Location, accommodation & travel information

The International Society for Ecological Modelling Global Conference 2023 will take place at the University of Toronto, Scarborough, Canada.

University of Toronto Scarborough(opens in new tab/window) 1265 Military Trail Toronto, ON Canada M1C 1A4

The following buildings/rooms will be used for conference sessions:

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  Registration, posters, exhibits and catering: Highland Hall Event Centre (Marked as HL and located at D4 on the above campus map)

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  Plenary sessions: Academic Resource Centre (Marked as AC and located at C4 on the above campus map)

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  Breakout rooms: Social science building (Marked as MW and located at C5 on the above campus map) and Science wing: Marked as SW and located at B4 on the attached campus map

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  Workshops – Arts and Administration (Marked as AA and located at C4 on the above campus map)

Accommodation

A limited number of rooms have been reserved for conference delegates at a couple of hotels near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. Please note that all the rooms on the campus itself are now fully booked.  Please refer to the individual listings for room rates, details on how to book and cut-off deadlines.

A conference shuttle bus will run between the conference hotels (Best Western Executive Plus and Comfort Inn) and the University campus (morning and evening) to transport delegates to/from the conference venue.

Best Western Plus Executive Inn(opens in new tab/window)

Rates: CAD180 per room, per night + taxes (HST 13%)

Accommodation includes spacious renovated rooms with

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  Complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily

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  Complimentary outdoor parking

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  Complimentary indoor pool (Covid restrictions apply)

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  Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet in all rooms

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  Complimentary 24 hour coffee/tea bar available in lobby

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  Complimentary on-site 24-hour business centre

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  Guest gaundry

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  41" Flat Screen LCD TV

The deadline for booking accommodation is Saturday 1April 2023. All bookings will be subject to availability.

Delegates can now book using the link https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.66088.html?groupId=8P9RY2C8(opens in new tab/window) For information or assistance with reservations, please contact the hotel directly: Tel: +1 416 430 0444 | Email: [email protected](opens in new tab/window)

Comfort Inn Pickering(opens in new tab/window)

Rates: CAD139 per room, per night + taxes (HST 13%)

Accommodation includes:

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  Hot breakfast

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  Free parking

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  WIFI throughout

The deadline for booking accommodation is Saturday 1April 2023. All bookings will be subject to availability.

Click here to book your room(opens in new tab/window)

For information or assistance with reservations, please contact the hotel directly: Tel: +1 (905) 831-6200 | Email: [email protected](opens in new tab/window)

Townhouse Residences at University of Toronto Scarborough Campus - SOLD OUT

The houses come with 4 individual lockable guest bedrooms, shared washroom, fully equipped kitchen and living room area.

Please note, unless guests are traveling together in a group and submit a note at the time of booking, attendees will be randomly assigned to units on a house-share basis (same gender pairings will apply wherever possible).

Rates: CAD70 per room, per night + taxes (HST 13%)

Accommodation includes:

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  Bed linen & towels

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  Parking

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  Wifi

For information or assistance with reservations, please contact UTSC directly: Cindy Insley, Conference Coordinator

Tel: +1 416 287-7356 | Email: [email protected](opens in new tab/window)

Find a roommate

For those delegates who would like to stay at the conference hotel but need some help with costs, we are offering a service to match up potential roommates. Please send an email to the conference secretariat(opens in new tab/window) (Please do not email credit card information under any circumstances) including the following information:

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  Name

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  E-mail address

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  Male or Female

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  Dates of stay

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  Interests

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  Any other information you consider important

The conference secretariat will put potential matches in touch with each other. By contacting the conference secretariat with your details you are agreeing to your email address being circulated to other delegates on the Find a Roommate database. The conference is not responsible for booking accommodation or any problems from the financial arrangements between roommates. Please make sure that you have a confirmed delegate booking before arranging any accommodation.

Visa Information

Most visitors traveling to Canada will need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada - not both. Some people may only need their valid passport.

Answer a few questions on the Immigration Canada website(opens in new tab/window) to see what applies to you.

Please note - As of January 5, all air travellers, 2 years of age and older, arriving from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao must show a negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than 2 days before their departure, to the airline in order to board their flight.

For more information on how to request an invitation letter for visa purposes please contact Cinzia Mamberti,(opens in new tab/window) Conference Project Lead.

Travel information

Transportation services (regional and local)

Pearson International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the University and is accessible from destinations worldwide. Toronto is a major “hub” airport serviced by most major international airlines.

There is a train service called Union Pearson Express which takes you from the airport to Union Station downtown in 25 minutes. Once at Union station one can connect with the Toronto Transit system of subway and bus.

