OpenMRS Worldwide Summit is here!

Join us in Singapore for the 1st OpenMRS Worldwide Summit!

OpenMRS Inc., the non-profit organization supporting the OpenMRS community, is proud to announce that REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for our new annual global gathering of contributors called OpenMRS Worldwide Summit, focused on building and growing both our community and our software.

Details: http://om.rs/15

While our OpenMRS Implementers Meetings will continue to bring together OpenMRS implementers & health care professionals to focus on how OpenMRS is used, this new additional annual Worldwide Summit will bring together OpenMRS people of all types, and will offer them opportunities to share their work, as well as discuss how software will evolve in the coming year.

The first OpenMRS Summit is happening 8-14 December 2015 in Singapore. Singapore is an exciting, young country that has grown rapidly into one of Asia’s technology capitals, thanks to the innovative thinking by people from many cultures. It has easy access from the entire planet through its international airport, and a very friendly visa policy for people from around the world. We hope you’ll join us as we shape this new community event together!

PS: The first 10 tickets are absolutely free of charge, so register today!

We’re super excited about this brand new event and the chance to grow as a community of people building the world’s best Health IT software using the power of open source. We’ll see you in Singapore this December!

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Just 3 weeks until OMRS15!

Reminder: Be sure to register online at http://omrs15.eventbrite.com/ and secure your place at our first OpenMRS Worldwide Summit in Singapore, from 8-14 December. If you’re a developer, be sure to add on a free ticket for our hackathon on the 13th & 14th!

Our event wiki page at http://om.rs/15 lists important details about the event, venue, travel, and accommodation. We’ve also got a discount code for the SkyTeam member airlines for our event. Check it out and save up to 15% on your travel.

Finally, we’re also accepting session ideas for the event. Head to our “OMRS15 Ideas” category on OpenMRS Talk at http://om.rs/ideas to share your ideas and “like” those of others.

Questions? Comments? Drop us a line at eventsâ– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– .

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Singapore!

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Greetings from Singapore! We know that some of you haven’t yet registered for the first annual OpenMRS Worldwide Summit, but are planning to attend, so wanted to share this information that was just sent out to registered attendees. If you are planning to attend and haven’t yet registered, or if you know someone that hasn’t yet done so, don’t delay! Register today at: http://omrs15.eventbrite.com/

As a reminder, optional tutorials will be held 8-9 December (registration is still available!), our conference will run 10-12 December, and a developer hackathon will happen 13-14 December (additional free registration required; space is very limited).

Early next week, we’ll be sending registered attendees a participant information packet to review and bring along as you travel to Singapore. You may also want to review the Wikivoyage entry on Singapore for more travel information. Meanwhile, please take note of a few things:

Arriving at Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport is consistently rated one of the world’s best, and is very easy to navigate. Currency exchange, ATMs, and SIM cards are available inside the airport, on the lower level near the ground transportation area. They offer reasonable rates as well, although you pay a small premium compared to the city.

If you need a SIM card for your GSM phone, we recommend using Singtel. Through 31 December, you can buy a “hi!Tourist SIM Card” for SGD $15 (good for 5 days) that includes 100GB of local data, 500 minutes of local calls, 100 local SMS messages, and 30 minutes of international calls. A SGD $30 plan (good for 10 days) is also available and adds unlimited local SMS & calls, and 90 minutes of international calls. At the airport, you can get these at the 24-hour “Changi Recommends” shops located in each terminal. You can also obtain this promotion at selected 7-Eleven & Cheers convenience stores as well as all Singtel shops around the city. Remember that Singapore uses Type G (also used in UK and Hong Kong) power outlets at 230V 50Hz; you may want to buy an adapter before you travel.

From the Airport to the city centre

From the airport, there are a number of ways to get into the city. Be sure to have the name & address of your hotel or hostel with you to ensure you get to the correct place.

