Just to clarify, the proposed book swap desk would not be a recycling point though I would like to investigate that option for future conferences.

There's nothing stopping people from swapping magazines, though :)

It is funny, but I was just thinking about this too. I have magazines and books that I plan on reading on the trip, so a local collection point would be perfect.

Hi Everyone

What do you think of having a book swap desk at the conference?

I often don't want to take books back home after reading them on holiday but rather than putting them in the bin or leaving them behind for someone else to put in the bin I wondered if other people feel the same and would be happier knowing their books are going to a new reader.

What I'm proposing to do is to designate a desk where people can leave books they've finished reading and pick up a new one they would like to read. If you think this is a good idea we would trial this for the first time in Budapest so let me know what you think.

Regards

Rebekka
ProZ.com Conference Planning and Development

Dear All,

This message is sent to everyone who signed up to the original powwow page. As I noticed, many of you have not yet registered for the conference.

If you intend to come to the conference, you should book your hotel room as soon as possible. Hotel Ibis reserved some rooms for us until April 9th. If the contingent fills up before that, they may have a few more rooms as well. Please see the main conference page for booking details.

Also, I'd like to remind you that the current rate of the conference fee is valid until April 16th, after which it will be EUR 20 / USD 25 higher.

The conference program is now final, take a look at it under the Program tab of the conference page.

This conference is set to be by far the most international Proz.com event ever - so nearly 220 people registered from almost 40 countries from around the world.

The Budapest conference will be a rich professional and cultural experience, so don't miss it!

Happy Easter/Pesach to everyone

Csaba

This message is sent to people who signed up for the original powwow page. The majority of you have actually registered for the conference, but I can see quite a few names who have not.

If you still plan to attend the conference (you should!), I urge you to book your hotel room as soon as possible, as this will be a very scarce commodity as we are approaching the big day. The conference hotel is booked up already, but there are several rooms reserved for us in another hotel. See the main conference page for details.

All the best,
Csaba

----------------
sorry, two words were missing in the previous message. This is a corrected version.

Dear All,

This message is sent to people who signed for the original powwow page. The majority of you have actually registered for the conference, but I can quite a few names who have not.

If you still plan to attend the conference (you should!), I urge you to book your hotel room as soon as possible, as this will be a very scarce commodity as we are approaching the big day. The conference hotel is booked up already, but there are several rooms reserved for us in another hotel. See the main conference page for details.

All the best,
Csaba

For anyone who needs accommodation: try Ibis. I just received an advertising mail and they seem to have rooms available at 67 EUR/night (approx. 60 EUR for ACCOR card holders).
See: www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/1685/fiche_hotel.shtml

Dear conference participants,

If you haven't booked your room yet, hurry up, as Hotel Benczúr has only 13 rooms left (10 minutes ago). Some of these rooms are actually apartments that can sleep 4 people.

I keep trying to find alternative solutions.

Csaba

Dear colleagues,

Now there's only one week left in the early bird period. If you want to secure your place for EUR 140 / USD 180, act now.

The early bird pricing of Trados sessions will also expire on February 28th.

The conference hotel is filling up fast. Room rates will be 5 euros higher (per room per night) if you book after March 1st.

Some recent developments:
1. A Wordfast seminar will be held on the 2nd day of the conference.
2. I managed to find a good folk music band for the boat.
3. Deja Vu training will be offered for a separate fee on April 28th and May 1st. More details will be posted on the conference page within 24 hours.

And a special request: I received funds from Romania a couple of days ago, but the person forgot to indicate the name and Proz.com ID, so I cannot identify the payment. If you feel it was you, please send me details of your wire transfer by email.

This will be a truly international conference. So far 89 people registered, who represent 25 different countries. Together with confirmed speakers, this number is 27. Registered participants speak 19 different mother tongues and work in 25 different languages. If I count the people who have not registered yet, but confirmed their intention in email, the number of countries likely to be represented will increase to 32!

all the best,
Csaba

Dear All,

Let me wish you a happy Valentine’s day – for you and your eternal love, i.e. languages.

It’s only two weeks to go until the early bird period is over. Registration fee will be EUR 20 / USD 25 higher if you pay after March 1st.
Also, please note that conference hotel is filling up quickly. By now, about two thirds of the rooms are booked out. But do not dispair: there are two smaller hotels in the same price range, both of them within 2 minutes of walking.

If you have not bought your flight tickets yet, now you may find some very cheap deals at www.skyeurope.com. Their current campaign is valid until February 18th.

