Location

RecSys 2021 will be hosted in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from 27th September-1st October 2021.

The Beurs van Berlage (Amsterdam Conference Centre) is a national monument located in the historic centre of Amsterdam. With a total area of ​​16,000 m2 and hosts the most desirable and prestigious congresses, events and exhibitions. In 1903 it was already a bustling trading place and today it is a “one in a million” conference location in the warm heart of Amsterdam. High quality and service, an impressive atmosphere and excellent facilities are central. A bustling location that you will not soon forget!

This map shows the location of the centrally located conference venue:

Directions

• From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the venue Beurs van Berlage is by train to the Amsterdam Centraal Station (price is 4.60€ and it takes 18 minutes) and a 5 minutes walk.
• From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the venue Beurs van Berlage is by taxi to the Beurs van Berlage (price is ~40€ and it takes 30 minutes).
• For accessible transportation from the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the venue Beurs van Berlage, please check the accessibility FAQ Page.
• For information about travelling with service animals, please visit the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport website.

Visa Information

If you do need a visa to attend the Conference, please apply as soon as possible. For more information, read below.

1. Find out if you need a visa using the Visa Advisor
2. For information on visa requirements, please visit: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/travel/visas-for-the-netherlands
3. If needed, apply for a visa in the relevant dutch Embassy or Consulate: https://www.government.nl/topics/embassies-consulates-and-other-representations
4. While a decision period of 15 working days with respect to the application date is regulated for short-term visa, we encourage you to apply for your visa as soon as possible, to take into account for any potential delays that might occur.

Support for Attending

For more information about different ways in which ACM RecSys is supporting attendance, please check our Inclusion website and our Student Volunteer program.

Information about Covid-19

• Health and Safety Protocol for RecSys 2021
• Government of The Netherlands: Coronavirus COVID-19
• Travelling to the Netherlands from abroad
• Dutch measures against coronavirus

Getting Around

Amsterdam is a bike and walk friendly city, and it has a very efficient public transportation system with buses, metros, trains, trams and ferries.

Cycling: If you wish to rent a bicycle, there are many bicycle rental shops around the city. Prices go from 6€ per day to 20€ per day depending on the bicycle and the location where you rent. If you are riding a bicycle, always use lights at night.

Waking in Amsterdam is also safe and convenient, but you need to be careful when crossing the street and watch out for incoming bicycle traffic. Do not walk on the cycling lanes.

Using public transportation in Amsterdam is easy and affordable.

• We recommend using google maps to plan your journey
• Download the GVB app and buy tickets directly with your phone (recommended)
• Buy the Amsterdam Travel Ticket (1 day 17€, 2 days 22.50€, 3 days 28€)

Things to do

Besides the conference, Amsterdam offers many tourist attractions, museums and a wide range of cultural offerings. Currently, all cultural venues offer entries with a pre-booked ticket and time. Dutch people like to plan, so be aware that some very popular museums are sold out many weeks in advance.

If you are interested in exploring the city, we recommend you ask a local colleague. Word of mouth is a very effective way to get good recommendations, and get to know new people.

What to Bring ad Wear

The weather in Amsterdam can change throughout the day, and it is a common practice to check the weather before leaving a building. https://www.buienradar.nl is one of the most popular weather apps in The Netherlands. We recommend always bringing a rain jacket with you and to dress up in layers.

Face coverings are mandatory in many indoor locations, including airport, public transportation and cultural or event venues. Always have one at hand. If you lose or forget yours, you can buy them in many stores around the city such as supermarkets and pharmacies.

And, remember to bring an EU plug or converter.

Traveling to the Netherlands

The official Dutch government website stating the rules for traveling to the Netherlands can be found here:
https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad Please check this website carefully. The list of very high risk countries was recently updated and now includes the United States and the UK.

Event venue’s safety protocols

The venue for ACM RecSys 2021 is the historic Amsterdam Stock Exchange Building (Dutch: “Beurs van Berlage” https://beursvanberlage.com/) Everyone who enters the venue will be required to show valid (1) proof of vaccination or (2) proof of recovery or (3) proof of a negative test not older than 24 hours. This policy is consistent with the so-called “test for entry” (Dutch: “testen voor toegang”) program in the Netherlands. The exact specifications for entry are presented in the official statement issued by the venue, which can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Q42QXKvWts2shUYrkiG2606LseVYi_p/view

Because we are using a policy consistent with the Dutch “test for entry” program, inside the venue, it is not legally necessary to social distance. However, it is a large venue, designed for events of up to 1300 people, and we will take advantage of the space for hosting ~ 300 RecSys attendees. For example, the chairs in the plenary hall will be widely spaced. If you would like to avoid close contact with people, this will definitely be possible in the venue.

Inside the venue, facemasks are not required. However, we encourage you to wear a facemask in the venue if you would like to. In any case, you should always have a facemask handy since you will possibly need it to ride the train or other public transportation, and also possibly in some other indoor localities.

We don’t expect any sudden changes in the safety protocols in the final weeks going down to the start of the conference. However, should any protocols need to be updated, we will keep you informed.

Obligation to Comply with all ACM regulations and COVID-19 Safety Measures (as agreed during the registration process)

In light of the ongoing spread of COVID-19, individuals who fall within any of the categories below should not attend the Event and an exchange for virtual registration will be processed upon request. By attending the Event you certify that you do not fall into any of the following categories:

1. Individuals who currently or within the past 14 days have experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, among others; or
2. Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19; or
3. Individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities or the health care team responsible for their treatment.

Additionally, if you traveled to the Event (or have traveled at any point in the past 14 days), either internationally or domestically, you must review and comply with all international, state, and local travel requirements to enter The Netherlands (see https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad). You are responsible for reviewing and complying with these travel requirements.

Duty to Self-Monitor (Regulation of the ACM)

Participants and volunteers at the Event agree to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and, contact ACM at if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days after participating or volunteering at the Event.