General Information
Dates to Remember
| January 12 | Web site activated to receive electronic abstract submissions. To begin the submission process, first review the Instructions to Authors information. |
|---|---|
| MARCH 7 5:00 PM ET | Deadline for Abstract Submission - Deadline for receipt of 300 word abstracts and supporting data. This deadline recognizes other conference schedules that have conflicted in the past and has been extended accordingly. There will be NO EXTENSION OF THIS DEADLINE. Authors must submit their abstracts by this time to be considered for review. |
| March 16 | Meeting Registration and Housing available on-line |
| notices sent april 27 | Abstract Disposition - Authors notified of presentation disposition |
May 16 |
Meeting Program available on-line |
| June 8 | Deadline to receive early registration fees |
| July 6 | Deadline to cancel housing reservation without a $25 cancellation fee |
| July 6 | Housing reservation deadline |
| July 6 | Fees for registration will be refunded in full if written notice of cancellation is received by July 6, 2011 |
| July 6 | Last day to register for SAMs |
| July 31-August 4 | Joint AAPM/COMP Meeting – Vancouver Convention Centre |
| September 1 11:59 PM ET |
Deadline to complete the on-line evaluation in order to receive CAMPEP Credit (equivalent to CME category 1) |
| september 16 | Credits will be released for meeting attendees |
Convention Center
The new West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre is built over land and water, with floor-to-ceiling glass throughout that treats guests to phenomenal harbor and mountain views. Clearly committed to sustainability, the expansion boasts bee hives on Canada's largest “living roof”, as well as seawater heating and cooling.
The Vancouver Convention Centre is located at 1055 Canada Place in Vancouver, BC.
Exhibits: West Halls ABC on Exhibition Level
Registration: West Level 1 Foyer
Sessions: West Level 1, 2, 3
Speaker-Ready Room: Room 115, West Level 1
Message Center
Message Center terminals provide access to internet, as well as the CEC Survey which must be completed and submitted for continuing education credit. The Message Center will be capable of receiving telephone and fax messages, and forwarding them to the appropriate attendee's on-site electronic mailbox. Faxes may be picked up at the AAPM Member Services Desk, located in the Convention Center (West, Level 1).
The Message Center will be staffed
- Saturday, July 30 - Wednesday, August 3 / 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
- Thursday, August 4 / 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
To leave a message for a registered attendee, please call
778-331-7612.
To fax a message for a registered attendee, please fax to
778-331-7725.
AAPM Wireless Lounge
Seating and complimentary wireless access will be available in the Exhibit Hall during exhibit hours.
Companions
Welcome Companions! Stop by Room 306 in the Vancouver Convention Centre to chat with friends, meet with family members after sightseeing, or grab a cold drink. No packaged tours will be offered. Instead, a concierge from Tourism Vancouver will be happy to assist you with plans to explore the city -- your interests on your schedule.
- Sunday, July 31 through Wednesday, August 3, 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Thursday, August 4, 8:00am - 11:00am
Child Care
No sponsored child care will be offered during this meeting. The concierge at your hotel may be able to assist you with special child care arrangements.
Special Services
Accessibility
Vancouver enjoys a reputation as being one of the most accessible cities in the world among travelers with special needs. AAPM wishes to take any steps required to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently due to the absence of auxiliary aids and services identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act. If any such services are necessary in order for you to participate in the Joint AAPM/COMP Meeting, please communicate your needs well in advance by marking the "special needs " box when pre-registering.
Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair for the meeting.
Luggage Check
$2/checked item
Monday - Wednesday, 7:30am-6:30pm
Thursday, 7:30am-3:00pm
Located under the Grand Staircase, Level 1 near Registration
Reflection/Prayer Room
Sunday - Thursday, 7:30am-6:00pm
Room 219, Vancouver Convention Centre
Friends of Bill W Meeting
Monday - Wednesday, 9:00pm-10:00pm
Pacific Rim 1, Pan Pacific Hotel
Travel Arrangements
Cell Phones
Check with your carrier before departing for Vancouver. Unless you have an unlimited international plan, you may receive an unpleasant surprise when paying the cell phone statement subsequent to your return. Carriers typically charge exorbitant international per minute and per text fees.
Passports and Visas
United States Visitors to Canada, when re-entering the U.S., must show a passport or other travel documents as approved by the Department of Homeland Security. Please Do not leave the U.S. without your passport or other approved travel documents.
International visitors to Canada (not US citizens or US permanent residents) must carry a valid passport and, if required, a visa. Citizens from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and some other countries do not require a visa to enter Canada. Visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for a complete list of countries whose citizens require visas to enter Canada.
