6th CUTTING EDGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2023 in HONGKONG .... may I have more info , pls! (Letters & Info Packs)
Dear brothers and sisters from other nations,
We are so pleased to know that we have participants from other nations in our Hongkong conference. We also celebrate their inclusion to our Access 2 Mission Training in Macau.
The three Info Packs that we released would be useful as you navigate your way to and in Hongkong for the conference. However, we do recognize that it is lacking in the areas that could fully address the needs of those coming from other countries. So, we will try to cover those in this Info Pack, specially designed for non-Filipino nationals.
Here are some useful info …
A. ENTRY VISAS to HONGKONG
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People’s of China) is a part of Modern China, but specifically administered as a separate and sovereign nation.
We leave it up to each foreign nationals to determine HONGKONG entry visa requirements for visiting foreigners to their country. Hongkong accorded every Filipino nationals visa free privilege which means they can just enter Hongkong simply with a Philippine passport at hand and are allowed to stay for 14 days without a visa for whatever reason. However, Filipino’s who possess a different passport (ex. Taiwanese passport holders) are still required to apply for an entry visa to Hongkong
Formal invitation documents coming from International Teams Phils detailing the event will be sent to you should you request for one. Please supply us with embassy information (name of the embassy and complete address) that we will use on the documents.
B. TRANSIT VISAS
We had several sorry incidents in our last conference In Vietnam where two of our foreign guests were unable to join the conference even if they already have entry visas to Vietnam. They thought that since they already have their visas flying thru or transiting (lay over) in another country before proceeding to their destination will no longer require another visa, since they will just be staying in the airport. Their assumption was wrong. They were not allowed to continue and board their flight to Vietnam and were sent back to their country of origin due to the absence of a transit visa. Not all airports require transit visas though to most foreign nationals. Please double check with your airline provider if there is a need to secure one, in order to have it ready before your flight.
C. LANGUAGE TRANSLATION SERVICES
1. Language: We will provide English translations of Tagalog (Filipino) messages. (Vietnamese, Chinese and Bahasa (Indonesia & Malaysia) translations of Tagalog/ English messages will depend entirely on the availability of translators.)
The translators will only be able to provide the gist, or the substance /essence of the message being conveyed and not a word for word translation. The translators will not be standing up on the stage with the speakers. They will be at the back row portion of the hall and will speak thru a wireless translation equipment to talk to the non- Tagalog/Filipino participants.
2. Translators: We have a team of missionaries who are assigned to take turns in providing the translation service. The lead translator is: Jules Ostan . He will be assisted by the following: Hannah Deborah Abuan, Ptr. Tony Mendoza, Sis Ana Tuquero, Ning Insauriga, Bro Tan Le. For the Vietnamese, Bro Tan Le will handle the translation needs of the Vietnamese participants. Sis Ning Insauriga will oversee the translation services for Bahasa speaking participants.
3. Designated Area: The last row at the back will seat all foreign nationals who will need translation service, since it will be the closest to the translator and will offer less audio signal distortion. Headphones and receiving devices will be entrusted to each one and must be returned immediately to the translator after use. Our wireless transmitters are limited and we can only serve 30 individuals at a time.
4. Wireless Equipment: A wireless headset will be provided per individual. Our wireless equipment setup can serve only 30 individuals at a time. Please look for Kathy Merencillo or Jerald Sinsay if you know anyone who would be needing this service, please inform and assist them to the designated staff.
D. INVITATIONS & OTHER DOCUMENTS for IMMIGRATION PURPOSES
A set of documents for immigration purposes will be supplied to all participants - Filipinos and other nationalities.. For the foreign nationals, our conference organizers will send the documents to the email address that you'll provide. The Filipino participants will be given instructions on how they would receive their set of documents. If you have not received the documents at least 3 days before your departure, please contact Kathy Merencillo at her FB Messenger.
E. ACCOMMODATIONS
The registration fee does not include hotel accommodations. Please read the INFO PACKS for more information on the various accommodation options while in Hongkong. Please be sure to have a definite hotel booking upon arrival for a worry-free stay in Vietnam.
F. VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
Please check Hongkong vaccination requirements that applies to your country of origin . Some countries from Africa and Latin America are required to show proof of vaccination for a set of possible diseases, We have also provided a short and simple explanation on the most recent Covid requirements and protocol for travelers to Hongkong. Please check Info Pack # 1 on the subject matter. We believe that the same protocols and requirements apply to all nationalities.
G. POST CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES
There will be meetings and side huddles at the conference to discuss plans on what to do after the conference. Many will proceed to Macau for their Access 2 training. The rest will have an option to enjoy everything Hongkong city has to offer or travel to the many beautiful go to places outside of the central area. There are also some missionaries who are planning to go to MAINLAND CHINA for their post conference activities. Entry to Mainland China requires a VISA to enter, including for Filipinos. Visa application may take several days to process, so if you have plans to go in to Mainland China you must file your application the earliest possible in the Chinese embassy in your place. . We have long term missionaries in China and they would be more than happy to assist should you plan to visit their ministries.
Please feel free to mingle and fellowship with your fellow missionaries at the conference and take part in their planned activities. You will always be a welcome addition to any group. We are all brothers and sisters in the faith!
H. CURRENCY EXCHANGE
We advise that you have your local currency changed to HONGKONG DOLLAR (HKD) as soon as you set foot in HK international airport. You will be needing the HKD when you travel to your initial destination in Hongkong. There are many Currencies Exchange counters all over the airport. Not all of them accept all type of currencies though. They would normally have the list of currencies that they could change to HKD and the prevailing rates as well, on the board facing the travelers. ATM Machines are also everywhere. If your DEBIT cards have the international service providers logo like Mastercard, Plus, Maestro and Cirrus at the back of your card, then most likely you will be able to make withdrawals easily. The ATM machine will bring out HKD equivalent to the money withdrawn. Credit cards are widely accepted in Hongkong.
I. ASSISTANCE (CONCIERGE)
We have a team organized to provide assistance to conference participants from other nations, especially those who are joining our event for the very first time and does not know anyone (except the IT Missionary who extended the invitation) . Our office staffs will be easy to spot at the conference for they will be wearing black vests with labels indicating that they are the event officials or CONFERENCE STAFFS. Please feel free to approach them and voice out your need. They will try their very best to help you.
J. MORE CONFERENCE INFO … please go to the MISSION BLOGS page on our website and look for the Seminars and Conferences section. You will find there all the INFO PACKS (1-3) providing information source on everything related to the conference. One or two more Info Packs will be posted soon.
Read them, print the documents, and bring them with you as your travel reference and guide while in Hongkong.
We are looking forward to getting to know you more and serve alongside you in the mission field. The event would be a wonderful place for us to chat, fellowship, pray and even plan for what could be our future mission ministry together as International Teams missionaries.
Blessings,
Ptr Gani Sion
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