Social Events

ICASSP 2013 Welcome Reception

Join us for an evening of spectacular entertainment, wonderful food, and great company among friends and colleagues. The Welcome Reception will begin at 18:00 on Monday, May 27, in the Ballroom Foyer of the Vancouver Convention Centre. At 18:30, there will be a blessing of the event by members of the First Nations, welcome remarks by the ICASSP 2013 committee, and a few other surprises. The 2010 Olympic cauldron flame will be lit at 18:50. Don’t miss an evening to be remembered!

ICASSP 2013 Banquet

Join us Wednesday, May 29, for an evening at the Moulin Rouge. This is a about a 25 minute stroll to the Commodore Ballroom at 868 Granville Street should you prefer to walk or our buses will leave the VCC at 18:00. The Commodore Ballroom cabaret doors will open at 18:30 for this spectacular evening. Dinner will begin at 19:00.

ICASSP 2013 Sunset Cruise

Join us for a unique Vancouver experience - a wonderful reception and cruise on the MV Britannia offering unparalleled panoramic views of the city skyline and many of the area's most famous landmarks. For details please check the cruise page.

ICASSP 2013 Complimentary Short Tours and Recommendations for spouses and attendees.

Daily Recommendations:

Granville Island -- This public market is a jewel; truly a fantastic assortment of colorful stalls full of delicious fresh items from the ocean and the local fields. Granville Island Farmers Market is the most established and oldest of its kind in Vancouver. There are also shops with unique homemade products and local artist displays. The island is easy to get to and you will be very glad you made the effort.
http://granvilleisland.com

Stanley Park – This incredible park is within easy access from the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. This 1,000-acre oasis is one of the most spectacular urban parks in the world. There are numerous beaches, miles of paved and dirt trails, breath-taking gardens, Canada’s largest aquarium, and many “kid-friendly” activities.

Please visit http://www.tourismvancouver.com/do/explore/stanley-park-complete-guide to learn about this unique park. You really do not want to miss the opportunity to visit this remarkable place.

Grouse Mountain -- The free shuttle to Grouse Mountain necessitates purchasing a ticket for the gondola. Guests can purchase tickets online http://www.grousemountain.com/products/alpine-experience or onsite, in front of Canada Place.

Shuttle seating is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please refer to http://www.grousemountain.com/shuttle

Capilano Suspension Bridge -- Guests can pre-purchase tickets to Capilano either in town or purchase them upon arrival. The Salmon Fish Hatchery is very near the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You do not have to have a ticket to ride the shuttle. The choice to pre-purchase is entirely up to you. http://www.capbridge.com or http://capilanogroup.com


Wednesday, May 29 Lynn Canyon Trip with Transportation Provided

On Wednesday, May 29, be our guest to visit the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge Park
http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/LynnCanyon.html
Lynn Canyon Park encompasses 617 acres with most of the trees aged approximately 80 to 100 years old.

British Columbia is famous for its exquisite natural hiking and walking trails. This park has fairly simple and short hikes to longer, more involved trails. All of them are nevertheless beautiful with swimming holes and a suspension bridge that sways 50 meters above the canyon. Here you will find a selection of walking and hiking trails that you will completely enjoy. Please remember that if you hike in the forest , you MUST stay at a marked path.
http://lynncanyon.ca/trails

The Multiway is located on Canada Place between Burrard & Thurlow Streets. The buses will pull into the Multiway and begin to stage at the end closest to Jack Poole Plaza on the west side of the building.

Please note the following bus departure times from the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre:
8:15, 10:15, 12:15, 14:15

Please note the following bus departure times from the Lynn Valley Park Parking lot:
9:15, 11:15, 13:15, 15:15, 17:00

(Please note that the half hour trip back to the Convention Centre may take 10 minutes longer depending on traffic.)


Thursday, May 30 UBC and Museum of Anthropology with Transportation Provided

On Thursday, May 30, be our guest to visit the University of British Columbia and its Museum of Anthropology

UBC is one of the most famous universities in the world and is academically ranked in the top 30 worldwide. Established in 1908, UBC is also considered a city on its own with 400 hectares in size, surrounded by stunning forests, gardens, and beaches.

UBC’s Museum of Anthropology is world-renowned for its collections, research, teaching, public programs, and community connections. Acclaimed for its spectacular architecture and unique setting on the cliffs of Point Grey, don't miss the opportunity to visit this truly fantastic institution!

Some of the UBC’s gardens and museums (the Botanical Garden, Nitobe Garden, and Museum of Anthropology are not free. For rates please check
http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/rates
http://moa.ubc.ca/visit/hours-and-rates.php

The Multiway is located on Canada Place between Burrard & Thurlow Streets. The buses will pull into the Multiway and begin to stage at the end closest to Jack Poole Plaza on the west side of the building.

Please note the following bus departure times from the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre:
8:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30

Please note the following bus departure times from the Museum of Anthropology parking lot:
9:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:15

(Please note that the half hour trip back to the Convention Center may take longer depending on traffic.)