Planning your trip to Toronto

Toronto has much to offer, and if at all possible you should take advantage of the opportunity to explore this beautiful city and the surrounding area. June is a busy time in Ontario, so if you are planning to extend your stay to visit such worthwhile destinations as Muskoka, Georgian Bay, Algonquin Park, the Bruce Trail or Niagara Falls, you should make your arrangements early or you'll find everything booked. Check out the Ontario tourism Web site at www.ontario.worldweb.com. Since Niagara Falls is so close to Toronto, we hope to arrange day trips during the opening weekend of the 2002 Forum. Check the AIR Web site (http://airweb.org) for updates on activities as the Forum approaches.

Canada is a foreign country, so be sure you have proof of citizenship for entering the country, and returning home. You must have your Passport or a copy of your Birth Certificate and government issued photo ID when entering or leaving Canada. Apart from this, the biggest thing that will remind you where you are is the money. Prices are in dollars and cents (with pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters). There is also a one dollar coin (the loonie) and a two dollar coin (the toonie). Bills are different colours, and come in fives, tens , twenties, fifties and hundreds. One U.S. dollar gets about 1.6 Canadian dollars so you should be able to take advantage of the exchange rate. All major credit cards are accepted at most shops. There are bank machines almost everywhere, but you may wish to check with your bank to ensure that your card will work outside the U.S.

PACKING FOR THE FORUM

We're a reasonably informal group, so pack to be comfortable as well as professional. There are often impromptu gatherings and explorations after official programs for which you may want to put on your walking shoes. If you are up for morning walks, there are usually planned routes and plenty of like-minded walkers to join. Bring a stack of business cards. You'll use these to leave with presenters who run out of papers and for networking, entering drawings, and leaving messages on the message board. Consider packing a package of post-its to mark pages in the program and a highlighter if you feel the need to transfer preliminary program information to the final program.

Weather

The weather in June is comfortable, usually low to mid-70s. Rain and thunderstorms are very possible at this time of year. Nights will be cool, possibly dropping to low 60s. Humidity and smog can be a problem, particularly if the temperature rises to the 80s.

Clothing

In the city, just about anything is acceptable, from business attire to sweaters and jeans. Canadians are fairly casual people and generally dress to be comfortable. You should bring good walking shoes, and a sweater or light jacket for evenings.

Car Rental

BUDGET is the official car rental company for the Association for Institutional Research. Special discount rates start at a daily rate of $38.00 (Cdn) and a weekly rate of $228.00 (Cdn) for a compact fourdoor car. These rates are guaranteed one week before through one week after the meeting dates, subject to car availability, and include unlimited free mileage. In addition, at the time of reservation, when using the Budget exclusive meeting ID VCFN. For reservations, call Budget at 1-800-561-5212 or (905) 673-3322 locally and refer to ID VCFN. Standard rental conditions and qualifications apply, including minimum rental age. Check with your Budget representative for other details.

Budget has an affiliation with Toronto Parking Authority. When driving a Budget vehicle, customers receive 12 hours of free parking at select Green P lots in downtown Toronto. Budget can also waive the drop charge if customers want to pick up at a downtown location for example and return the vehicle at the Toronto Airport.

Budget is conveniently located in the terminals of Pearson International Airport and have more than 50 locations in the Greater Toronto area.

If arriving by Air

Delta Airlines is one of the official airlines for the 42nd Forum in Toronto, Canada. Delta operates in excess of 5,000 flights each day to more than 300 cities in more than 40 countries. Internationally, Delta offers the most daily flight departures, serving the largest number of nonstop markets, and carrying the most passengers of any U.S. airline. Delta will handle each call, regardless of your departure city.

Call Delta Meeting Network Reservations at 1-800-241-6760, Monday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. You may also have your travel agent call the above number. When making your reservation, please make sure that you or your travel agent refer to file number 183534A.

United Airlines is the other official airline for the 42nd Forum. United Airlines offers special meeting fares for all AIR Forum attendees who use the Special Meeting Desk to book their reservations. Book early and take advantage of the promotional fares that give you the greatest savings! Please call Monday through Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to midnight (or have your travel agent call) 1-800-521-4041 and refer to Meeting ID Number 553SC. Mileage Plus members receive full credit for all miles flown to this meeting.

Driving Directions

From the West and Toronto International Airport -Use 427 South Follow Highway 401 East to the 427. Take 427 South and follow signs for QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way). QEW turns into the Gardiner Expressway (eastbound). Follow along on Gardiner and watch on right for York St. Exit. Take York St. exit ramp slowly. Stay on left side of ramp and follow York Street until it ends at Queen Street. Turn right onto Queen. Motor entrance for hotel immediately on the right.

From the U.S. and Niagara Region Follow QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) into Metro. QEW turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Follow Gardiner and watch on right for York St. exit. Take York St. exit slowly. Stay on left side of ramp and follow York Street until it ends at Queen Street. Turn right on to Queen. Motor entrance for hotel immediately on the right.

From the East Follow Highway 401 West to the Don Valley Parkway (DVP). Take DVP South all the way to the Richmond St. exit. Get into right lane of Richmond once at Bay Street - the hotel is on the right at the corner of Richmond and York Streets.

If you're driving, you'll find that the city follows a straightforward grid pattern, with streets running north and south, east and west. Streets are labelled East or West depending on their direction from the central north/south road Yonge Street. There are also many taxis available in the downtown area; these come in a variety of colours but all reputable cabs have a light on top of the car roof.

Transportation