World News Media Congress 2022

Click here to download a PDF document with all the useful information including the FAQ, bus shuttle timings and much more.

Your safety is our top priority. With our Spanish partner HENNEO and the Spanish government we commit to holding an event that meets safety protocols. We will keep you updated on health, safety and travel regulations. In the event that we are unable to host the Congress as planned, we will offer alternatives, or, in the event of cancellation, refund your registration fees.

COVID-19 entry requirements to Spain

If you are traveling to Spain from outside the EU or from non-Schengen countries you must show valid proof of one of the following to enter Spain:

• being fully vaccinated (Your vaccination status must meet the Spanish authorities’ validity period requirements).
• a negative COVID-19 test: either a PCR taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
• having recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months. You can use a medical certificate or recovery record to prove your COVID-19 status on entry to Spain.

Please note, airlines may ask you to submit the documents prior to boarding.

For more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Health-Travel and COVID-19.

You no longer need to complete a health control form to travel to Spain, nor show the QR code at the airport. Spain’s Travel Health (SpTH) portal, both the website and the mobile applications (APPs), are no longer operational.

COVID-19 Precautions on site

We have taken steps to minimise the risk of COVID-19.

Our commitment:

• We will provide masks in case you want to wear one during the event.
• The Congress venue is very spacious and we will ensure sufficient distance between you and your seated neighbour.
• We will ensure that each room is ventilated.
• We will provide opportunities for regular and adequate hand hygiene.
• All contact surfaces will be regularly sanitised according to specific cleaning schedules.
• Disinfectant dispensers will be available in all public areas.
• Rapid tests will be available in case you want to test yourself before joining the event
• We will hand out wristbands or stickers for those who wish to wear them
  – Red wristbands: please keep your distance, no contact
  – Yellow wristbands: I am still cautious, but I welcome conversations
  – Green wristbands: I am ok with handshakes

What we would like to ask of you:

• Wear a mask in closed rooms if you are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease or are not fully vaccinated.
• Please do not enter the event area if you exhibit symptoms typically associated with COVID-19.
• Please adhere to the applicable safety and hygiene rules.

Money back guarantee

Registered attendees who need to cancel their registration due to COVID restrictions in their country/or if they are unable to travel to Spain, will receive a full refund of the amount they have paid toward their registration fee.

​​WAN-IFRA is committed to providing a safe environment for all participants of our events, free from discrimination and harassment. Your registration for, or attendance at any WAN-IFRA event, indicates your understanding of and agreement to abide by this Code of Conduct and its terms.

WAN-IFRA will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, national origin, ethnic background, age, disability, political opinion, social status, veteran status, union membership or genetic information.

While at WAN-IFRA events, in-person or virtual, any participant, including speakers, attendees, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, booth staff and anyone else, should not engage in discrimination or harassment of any kind.  This holds for social and other adjacent activities.

READ OUR EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Badges
Badges can be picked up at the Congress venue (Palacio de Congresos) WAN-IFRA registration desk from 8:00am onwards on 28 September. Please have your ID or business card ready.
Your badge will be the entrance card/ticket for all social events such as the Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner. So please bring your badge with you.

What is the exact address of the Congress Venue?
Palacio de Congresos, Plaza Lucas Miret Rodríguez 1, 50018 Zaragoza, España
The entrance will be right opposite side of Hotel Hiberus (P.º de los Puentes, 2, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

Languages
The main language at the Congress is English, with the exception of Wednesday, 28 September, where the sessions before the lunch break will be in Spanish (except the Opening Ceremony).
We will offer English-to-Spanish / Spanish-to-English translation.
Translation headsets will be available at the entrance of session rooms, please bring your ID card to secure a receiver.

Attire
Conference and Welcome Reception: Business casual
Gala Dinner: Smart casual
A cloak room will be available at the congress venue.

Where do I find a list of all the sponsors and exhibitors?
You can find these information on the homepage of our website.

Tickets
The Tickets can be purchased through the “Register here” button at the homepage. Please refer to the” Tickets” page for price information and details.

Where can I find information about the programme?
We are constantly updating our website, please check our programme section for new updates and developments.

Where can I find information on the event terms and conditions?
Please click here for our General Terms and Conditions for WAN-IFRA Events. And here is the link to our Event Code of Conduct.

