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Summary

The Summer Conference 2013 will take place at the Hilton Cardiff Hotel, Cardiff, UK on Monday 1 July - Thursday 4 July 2013.

The Summer Conference this year will have the following themes:

• Lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium
• Actinobacteria

A varied scientific and social programme, across 4 venues in Cardiff

During the day on Monday 1 July there will be a workshop for students to attend.  More information on this coming soon!

The meeting officially starts with the Journal of Applied Microbiology Lecture on the evening of Monday 1 July, taking place at the National Museum Cardiff.  We are delighted to hold the reception following the Lecture in the Museum's galleries displaying French Impressionist paintings, sculpture and ceramics, Welsh landscapes and historic art.

After the Lecture on Monday evening the Quiz Night will take place at the KuKu Club, Park Plaza, Cardiff (very close to the Hilton Cardiff and on the way back from the National Museum). With wall lights from Lebanon, hanging lanterns from Morocco, colourful candle-lit copper tables and low-slung seating the Kuku Club offers a very exotic location for this great fun quiz.

The Trade Show will take place during the day and into the evening of Tuesday 2 July with wine, a competition and prizes to be won.

The Conference Dinner will be held in Cardiff Castle, a spectacular medieval castle and Victorian architecture Gothic revival mansion, transformed from a Norman keep erected over a Roman fort.  Spaces at the dinner are limited to 100 this year so book early!  

15/5/13 - THE CONFERENCE DINNER IS NOW SOLD OUT.  If you would like your name to be added to a waiting list in case of any cancellations please email sally@sfam.org.uk
11/6/13 - ACCOMMODATION BOOKING IS NOW CLOSED.  To find and book accommodation in Cardiff yourself please visit: http://www.visitcardiff.com/accommodation

Programme

The Summer Conference scientific programme will be held at the Hilton Cardiff and includes talks on:

• Genomics based insight in starter bacteria
• New insights in viral protection in lactic acid bacteria
• Growth and physiology of Bifidobacteria
• Evolution of sporulating actinomycetes

Other events at the Summer Conference:

Monday 1 July - Journal of Applied Microbiology Lecture, National Museum Cardiff
Monday 1 July - Quiz Night, KuKu Club, Park Plaza, Cardiff
Tuesday 2 July - Trade Show, Hilton Cardiff
Wednesday 3 July - Conference dinner, Cardiff Castle - spaces limited to 100.

Download the Summer Conference programme here:  

   Summer 2013 programme

Location

The main conference sessions will take place at:
Hilton Cardiff, Cardiff, UK

Address
Kingsway
Cardiff
CF10 3HH

Telephone
02920 646300

Driving to Cardiff

Cardiff is accessible via the M4.

From the East: Leave the M4 at junction 32 and follow the A470 (1st exit at roundabout) into the centre of Cardiff.

From the West: Leave the M4 at junction 33 and join the A4232 (3rd exit at roundabout). You can then either exit the A4232 at the next roundabout and follow signs for Cardiff city centre, or alternatively, there will be a diversion on the A4232 due to race road closures.

From the South West: Drive North along the M5 motorway and then follow signs for South Wales and the M4.

From the Midlands and North: Head for the M50 motorway (junction 8 on the M5 motorway) and then onto the A40 (signposted South Wales, Monmouth). Continue along the A40 until you reach Monmouth when the road becomes the A449. Continue along the A449 until you reach the Coldra roundabout. Here you should take the 5th exit to join the M4.

Parking

Valet parking is available at a cost of £20 per 24 hours. There are 87 spaces available in the hotel's secure car park, one block from the hotel. If there is limited space available the hotel staff will park your car at the nearby NCP.

There are 244 spaces available at the NCP on Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AD at a cost of £18 per 24 hours.

Travelling by train to Cardiff

The nearest train station is Cardiff Central. Cardiff is easy to reach by train from almost every location in the UK. For those travelling from London, First Great Western operates an hourly train service from London Paddington with a total journey time of only 2 hours.

Book well in advance to get the cheapest fares. See www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk for more details or try searching for cheap fares at www.raileasy.co.uk or www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk

National Express and Megabus coach companies both have regular services to Cardiff from London. National Express services are more frequent, with coaches leaving Victoria coach station almost hourly, but Megabus fares are very low. Journeys should last just over 3 hours. Visit www.nationalexpress.com or www.megabus.com to find out more.

Flying to Cardiff

The following airlines offer flights to Cardiff: Aer Aran, BMI Baby, Eastern Airways, Flybe, Highland Airways, KLM, Thomson Fly.

The airport is situated 15km South West of Cardiff city centre. Once you’ve arrived you can travel to the city centre by taxi, train or bus. Taxis are located just outside the arrival hall. For train tickets and times, please check www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk If you’re travelling by bus, the X91 bus will take you from the airport to Cardiff Central station.

Heathrow Airport is around 137 miles away and takes about 2.5 hours by car to get to Cardiff.  You can travel to Cardiff by train from Heathrow, see www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk for more details.

The Journal of Applied Microbiology Lecture, on the evening of Monday 1 July, will take place at:
National Museum Cardiff

Address
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NP

The National Museum is a short walk from the Hilton hotel.

The Quiz Night, on the evening of Monday 1 July, will take place at:
KuKu Club, Park Plaza, Cardiff

Address
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AL

The KuKu Club is a short walk from the Hilton hotel.

The conference dinner, on the evening of Wednesday 3 July, will take place at:
Cardiff Castle

Address
Castle Street
Cardiff
CF10 3RB

The Castle is also a short walk from the Hilton hotel.

Abstract submission

Abstract Submission is now closed for the Summer Conference 2013.

Decisions regarding abstracts and grant applications will be emailed to authors by 15 April 2013
For anyone not applying for a grant, one author must register and pay to attend the conference by 22 April 2013
If you are travelling from overseas you must provide proof of travel and visa (if required) by 3 June 2013

Studentship grant application

Studentship Grant applications are now closed for the Summer Conference 2013.

Decisions regarding Studentship Grant applications will be emailed by 15 April 2013
If you are travelling from overseas you must provide proof of travel and visa (if required) by 3 June 2013

Booking form

To book a place at the SfAM Summer Conference please download and complete this registration form:

  Summer 2013 booking form (conference dinner sold out)

15/5/13 - THE CONFERENCE DINNER IS NOW SOLD OUT.  If you would like your name to be added to a waiting list in case of any cancellations please email sally@sfam.org.uk

11/6/13 - ACCOMMODATION BOOKING IS NOW CLOSED.  To find and book accommodation in Cardiff yourself please visit: http://www.visitcardiff.com/accommodation