Vancouver is a modern city on the shores of the Pacific Ocean with spectacular scenery - a natural harbour, majestic mountains, sandy beaches and a sparkling ocean that set the mood for a relaxed lifestyle. Friendly, outgoing people are ready to greet you with a warm, west coast welcome.

The city lies between the mountains to the north and the delta of the mighty Fraser River to the south. There is a distinct cosmopolitan flavour to the city. Western and eastern cultures, together with the intriguing west coast native culture have found a home in Vancouver. Shop for exquisite carvings, masks and prints. View its unique parks with haunting totem poles, plazas and beautiful buildings that graciously remind us of the city's heritage.

Enjoy world-class dining from rich French cuisine to sumptuous Chinese cooking. Try the spicy surprises from Indonesia, the smoky morsels of Native Indian cooking and the delicate elegance of Japanese sushi. Seafood is the local delicacy, fresh from the ocean and cooked for you in many imaginative ways.

Downtown Vancouver is exciting for visitors with Gastown, a restored area where the city began; Chinatown, the second largest in North America; Stanley Park, a magnificent 1000 acre setting of lush forest surrounded by the sea with its world famous Aquarium; Robson Street, a delightful shopping section with a rich European flavour; Granville Island, with its large market and specialty restaurants; The Vancouver Museum, Art Gallery, The Orpheum, Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the impressive new city library. Visit the University of British Columbia with its unique Museum of Anthropology and Nitobe Gardens and the Simon Fraser University , designed by Arthur Erickson, Canada 's most prestigious architect.

Getting to Vancouver - by Air

The modern and newly completed Vancouver International Airport is 16km/11 miles from downtown. An efficient Airporter service, at a cost of approximately $13.00 each way, transports you from the airport to the many downtown hotels. Also many Vancouver area hotels offer complimentary shuttle service. Taxi fares from the airport to downtown are approximately $28.00 (CA). Private limousine service is also available and can be arranged upon your arrival at Vancouver International Airport.

Vancouver International Airport is in the process of expanding and a “user” fee is levied to all individuals upon their departure through the airport. Individuals are charged $5.00-$15.00 depending on the destination, and the charges are included in the air ticket price. Please direct any questions on these charges to your travel agent.

Driving from Seattle takes approximately 3 hours. Border crossings generally only take 10-15 minutes, but during peak times (weekends) can sometimes take up to 1 hour. Please obtain appropriate visas prior to your departure.

Car Rentals All major companies offer daily, weekly and monthly car rentals from offices in Vancouver International Airport and in downtown Vancouver.

Metric Reminder: Canada's highways and roads are measured in kilometres; highway speeds are measured in kilometres per hour, gas is purchased in litres. When renting a vehicle the rental agency will supply you with a conversion table.

A modern public transit system reaches every point in the city. Buses serve Vancouver and its suburbs and the SkyTrain (rapid transit train) connects downtown to the outlying areas. The SeaBus, an extension of the SkyTrain, travels across the harbour, a 10 minute cruise that is a sightseeing delight.

All-day passes allowing unlimited travel may be purchased. Tickets and transfers are dispensed by drivers on buses (correct change only), by machines at SkyTrain stations and SeaBus terminals, and at corner store ticket outlets located throughout the city. Daily or weekly transit passes may be purchased. Additional transit information will be available at the conference registration and information desk.

United States Visitors
Participants are strongly advised to determine their individual requirements. A little planning and proper documentation will ensure a minimum of formality when entering Canada. In general, United States citizens and permanent residents need only to carry a birth or baptismal certificate, and either a voter's registration card or current U.S. driver's license. Naturalized citizens should be able to produce documents proving citizenship, such as a green card, and permanent alien residents should carry their immigration documents.

Citizens from countries other than the United States
Visitors must have a valid passport and, from some countries, a visa is required. Persons who wish to enter the U.S.A. from Canada should make proper arrangements before leaving their home country. For more information, please consult the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or Agent at least four to six months before the Conference.

There are several banks in close proximity to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre and in the city centre. General banking hours are Monday - Friday 09:00-17:00, but may vary at different banks. Many branches have automatic teller machines that can be accessed 24 hours a day.

All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, stores, and restaurants.

British Columbia has both a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 7 % and a Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 6%. These taxes will apply to items purchased, meals in restaurants, services rendered, tourist activities, etc. Visitors residing outside of Canada are eligible for a rebate of GST paid while they were in Canada. Full details and rebate forms are available at government agencies (border crossings, post office). The rebate does not apply to all items - details are described on the rebate form.

The monetary system in Canada is based on Canadian dollars and cents. International currency exchange services are available at the Vancouver International Airport, downtown banks and currency exchange outlets located throughout the city. Most hotels will also offer currency exchange services.

Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance plans. Therefore, participants should arrange their own personal health and accident insurance.

An official letter of invitation can be obtained by any participant by going to the "Official Letter of Invitation " page of this website. Participants can create their own letter by following the instructions on this page. However, this invitation implies no obligation, financial or otherwise, by the Conference.

The electrical current in Canada is 110 volts 60 hz.

The organizing committee will accept no liability for personal injuries sustained by or for loss or damage to property belonging to Conference participants, either during or as a result of the Conference or during all tours and events.

Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended that, at the time you register for the Conference and book your travel, you purchase an insurance policy of your choice. The policy should include loss of fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the Conference, loss of international/domestic air fares through cancellation for any reason, loss of tour monies through cancellation for any reason including airline or related services strikes within Canada, failure to utilise tours or prebooked arrangements due to airline delay, Force Majeure or any other reason, medical expenses, loss or damage to personal property, additional expenses and repatriation should travel arrangements have to be altered. Venue West cannot take any responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance. This insurance is to be purchased in your country of origin.

A certificate of attendance will be provided to all delegates.

Mandatory continuing education (MCE) credits are available from CBCPO for Canadian Certified Orthotists and Prosthetists and ABC for the United States practitioners.

• The American Board for Certification has awarded a total of 33 credits according to the following breakdown:

• The Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists will provide 6 credits per day up to a maximum of 18 credits.

Application has been made for credits from CAPM&R for Canadian physiatrists.

Discounted room rates have been arranged for delegates at the following hotels. Since August is peak season in Vancouver, BC, early booking is recommended as space is limited. Accommodation requests must be received NO LATER than JUNE 11th 2007 to get the negotiated rate. Only fully registered delegates will be allocated hotel rooms at the congress rate. Reservations at the special conference rate can only be made through the conference registration form. Since each hotel is different, please familiarize yourself with your hotel's cancellation policy.

Click here to download the accommodation form (PDF format). Rates are based on single/double occupancy. All accommodation prices shown here are in Canadian funds, not including applicable taxes.

University Residence Accommodation

Inexpensive accommodation can also arranged directly with the University of British Columbia (UBC). Rooms with a shared bath range from $28.00-$49.00 CA. While UBC is beyond walking distance from the Convention Centre, good bus/transit routes are available between locations.