The MRT light rail connects to Changi Airport via its East-West line. The station is located between Terminals 2 & 3, and is well indicated from Terminal 1. When going to the city, you’ll need to change trains at Tanah Merah station – exit on the left hand side door and cross the platform. Use Google Maps Transit to determine which station is closest to your accommodations. The 30-minute ride to City Hall station costs SGD $1.90 plus a refundable SGD $1 deposit. Trains run from 05:31 to 23:18.

A shuttle bus transfer can be booked at the Ground Transport Desk in the arrival hall at all terminals. The shuttle costs SGD $9 per adult and will take you to most downtown hotels.

Taxis are available by following the signs after clearing customs. Meters are always used in Singapore. A trip to the city during the day will be between SGD $20–30 including a SGD $5 airport surcharge in effect 17:00 Fridays to 23:59 Sundays and SGD $3 at all other times. An additional 50% surcharge applies 00:01-05:59. By law, only a maximum of 4 passengers can use one taxi. Be aware that there may be “premium” taxis available at a higher rate.

Public transportation bus terminals can be found in the basements of T1, T2 and T3. 06:00-23:00 only. Fares are less than SGD $2.00, exact fare required (no change given) if you pay cash. Bus number 36 directly goes to the city centre, which takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes travelling on expressways through the East Coast to City Hall and Orchard Road. It has luggage racks at the front of the bus.

Be ready for the weather

Be prepared for rain and warm weather, drink plenty of water, and dress accordingly!

Singapore is hot and humid, with December average temperatures of 32°C (86°F) daytime and 25°C (76°F) at night. Rain falls almost daily, usually in sudden, heavy showers that rarely last longer than an hour. Spectacular thunderstorms can occur any time during the day, so it’s wise to carry an umbrella at all times, both as a shade from the sun or cover from the rain.

The high temperature and humidity, combined with the lack of wind and the fact that temperatures stay high during the night, can take its toll on visitors from colder parts of the world. Bear in mind that spending more than about one hour outdoors can be very exhausting, especially if combined with moderate exercise. Plan to bring a water bottle and stay hydrated. Singaporeans themselves shun the heat, and for a good reason. Many live in air-conditioned flats, work in air-conditioned offices, take the air-conditioned metro to air-conditioned shopping malls connected to each other by underground tunnels where they shop, eat, and exercise in air-conditioned fitness clubs. Follow their example if you want to avoid discomfort in the searing heat and humidity of Singapore.

Remember, there is no formal dress code for the OpenMRS Worldwide Summit, so wear whatever feels comfortable to you. Singaporean locals often wear short trousers and flip-flops, so you won’t look out of place if you wish to follow their example.

About the event format

The OpenMRS Worldwide Summit is a new event, and we will experiment with a variety of event formats. In addition to large group “plenary” gatherings in the mornings, we’ll also have smaller breakout talks and unconference sessions in the afternoons. Please add your ideas for session topics online at http://om.rs/ideas to help us in organizing the event! All OpenMRS, health IT, or emerging technology topics are welcome. Session rooms will be available in small and large sizes, and projectors will be available in all rooms.

New to unconferences & want a quick overview? Need a refresher? Check out this 3-minute video:

That’s it for now. If you have any questions about logistics or the event, please drop us a line at events■■■■■■■■■■■■. We’ll see you soon!

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Greetings from warm and sunny Singapore! We’re thrilled that there is just one week until many of you will be joining us for the first OpenMRS Worldwide Summit.

As a reminder, registration is still available for tutorials, our conference, and (in limited supply) our hackathon. If you or your friends/colleagues have not yet registered, please show this message to them. They may register online via credit card at http://omrs15.eventbrite.com/. Please remember that all attendees must have completed, paid registrations to attend the event.

For those of you traveling, we’ve prepared an important participant information guide for you to review before you head to Singapore. Please take a look, save it for offline reading, and bring it with you to the event.

Download Participant Information: http://om.rs/15info

Finally, please take a look at our event agenda and bookmark it for your reference while attending the event!

OMRS15 Schedule: http://lanyrd.com/2015/omrs15/

If you have any questions about logistics or the event, please drop us a line at events@openmrs.org. We hope to see many of you next week!