Voted as the ‘Best City in the Americas’ year after year by Condé Nast Traveller magazine, Vancouver is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the soaring peaks of the North Shore Mountains. Located in the heart of this dynamic city is the Vancouver Convention Centre where everything is easily accessible. Vancouver offers a winning combination of world-class hotels, meeting venues and restaurants in a setting of spectacular beauty. Few convention cities can offer such a wide range of cosmopolitan amenities in a downtown core that is safe, clean, pedestrian friendly, and stunning in its backdrop of mountains and ocean. IEEE WCCI 2006 was successfully held in Vancouver as well, 10 years ago. We endeavor to repeat the performance by hosting IEEE WCCI 2016 again in Vancouver, Canada.

The award-winning Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the second largest international passenger gateway on the west coast of North America, providing direct routes to and from most major destinations. Getting downtown to the Vancouver Convention Centre is as easy as taking a taxi, limo or the Canada Line rapid transit system in less than 30 minutes. Vancouver boasts a comfortable year round climate with warm summers (just over 20°C) and mild winters (average temperature of 5°C). And with Vancouver as home base, delegates are well positioned to explore this unique region before and after your event, from Whistler, one of North America’s top year round destinations, Victoria, British Columbia’s capital and the scenic Gulf Islands to the Okanagan Wine Country and the Alaskan coastline.

Map of Downtown Vancouver (Click on image to enlarge)

Not only will the conference take place in one of the most beautiful settings in the world, but the facility itself has been designed from top to bottom to open minds and feed imaginations. As the only two-time winner of the International Association of Congress Centres’ (AIPC) Apex Award for the “World’s Best Conference Centre” in 2008 and 2002, the Vancouver Convention Centre’s service standards, facilities, project management and technical capabilities are second to none. The entire team of experienced and friendly professionals is dedicated to providing the best possible service to ensure a memorable and successful event.

The Vancouver Convention Centre is comprised of two uniquely designed buildings joined by a 90 m connector with spectacular views. Covering four city blocks or 111,500 m², the Centre features over 43,800 m² of exhibition, ballroom and meeting space, including Canada’s largest convention centre waterfront ballroom at 4,920 m². With 14,000 m² of magnificent pre-function space with natural light and breathtaking views, there are endless opportunities for informal meetings, cocktail receptions or to simply “take a moment” between sessions. Add 0.8 hectare of outdoor terraces and plaza areas, and you have a facility that is functional, flexible and stunningly beautiful.

There are 13,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Conference location, the Vancouver Convention Centre. Also, close by are three world-class connecting hotel properties. Delegate-friendly Vancouver offers a wide variety of conveniently located, quality accommodation with picturesque sceneries at highly competitive rates by world standards. Most of the hotels listed are only a couple of blocks away from the conference venue and hence are easily accessible. Two of these hotels will be designated as Conference hotels in which the best rate will be negotiated. A wide variety of accommodations are possible at different rates for varying quality of rooms.

IEEE WCCI 2016 Designated Congress Hotels

Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver Harbourfront and Vancouver Marriot Pinnacle Downtown are the IEEE WCCI 2016 designated congress hotels.

Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver Harbourfront

(Conference-rate rooms are sold-out)

Defining Vancouver luxury with opulent accommodations, exceptional service and breathtaking harbour views, the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel welcomes travelers to discover the vibrant atmosphere of Coal Harbour. Providing a well-designed waterfront escape filled with full-service amenities, the downtown Vancouver luxury hotel's location puts guests just minutes from the Alaska cruise ship terminal, Vancouver Convention Centre, historic Gastown and Stanley Park. Guest rooms and suites have been re-designed for the ultimate in comfort and productivity. On-site amenities include the p2b bistro & bar, a fully-equipped fitness centre that features a relaxing indoor pool and spectacular harbour views.

Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle

Downtown Hotel

(Conference-rate rooms are sold-out)

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the North Shore Mountains, the CAA/AAA Four-Diamond-rated Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel greets with elegant accommodations and impeccable service. It provides a welcoming environment for both business and leisure guests, and a waterfront location just minutes from some of Vancouver, BC's most popular attractions. Spacious guest rooms and suites offer plush bedding and flat-screen TVs; many of the rooms feature views of downtown Vancouver or of Coal Harbour and the mountains.

Vancouver is easy to get to from all over the world. The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is voted the best airport in North America for the third year in a row. YVR is the North American airport with the most flights to/from Asia, thus making it easy for Asian delegates to attend a conference in Vancouver.

It provides access to over 98 destinations and acts as the premier gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.

The airport is located 25 minutes south of downtown Vancouver, where the Conference venue, Vancouver Convention Centre is located. Delegates can get to downtown Vancouver from YVR vis SkyTrain light rapid transit system ($8.75Cdn). They could also hire a taxi which would cost about $25Cdn.

Getting around Vancouver is very convenient as well. All delegates need to get around in Vancouver are their feet as it is rated as Canada’s most walkable city. For those who prefer not to walk, thankfully, Vancouver makes things easy with its reliable, clean, green and efficient public transportation network; its variety of coach companies providing group travel options; and its world-class network of ferries designed to move people and cars throughout the surrounding region with comfort and ease. TransLink operates over 100 public buses, the SkyTrain, and the SeaBus. The fares are very affordable ranging only from $2.50 to $5.00.

More information on getting to downtown Vancouver can be found here.

Delegates to the Conference qualify as business visitors to Canada. Firstly, one should find out if one needs a visa to enter Canada. Visa exemptions are provided to citizens of many countries and territories such as Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States, etc. Starting March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals except citizens of United States who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). More details about eTA can be found here. However, citizens of a few other countries such as China, India, Philippines, South Africa, etc require a visa to enter Canada. For most updated and further information on visa exemptions and requirements, refer here.

Visa applications can be made online or through a paper application. To apply on paper, the application package can be obtained from here. There are two types of fees: an application processing fee and a biometric fee. The application fee per person is 100$(Canadian Dollars). The biometric fee of 85$(CAD) is applicable to citizens of certain countries, details of which can be found here. In most countries, application fees must be paid in Canadian dollars. The nearest visa office can provide more information on fees and also assist in submitting the application. The processing time varies depending on the visa office applied to. For exact processing times, refer here.

Note that a letter of invitation will be issued only if you have a paper accepted by IEEE WCCI 2016 and if you have registered for the Congress. Exception to this condition will be considered only case by case.

For invitation letter from IEEE WCCI 2016 for your visa application, please contact Dr. Chaoli Sun and copy to Dr. Yaochu Jin. Do not forget to inform of your registration information, such as the receipt/confirmation and paper number of your accepted paper(s).

Vancouver has an endless supply of attractions and things to see and do. It doesn't matter what time of day or what time of year - whether you want to be indoors or out, active or a spectator, spend a lot of money or none at all - Vancouver has it all! Vancouver is bursting with iconic experiences that characterize the multifaceted city. The swaying Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Aquarium, seawall stretching 22km from Coal Harbour and Kitsilano Beach, miniature passenger ferry between any of the nine stops along the shores of False Creek and Granville Island and Grouse Mountain’s Skyride are some of the must-sees that will kick-start the sightseeing and you’re sure to stumble upon plenty of other Vancouver treasures along the way.

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