Dates and Venue

• 13 (Wednesday) – 16 (Saturday) October 2010
• The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (for room reservation, please click here)
  900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C2W6

Registration

The Assembly is open to all constituent members of the World Medical Association, to associate members, to observers and to other individuals by special invitation. Full registration is necessary to participate in all Assembly events including the social programme, and is only considered upon receipt of the corresponding form and fee.

The registration fee is 400 Euros for participants and 200 Euros for accompanying persons. The fee includes documentation and all events in the official social programme. For those who wish to attend the Scientific Session only, please click here for registration. We offer 200 Euros for the registration which does not cover the official social programme and meeting documentation.

The registration is now available by clicking "Register" button at the end of this page and please click here for the hotel reservation. Please note the deadline for registration and room reservation is August 31, 2010.

Provisional Schedule and Scientific Session

Please find the provisional schedule for the meetings (GA 2010/Schedule/Oct2010).  This year the Scientific Session will be on the theme “Health and the Environment”.  The Session will take place on Thursday, 14 October 2010.

Languages

There will be simultaneous interpretation in English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese at all the sessions.  Meeting documentation is available in English, French and Spanish.

Social Program

The Canadian Medical Association and the WMA Secretariat have prepared the following programme of social events for the WMA General Assembly. Please note that the registration fee includes all events in the official social programme.  Advance notification of the wish to participate in social events is essential to the local organising committee and the WMA Secretariat.

Wednesday, 13 October 2010

6:30 pm-8:00 pm   
Welcome Reception at the Pan Pacific Hotel on the Vancouver waterfront offered by the Canadian Medical Association

Thursday, 14 October 2010

2:00 pm-6:00 pm   
Half-Day City Tour for Associate Members, Observers and Accompanying Persons only offered by the World Medical Association

Friday, 15 October 2010

2:00 pm-10:00 pm   
Half-day Majestic North Shore Tour for all participants and accompanying persons. At 6 pm, this tour will end at the top of Grouse Mountain, which will be the setting for the Cocktails and Dinner with a view of the city, ocean and Rocky Mountains, offered by the Canadian Medical Association. Cocktails will start upon arrival.

Saturday, 16 October 2010

7:30 pm-10:30 pm
Cocktails and Assembly Dinner at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for all participants offered by the World Medical Association

Information for Pre-Post Tour

Tours can be arranged at your own expense through Landsea Tours, a family owned and operated company, has been pleased to offer a variety of half-day and full-day sightseeing excursions around southwestern British Columbia.

For reservations you can book online at www.vancouvertours.com or call Melissa Pace at 1 877 669-2277 and mention you are a part of the World Medical Association General Assembly.

Hotel Information

175 rooms have been reserved for those attending the meetings at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Canada.  All WMA meetings will be held in this hotel. 

IMPORTANT: ROOMS WILL BE RESERVED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS!

General information

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: Nestled between the majestic coastal mountains and the tides of the Pacific Ocean, on Canada's west coast, lies Vancouver, a city that attracts travellers from around the world who are drawn to its breathtaking scenery and energetic lifestyle.  The hotel is a 30-minute commute by train and taxi from the Vancouver International Airport. For more details, please click here.

Daily rate

The hotel has given a special rate for participants. The rates below do not include breakfast and taxes. The breakfast (32 CAD per person) and the taxes (16%) will be added to the guestroom rate. The rates are calculated based on the current exchange rate (1EUR=1.26CAD as of 17 June) and subject to change in October.

• Fairmont Rooms (Single/Double): 229.00 CAD (approx. €180)
• For each extra person from the 3rd person: 30.00 CAD (approx. €25)
• No charge for children up to and including the age of 18 years who share with parents.
• Maximum occupancy per room is 4.
• In case of cancellation with less than 48 hours notice, you will be charged a cancellation charge of one night.

Meals

Dinners will be provided as outlined in the Social Program. Lunch will be at the leisure of the participant. There are numerous high quality restaurants within short walking distance of the hotel.

Fairmont President's Club

Fairmont Hotels exclusive guest recognition program, Fairmont President's Club, offers special benefits and privileges designed to reflect your individual travel preferences and offers an enhanced level of service.

Membership in the hotel loyalty program is complimentary and includes express check-in at a private reception desk, complimentary high-speed Internet access, free local calls, complimentary health club access, complimentary use of Taylor Made golf clubs, use of Fairmont Fit and more. Visit www.fairmont.com/fpc/ for more information and to sign up.

Vancouver in brief and Practical Information

Vancouver is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. The largest metropolitan area in Western Canada, Vancouver ranks third largest in the country.

Vancouver has ranked highly in worldwide "livable city" rankings for more than a decade according to business magazine assessments. It has hosted many international conferences and events, including the 1976 United Nations Conference on Human Settlements and the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication. The 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics were held in Vancouver.

Climate

The temperatures in Vancouver in the month of October are cool and drop gradually as the season progresses, with the usual maximum temperature being 14°C and minimum being 7°C. Be prepared as well for the possibility of rain.

Currency

The national currency is the Canadian Dollar. Travellers' cheques and all major credit cards are widely accepted and are the best way to carry currency. Currency may be exchanged in hotels, banks or currency exchanges.

Passport and Visas

A list of countries requiring Visas to travel to Canada can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp. If it is necessary to get an invitation letter issued by the WMA, please contact the WMA Secretariat at wma@wma.net.

Tipping

A tip of 15% for good service is considered customary.

Emergency 

In case of an emergency during the meetings, contact the CMA Secretariat in the hotel. Medical care in Canada is outstanding. Participants are advised to purchase medical insurance prior to their trip.

Useful Links

www.tourismvancouver.com
www.hellobc.com
www.yvr.ca