Frequently Asked Questions – What You Need to Know Prior to Your Gold Key in Italy
How far in advance do I need to book my Gold Key?
Prequalifying potential business partners and scheduling meetings takes time. To arrange the best possible meetings, CS Italy asks for a minimum thirty business days (6 weeks) from receipt of your payment and product literature to the date of your visit. We therefore advise to book the Gold Key at least two months in advance.
As a U.S. citizen, do I need to obtain a visa beforehand for business travel to Italy, or can I get a visa at the airport upon arrival?
No visa is needed for business travels to Italy with a stay of less than 90 days. You can enter Italy with your American valid passport; however it is possible that Italian Customs and Border Agents might ask you to show the documentation that justifies your trip (e.g.: meeting schedule). If your stay is longer than eight business days, you need to register with the local police station (called ‘Commissariato di Polizia’).
What hotels does the local CS office recommend? Is a preferred (e.g. Embassy) rate available for Gold Key clients via the local CS office?
CS Italy can recommend hotels that are close to the U.S. Embassy/Consulates or your place of business. We have negotiated special rates with some local hotels and are pleased to provide you with a list of these hotels and/or assist with bookings for your business trip.
What are transportation options from airport to U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate and their approximate costs?
ROME:
- Train: leaves every 30 minutes from Fiumicino Airport Station to Termini train station. Estimated ride time: 35 minutes. Price: Euro 11.00. Once in Termini, the Embassy area can be reached by taxi (approximate time: 10 minutes, price: less than Euro 10.00);
- Taxi from Fiumicino Airport to the hotel: Estimated time: 50 minutes (depending on traffic), fixed price: Euro 40.00 if you have one piece of luggage, extra is charged for additional luggage.
MILAN:
From LINATE Airport:
- A regular public bus service - number 73 - leaves the airport from the Domestic Arrivals area and stops in Milan downtown at Piazza San Babila: from here take the Underground Line 1 (red) to DUOMO stop and transfer to Line 3 (Yellow) direction Maciachini and get off at TURATI stop. At Turati metro stop, take the exit “Moscova”; the US Consulate is in front of you.
- Taxi: approximate ride time: 30 minutes depending on traffic; average price: Euro 20.00.
From MALPENSA - Terminal 1
- Malpensa Shuttle Bus (http://www.malpensashuttle.it/e-default.htm): links the airport with the Milano Central Station: from here Underground Line 3 (Yellow), direction San Donato and get off at TURATI stop. Price: € 7.00/per journey - Airpullman
- Malpensa Express Train (http://www.malpensaexpress.it/): links the airport with the Cadorna station by Ferrovie Nord in the centre of Milan: here take the Underground Line 1 (red) to DUOMO stop and transfer to Line 3 (Yellow) direction Maciachini and get off at TURATI stop. At Turati metro stop, take the exit “Moscova”; the US Consulate is in front of you. The train runs every 30 minutes and takes 40 minutes. Price: € 11.00/per journey - € 14.50/return. Departs from Malpensa - Terminal 1: from 5.53 a.m. to 11.53 p.m. - twice per hour (23 and 53 minutes past the hour) to Cadorna Railway Station.
- Taxi: approximate ride time: 50-60 minutes or more depending on traffic; average price: Euro 70.00-100.00.
FLORENCE:
- From Amerigo Vespucci’s airport, the most convenient mean of transportation to the U.S. Consulate is the taxi. Approximate time: 20 – 30 minutes depending on traffic, average price; Eu 20.00);
- If you are travelling to Florence by train, you can either walk to the U.S. Consulate or take a taxi (average price: EU 7.00; approximate time: 10 minutes).
Where do the GKS meetings typically take place? At company offices, CS offices, elsewhere?
Depending on the availability of Italian companies, meetings are held at CS offices throughout Italy (Rome, Florence, Milan) or at the Italian companies’ facility.
Will someone from CS accompany me to the meetings?
For meeting arranged in our office, CS specialists can accompany U.S. clients. If meetings are arranged offsite, the CS specialist may or may not be able to accompany depending on distances involved. If they are able to accompany, the client is asked to cover cost of transportation (train, taxi, etc.).
For Gold Key meetings held in our offices, the commercial specialist will accompany and can also assist with communication/simple translation. If the meetings are held at the offices of the prospective partner, depending on the distances involved, the commercial specialist may or may not be able to accompany.
Do I need a translator? If so, how much does this typically cost?
In most cases, Italian business representatives have a good command of English, so little or no translation is required. If a professional translator is needed, CS will make the arrangements. The average price for a translator is Euro 400.00/day.
Do I need to rent a car and driver for my meetings? If yes, how much does this typically cost?
No, renting a car is not usually needed or recommended, particularly for in-city travel.
When will I receive the list of companies that I will be meeting with?
A week before your departure from the United States.
What is the dress code for business meetings?
Business attire.
Are there any cultural or other useful tips you can provide so that I can make the most of my Gold Key Service?
In general, what is considered good business practice in the United States also applies when doing business in Italy. Business people in Italy appreciate prompt replies to their inquires and expect all correspondence to be acknowledged. Conservative business attire is recommended at all times. Business appointments are required, and visitors are expected to be punctual. The "golden rules" of customary business courtesy, especially replying promptly to requests for price quotations and orders, are a prerequisite for exporting success.
European business executives are usually more formal than their American counterparts; therefore, it is best to refrain from using first names until a solid relationship has been formed. Italian business executives tend to use titles (e.g., Engineer, Lawyer) indicating their position in the firm. During the first stages of conducting business, it is best to let the prospective buyer take the lead since the American approach of "getting down to business" may be considered too abrupt. Avoid commenting on political events or making negative comments about the country. Some positive and sincere observations about the Italian culture, style, art, history, cuisine, or music are always appropriate. Friendship and mutual trust are highly valued, and, once an American has established this relationship, a productive business association can usually be counted upon.
Useful links:
Bureau of Consular Affairs’ homepage:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_consular.html
State Department information site:
http://travel.state.gov
U.S. Embassy website:
http://www.italy.usembassy.gov
Italian Embassy website:
www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it
Italian Culture, Customs and Etiquette:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/italy-country-profile.html