It looks like there will be a Wordfast training for free, but this is not yet confirmed.

This conference is set to become the most international Proz.com event ever - in addition to the list the people who registered already, there will be participants from Brazil, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, the Ukraine. In the past few days I received inquiries even from countries like Kuwait and Kameroon.

So don't hesitate, secure your place now.

Csaba

Dear All,

If you have an urge to travel, do it quickly. You still have exactly 80 days before the Budapest conference - just enough to trace the steps of Phileas Fogg. But make sure you arrive on time in the Reform Club... oops, sorry, Hotel Benczúr.

Another milestone is that the conference page surpassed 5000 hits just last night.

Please check back often, as I keep updating the page almost every day. The program is taking shape, but there are still a few empty slots. If you have a good proposal for a session that you are ready to hold, please let me know.

So far 63 people registered for the conference, but hotel reservation seems to go faster. By now, half of the rooms are booked out. There are still many empty rooms, but if you want to stay where all the action goes on, do not wait for too long.

I'd like to remind you that additional powwow pages are open (links from the main powwow page or the conference page). Please indicate your presence so that I can plan which restaurant to book.

Trados training sessions will be held on April 28th and May1st. More details on the main conference page and the dedicated Trados sessions forum.

Negotiations with Atril (DVX) are still under way.

That's all for now. I plan to distribute the next update early next week.

Kind regards,
Csaba

Dear friends,

I'm happy to announce that the Budapest conference will be the most international Proz.com event ever!
The 58 participants who registered already come from 24 different countries (including 6 countries from beyond Europe), plus we'll also have a speaker from Switzerland. And when I look at the conference mailing list and the powwow list, I'm sure we'll have participants from at least 30 countries...

Although the conference is still 12 weeks away, the program is starting to take shape.
http://www.proz.com/conference/10?page=schedule
Please note that the list and timing of sessions is not final.

You are invited to express your opinions and requests about the proposed sessions at the Official Programs forum:
http://www.proz.com/topic/60698

Until then, keep on translating... at least I will...

Csaba

Dear friends,

Let me remind you that today is the last day of the hotel's early bird pricing scheme. In order to benefit, send your booking request to the hotel before midnight (GMT+1).

If you plan to attend Trados training sessions, follow the link provided on the conference overview page, under the section Trados training.

I opened three more powwow pages, for April 27th, 28th and 30th. Sign up if you are interested to attend.

Csaba

Dear friends,

With only three months to go, I'd like to inform you about the latest developments of the 5th international conference of Proz.com.

We'll benefit from the presence of a certified corporate terminologist and frequent conference speaker, Zurich-based Silvia Cerrella Bauer, who will talk about terminology management for large corporatations and freelance translators.

I'd like to remind you that early bird prices for Hotel Benczúr are valid until January 31st (mindnight, CET). While there are still plenty of rooms, make your reservation early, as hotel bookings seem to be well ahead of conference registration figures.

43 people people registered so far, with a few more confirmed for the next couple of days. These people come from 22 different countries, including 6 outside Europe.

All of you are invited to express any wishes related to the program, or just about anything on the appropriate forums.

<A HREF="http://www.proz.com/conference/10">Conference page</A>
<A HREF="http://www.proz.com/topic/60698">Official Program Forum</A>

Kind regards,
Csaba

I had a similar problem, when paying my annual fee in 2006- I was told, that is VAT-free, because I have an EU VAT ID. Despite of this, I was charged 20%VAT and when asking proZ, nobody answered till now why happened like this ... Maybe Patrick or a proZ-staff member will be able to explain me better now?

Hi again,

Thanks Patrick for your input which is correct and should be so.
It will mean that any local VAT in any country - in this case Hungary - will have to be absorbed by ProZ.com/The organiser (and members).
The boat trip supplier will charge VAT, the hotel will charge VAT for conference rooms, internet access, catering and other services and this VAT will have to be paid. No VAT number will save us from paying it.
Likewise, everybody having booked rooms will have to pay VAT on the price of their room.
If the hotel does not charge VAT, it makes an error which can be corrected at a later tax revision, to be charged to the user involved, i.e. us.
Mats

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to reconfirm what some of you have already posted here regarding VAT. If you have a valid VAT number, you will NOT be charged VAT. However, the payment system will show you a VAT charge initially, but if your number is valid and entered correctly, this VAT charge will disappear on your invoice when you click to go to the next page (where you will need to select your payment type). I've double checked with Cathy and she is confirming this too. I hope this helps...please let me know if you have anymore questions.
Patrick

