason@meetingpointasia.com.

Please note that we will have Meeting Point Asis onsite with us during conference week and you will be able to book tours with them directly.