News Article

The EGA’s biennial members meeting will now take place in Riga (Latvia) on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 October 2018 at the Tallink Hotel 

We will be inviting ONE representative from each of our member associations to attend our meeting.

Our restricted budget will mean that participants will need to pay and arrange for their own travel to Riga (including transfers between the airport and hotel).  Participants must also pay for and arrange their own travel insurance and, if required, visas (the EGA will provide an official letter of invitation to support your visa application – please email jo@gaucheralliance.org).

The EGA will pay for all biennial meeting costs, including:

• 3 nights’ accommodation (arriving Sunday 14 October and departing Wednesday 17 October);
• meals for the duration of the meeting on Monday and Tuesday;
• a social event on Monday evening;
• a farewell dinner on Tuesday evening.

Travel Grants

We understand that some of our member associations will find it difficult to fund their travel costs to Riga.  The EGA has a limited grant fund available to support those associations who have explored alternative funding options and remain unable to pay for their travel. 

• Grants are only available to those countries who are only sending one participant to the meeting.
• You must provide proof that you have already explored alternative funding options.
• Travel Grant Applications MUST be submitted to the EGA office before 3 August 2018 using the Travel Grant Application form.
• If funding is provided by the EGA and you subsequently are unable to attend the meeting, you will have to reimburse the EGA for all costs incurred, e.g. flight, accommodation, registration costs.
• Dalhoff Travel will be arranging all flights for EGA participants who have been awarded a Travel Grant.  On receipt of your proposed travel itinerary from Dalhoff, you MUST respond within 48 hours to secure your ticket.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, and the price of the flight increases, you will be asked to pay the difference.
• It is your responsibility to ensure you have travel insurance before you fly.
• It is your responsibility to obtain a visa if required (the EGA will provide an official letter of invitation to support your visa application – please email jo@gaucheralliance.org).

EGA Surgery

This year, the EGA is offering our members the opportunity to book a ‘surgery slot’ on the morning of Wednesday 17 October to meet with a member of the EGA board/the CEO to discuss any challenges or issues your patient association may be facing.  If you would like to use this opportunity, please complete the relevant section on the registration form.

Additional participants and extra expenses

Due to the limited places being available at the venue, we are not able to register unlimited numbers of participants at the meeting.   If your association wishes to send more than one representative this must be agreed in advance by the EGA.  Please email jo@gaucheralliance.org giving the details of the additional participant you wish to attend.

Places for additional participants will not be considered until after the closing date of 20 August 2018 and will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

It will be the responsibility of all additional participants to arrange and pay for their own travel and to also pay the cost to attend the meeting: €387.00 (which includes 3 nights’ accommodation, 2 days’ meeting including all meals and 2 social events).  This must be paid to the EGA BEFORE attending the meeting – their place will not be guaranteed until full payment has been received.

We will not support additional participants from those countries who have been awarded an EGA travel grant.

What next?

If you have completed and returned your country report for the period 2017/18 to the EGA office, you may now register your attendance at the event.  The deadline for registration is 20 August 2018.  Please click here for a registration form  

No country report, no registration!