Thanks for your input Rebecca.
But: Most of what is delivered is delivered in Hungary and that is according to my information the deciding factor.
I therefore still advise Csaba and ProZ.com to check this thorougly out.
Mats

to have caused such a stir. I didn't realize ProZ had an EU VAT number - was just looking out for ProZ and Csaba's best interests......my apologies to all! Allison

I'm sorry to say, Mats and Allison, but you're both wrong.
What Rebecca wrote is correct.
Thank you Jerzy, Jutta and Csaba, I'm going to try again.

Herman

As a former conference organiser I can contribute the following piece of information: ProZ.com have an EU VAT number. Therefore, for the Edinburgh conference no VAT was charged to those who live in an EU member state and are VAT registered. However, ProZians within the UK had to pay VAT. The same principle should apply to Hungary. Hope this clears things up for everyone.

provided there is a distingishable US part of the registration fee.

IMHO, if service is provided in Hungary bY Hungarian registered entity, VAT applies, but if service is provided in Hungary by US registered entity- such as ProZ.com is?

Uldis

A ground rule as to VAT is that a service rendered from a local to a visitor to the country must contain VAT (in Hungary: 19%) irrespective of from what country the visitor is coming from.
So if the 19% has been deducted from my registration fee because I have a Swedish VAT number, please add it again because Csaba will have to pay it in the end.
Ask staff to check and change.
Mats

Hi Everyone,
I've seen the notes re: VAT and please check this out thoroughly - from what I recall from my experiences with my husband's and my company (we participated in a lot of foreign/EU trade shows), if an event is held in an EU country, VAT must be charged - companies can then try to claim this back from their own tax authority, but it must be charged because the service is being offered in that country. In other words, unlike a product which is sold in the country of the buyer, the service will not be 'leaving' Hungary as it were......I just would hate for ProZ to end up having to pay 19% or whatever on everyone's registration fees! Please do investigate this Csaba - for your own sake...... Good luck, Allison

Hi Herman,

I might be able to clarify this:
When I signed up, VAT was added at first but then automatically removed in the final invoice.

Greetings
Jutta

Dear Herman,
If you have a VAT number, you DO NOY have to pay VAT.
In the first payment window the VAT is included, but when you click on Next, only the net figure is indicated (provided you have a VAT number - this is either pre-filled from your profile page or you can enter it manually.)

Cs.

If yes, the added VAT will be deducted in the next step. It worked for me flawlesly.
Jerzy
PS
They don't make whisky in Hungary, but a very good tokaj...

Hi Csaba,
I just tried to register for the conference, but there seems to be a flaw in the reg.form.
When proceeding to the check-out I noticed that 19% VAT is automatically added tot the registration fee. Sine I have a VAT registration number, which is also included in my profile, NO VAT should be included in the total amount.
Could you please clarify this with whoever decided to make this invoice arrangement?
Herman

Dear friends,

I'm happy to see that less than a week since registration was opened, 32 people have already confirmed their participation at the conference. And these 32 people come from 20 different countries, as far afield as Argentina and Australia. Three former conference organizers are also on board now, and some more are also likely to attend.

I encourage you to check the conference page and the related forums every day, as I constantly update information. Also, as this message is now sent to people who signed up at the powwow page, please make sure to join the mailing list (top right corner of the conference page: www.proz.com/conference/10)

The latest big news is that registration is now open for Jerzy Czopik's Trados training sessions, to be held on April 28th and May 1st. More details on the conference page:

www.proz.com/conference/10

As a reminder for those of you who have not yet made up their minds: early bird prices at the hotel are valid until January 31st, so act quickly.

I managed to contact two very high profile potential speakers, but I received a negative feedback from both of them. Umberto Eco will be in Budapest just two weeks before our conference, on an international book fair, and he will not return again so soon. And Juhani Lönnroth, the head of EU's DG Translation replied to me just a couple of hours ago, apologizing that he also has commitments for that weekend. Anyway, I keep looking for a big name, so stay tuned.

Now it's only 96 days to go....

all the best,
Csaba

Sky Europe (www.skyeurope.com) has a sales campaign valid until January 21st, for journeys between Jan 20th and June 30th.

