GOBLET AGM 2018

Meeting Details

The Global Organisation for Bioinformatics Learning, Education & Training (GOBLET) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research on November 6th - 8th, 2018.

Registration

GOBLET members in good standing (individual and institutional) are eligible to attend the meeting. Registration is open here.

Costs Estimates (CAD$)

Flight Estimates:

  • London, UK to Toronto, CA: $650 - $800
  • Brisbane, AUS to Toronto, CA: $1,600 - $1,800
  • Zurich, CH to Toronto, CA: $800 - $900
  • Cape Town, ZA to Toronto, CA: $1,400 - $1,600

Accommodations: $196.26/night

Meals: bioinformatics.ca will provide breakfast and lunch on AGM days and will sponsor one dinner and GOBLET will sponsor a second dinner.

Transit to hotel from airport: $15.55 on Union Pearson Express and public transit.

GOBLET Gold and Platinum members are eligible for partial reimbursement of travel expenses of up to 500 Euro. GOBLET will cover the AGM hotel costs for 1 representative for GOBLET organizational members.

Agenda

The agenda for the meeting is still being finalized. An initial draft can be found here

Accommodation and Travel

Visa Information

Most travelers to Canada require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). To find out if you require a Visa or an eTA, visit here.

Where We Are

Accommodations:

A block of rooms have been booked at the Chelsea Hotel at a rate of $167+tax ($196.26 total) per night. Please indicate on your registration your arrival and departure dates to hold your room. You will be responsible for all accommodation costs, however, GOBLET will cover the AGM hotel costs for 1 representative for GOBLET organizational members.

Transportation To/From Toronto

By Air

Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Air Canada, West Jet and many US carriers provide direct flights to Toronto. Lester B. Pearson International Airport is located west of the downtown core, and is readily accessible. The downtown Toronto hotels are approximately 16 km from Lester B. Pearson International Airport.

To get to downtown from YYZ:

  • Union Pearson Express (UPX) Train (recommended): An express train connects Pearson Airport with Union Station in downtown Toronto in 25 minutes. There are 2 other stations before Union Station. Rates are dependent on the destination station with tickets to Union Station costing $12.35 one-way. Tickets can be purchased online or before boarding the train. More information can be found here. Once at Union Station, transferring to public transit is simple (see below).

  • Public transit: The TTC, Toronto’s public transit system, also provides Airport Service and is the least expensive method at $3.25 of getting to and from downtown Toronto. To access bus service from the Airport to TTC Kipling Station take “192 Airport Rocket”. Service occurs all day, every day between 5:30am and 2am and between Kipling Station and Pearson Airport. Buses stop only at Kipling Station, Dundas Street West and East Mall Crescent, then Jetliner Road at Airport Road (Ground Level), then Terminal 1 (Ground Level), then Terminal 3 (Arrivals Level). One-way travel time to the subway is approx. 20 minutes. The closest subway station to 661 University Ave. is Queens Park on the University/Spadina line. 661 University Ave. is located at the corner of University and College. Fares need to be paid in cash on the bus or with tokens that can be purchased at TTC stations.

  • Limousine/Taxi service: Limousines (fixed rate) are marginally cheaper than taxis (meter) for the trip downtown. Both the Taxis and the Limousines can be located immediately outside any airport terminal on the Arrivals Level. You can reserve a Limousine by:

    • Airport Services (1-800-263-6135)
    • Air Flight Services (1-800-268-6843)
    • Aeroport Taxi and Limousine Services (1-800-465-3434)
      The trip downtown could take from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic. The fixed-rate taxi/limo fares to downtown are between CAD$60-80 to 661 University Ave.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)

Located on the western tip of a series of islands in Toronto Harbor, the island airport handles scheduled, private and corporate flights. Porter Airlines and Air Canada operate out of this airport. To get off the Island, you can walk through the new pedestrain tunnel or take the TCCA 1 ferry. A free shuttle bus can take you to Union Station.

Visa Information

Most travelers to Canada require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). To find out if you require a Visa or an eTA, visit here.

GOBLET Reimbursement Policy

GOBLET Gold and Platinum members are eligible for partial reimbursement of travel expenses of up to 500 Euro.