Doc No:           WG14/N1328

Date:               2008-08-05

Reply to:         Edison Kwok

ekwok@ca.ibm.com

 

Spring 2009 WG14 Meeting Information

 

The meeting will be located at the IBM Toronto Software Lab in Markham, Ontario, Canada during the week of March 30 to Apri1 3, 2009.

 

Meeting Venue

 

The IBM Toronto Software Lab ("the Lab") is located in Markham, a suburb northeast of Toronto:

IBM Toronto Software Lab

8200 Warden Avenue

Markham, Ontario

L6G 1C7

 

Hotels

 

There are many hotel options within 5 km from the Lab along Highway #7. The Hilton Suites adjacent to the Lab offers discount rate to guests/visitors to the Lab. The trip between the two buildings is an easy 5 minutes walk across the IBM parking lot.

Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre & Spa

8500 Warden Avenue

Markham, Ontario

L6G 1A5

Tel: (905) 470 8500

Fax: (905) 477 8611

Hotel website

 

Standard accommodation at the Hilton is a two-room suite. The IBM negotiated room rate for meeting attendees is CAD 136.00. This includes overnight parking and full use of their gym facilities.

 

The airport

 

Air travel into Toronto should use the Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

 

The easiest means of transportation from Pearson to the Hilton Suites is airport limousine or taxi. You can pick up a limousine from the queue at arrivals, or you can make arrangements in advance. You should expect to pay about CAD 55.00 for a one-way trip.

 

Aerofleet Services

aerofleet.sites.toronto.com

(800) 268-0905

 

To drive from the airport to the hotel:

  1. When exiting the airport follow the signs for Highway 401 East.
  2. Drive east on Highway 401 for 27 Kilometres to the Don Valley Parkway/404 exit.
  3. Go north on the 404 and exit at Hwy 7.
  4. Proceed east on Hwy 7. pass South Town Centre Blvd (South Town Centre Blvd is east of Rodick Rd. and west of Warden Ave.)
  5. Turn right onto the hotel property.

 

Transportation

 

Public transportation info and driving directions to the Lab are available on the Lab’s website. A rental car is not a strict necessity, but we will be in the suburbs, so it might help - if only to broaden the variety of dining options available to you. The following rental companies have kiosks at the airport:

Avis
Tel: 1-800-TRY-AVIS (1-800-879-2847)
Website: www.avis.com
Terminal 1 – (905) 676-1032/33
Terminal 3 – (905) 676-1034/35

Budget
Tel: 1-800-561-5212
Website: www.budget.com
Terminal 1 – (905) 676-1500
Terminal 3 – (905) 676-1623

Dollar/Thrifty
Tel: 1-800-THRIFTY
Website: www.dollar.com or www.thrifty.com
Terminal 1 – (905) 673-8811 x6256
Terminal 3 – (905) 673-8811 x6251

Hertz
Tel: 1-800-263-0600
Website: www.hertz.com
Terminal 1 and 3 – (416) 674-2020

National/Alamo
Tel: 1-800-CAR-RENT or 1-800-GO-ALAMO
Website: www.nationalcar.com or www.alamo.com
Terminal 1 and 3 – (905) 676-2647

Traffic regulations in Ontario are the same as in most US states. Right turns are permitted on red lights at any intersection that doesn't have a sign that explicitly indicates otherwise.

 

If you're driving in downtown Toronto, watch for one-way streets and dedicated streetcar and bus lanes. Left turns, right turns, or both are prohibited at some intersections on a few downtown arteries; watch for the signs. Do not pass a stationary streetcar on the right if its doors are open, and don't pull up on the right beside a streetcar that has stopped to collect or drop off passengers. Instead, stop behind the streetcar's rear doors until they have closed.

 

Other useful info

 

General:

http://www.toronto.com

 

Toronto Transit Commision route and fare information:

http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/ttc/index.htm