Travel

Venue: Vancouver Convention Centre

As one of the leading and greenest convention centers in the world, the Vancouver Convention Centre offers a state of the art facility on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver. With its newly expanded West wing, the award winning Vancouver Convention Centre boast breathtaking views and world class service that will make BPN 2011 your best experience yet. Contact Information Phone: +1.604.689.8232 Toll-free: +1.866.785.8232 Fax: +1.604.647.7232 Email: info@vancouverconventioncentre.com Address: 1055 Canada Place Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 0C3 Canada

Hotels

Air Travel & Ground Transportation

Air Travel

The Vancouver International Airport is 9.2 miles away from Downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver Airport Transportation to Downtown Vancouver

• SkyTrain - the YVR Airport SkyTrain (above and below ground subway-type train) is the quickest way to get from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver, with a travel time of only 25 minutes.Ticket costs range from $2.50-3.75 one-way. For a route map and schedule, please visit the SkyTrain website.
  
• Limo - several limousine companies offer transport to downtown Vancouver as well as other points throughout Greater Vancouver and Whistler.
• Taxi - the cost for a cab between Vancouver Airport and the downtown is approximately $30
• Car Rental - if you rent your own vehicle, expect the driving time into the city to be about 30 minutes.
  
  

General Travel Information

Passport Requirements
Upon arrival by air, land, or sea, visitors to Canada will be met by border services officers who may ask to see a passport and a valid visa (if you are arriving from a country from which one is required). As of 1 June 2009, everyone traveling between the United States and Canada by land, sea, or air will be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security to cross the border. For more information on admissibility into Canada, read the fact sheet called Managing Access to Canada.

All travellers, including U.S. citizens, are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Web site at www.cbp.gov for information on the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and its traveller requirements to enter or return to the United States.

Source: Canada Border Service Agency

Visas
For information regarding visas and entry requirements for Canada, please call Immigration Canada at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada) or visit their website at www.cic.gc.ca. From outside Canada, please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or consulate in your region.

Customs Assistance
All non-Canadian delegates are encouraged to print and carry with them a copy of BPN’s Canada Border Services Agency Event Recognition Letter to assist with customs.

If you will be shipping any materials to Canada, you may contact our appointed customs broker for shipping/importation information and assistance:

Mr. Bob Hobson
Service Plus International Inc
1063 Sherwin Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3H 0T8
Tel.: +1.204.633.4830
Toll-free: +1.866.357.5334
Fax: +1.204.633.0054
Email: bob@adrutherford.com
Website: http://www.service-brokers.com

Visiting Vancouver

Tourism Vancouver has launched a free mobile app that offers interactive tourist and event information. The application, named “CitySmart,” provides updates on events, plus an advanced GPS system that provides street navigation and breaking traffic news. With text messaging capabilities built in, the application also allows Tourism Vancouver to interact with visitors.

CitySmart is compatible with smart phones running on Windows and Android (Google) platforms (with a Blackberry version due soon and an iPhone version in development). It can also be downloaded onto PCs.

The CitySmart application can be downloaded free of charge from the Tourism Vancouver website, www.tourismvancouver.com/download.

Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia with over half a million residents and one of the mildest climates in Canada. Home to spectacular natural scenery and a bustling metropolitan core. Whether just relaxing in a park or bike riding around the seawall, there is always something to do in Vancouver.

Below are some links to help you with your trip to Vancouver. You can also visit Tourism Vancouver, the official source for information and services focused on visitors. You'll find maps, travel guides, accommodation listings, and a comprehensive directory of Vancouver attractions and sightseeing ideas.