All other visitors should contact their Canadian embassy or consulate to learn what documents are required. Contact information for Canadian embassies around the world can be found at the Foreign Affairs Canada website.
Visitors are advised that if they are travelling through a third country, they may also need visas or other documents for that country.
For further information, please visit travel.state.gov.
Requirements for Children Entering Canada
If you are travelling with children, you must carry identification, such as a birth certificate, proof of citizenship or student visa for each child under 18 years old. Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians must have written permission from the parents or guardians to accompany the children. When travelling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should travel in the same vehicle as the children for border crossing.
Customs officers are often looking for missing children and may ask questions about the children travelling with you.
Immunizations and Vaccinations
No special immunizations or vaccinations are required to visit Canada. If you're travelling with children, it's always a good idea to ensure they are up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations before international travel. Contact a qualified health professional in your area for more advice. For current travel health information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.
Customs and Duty Free
Prohibited and Restricted Items by Canada Customs
To learn more about Canadian customs regulations, visit the Canada Border Services Agency website.
Many agricultural items are restricted or prohibited entry to Canada. Canadian law requires that you declare all agricultural products you bring into Canada to customs officers when you arrive, whether by land, sea or air. Permission is required to import plants to Canada, with the exception of houseplants from the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency provides more information.
Handguns and weapons, such as mace and pepper spray, are prohibited from being brought into Canada. Additionally, some fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, dairy products and plants from other countries cannot be brought into Canada. For more information, please consult the Canada Border Services Agency website.
Gifts
Gifts valued at $60 or less each may be brought into Canada duty-free and tax-free. If you bring in gifts worth more than $60, they will be subject to duty on the excess amount. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and advertising materials do not qualify as gifts.
Alcohol and Tobacco Products
You can bring in limited quantities of alcohol if you meet the minimum age requirements of the province or territory you enter Canada (see below). These items must accompany you on your arrival.
Minimum ages for the importation of alcoholic beverages are 18 for Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec and 19 for Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
You can import only one of the following amounts of alcohol free of duty and taxes: 1.5 l of wine; 1.14 l of liquor; a total of 1.14 l of wine and liquor; or 24 x 355 ml cans or bottles (a maximum of 8.5 l) of beer or ale.
You are allowed to bring into Canada duty free: 200 cigarettes; 50 cigars or cigarillos; 200 g of manufactured tobacco; or 200 tobacco sticks.
For more information on bringing in alcohol and tobacco to Canada, please visit the Canada Border Services Agency website.
Duty-Free Limits for International (not US residents) Visitors Returning Home
- International visitors outside the US should consult with customs officials in their home countries to determine their duty-free limits.
Duty-Free Limits for US Visitors Returning Home
- American residents returning to the US after 48 hours can take back $800 US worth of merchandise duty-free, every 30 days. This may include 1 l of alcohol (provided the resident is 21 years or over), 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, not of Cuban origin. If you are travelling as a family, you may combine your personal exemptions for visits over 48 hours.
- If your stay is less than 48 hours, or if the $800 US allowance, or part of it, has been used within the previous 30 days, an exemption of $200 US is allowed, including 150 ml of alcohol, 150 ml of perfume and no more than 50 cigarettes, or 10 cigars, not of Cuban origin.
- If you plan to bring back articles as part of an exemption, they must be for personal or household use. These articles must be carried with you and declared. Duty charged varies according to the country the article was made in and the type of article. No prohibited or restricted items are permitted across the border.
For more information on US border-crossing and duty requirements and limits, please visit the U.S. Customs website.
Customs Offices
You can locate the nearest customs office by visiting the Canada Border Services Agency website.
Visa Letter
Need a Visa letter inviting you to the AAPM Annual Meeting? Generate one here.
Air Travel
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Drive time: 20 minutes (14 km) to downtown hotels
SkyTrain:
The Canada Line connects downtown Vancouver to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Fare is $3.75 and the ride takes 25 minutes.
Taxi: $28-$32 fare; drivers accept credit cards and U.S. currency
Dress Code
The dress code is business casual for the Joint AAPM/COMP Meeting.
Points of Interest
10 Vancouver 'MUST SEE' Attractions
25 FREE Things to do in Vancouver, including the Grouse Grind!
The Vancouver Vacation Guide is now available in the iTunes App Store! Spectacular natural beauty, urban excitement and a cosmopolitan vibrancy all help to land Vancouver at the top of "best cities to visit" lists. Perfect for conference delegates, this guide to Vancouver is loaded with ideas for exploring the best of the city, whether you've got just a day or two to see the top highlights or a bit longer to delve into some of the locals' favorites. The guide is FREE and available in 20 languages. Click here to check it out.