Venue
Registration and formal, technical and poster sessions will take place in the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, located adjacent to the Pan Pacific Hotel. Opening day activities -- including workshops, program break-out sessions and the Opening Reception -- will take place in the Pan Pacific Hotel. Both are located within the Canada Place complex on Vancouver's downtown waterfront. Escalators and elevators connect the hotel and the convention centre. Area map.

Pan Pacific Hotel
The Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver is the official conference hotel. Guest rooms at a special conference rate have been reserved for conference participants. Hotel reservation information.

The Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver is a deluxe hotel property that reflects its place on the Pacific Rim by combining the old-world traditions of the Orient with contemporary North American service excellence.The Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver has earned a five-diamond rating from the American Automobile Association. Only about 100 facilities out of the 25,000 rated throughout North America receive this top award. Situated on the harbour in the heart of downtown, it is minutes away from international restaurants, entertainment and shopping.

All 506 rooms and suites in The Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver have sweeping views of the harbour, mountains or the city. All rooms have a satellite/cable colour television with remote control with in-room movies and CNN. Rooms are equipped with an iron and ironing board, a computer dataport, hair dryers, bathrobes, in-room safes and a refrigerated private bar. Other features include a telephone with in-room voice mail, and individual controlled air conditioning.

Hotel services include:

• Concierge
• Multi-lingual Staff
• Business Centre
• 24-Hour Room Service
• 24-Hour Laundry/Valet
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air Conditioning
• Movie Channels (150) Guest Choice
• In-room Voice Mail
• Dataports
• Evening Turndown
• Complimentary Shoe Shining
• 3 Restaurants / Lounges
• Voltage 110/220
• Outdoor Pool
• Full Health Club and Spa

Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre
The "five sails" architecture of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre has become the defining image of the city. Its concourses provide wrap-around views of a beautiful harbour surrounded by towering peaks.

General sessions, breakfasts, poster sessions and lunches will be held in the convention center.

Location
Vancouver is an international city bordered by mountains, surrounded by beaches and the Pacific Ocean. Vancouver offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan amenities, natural beauty and cultural attractions, providing a broad range of activities and experiences for visitors. Vancouver's attractions range from the green paradise of Stanley Park to the charm of Gastown, the colours of Chinatown to the majestic North Shore mountains, museums and theatres to major sports venues. The Pan Pacific Hotel is just minutes from the Robson Street. Known as the most eclectic street in the city, it is home to unique boutiques and some of the world's most famous retailers. Within walking distance is historic Gastown. Founded in 1867, this charming area houses boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment complexes. The hotel is also situated only three blocks away from the 200 shop Pacific Centre Mall.

While Vancouver's road system and traffic is easier to handle than those of many other cities, unless you are planning trips outside of downtown you don't really need a car to get around. You can cover a lot of ground by foot. Alternatively, Greater Vancouver's transit system is highly reliable, convenient and inexpensive.
Area map.

Travel to Vancouver
By Air - Currently 19 major carriers, 11 regional and local airlines, and several charter companies fly into Vancouver International Airport (you'll have to choose AirLines in the top tab bar). Americans have a choice of 70 non-stop flights daily from 21 cities in the United States. Direct flights from the United Kingdom, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific (Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan) are all offered.

By Car - Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, leads to Vancouver from points east. Vancouver is only three hours north of Seattle. Take the Interstate 5, which becomes Highway 99 at the United States-Canada border.

Restaurants
Dining in Vancouver is an excellent value. Find everything from west coast cuisine to Asian fusion in European-style sidewalk cafes, intimate bistros and mountaintop lookouts featuring fresh B.C. salmon, excellent prime rib and some of North America's most authentic Chinese restaurants.Fodors Restaurant Guide

Vancouver Weather
January's average temperature in Vancouver is 42 degrees Fahrenheit or 5.6 degrees Celsius. Warmed by the Japanese current and protected by a ring of mountains, Vancouver's version of winter is quite mild. Except for the local ski hills, it rarely snows in the city. Current Vancouver weather forecast.

Currency
The American dollar will go 40-45 percent further in Canada. Automatic teller cards and credit cards are accepted everywhere, so you can cash in on the great exchange rate.

Goods and Service Tax (GST) Rebate
A 7% GST tax rebate is available to non-Canadian visitors on a wide range of goods and services, including hotel accommodation and clothing purchases. Just mail your claim directly to Revenue Canada using the rebate form for a refund. Rebate forms will be distributed with your conference materials.

Passports and Visas
Crossing the Canada/U.S. border: U.S. citizens require a birth or baptismal certificate and a picture identification, such as a passport, resident alien card or green card. A driver's license alone is NOT accepted as proof of citizenship. United States customs officials will ask for proof of citizenship when you re-enter. All other international visitors require valid passports, and in some cases, visas.

Tourism Vancouver
Web site at www.tourism-vancouver.org for more information, or telephone: 1-604-682-2222.

Reservations: Pan Pacific
Guest rooms at a special conference rate have been reserved for conference participants. To reserve a room, please contact the hotel directly by telephone, mail, or fax. Please mention "NSF Research Conference" when making your reservation. Early reservations are strongly encouraged.

The Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver
300-999 Canada Place
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3B5
Telephone: 604-662-8111
Toll Free in USA: 800-937-1515
Toll Free in Canada: 800-663-1515
Fax: 604-685-8690

Guest Room Rates
Superior Room, single or double occupancy: $165 Canadian / $111 US dollars*
DeluxeRoom, single or double occupancy: $180 Canadian / $122 US dollars*

*based on current exchange of 1.48

Hotel services and amenities include view rooms, three restaurants, lounge, complimentary morning coffee and tea service delivered to your room, complimentary morning newspaper, 24-hour room service, dataports for personal computers, business center.