October 14 - 19, 2006

1. Registration Details

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE is
May 31st, 2006.
IMPORTANT: Presenters have to register and pay by August 13th, otherwise their contribution will be removed from the program.

Registration is done through the main conference website and consists of a pre-registration step and a subsequent registration step, the latter involving payment of the registration fee. Note that pre-registration is merely a step for us to gauge the participants' level of interest in different topics and presentation formats. Pre-registration is not binding, and any tutorial, panel and paper titles suggested in the pre-registration form do not constitute submission of a formal paper/abstract - the call for papers/abstracts is a separate step, which involves peer-review.
Without payment of the fee, a registrant is not considered registered.

Large discounts are available if you register early (note that the date of payment must be done before the early bird deadlines - the pre-registration date is irrelevant), or if you become a member of JMIR.
Special reduced rates (50% off) are available for students, consumers and delegates from low/lower-middle income countries (as defined by the Worldbank), but these discount only apply IF THE WORK PRESENTED CAN NOT BE COVERED BY A RESEARCH GRANT THE PARTICIPANT IS HOLDING. Students, consumers, and participants from developing countries presenting work that is funded by a research grant are asked to pay the full fee.

see here for a Registration Dates & Fees Overview. Note that all registration fees contain a membership fee for the Society for Internet in Medicine. Conference delegates automatically become SIM members - it is not possible to opt out.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation requests are accepted in writing/by email only. In case of cancellation before April 10th, 2006, we will reimburse 70% of the paid registration fee, minus any bank/credit card charges.
In case of cancellation between April 11th and August 1st, 2006, we will reimburse 50%. After August 1st, no refunds are possible, but registrants can transfer their registration to somebody else. To do so, the new participant should fill in the registration form, click the "fee waiver" button, and enter something like "replacement for [name]". We will contact the original registrant for verification.

2. Accommodation
Accomodation will be at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, which is also the meeting venue. Accomodation is not included in the conference participation fee.

Special rates for conference attendees are available. Please make your reservation prior to August 13, 2006. Each delegate is responsible for making their own individual reservations – registration for the conference does not include accommodation. Please call the Hotel Reservations Department at 1-800-663-7229 or the Global Reservations Centre at 1-800-441-1414. Callers must identify themselves as being with MEDNET 2006 in order to qualify for the group rate.


We are pleased to confirm special rates as outlined below:

Room Single/Double Rate
Fairmont Rooms CDN $239.00
Fairmont View Rooms CDN $259.00
Fairmont Deluxe Rooms CDN $309.00
One Bedroom Suite From CDN $499.00

Each extra (3rd, 4th) person sharing a room will be charged an additional $20.00 CDN per night. There will be no charge for children up to and including the age of 18 years who share with their parents.

3. Travel
DRIVING DIRECTIONS to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (100 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J, CA)

see map

From Lester B. Pearson International Airport:

Follow signs to 427 South, From 427 South, take the Gardiner Expressway Eastbound. Follow along the Gardiner Expressway Eastbound, Take the Yonge/York/Bay Street exit. Follow along Bay Street going Northbound, Turn left onto Front Street for Fairmont Royal York hotel valet parking or continue Northbound, turning left onto Wellington Street for self parking garage

From Highway 401 (Eastbound or Westbound):

Exit on the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) Southbound. Exit on the Gardiner Expressway Westbound. Exit on Yonge Street North. Turn left on Front Street (Westbound), Pass one set of lights (Bay Street). The Fairmont Royal York hotel is on right-hand side, across from Union Station

Car Rental
Thrifty Rent-a-Car is located in the hotel. Pick-up and delivery is available. Various other car rental agencies are located in immediate vicinity. The hotel concierge can arrange rentals.

Thrifty: (800) 367-2277
Tilden: (800) 387-4747
Budget: (800) 268-8900
Hertz: (800) 263-0600
Avis: (800) 879-2847

Airport Express Shuttle Bus
The hotel uses a shuttle service provided by Pacific Western, called the Airport Express. The shuttle departs from the airport at the ground transportation area from the Arrivals level. The cost for a one way trip is $15.50 CAD and a round trip is $26.75 CAD. For more information, please call (905) 564-6333 or 1 800) 387-6787 or visit their website: http://www.torontoairportexpress.com

Schedule:
From 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. the shuttle leaves The Fairmont Royal York twice per hour - on the hour, and on the half-hour. After 12:30 a.m. there is a shuttle at 2:30 a.m., and then the next is at 4:30 a.m., after which time the twice per hour service resumes.

Note: All prices quoted in this document are in Canadian dollars ($CAD)

Official Language
English is the official language of the conference. No simultaneous translations will be provided.

Exhibition
A commercial and non-commercial exhibition will be organized during the Symposium. Companies and organizations having or seeking links with the eHealth community will be invited to display their services, products or literature. Further information about participation in the exhibition can be obtained from the Conference Secretariat (see also Sponsorship Opportunities.

Entry Formalities
To enter Canada, U.S. citizens need proof of citizenship (a birth certificate and photo identification or, best of all a passport). Visitors from all other countries require a passport and may also need a visa. Check the following website for a list of countries whose residents require visas to visit Canada. www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html

Climate
Lake Ontario serves to moderate Toronto's weather to the point that its climate is one of the mildest in Canada. Generally speaking, spring and summer temperatures range from 18°C (65°F) to 30°C (85°F).

Arriving by Plane
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's busiest airport,
located at the Northwest corner of the city. The airport offers direct flights to most major world cities. The airport is approximately 32 km from the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (Conference location in downtown Toronto.) Taxis, shuttle buses and public buses provide services between Pearson airport and the surrounding area, including downtown Toronto.

Shuttle Buses from the Airport
The Airport Express (Pacific Western) www.torontoairportexpress.com service operates a 24-hour shuttle service from Pearson Airport to the downtown core which stops at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel. This shuttle picks up passengers at all terminals every 20 minutes and costs approximately $15 CDN.

Road Routes from outside Toronto
Major bus routes converge in Toronto. Out-of-town buses arrive and depart from the Bus Terminal, located at 610 Bay St. Service to/from points all over Ontario, Canada and the U.S. National and regional bus lines serve the Greater Toronto area. Call +1 416 393 7911 for bus company fares and schedules.

Arriving by Train
Toronto is served by the VIA Rail System (www.viarail.ca), the network that provides all rail service throughout Canada. Union Station is located on Front Street, between Bay and University Avenues across the street from the Royal York Hotel. Union station is right on Toronto's subway line (www.toronto.ca/ttc/index.htm) and is within walking distance of SkyDome, the CN Tower, the financial district and many downtown hotels, shops and restaurants.

Taxi Service
A taxi from Pearson International to the Royal York Hotel (30-45 min) will cost approximately $50 CDN. Taxis are readily available at the Airport and in the downtown core.

Public Transit
Internet information for transportation to/from the airport using public transit
can be found at (www.city.toronto.ca/ttc/service_to_airport)
The Public transit system locally referred to as the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) offers accessibility throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This excellent transportation network offers access to all the city's great attractions and venues.

Car Rental
Toronto airport is served by several major car rental companies.