6th CUTTING EDGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE in HONG KONG… may I have more info, please? (Info Pack & Letters)
IT eagles and friends … IT’S HONGKONG for our 6th CUTTING EDGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE on November 23-25!
Our recent conference in. Vietnam was already phenomenal with the participation of around four plane loads of missionaries, generating an intense atmosphere of faith in Saigon. WE BELIEVE THIS UPCOMING EVENT WILL BE BIGGER, BETTER and MORE AMAZING. YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!
ACCESS 2 TRAINING will piggyback on this conference and will continue in MACAU for the training proper. Dates are set on Nov 26 to 30, 2023. There are also planned trips to Macau for other participants as part of our post-conference activities.
MARK THE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR AND PASS THE WORD AROUND TO YOUR FELLOW IT MISSIONARIES AND FRIENDS…
REGISTRATION IS OPEN @ www.iteamsphils.org or at this direct link: https://bit.ly/CEHONGKONGCONFERENCE2023 .
Take part in the excitement and the outpouring of blessings this coming month of November. This conference may turn out to be a special breakthrough event for all of us!!
ARE YOU READY? NO IFS AND NO BUTS …
PTR. GANI SISON
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6th CUTTING EDGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2023 Information Pack # 1
BASIC INFORMATION
1.HONGKONG CONFERENCE INFO PACK
This will be the official source of information on anything/everything related to our 6th CUTTING EDGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2023 in HONG KONG and ACCESS 2 MISSION TRAINING to be held in MACAU.
2. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Online registration for the conference is open. You need to complete the registration so our event organizers could include your name in our conference participants list, work on your immigration documents, prepare your conference ID’s, T-shirts and conference materials, meals, and snacks and many more action points to ensure that your flight and participation in our conference will be worry free and seamless.
3. HONGKONG ENTRY VISA
There is no need for an Entry Visa for a Filipino to enter Hong Kong. All you need to present to the Hong Kong airport authorities are your passport, a return ticket and if asked, purpose of visit and proof of accommodation during your stay in the country (to be provided by our office). Please double check your passports expiration date. The Philippine immigration officers won’t allow you to leave the country if your travel date falls within 6 months prior to expiration. If you are Philippine born but holding a non-Philippines passport, you must check with the Chinese embassy for their visa requirements for citizens of the country shown on your passport. For other nationalities who need to apply for entry visa to Hong Kong, our office will provide the necessary documents – invitation to the conference, status as IT missionary or trainee, etc.
4. AIRLINE TICKETS
You may directly book your flights at your desired airlines or the travel agency of your choice.
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Our office could handle your flight booking upon your request and based on availability of funds in your account. We regularly monitor the airline rates and will inform you right away if there is an available flight promo. We will commence booking as soon as we receive your approval.
Hong Kong Express, a new airline entry in the Philippines, continues to offer good promo rates. This airline is owned by Cathay Pacific Airlines. We have several missionaries who booked already their flights to Hong Kong on this airline. Their promo rates are still available but just like any airlines their rates may change any day. Cebu Pacific continues to be a good option for cheaper flights and recently has brought down their flight costs possibly to match the new entrant.
Please take advantage of the low airline rates. At of this writing, the cost of round-trip ticket is much lower than a plane trip to Davao, Palawan, Ilocos Norte, and other provinces in our country. The rates may not hold for long so don’t wait for the price to go down. The possibility is far more in favor of costs going up.
5. AIRPORT IN HONGKONG
The main airport in Hong Kong is the HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (HKG). The airport is also referred to as CHEK LAP KOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. The airport is situated on the island of Chek Lap Kok in western Hong Kong. The distance between the airport and Hong Kong City Center is 34 km.
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6. TRANSPORT FROM AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER
You can get from Hong Kong Airport to the city center by airport express train, bus, or taxi.
A. HONGKONG AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAIN
The high-speed express train from Hong Kong Airport (Airport Express) runs from the airport to the city from early morning until midnight. The trip duration is 24 minutes, the Hong Kong Airport express fare is around US$8.3 (P470). Tickets for the Hong Kong Airport express can be purchased at the ticket office. Trains depart at approximately 10 minutes intervals from 05:54 to 00:48 daily.
Here is the fare chart:
Q: What is the difference between SMART Ticket and OCTOPUS Card?
SMART TICKET is a one-time use ticket.
OCTOPUS CARD is a stored-value payment system that is similar to Manila’s MRT BEEP card. You can purchase an ON LOAN OCTOPUS CARD at the airport. Pay the initial value. Each time you use it for some payment (MTR rides or other transportation, even for small purchases at stores), the payment amount will be deducted from that card's balance. You can "add value" to it any time at any MTR Station when the balance runs low.
You get your unused balance and deposit back, minus a nominal processing fee when you return your on-loan Octopus Card at the airport when you leave
PURCHASING TICKETS AT THE AIRPORT
You can purchase the Airport Express Ticket from one of the many counters at the airport. Simply ask around for directions to a counter. Or you can easily spot one by looking out for the MTR logo.
B. AIRPORT BUS TO THE CITY CENTER
There is a large number of buses departing from the airport and taking passengers to different districts of Hong Kong. You should study the location of your destination before the trip to know which district you will need to go to and choose the appropriate bus. The most popular buses are А10, А11, and А12. Nighttime buses start with the letter N.
