May 31, 2015

Participants began streaming into Seoul early Saturday, where they were met by a 30-strong team of staff at a long registration desk covering one corner of the COEX Convention Center lobby. Clad in bright orange T-shirts, the team greeted the newly arrived with a broad smile, a name badge, and a hefty, 343-page Program Book. The first to register arrived at 8:15 a.m., only 15 minutes after the desk had opened.

William Bucheta, from Minneapolis, U.S.A, who was chairing a Scientific Committee meeting on Saturday, expressed delight at the ease of getting around. “It’s been very easy to navigate and find things,” he said, adding that he especially like the high-speed Internet service.

Dr. Carmen Busneag had touched down a little over an hour before registering, after a 19-hour journey from Bucharest, Romania, that included a 4-hour stopover in London. “Korea’s very far from our country,” said Busneag, a Romanian occupational health expert. “Because Korea has good experience in occupational health, that will give me energy.”

Registration began as a trickle on Saturday, perhaps thanks to the drizzly weather, but it was expected to pick up speed on Sunday. In addition to English speakers, 2 French-speaking staff were on hand to support people like Abdeljalil El Kholti, from Morocco, who had last been in Korea 10 years ago. “I can see a lot of changes,” he said, referring to the development of roads, buildings, and Koreans’ dress and style.

Among other services, registrants could tap their name badge on a touch pad and print out a Certificate of Attendance, pick up a personal care kit, and review the tour offerings.