Useful Information

Official Airline Carrier:
The Star Alliance Members have been appointed as the Official Airline Network for the 9th International Conference on Low Vision. Details and conditions on Star AllianceTM Convention Plus discounts can be obtained by contacting your local participating airline.
Remember to quote the VISION 2008 Event Code: AC004S8.

When making your travel plans, please present confirmation of your registration or proof of attendance and ensure that the Event Code is listed on your ticket.

VISION 2008 Participating Airlines: ANA, Air Canada, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS International Air Lines, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, TAP Portugal, United.

For further information, please visit: www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus

Airport:
For more information about the Montréal-Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport , we invite you to visit the website at www.admtl.com. Rate for a taxi from Montréal-Pierre-Elliot-Trudeau to Downtown Montréal: $35 CAD.

Banks:
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and sometimes on Saturdays. You will find automated teller machines mostly everywhere. Please note that most tellers will charge a transaction fee of approximately $1.50 CAD.

Car Rental:
Cars can be rented in Montréal from local or international companies. Average cost per day for a medium-sized car is $85 CAD. All cars are left-hand drive. Most hotels in Montréal offer parking space for $20 CAD a day.

Currency exchange:
Currency units are dollars and cents. Canadian notes are: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coins are: $2, $1, $.25, $.10, $.05, $.01.

You will find many exchanges offices in and around downtown Montreal. The one nearest to the Congress venue is:

Bureau De Change Universel Inc
380, Saint-Antoine W. Street
Montréal, QC  H2Y 3X7

Disclaimer:
The Congress Organizers* cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred by participants in the event of labour disruptions or cancellation of the Congress. The program was correct at the time of printing, but organizers reserve the right to alter it if deemed necessary.

Electricity:
Electrical outlets in Canada provide the same current as in the United States that is 110 volts (60 cycles). If you are travelling from Europe or elsewhere, you will need an adapter to use small appliances designed for a different standard (220/240 V).

Facilities for disabled persons:
If you require specific facilities, please notify the secretariat at vision2008@opus3.com.

Health:
Vaccination is not required.

Health Insurance & Hospitals:
Canadian hospitals and medical services are excellent. The vast majority of hospitals are publicly managed and rates are set by provincial and hospital authorities. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or on the basis of the medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary from province to province and from hospital to hospital, but generally range from $1,000 to $2,000 CAD a day. It is therefore important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home, since it is possible your regular health insurance does not include coverage outside your country of residence.

Insurance:
It is strongly recommended that participants take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent.

Liability:
 The Conference Organizers* shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered Congress participants. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.

Passport and Visa ( From U.S. and other countries):
If you are visiting Canada, a valid passport is necessary. It is the responsibility of the visitor, before entering Canada, to ensure that he or she has the necessary documents, including those for entry into another country or re-entry into his or her own country.

Program:
A complete up-to-date program will be available at the time of registration on-site.

Tipping:
Service charges are not included in restaurants and it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total. (A quick way to calculate the appropriate tip amount is to add the two taxes that appear at the bottom of your bill. It works out to roughly 15%). If you are with a group, 15% for service may be automatically added to your bill. Just ask when you are not sure if tip is included. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $1 CAD per suitcase or per service rendered. Coffee and food counters often have a tip cup next to the cash register; spare change is always appreciated.

Weather: The weather in Montreal in July is usually sunny with an average temperature of 21º C (maximum: 26º C, minimum: 16º C). Montrealers like to take advantage of the fine weather to enjoy the numerous outdoor cafés and restaurants open from morning to the middle of the night.

* Conference Organizers include the Local Organizing Committee and the Professional Conference Organizer