Tickets from HUF 1


Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Burgas, Copenhagen, Dubrovnik, Milan, Naples, Nice, Paris, Rome, Split, Varna, Venice

Good morning folks,

The really early birds have already registered at the conference, 14 of them on the first day.

Here is your chance to be among the first:

http://www.proz.com/conference/10

In addition to the full conference package, one-day passes and special student discounts are also available.

An interesting lecture will be provided by Mr András Török, the author of a cult guidebook to Budapest, on "how to make sense of Hungary and the Hungarians". He used to be a literary translator as well, and he knows how foreigners see our capital city, and he can talk about it with a witty humor.

On the professional side, Trados training sessions will take place before and after the conference, and negotiations are under way with Atril, the maker of Deja Vu, about their training sessions.
We also managed to successfully contact Star Transit, so they may also be present in some way.

Training sessions will be priced separately and will be held outside the conference dates.

I'll keep you posted with developments every couple of days.

kind regards,
Csaba

Sorry folks, apparently the html code does not go through properly, I give up. If you open the main Conference page (for example by following the link from the Powwow page), you should be able to register.

It's also a good idea to subscribe to the mailing list.

Csaba

Here is the correct link:

<A HREF="http://www.proz.com/conference/10">conference page</A>

Here is the correct link:

<A HREF="http://www.proz.com/conference/10">conference page</A>

Good morning Proz.com community!

Registration is now open for the Budapest conference.

A HREF="http://www.proz.com/conference/10">conference page</A>

For the time being, you can only pay for the conference itself. Training sessions will be priced and added to the shopping cart later.

Also, you will be able to pay for guests on the cruise night at a later stage (probably within the next couple of days).

Residents of Hungary: local payment without credit card will be possible. Details soon.

Csaba

It looks like Atril will provide training sessions one day before the conference.

If you are interested, please indicate your willingness to participate:
http://www.proz.com/topic/63066

I am in daily contact with Proz.com staff to work on the conference. Registration should be possible next week, I am sorry for the delay.

Csaba

American Translators Association

= American Translators Association: www.atanet.org

ATA stands for "American Translators' Association".
www.atanet.org

I will post details about the exam sitting once it's confirmed (by early next week).

I am sorry to show my ignorance, but what is ATA?

I would like to tell you about a few recent developments.

1. Registration should be open in the second half of next week. Conference fee is likely to be set around EUR 150-160, but this is not final yet.

2. ATA exam: This is very fluid at this point, but there is a possibility. Once it is confirmed, I will post detailed information. Meanwhile you can check www.atanet.org
If there will be an exam, it will take place on April 28th (Saturday) morning. You have to become ATA member to sit for the exam. Exams are offered only in a few language pairs. (See their website for details, eligibility requirements, etc.)

3. DVX training: this is still not confirmed yet, but probably it will take place. A beginner's course is planned for Saturday morning and an advanced session for Saturday afternoon. Once this is confirmed, I will post details.

4. Wireless internet connection will be available during the conference in the entire hotel (conference rooms and guest rooms). Unlimited access. If you wish to access the network before or after the conference, you will be able to purchase access codes at the reception.

I am not an ATA member but I would take This exam. Vittorio

Csaba, is the registration site already working?

I'm also interested although not being an ATA member.

I am not an ATA member

Dear all,
Is any of you a certified member of ATA? If so, would you be interested in proctoring an ATA certification exam on April 28th (a day before the conference) in Budapest? Please send me an email if you are interested.
Detailed instructions from ATA will be available. We need to act quickly to offer this exam, as ATA wants to schedule exams at least three months in advance.

Thank you,
Csaba

Atril is interested in providing training sessions on their DVX tool, for an additional fee. A general introduction to DVX will also be offered within the conference program. Please indicate preliminary interest in the Official Program Forum:
www.proz.com/topic/60698

Dear All,

Happy new year to everybody. I am still waiting for feedback from proz.com staff to launch the registration process.

Meanwhile, you can go ahead with hotel booking. Details in the Accommodation forum.

Trados training sessions will be offered by Jerzy Czopik before and after the conference. Details in the Trados Training Sessions forum.

Fly to Budapest for free! Hungarian low budget airline Wizzair launched a sales campaign until January 8th. You can now fly to Budapest for free, paying only for the taxes. Example: April 27th - May 1st from Brussel: EUR 38 (only taxes), Rome: EUR 83, London: GBP 28, etc.

http://wizzair.com/default.asp

Stay tuned for more updates later this week.

Csaba

Finally the Budapest conference page is now accessible.