International travel
Attendees may need several documentations to travel to Spain. Detailed information on immigration and visas can be found here.

Visa recommendation letter
WAN-IFRA provides a visa recommendation letter to all registrants. Please send an email to  Ilona Gümperlein (ilona.guemperlein@wan-ifra.org), if you have registered and are in need of a visa recommendation letter. Please forward her your passport details as well. Thank you.

Please visit the official Spanish website for the latest updates about COVID-19 regulations. You can also use this link as a guidance for documentation you need to enter the country.

Train Tickets

You have two options to book your train tickets.

Option 1 

You can contact our Spanish partner agency, who will book your train tickets and airport transfers (if needed). The agency charges a service fee of 8€ per booked train.

Contact details:

• Name: Mónica San Miguel
• Email: monica@zaragozaservicios.es
• Telephone: 00 34 664 510 439 (Monica also uses whatsapp)

To book the train ticket, the agency needs from you:

• Name and Surname of the person travelling
• ID number / Passport number (mandatory to secure your train ticket in Spain)
• Train info (days and times for the trips)
• Any special request you might have for the train

For the billing:

For personal invoices:

• Name and Surname
• ID – Passport Number
• Mobile Telephone
• Email
• Date of Birth
• Complete Address (Street, nº, Postal Code, City, Country)

For invoices for their Companies:

• VAT number – Company Tax Code
• Business Name of the Company
• Complete Address (Official one – Street, nº, Postal Code, City, Country)
• Contact Telephone
• Email

Option 2

You can book the train tickets yourself through the online booking system of Renfe.  https://www.renfe.com/es/en
Allow enough time from when your plane lands till the train departs.

Name of the train stations
Madrid (Estación Madrid – Puerta de Atocha)
Barcelona (Barcelona Sants station)
Zaragoza (Zaragoza–Delicias station).

Madrid

You will find a taxi stand outside the airport.

The taxi from the Madrid airport to the Atocha train station costs 30€  (fixed price) and takes (depending on traffic) about 20 minutes. All taxis accept credit card.

You can also book a private transfer through our agency or through the following link:
Madrid airport service

There is no direct underground subway connecting the airport with the Atocha train station. You will need to change the subway once, in case you decide to go via public transportation:
https://www.aena.es/en/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas/getting-there/trains.html

Kindly note that there will be security checks for the luggage at the train station, therefore please arrive early enough. There are restaurants and food stations inside the train terminal (after the security check), so you can relax and eat something while waiting for your train to depart.

There is also a help desk for last minute changes on the left side next to luggage security check (in Madrid). Here you can change your ticket in case you missed your train (and booked a flexible ticket).

Barcelona

The Barcelona airport has an airport train, which connects the airport directly with the train station Sants.

The train leaves every 30 min to the Barcelona train station, from where you can get the train to Zaragoza.
https://www.aeropuertobarcelona-elprat.com/ingl/accesos_aeropuerto_tren4010.htm

A taxi to the train station costs between 25€ – 30€ and takes between 20min to 40min depending on the traffic.
https://www.aeropuertobarcelona-elprat.com/ingl/barcelona_airport_taxis.htm#/search

You can also book a private transfer through our agency or through the following link:
https://www.barcelona-airport.com/eng/barcelona-airport-transfers.php

Kindly note that there will be security checks for the luggage at the train station, therefore please arrive early enough. There are restaurants and food stations inside the train terminal (after the security check), so you can relax and eat something while waiting for your train to depart.

Zaragoza

There is a taxi stand outside the train station in Zaragoza. All taxis accept credit card and the drive to the hotels does not take longer than 10 minutes (fee around 10€).
Uber operates in Spain and you can call an Uber via the app as well.
Alternatively you can call a taxi:
Auto Taxi Cooperative +34 976 75 75 75
Radio Taxi Business Association Aragon +34 976 38 38 38

Organised and hosted by WAN-IFRA since 1948, the Congress serves as the most important global platform for news media to promote quality journalism and freedom of the press, and shape the industry’s future. Typically, 700 – 900 C-level decision-makers from more than 80 countries attend the physical event. The Congress hosts important community meetups, such as the Golden Pen of Freedom Award, the World Media Leaders Summit, the World News Day, the World Editors Summit, the Women in News Summit and the Digital Media Awards Worldwide.

Past locations