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Visitor
Information
Meals
and Snacks
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There are a wide range of restaurants and food fairs located throughout
the downtown core including Royal Centre Mall and Food Fair which
is attached to the host hotel. You will find a range of choices
from inexpensive snacks to fine dining in close proximity to the
hotel. The Congress Registration Desk and the hotel concierge will
both be pleased to assist you.
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Banking/Foreign Exchange
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Several major financial institutions and currency
exchanges are available within blocks of the hotel and are easily
found. Automatic Teller Machines are available at nearby banks for
those delegates wishing to use bank cards.
The
Canadian monetary system is decimal-based. One hundred cents equals
one dollar. Visitors are advised to exchange their currency at a
bank or foreign exchange outlet, to ensure they receive the prevailing
rate of exchange. Most shops and services will cash travelers cheques,
exchange US$ currency, and accept all major credit cards, but it
is advisable to have Canadian cash on hand for taxis and other incidentals.
Due to continuously fluctuating rates of exchange we encourage you
to check with the Foreign Exchange service or a bank for the current
rate.
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Lost and Found
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Please contact the Registration Desk where
staff will assist you in connecting with lost items.
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Message Centre
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Messages may be left for delegates on the
Message Board in the Registration area or by calling (604) 683-1234
and asking for the Congress Registration Desk during the registration
hours.
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Tourism Vancouver
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For extensive information on the Vancouver
area, please visit the Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre located
4 blocks from the hotel at 200 Burrard Street.
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Transport to/from
the Airport
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Airport Express
Buses
depart from various major downtown hotels for the Vancouver International
Airport on a regular basis. The ride takes 20 - 40 minutes depending
on traffic and your starting point. Current cost is $10 one way
or $17 return (return tickets are valid for six moths from time
of purchase). Please check with your hotel concierge or call 946.8866
for more information.
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Dress
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Vancouver
has developed a reputation for being a casual city, making most forms
of clothing acceptable for almost any occasion. Suitable Conference
attire could be characterized as business or smart-casual. For the
Closing Banquet, business or cocktail attire is suggested.
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Time Zone
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In
June, Vancouver’s clocks are on Pacific Daylight Time, Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT) plus 8 hours.
Toronto
+3
London +8
Tokyo +17
Sydney +17
Cairo +10.
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Electric Current
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Electricity
is supplied at 110V - 60Hz AC. Remember to use adapters if required.
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Smoking Policy
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Vancouver
by-laws specify that smoking is not permitted in public places including
restaurants. Smoking is not permitted in the Conference venues. However,
many outdoor terraces and concourses are available close to Conference
events.
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GST Rebates
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The
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a seven percent tax on most goods
and services sold or provided in Canada. Under the Visitor Rebate
Program, non-resident visitors may qualify for a foreign tourist rebate
of the tax for short-term accommodation and goods that you take home
(up to CDN$500.00). Refund Applications for visitors will be available
at Canada Customs offices, most tourism information centres as well
as some hotels and retail stores.
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Airport Improvement
Fee
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Passengers
departing Vancouver International Airport are required to purchase
an Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) ticket. AIF tickets can be purchased
from the automatic teller sales machines or AIF Passenger Booths located
throughout the airport. Payment can be made in cash (Canadian or American)
or by VISA, MasterCard or by some bank debit cards. Travelers are
charged $5 for travel within British Columbia, $10 for travel to other
N. American destinations and $15 for travel outside N. America.
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Shopping
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Most
stores, boutiques and department stores are open from 9:00 or 9:30AM
to 6:00PM on weekdays. On Thursdays and Fridays, most stay open
until 9:00PM and on Saturdays until 5:00PM. Most stores are open
on Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00PM.
Vancouver,
with its unique cultural and ethnic diversity, offers a wide variety
of exciting shopping opportunities. Native Westcoast Indian arts
and crafts, including gold and silver jewellery, carved in traditional
native motifs, are among the more unique artistic products. Also
renowned are jade sculptures and jewellery, whalebone scrimshaw
carvings and Cowichan Indian sweaters. Specially prepared and packaged
seafood, particularly smoked salmon, are popular gift items. Our
Chinatown, the second largest in North America, is a bustling community
with hundreds of shops and curios where merchants sell authentic
Chinese crafts and products. Vancouver also offers high fashion
clothing and jewellery boutiques, representing some of the most
famous designers in the world. Many of these are centred on Robson
Street adjacent to major downtown hotels, the Sinclair Centre adjacent
to the cruise ship dock and convention centre, and other downtown
areas. For an alternative shopping experience, Vancouver has a number
of public markets. Granville Island Market, Lonsdale Quay in North
Vancouver and New Westminster Quay all offer local produce, fresh
seafood and products fashioned by local artisans. Inquire at the
Congress Desk for more details.
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