GENERAL INFORMATION
UK Kidney Week – the annual scientific meeting of the UK Kidney Association (UKKA) is taking place at The Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel (the Hotel) from Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 June 2022.
This is an ‘in-person’ meeting with the addition of an online live stream for some but not all elements of the programme.
Programme presenters will be given the opportunity to pre-record their presentation in advance and upload it to an online app, to be viewed post-event. However, it should be noted that the full programme sessions will not be recorded.
Set-up of the UKKW infrastructure will take place on Monday 6 June.
The exhibition will be housed in the Palace Suite.
Registration will open for delegates from 09:00 on Tuesday 7 June.
On Tuesday 7 June, the exhibition will be accessible for colleagues with an exhibition stand to access the Palace Suite in order to dress their stands only.
The exhibition will open at 11:45 on Tuesday 7 June.
The exhibition will close at 14:30 on Thursday 9 June.
The programme, including timings of breaks, can be viewed here.
Venue
Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel (the Hotel)
National Exhibition Centre,
Pendigo Way,
Marston Green,
Birmingham
B40 1PP
Phone: 0121 780 4242
Website
The Hotel is located eight miles from Birmingham city centre and situated next to the NEC, LG Arena, Birmingham International Train Station and Birmingham Airport.
By Road
The nearest motorways to the Hotel are the M6 & M42. Follow signs to the NEC, then the signs to the hotel entrance.
By Rail
The nearest train station is Birmingham International Station, which is approximately 25 minutes on foot, or 10-15 minutes by taxi to the hotel and will cost around £8.00. A2B Radio Cars has an App for booking taxis in advance Taxi service - Birmingham and Solihull | A2B Radio Cars
By Air
Birmingham Airport is located 2 miles away from the Hotel and takes 5 minutes by car or 20 minutes by foot. A taxi will cost around £6.00.
Accommodation
Please note accommodation close to the Venue is limited. To avoid disappointment, we advise you to book early.
For the core nights of UKKW (Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 June) preferential rates have been negotiated at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole (£142 per night B&B inc. VAT). Subject to availability, rooms can be booked via the UKKW website.
Rates have also been secured at a number of other hotels in the vicinity (prices various).
Accommodation bookings can be made here.
Please note that if you wish to stay at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on either 6 or 9 June, you will be required to make a separate booking at a best available room rate – refer to the UKKW website for further information.
Car Parking
The Hotel has 600 car parking spaces on-site, which cost £9 per car per day for UKKW delegates and are subject to availability. Alternatively, there is parking available at the NEC, please note this is beyond the hotel's control so pricing may vary.
The Hotel car park is operated by ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). Whether you are staying overnight at the Hotel or attending just for the day, there is an online car parking portal, UKKW participants can use the unique event code below to pay for car parking. We recommend paying online for car parking to avoid queues on departure.
Please note that the Hotel cannot accommodate vans, trucks, mini-buses or coaches.
Car parking Portal: https://www.bhmparking.co.uk/
Unique Event Code: MQEZR
Alternatively, there is an option to pay for car parking at the machine next to the concierge in the Hotel reception.
Any overnight residents should advise the Hotel reception of their car registration at any time during their stay prior to departure. Upon departure from the car park, the barrier will lift. Charges will only be made for those who have parked their cars in the hotel car park.
Cash Machine
There is a cash machine located in the foyer of the Hotel.
Catering
For the duration of UKKW, the Hotel food outlets will be open. The Gild Lobby Bar and Lounge (in the hotel lobby) is open 24hrs. More information will be available onsite. There are also a number of eateries available at Resort World Restaurants - Bars | Resorts World | Resorts World Birmingham, a 10-minute walk away from the Hotel.
Deliveries and Returns
Shipments to the Hotel are received, stored and delivered to the Monarch Lock-Up storage room. Storage in this area is limited. The Hotel asks for your co-operation in shipping in a timely manner, no more than 24 hours prior to the start of the event.
Shipments must be addressed according to the Hotel delivery Label.
Handling fees will apply if pallets/boxes are left by delivery drivers.
The Hotel does not accept Cash on Delivery packages.
For security reasons, all unidentified shipments or questionable packages will be refused.
Returns
Guests are responsible for the packing and collection of all return items. These should be indicated to a hotel representative before your departure.
Please note that any items left in the exhibition room without correct labelling will be destroyed.
All items must be addressed according to the Hotel return label.
All items must be returned to the Monarch Lock-Up storage room.
For the avoidance of doubt, any labelled packages left in function rooms following UKKW will be removed and charges for storage will apply for a maximum of three days. Items not removed from the premises within 3 days of departure will be destroyed.
Disclaimer
The UKKA claim no liability for the act of any supplier to this meeting, nor liability for: personal injury, the safety of any attendee while in transit to or from the meeting, for any loss or damage, for delays in transport by air, sea, rail, road, weather, in case of strikes, sickness, war or other causes.
Emergency Announcements
Please familiarise yourself with the emergency and fire procedures at the venue as soon as you arrive. If partial or complete evacuation is necessary, it is strongly recommended that you leave the building for your own safety. The Events Team cannot accept responsibility for damage, loss or injury however caused.
Fire Alarm Procedure
In the event of a fire situation, a high-pitched warble will sound continuously. On hearing this sound, please evacuate using the nearest exit. If you are in the process of operating equipment such as power tools please first switch off/isolate and secure them.
Please leave the building and congregate at the fire assembly point (car park 1 at the front of the building). Please advise the fire coordinator that all your personnel are accounted for. The fire coordinator will inform you via a tannoy when it is safe to re-enter the building.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN THE HOTEL OR LOCAL AUTHORITY REFUSING UKKW TO PROCEED OR CLOSING THE MEETING.
Sprinklers are fitted throughout the hotel; please ensure all heat sources are kept away from them. If they are activated due to negligence on your part we reserve the right to claim on your insurance to make good any damage.
Fire Precautions
All materials used for the interiors of stands must be thoroughly fireproofed or be non-combustible to the satisfaction of the local authority and compliant with BS476 Part 7 Class 1 requirements. Failure to do so may result in the removal of all offending fittings. Any person discovering a fire should immediately notify a member of the Hotel staff or operate a break glass unit.
Internet and Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi for browsing is available at UKKW via Hilton honours, password: Lobby.
Lost Property
All lost property is handed to the main concierge desk in the hotel foyer. Please contact the team there for any enquiries regarding lost property.
Luggage Store
A luggage store will be provided on Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 June. The luggage store is provided free of charge for all delegates, exhibitors and sponsors. Further information will be available on-site.
Medical Care / First Aid
In cases of medical emergencies, please contact a member of staff from the Hotel. If possible, give the exact location of the casualty and details of injuries sustained. A member of the first aid team will come to help. Please do not contact Emergency Services direct as multiple calls can impact upon a prompt response time from the Ambulance Service. The Hotel also provides defibrillator assistance if required.
In the event of medical assistance being required, please inform a member of the UKKA Events Team.
Prayer Room
A prayer room is located in the Kent Room, available 7 – 9 June.
Registration
The deadline for UKKW registration is 20 May. If you wish to register to attend as either a full programme delegate or a day delegate, please refer to the website here.
For exhibitors, please refer to the section of this manual ‘Exhibition’.
Smoking
Smoking in public areas in the UK is prohibited. If exhibitors or contractors wish to smoke, they may do so outside of the venue in the designated smoking areas outside between the Hotel and Resort World. Using e-cigs or vaping is not permitted inside the venue. Smoking bins are provided.
Exhibition
The current exhibition floor plan is available to view here https://ukkw.org/exhibition/