The registration fee is still not determined, as a few issues still need to clarified. I promise it will be affordable.

Budapest conference page:
http://www.proz.com/conference/10

I will do my best to set a price as soon as possible and start allowing registration.

Meanwhile, I wish you a very peaceful festive season.

Csaba

Dear everyone,

The conference page should be up and running before Christmas, so please bear with me.

Csaba

Hello Marijke,
This is the right place for you (I do not know them personally): http://www.budapestbike.hu/nyito_en.php

A useful link for all visitors, especially "first-timers" in Budapest (often abbreviated "Bp.") is the official website of the Budapest Tourism Office: http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en

Any further questions are more than welcome here as well :-)

Hi Csaba!
I think the dates are superb! They could not be better.
Thank you for all you are doing and your efforts!
Helena

Thank you so much for your efforts, Csaba! I think the dates are very well matched as they have been very carefully thought out.
I would like to also thank Mats for providing us with these fantastic links. The internet has made everything so easy! I needed to get jumpstarted as after all, it will be spring in Budapest before you know it. I'm tickled pink to report that I have rented a lovely but inexpensive apartment near the Bupapest station as we are planning to do some more travelling in Hungary. Don't wait too long to book, even if you have extra beds left over, this would be the place to exchange information or for people to share. Csaba, if you get the time, do you know of a bike rental place? (You know, the Dutch are hard-pressed without their bikes to get around!). Look forward to meeting you all.
Marijke

I won't be able to attend. I'm sure you'll have a nice time in Budapest (sigh ...).

Yes, the hotel now accepts booking requests.

For more details:
Hotel booking info and accomodation related forum:
http://www.proz.com/topic/60688

can we book it already?

Yes, dates are fixed. Go ahead and book your flights.
The conference page should be up as soon as the participation fee will be calculated.

Hi Csaba,
Can you confirm that the dates (powwow 29/04 - conference 30/04-01/05) are fixed? I'd like to book my flights a.s.a.p. as at this time I can get those at 3.99/6.99 euro one way!

Herman

Thank you, Mats!
Two precious links, how kind of you to share them with us.

Dear all,

We have booked Stockholm/Skavsta-Budapest with Wizzair on the above dates for approx. EUR 80/person.
Wizzair has many destinations, see http://wizzair.com/default.asp

We (Me, Sylvia, Anna (18) and Carl (16)) will stay in an appartment a stone's throw away from the hotel, costing us EUR 350 for NINE days.
See http://www.homelidays.com/EN-Holidays-Rental/100_Home/Home.asp?
with 10 forms of lodging, so bring your family and/friends, rent an appartment and enjoy spring in Budapest.

Even if we will be the four of us.

I just tried the link given above, but I only got a blank page. Then I found the hotel website at

http://www.ohb.hu/benczur/index.en.html

Looks good, by the way.

A conference page should be available by the end of November, showing a rough outline of lectures and workshops, indicating the amount of the participation fee, etc.

http://www.hotelbenczur.hu/eng/index.html

Csaba,

You're doing a great job coordinating this (all the way from Indianapolis, Indiana)! I'm still definitely in for attending, and please allow me to help coordinate, interpret for attendees, whatever I can do to participate and coordinate with you! I'm very familiar with BP, have spend a year there, plus numerous visits to inlaws in Gazdagret.

Jennifer Gal

Hello Csaba, could you tell us which hotel you had in mind?

me and Nikita have already bought the tickets :)

The dates should be no problem :-)

Fine by me. I plan to extend the stay for a short vacation in Budapest, before and after the conference.

Only the workload at that time is unkknown :-)

Thanks

In the CZ we also have bank holidays on May 1, so I'll be there definitely.

I'd even say - perfect :)

...already noted!

Hi Csaba, the date is matched very well, especially for us, the Poles, since our bank holidays falls also on May 3:) Keep like this!

Hello everyone,
As you may see above, I initially set the dates of the conference for April 30th and ay 1st, Sunday and Monday, respectively. Since May 1st falls on a Tuesday, I assumed that in most European countries, Monday will be a "bridge", or else it can be taken off easily. Is this a correct assumption?
Are these dates convenient for most people? If not, what other dates would you be more confortable with?
I should be very hard pressed to change the dates, as it's always difficult to come up with a date that suits everyone, and I already made an arrangement with the hotel and conference venue for these dates. In any case, I would be glad to hear your opinion.
Csaba

I hope so!