Toronto

Toronto is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world; a place where international ideas intersect with Canadian culture. A centre of rare openness, warmth, energy and style, Toronto is enriched by the fusion of traditions, passions and perspectives on life of the more than 100 cultures found here.

A city of contrasts, Toronto’s skyline includes the CN Tower, one of the Modern Wonders of the World and glass skyscrapers juxtaposed with historic limestone facades. Miles of waterfront, boardwalks, parks and trails nestle together with urban delights like cafés, artisans’ exhibits and one-of-a-kind shops.

Currency Exchange
The exchange rate is another appealing aspect of visiting Toronto. The Canadian dollar always fluctuates against the U.S. dollar, but for decades now the exchange rate has favoured foreign visitors. This makes Toronto hotel rooms, venue rentals, meals and even souvenirs inexpensive when compared with similarly-sized destinations south of the border.

Airports
Toronto is served by two airports. Toronto Pearson International Airport, managed by the Greater Toronto Airport Authority is Canada’s principal airport with travel connections to every continent and ranks among the top 30 world airports in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (formerly Toronto City Centre Airport) is one of the most convenient urban airports in the world. It is located on Toronto Island, minutes from the downtown core with links to the city by a short ferry ride and shuttle, and is served by both Porter Airlines and Air Canada

Time Zone
Toronto, Ontario is in the Eastern Daylight Time zone

What can meeting attendees and exhibitors do while in Toronto?

Toronto will be really alive before, during and after the 66th AACPDM conference. There will be truly something for everyone to take in if you can get time to escape our busy meeting. Coming early or staying on for a day or two might appeal to you. Here are some of the offerings of Toronto during our meeting:

Film festival Fun: The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is on! We are so fortunate to be meeting while Toronto hosts the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Attended by Hollywood and international film stars and Academy Award winning film makers – and with a large public participation and opportunity to get tickets – the TIFF will make Toronto even more alive while our conference meets. At the TIFF 2011 films featured and premiered included Oscar contenders like "The Artist", "Drive", George Clooney's "The Ides of March". With the knowledge that previous Oscar winners were premiered/featured including the films "The Kings Speech" and "Slumdog Millionaire", 2012's films (not yet available) and stars visiting town are bound to be interesting as well! You can see a great film and quite possibly its star or director too! Be sure to plan ahead though if you want tickets.

Calling all view-seekers and adrenalin junkies . . . CN Tower and the EdgeWalk experience: In 1995, the CN Tower was classified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Not only is it close to our conference hotel with a great look-out, it also features a experience for the thrillseekers amongst you. The "EdgeWalk" (open weather permitting during our conference period) experience is the first of its kind in North America. It is the world's highest full circle hands free walk on a 5 foot (1.5 meter) ledge encircling the top of the CN Tower's main pod, 1168 ft ( 356 m) above the ground. Visitors walk in groups of six with a harness system allowing them to lean out over Toronto with nothing but air and breathtaking views of Lake Ontario beneath them. Yikes!

Art Lover? There are Galleries for you: The Westin is well situated for you to visit the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Both galleries make truly world class art easily accessible to you. Both galleries are a comfortable walk or easy cab ride from our conference hotel, the Westin.

Did you miss the Cirque du Soleil at the AACPDM 2011 in Las Vegas? Cirque has a show for you in Toronto too! See these amazing performers under the "Grand Chapiteau" in their newest creation, the Cirque du Soleil show "Amaluna". It opens in Toronto on September 5, 2012 and shows are available before, during and after our AACPDM meeting - but go on line and get your tickets early!

Batter up: Hey Baseball fans: The Toronto Blue Jays MLB team are at home at the Rogers Centre before, during and after our AACPDM meeting. They will be playing the Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox. Maybe you want to catch a game? Rogers Centre, home of the Blue Jays, is a 16 minute walk or 12 min public transit walk from the Westin.

For the love of Hockey . . . The Hockey Hall of Fame . . . The Hockey Hall of Fame is the worlds one and only! Experience the game that defines Canada and a sport that has been adopted by over 80 countries. A comfortable walk from the Westin, and spread across over 60,000 feet, the Hall of Fame offers something for everyone: from the finest collection of hockey memorabilia from around the world including (usually) the Stanley Cup to cool (pun intended) interactive games - take on your friends or fellow AACPDM members! He shoots…he scores!

Feel like shopping? Shoppers delight in trendy Queen Street West and Bloor Street shopping as well as Yorkville's designer boutiques. Looking for something less eclectic or designer? Find what you need or want at nearby Eaton Centre mall or "The Path" which features more than 1200 shops in over 16 miles of underground concourses.

Hungry now? Toronto offers an incredible range of Restaurants – all within an easy walk or cab or public transit ride from our hotel. From Michelin stars and Iron Chef winners to tasty grub – it's all waiting for you. May I take your order please?

Why not consider staying an extra 1/2 day or day and take in a few of the mentioned experiences above – or consider these options within 1.5 hours by car from Toronto:

Visit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in the quaint town on Kleinberg just minutes north of Toronto. The McMichael proudly is home to over 6000 works of art including Canada's famous "Group of Seven" artists.

Visit Niagra Falls: Niagra Falls – you've heard about it . . . you've seen it in movies . . . maybe you've never gone. This is your chance.

Niagra on the Lake and the Shaw Festival – Do you love ready George Bernard Shaw? Is Shaw's "Pygmalion" a vibrant (or at least familiar) memory from your school days? The delightful town of Niagra on the Lake – near Niagra Falls and a less than 1.5 hour drive from Toronto is a lovely place to visit – but for added enjoyment take in a play! The Shaw Festival is renowned across Canada, producing the works of George Bernard Shaw and other Shavian playwrights. And yes, the festival is on before, during and after the AACPDM meeting in Toronto.

Visit Wine Country Ontario: Within an hour of Toronto and near Niagra Falls, delight in wineries and fine food in a lovely setting. Perhaps on your way back from or to Niagra on the Lake you can take in a winery?

Entry into Canada

U.S. Residents
American visitors travelling by air require a valid passport to re-enter the United States. For more information on travel security and border procedures, visit the U.S. Department of State.

International Visitors
For specific information on travel document required to visit Canada from countries other than the U.S., please refer to www.cbsa.gc.ca and www.cic.gc.ca.

UPDATE: As of July 13, 2009 the Canadian government requires visitors from Mexico to have a visa to travel to Canada. Visa information and application forms in Spanish can be found at: www.canada.org.mx or by calling toll free to 01-800-CANADA-0 (01-800-226-2320).