Embassy of the United States

Wednesday, 29 October
      09.00 : Exhibition opens to trade visitors only
      10.00 – 12.00 : Conference
      12.30 – 14.00 : Lunch Debate
      18.00 : End of Day 3

Thursday 30 October
      09.00 : Exhibition opens to trade visitors only
      10.00 – 12.00 : Conference
      12.30 – 14.00 : Lunch Debate
      18.00 : End of Day 4

Friday 31 October
      09.00 : Exhibition opens to trade visitors only
      16.00 : End of EURONAVAL 2008

This programme may be subject to further changes

4.  Country Clearance

Official DoD visitors should submit request for country clearance as soon as possible, but NLT 20 September 2008.  Please see the Foreign Clearance Guide (Europe) (online at https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm) for further instructions (refer to Section III of the chapter on France for personnel entry requirements).  ODC message address is RUEHFR/ODC PARIS FR//.  

5.  Badges

Show badges are free to all bona fide visitors (government, defense & industry).  Your country clearance message will be used to submit badge requests to SOGENA, the defense industry trade show organizer for this event.  These badges will be distributed at the Hotel Concorde Lafayette (the official DoD hotel) on the Sunday before the show commences (26 October), at the U.S. Visitors welcome desk in the lobby (see Item 8). To ensure you receive a badge, submit your country clearance request as soon as possible.  

* Note: badges must be accompanied by a government photo ID to be admitted to EURONAVAL show site (DoD CAC Card, Passport, Driver’s License, etc).  

6.  Travel Documents

Visitors to France have three options for legal entry into the country:  These options are, in order of ease:
1. Blue tourist passport (no visa required for visits less than 90 days);
2. For military members, NATO travel orders (in French and English), with U.S. military ID:  https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/docs/natoform.doc;
3. Official government passport (French visa required; issued in the United States by the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.; typically requiring up to 8 weeks for delivery).  Delays in processing make this the least preferred option. 

* Note: it is advisable to maintain a photocopy of your passport and visa with you at all times and an additional copy in your luggage.  

7.  Hotels

A single hotel, the Hotel Concorde-Lafayette, has been identified as the official hotel for DoD, VIP, and distinguished visitors.  This facility will be cleared for security purposes and to meet EUCOM requirements for force protection.  Lodging in this hotel is therefore most strongly encouraged.  Should you choose to stay elsewhere, you may not be in accordance with the Combatant Commander’s force protection requirements and you will not receive government-provided bus transportation to the show. Click here to download the official US Embassy Hotel Reservation Form.

Do not contact the U.S. Embassy TVU directly, as they will not be authorized to make separate arrangements for DoD guests to EURONAVAL. 

Normal tourist season fills Paris hotels to capacity, resulting in a doubling of prices.  Paris per-diem rate as of Aug 2008 is $347 for lodging and $162 for meals.  The current exchange rate hovers around $0.65 euros per dollar.  Hotels in the center of Paris can be expected to cost between $300 and $500 per night.  For DoD personnel attending EURONAVAL, a lodging rate in excess of normal rates is anticipated. 
Check-in time for hotels in Paris is typically 1500.  Due to the number of guests at this time of the year, early check-in is not offered.  If your flight has you arriving in the early morning and you desire to go directly to your hotel room, you must pay for the full day prior and inform the hotel that you will be a late check-in.  This extra day must be authorized on your orders for you to be reimbursed.   

8.  Public Transportation

The Paris public transportation system is efficient and easy to use. For those who have never visited or are unfamiliar with metro use, visit the Paris public transportation website. This website can provide a step-by-step itinerary from your hotel or any other location to any address in Paris. Taxis are plentiful for those less daring, but can be expensive due to city traffic.  

9.  Uniform Policy

Personal security is the primary factor in formulating uniform policy for EURONAVAL 2008.   On the Opening Day, all US military in attendance are expected to dress in service Class A, with jacket and tie or equivalent.  On the second and following days, all military can anticipate Class B, short sleeve, open collar.  For civilian attendees, normal daily attire is business suit with tie.  Evening events are business suit with tie unless otherwise noted.

10.  Embassy Access

The US embassy is not a service facility or open to the public.  Access is controlled for security reasons and limited to official business.  To enter the US Embassy, TDY personnel must have their official orders identifying Paris as their TDY location and their official passport or military ID.  There are limited facilities in the Embassy and some charge additional service fees for TDY personnel.

11.  Internet Sites of Interest

Additional EURONAVAL 2008 information is available at the following sites:
EURONAVAL 2008 show organizer's home page in English:
http://www.euronaval-show.com/asp/intr.asp?langue=uk
State Department travel information for France:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3842.htm
English language information about France:
http://www.francetourism.com/
Local transportation information:
http://www.ratp.fr/    
http://www.airfrance.com/

12.  Point of Contact

All initial contact to ODC Paris

odcfrtradeshow@state.gov   tel ++33 1  43 12 24 99