Other transportation into the city includes Via Rail Service, Go Transit Bus and Rail, and Grey Hound Bus.

Parking

Delegates who are commuting for the conference can pre-order parking passes via the conference secretariat. The Daily rate will be $8.00 (tax included).

Commuting delegates arriving on-campus without a pre-purchased parking pass may park in one of our attended lots for $10 per day.

Conference shuttle bus

A conference shuttle bus will run between the conference hotels (Best Western Executive Plus and Comfort Inn) and the University campus (morning and evening) to transport delegates to/from the conference venue.

Accessibility

Elsevier Conferences Accessibility Policy

Please access our Accessibility policy and guidelines here.

How to contact us to discuss any accessibility requirements

Please contact us at  [email protected](opens in new tab/window) to discuss any requirements or questions. The conference organizer will contact you directly to discuss further.

Please let us have the details of any specific requirements by Friday 24^th February 2023.

Conference venue

Is there disabled parking? Yes, in lot “E” – which requires a special permit - and visitor lot “A”.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Yes, the venue is 100% wheelchair accessible.

Are there accessible elevators close to the conference rooms? Yes, there are accessible elevators.

Are there accessible restrooms near the conference rooms? Yes, there are accessible restrooms.

Meeting rooms: All rooms are less than an 6-10 min walk from each other.  The campus is fully accessible and have been fully vetted by the Accessibility Services Department.

Catering: on request we can arrange for assistance with the collection of catering.  Please contact us at [email protected](opens in new tab/window)

Please contact us at [email protected](opens in new tab/window) if you would like to have an orientation tour of the venue on Tuesday 2^nd May 2023.

Conference dinner venue

Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Yes, the venue is accessible for wheelchair users

Are there accessible elevators close to the dinner space? There are no elevators in the dinner space

Are there accessible restrooms near the dinner space (same floor/near accessible lifts?) Yes, there are accessible restrooms

Please contact us at [email protected](opens in new tab/window) if you would like to discuss the arrangements for the conference dinner.

How to reach the venue and hotel

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  In the city TTC (Toronto Transit Commission)(opens in new tab/window) buses have the ability to be accessible.

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  Between the airport and venue: A number of airport limos/taxis can be prebooked and they need to be informed that the car they send needs to be accessible. https://airlinelimo.com/en(opens in new tab/window).

Conference dinner

Join us for the optional Conference Dinner at Guild Inn Estate(opens in new tab/window) on Friday, May 5, 2023.

The original two-storey “Bickford” residence was constructed in 1914. It was Brigadier General Harold Child Bickford’s home along with his family and 5 siblings. Throughout the years the site operated as a boarding school for young missionaries bound for China but, most famously, it became “The Guild of All Arts”, an artist’s co-operative and centre for Canadian artists and craftsmen until it was sold to Metropolitan Toronto Council in 1978.

After decades of disrepair, the City of Toronto entered into an agreement with Dynamic Hospitality & Entertainment Group. The brand-new Guild Inn Estate opened in 2017 during the late spring as a wedding and special event space.

Tickets cost US$80 (US$60 for students) when ordered in advance with registration and include a three-course dinner with wine, beer and soft drinks, as well as return transportation from the conference venue and official conference hotels (Best Western Executive Plus Scarborough and Comfort Inn Pickering).

Places are limited so please book early via the online registration system(opens in new tab/window).

Local area and things to do

The University of Toronto, Scarborough is situated in one of the Greater Toronto Area’s most diverse and multicultural neighbourhoods.

The University is located next to popular natural landmarks in Toronto’s greenest area, including the Rouge National Urban Park. There are 300 acres of lush parkland and hiking trails nearby in the Highland Creek Valley.

Just steps away from the centre of campus is the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre – a world class fitness and training centre which was host to several events for the 2015 Pan Am Parapan American Games. The centre is open to students, the neighbouring community and conference delegates.

Located just to the east of downtown Toronto, the University is close to such visitor attractions as the Toronto Zoo and Scarborough Bluffs Park overlooking Lake Ontario.

Situated a little further from campus, downtown, are more famous attractions such as Casa Loma, the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Ontario Science Centre, the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium.

The location of Scarborough, with its proximity to other points of interest, is well suited for conference day excursions and sightseeing such as the Niagara region (Niagara Falls, Niagara- On-The-Lake,) including tours of several local vineyards, or the Kitchener/Waterloo area with its local Mennonite communities and specialized shopping area in the town of St. Jacobs.

There are many restaurants located in areas close to campus with delicious food and fascinating culture that goes with them. Also, a short drive will take you downtown where the food options are virtually limitless.