The average bus transportation cost is US$5 (P283). The Hong Kong Airport bus fare depends on the bus chosen. The trip duration depends on the route and the traffic on the road and takes about 1 hour travel time (bad traffic can bring the time up to 2 hours). Hong Kong Airport shuttle bus tickets can be bought at the special ticket office at the airport or from the driver before boarding (note that in this case you will need to have the exact amount of money needed as drivers don't have change.)
C. AIRPORT TAXI TO THE CITY CENTER
The most convenient method to get to the city center is via Hong Kong airport taxi. The taxi ride will cost around US$40 (Pesos 2,270) and it will take approximately 30 minutes to reach your destination. Always ask for a machine-printed receipt. If the machine is not functioning, the taxi driver is obliged to provide a hand-written receipt. Taxis in Hong Kong mainly accept cash. Some taxis may accept electronic payments, such as credit cards.
Taxis are all over the place in Hong Kong. Just wave down the first to come by, just like how we do it in Manila.
D. UBER CAR
UBER still operates in Hong Kong but the main rival, Grab Car is not available.
Uber is less convenient/harder to use than taxis if you are not familiar with the places in Hong Kong. Uber booking requires the exact location of your pick up (including which side of the road and so), and the exact location of your destination. If you have an existing Uber App on your phone, you won’t need to download. a new Uber app. The existing app will run in Hong Kong automatically. .
An advantage of Uber over taxi is that you pay by credit card; taxi payment is by HKD cash only. Uber is also usually cheaper than taking a taxi. In some cases, Uber fares can be up to 40% cheaper than traditional taxi fares.
7. CONFERENCE VENUE: We have already chosen a venue for our conference.
ICA NORTH POINT (MAIN AUDITORIUM)
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY (ICA)
483 KINGS ROAD, NORTH POINT , HONG KONG
8. CONFERENCE DATES:
A. CUTTING EDGE CONFERENCE in HONGKONG
Dates: NOVEMBER 23-25, 2023
B. ACCESS 2 MISSION TRAINING in MACAU
Dates: NOVEMBER 26-30, 2023
9. CONFERENCE FEES
A contribution of US$80 or P4,000 per participant will help cover expenses on venue rental, and lunch meals, snacks, conference materials, honorariums, etc… Early registration offers a huge discount too, so sign up early to avail of the lower registration cost.
The conference fee covers already ACCESS 2 Training registration. There is no separate fee anymore on ACCESS 2 except for their budget for the expenses that will be incurred on their 5 days training. Their budget will include mainly accommodation, transportation, and meals for the almost weeklong training. ACCESS 2 budget will be discussed during the briefings for Access 2 participants.
10. CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Conference program, conference theme and speakers’ profile will be provided on the next Info Pack.
11. POST-CONFERENCE TOURS
We are on the process of identifying various locations for our post conference group tour. Detailed information will be provided later. Our office team will set up a post-conf table during the conference to aid those who will be joining the post-conference trips. ACCESS 2 participants have a separate program itinerary which they will have to comply with. Their training will be held in Macau.
12. CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
All ITP missionaries, alumni and partners are invited to the conference. If you would like to invite your friends or relatives to the conference, we would require that they be of the same faith. The conference is not an evangelistic gathering, and the topics will not suit those coming from a different religious background.
They will be classified as SPECIAL GUESTS.
13. ACCOMODATIONS
We are compiling a long list of hotels which will be posted on the next Info Pack. There are hotels offering dormitory type rooms and backpackers hotel that will be included in the list. We are also looking for possible hosting groups that could accommodate for free some of our least funded members.
14. PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFINGS
Our office will provide an important pre-departure briefing/meeting to be handled by our office support staffs, a few days before your departure. The objective is to prepare all of you for your airport immigration encounter – both here and in Hong Kong. We want to make sure that all bases are covered well before sending you out to Hong Kong. You will be provided with all the required departure documents to include ITP documents stating the nature of the event, conference program, and accommodation guarantee, etc.
15. TRAVEL CLEARANCE
The Philippine government requires all government employees to first secure clearance before they are allowed to travel outside of the country. If you are a government employee and could not present the document upon the demand of our airport immigration authority, you will be denied boarding. Please make sure you secure one as early as possible. We have missionaries in the past who were not allowed to board because of their failure to attend to this important requirement. Our office will issue the needed certification explaining the reason for your trip to Hong Kong.
16. VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER HONG KONG
Q: I am not vaccinated. Can I come to Hong Kong ?
A.The Hong Kong government has lifted the vaccination requirements for all incoming travelers to Hong Kong.
Q Do I need a Covid Vaccination Certificate to enter Hong Kong?
A: No, you don’t. Currently, Covid Vaccination passport of certificates are not mandatory to enter Hong Kong.
Q: Are we required to take a Covid 19 test to enter Hong Kong?
A: No. Travelers no longer need to take a Covid (RTPCR) test before entering Hong Kong.
Q: Are there any quarantine requirements for those entering Hong Kong?
A: There is no quarantine requirements on arrival.
Just like in any airport, there will be temperature checks upon arrival (you would not even notice it. They have scanners pointed at all arriving passengers that would indicate the temperature level of all individuals) Those found with feverish symptoms will be referred to their department of health for further handling.
17. PRAYERS AND INTERCESSION
Please always include the conference and the organizing staffs in your prayers. Pray also for GOD’s provision for all those who will be attending the conference. Pray for the 6th CUTTING EDGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2023 in HONGKONG and ACCESS 2 MISSION TRAINING in MACAU to be fruitful and successful.
Looking forward to walking the streets of Hong Kong and Macau with you !!!
ALL FOR GOD’S HONOR AND GLORY!!!
Ptr Gani Sison
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