General Conference Information
Official Language
The official language of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology 2009 Conference is English.
On-site Services
The Registration & Information desk will be available to assist delegates with any questions regarding the Conference. The Registration & Information Desk will be located in the Pre-Function area, which is located on the 2nd Floor of the North Building of the Calgary Telus Convention Centre.
Internet Café
An Internet Café will be located in the Exhibit Hall. Use of computers will be available to the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology 2009 Conference delegates at no cost.
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General Travel Information
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Calgary International Airport, (IATA: YYC, ICAO: CYYC), is an airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; It is located 17 km from the downtown core. It is one of Canada's busiest airports by passenger traffic, serving 11.27 million passengers in 2006, and the third busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements, with 242,658. The airport offers scheduled daily nonstop flights to major cities in Canada, Europe and the United States. It is also a major hub for western Canada and is the home and hub of WestJet Airlines as well as a hub for Air Canada. Several Airlines have non-stop flights to Calgary from around the world.
Traveling to and from the airport to downtown
From public transit to luxury limousines, the Calgary International Airport offers a full range of ground transportation choices to travelers. The cost of taxi from the airport to downtown hotels will average $35 CDN. For more information on our ground transportation options, please click on the above link:
Passport, Visa and Border Crossing Information
U.S. Travel To and From Canada
Air Travel
As of January 23, 2007, U.S. citizens and permanent residents traveling by air to or from Canada require a passport. A passport is the only form of identification that is accepted for air entry.
Land Travel
Currently, U.S. citizens and permanent residents require a birth certificate, a resident alien card or a green card together with picture I.D. or passport to enter Canada via land. A driver's license is NOT accepted as proof of citizenship.
As of June 2009 (at the very latest) ALL travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will have to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identify and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States by any means (land, sea, air, etc.)
The travel document initiative will affect all United States citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere, who will now be required to carry a passport or other accepted document
- Accepted Forms of Identification
Passports are the only form of identification that will be accepted for air entry. The PASS Card (to be confirmed) or a passport will be acceptable for land or sea entry. It will be available only in the U.S. for U.S. citizens.
For more information please visit the U.S. Department of State's website at:
www.travel.state.gov or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's website at
www.dhs.gov
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
Visitors from other countries can check the
Canadian Government website for specific information, or call:
from outside Canada: 1-800-992-7037
from within Canada: 1-888-242-2100
Letter of Invitation procedures
An official Letter of Invitation to obtain a Visa and authorization to attend the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology 2009 Conference will be issued ONLY after the Registration Form and full payment have been received.
Travel & Health Insurance
It is strongly recommended that participants take out insurance to cover loss incurred in case of cancellation, medical expenses and damage to or loss of personal effects. The organizers of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology 2009 Conference will not be responsible for any medical costs incurred by participants. The organizing committee will not accept liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to Conference participants, either during or as a result of the Conference or during any tours.
Money and exchange rates
The dollar (currency code CAD) has been the currency of Canada since 1858. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies.[1] It is divided into 100 cents. The Canadian dollar is the monetary basis for the Canadian economy, with all coins minted by the Royal Canadian Mint and all banknotes printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company and BA International Inc on behalf of the Bank of Canada.
For current exchange rates please click on this link.
Moving Your Money
Traveller’s cheques and credit cards are accepted at most commercial establishments, banks and currency exchange offices. Banking hours are generally 9:30 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Some banks are open Saturdays. Most automated teller machines (ATMs) are linked to one or more of the following networks: Interac, Cirrus or Plus. They are found at banks, retail areas and in many cases at special event venues. ATMs offer the same rate of exchange to be found at traditional banking and exchange institutions.
Taxes
Sales Tax
Alberta is the only province in Canada with no Provincial Sales Tax (PST). However, there is a four per cent Tourism Levy on hotel rooms. The federal government charges a six per cent Goods & Services Tax (GST) on most purchases.
Visitor Tax Rebates
Non-residents of Canada can claim GST rebates applied to short-term accommodations, food services and certain goods taken out of the country. If you plan to apply for a GST rebate, pick up a copy of the Tax Refund Application for Visitors at any Customs office when you fly into Alberta, or at most Tourism Information Centers, duty-free shops, and some hotels. Remember to keep your receipts to attach to your completed form.
Tipping
Some properties and resort hotels include tips or gratuities with group tours to simplify bookkeeping. This will usually include gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. If meals are included in the price, customary gratuity will be calculated at 15 per cent. Visitors should be advised that the standard tip in most restaurants is 15 per cent.
Electricity
Canada operates on 110V, 60 cycle electric power, which is the same as in the United States. Non-North American visitors should bring a plug adaptor if they wish to use their own small appliances from home (razors, hair dryers, etc). If you are visiting from countries, such as Australia, that use a higher voltage, you may encounter problems charging your re-chargeable batteries. Canadian electrical goods come with either a two-pronged plug, which is the same as the US, or a three-pronged plug; most sockets accommodate both.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted at the Congress facilities. The City of Calgary has public health regulations that prevent smoking in public buildings, on public transportation and in ALL restaurants. Certain bars have designated smoking areas.