important information

Airport

If you are returning to or continuing on to the United States from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, you will go through US customs before you reach your departure gate. Please allow at least 45-60 minutes to get through customs, in addition to the time you might ordinarily allow for departure. Rate for a taxi ride between Montréal-Trudeau to Downtown Montréal is about CAN$35.

Attire

Since meeting room temperature and personal comfort levels vary, it is recommended that you bring a sweater or jacket to congress activities. Meeting attire is business casual.

Badges

Attendees will be required to wear their delegate badge at all times to access the official program sessions, satellite symposia, exhibits, and social functions.

Note that participants are invited to return their name badges at the end of the event for recycling.

Banks and currencies

Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 10.00 to 17.00 and sometimes on Saturdays. You will find automated teller machines (ATM) most everywhere. Please note that most ATMs will charge a transaction fee of approximately CAN$1.50. Currency units are dollars ($) and cents (¢). Canadian notes are: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coins are: $2, $1, 25¢, 10¢, 5¢, 1¢. At the time of printing, 1.0 Canadian dollar is equal to about 0.64 Euro and about 0.95 US dollar.

Bus Transportation

Limited complimentary bus shuttle service will be provided between Le Centre Sheraton Hotel and the Palais des congrès. The shuttle service will run from Wednesday to Friday between 7.00 and 20.30 and Saturday from 7.00 to 12.30. The pick-up point at the Sheraton is at the corner of René-Lévesque and Drummond streets. The bus departure point from the Palais is Viger Terminal.

Coatroom

The Palais des congrès coatroom will be open on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20, for participants who wish to store their luggage and/or coat for the day. The fees are CAD $2 per coat and CAD $5 per suitcase.

Congress Secretariat

The World Congress on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (MS Montréal 2008) Secretariat is located in Room 521A.

Congress Venue

The Palais des congrès de Montréal (the Montréal convention center) is the site of the Welcome Reception, Congress sessions, Exhibit Hall and satellite symposia. The Palais is ideally situated between downtown and Old Montréal. An underground walkway connects the Palais to the major hotels and business sites in downtown Montréal and the Place d’Armes Metro stop is located onsite. Old Montréal and Chinatown are within easy walking distance of the Palais as are a variety of shops, restaurants and historical sites.

Main entrances are:

• 1001 place Jean-Paul-Riopelle

• 201 Viger West

Exhibition

Palais des congrès de Montréal, Room 220E

Internet Stations

Internet Stations are located in the Exhibit Hall. The stations are available for congress participants during Exhibit Hall on Thursday and Friday.

Language

English is the official language of the congress. All posters and slides will be presented in English. Simultaneous translation is not available.

Liability

The Congress Organizers cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred by participants in the event of labor disruptions or cancellation of the Meeting. The program is subject to change without notice.

The Congress Organizers shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered Congress participants. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.

Meals

The registration fee includes coffee breaks, box lunches (first come, first served), and admission to the Welcome Reception.

Mobile Phones

The Steering Committee requests that participants turn cellular devices and pagers to vibrate upon entering official program sessions, satellite symposia, exhibits, and social functions.

No Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all public venues in Montréal.

Photography and Recording of Programs

Audiotaping, videotaping, or photography are not permitted during the scientific sessions or in the exhibit area. People who violate this policy – particularly with flash photography – will be asked to leave the session.

Poster Sessions

Congress abstracts and posters may be viewed electronically at the e-poster stations available in the Exhibit Hall and in the Poster session area.

Press and Media Services

A fully equipped Congress Press Office (521B) is available during the Congress hours for journalists whose credentials have been reviewed and approved by the congress staff. A Media Briefing Room (521C) is available by advance reservation.

Registrations Hours

Pre-registered participants may pick up their congress badges, program materials (delegate bag including final program, abstract book, etc.), purchase tickets for teaching courses, social events and tours. At the time of printing of the final program, there is limited availability for ticketed items.

On-site registrants may register during the hours listed above.

On-site registrants cannot be guaranteed to receive all congress materials.

Tipping

Service is not included in restaurants and it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total. If you are with a group, a 15% service charge may be automatically added to your bill. Just ask when you are not sure if the tip is included.Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least CAD$1 per suitcase or per service rendered.

WI-FI Service

The Palais des congrès provides Wi-Fi service in Viger Hall (Level 2) at a cost of CAD $4 per hour or CAD $15 per day. Payment is by credit card only.

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