General information

  • Conference Information
  • Travel Tips
  • Getting Here
  • Official Airline Network
  • Getting Around
  • Addresses & Phone Numbers

Language

French is the official language of Québec but English will be the official language of ICIP 2015. All presentations, whether in oral or poster format must be delivered in English.

Messages

Messages received by the Organizers for delegates will be posted on the message board located in the Convention Centre lobby. Messages between delegates may also be left on this board.

Mobile Phone

Please ensure that your cellular phone, pager, etc., are turned off or put on silent/vibrate mode during sessions.

Badges

Please wear your name badge at all times. This will ensure your admittance to the technical sessions and the Exhibition Hall.

Tickets for Social Events

You will be given a package containing your name badge and the tickets you ordered for the tours and social events when you check in at the Registration Desk. Please bring the appropriate ticket(s) to all social events. Additional tickets based on space availability will be available for purchase at the Registration Desk.

Accessible Facilities

At the Québec City Convention Centre, you will find spaces, entrances, equipment, and services by an underground passageway adapted to meet the needs of each and every guest. We are a secure facility and we offer guests with disabilities enhanced greeting services and personalized support. The Convention Centre is also linked by underground passageway to the Delta Québec, which has 20 rooms adapted for the mobility impaired.

  • Our facilities are adapted to the needs of the mobility impaired and comply with the National Building Code of Canada as well as the American Disability Act;

  • Telephone device for the deaf;
  • Restrooms with automatic doors;
  • Each public floor is wheelchair accessible;
  • Wheelchairs available upon request
  • Adapted elevators and mobile ramps for wheelchairs;
  • Adapted elevators and mobile ramps for wheelchairs;
  • Help and supervision for the mobility impaired during emergencies.

Customs/Entry

When you arrive in Canada, a border services officer will greet you. The officer will ask to see your passport or travel documents. If you applied for a parent and grandparent super visa, you will have other documents to give to the officer.

Even if you do not need a visa to enter Canada, the officer will ask you a few questions. The officer will make sure that you meet the requirements to enter Canada. This is standard for anyone entering Canada and should only take a few minutes.

All visitors require (see notes below for US citizens) a valid passport and may require an entry visa and/or additional documents. Ask your travel agent or visit this website to find out about your specific requirements. You should have all relevant documents on hand to present to the officer when you arrive. These documents may include, but are not limited to:

  • A valid passport or travel document that will be valid until the end of your stay
  • If applicable, a temporary resident visa

  • Letters of support from your parent company and a letter of invitation from the Canadian host business or a Letter of Recognition from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

  • A copy of any contracts or bills to support your visit
  • 24-hour contact details of your business host in Canada

Note for U.S. Citizens

On June 1, 2009, a new American law known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require U.S. citizens 16 years of age or over who re-enter the United States by land and sea or air to required to present a WHTI-compliant document such as a valid passport, U.S. passport card, Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST), or an Enhanced Driver’s License.

For citizens entering Canada, proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification.

For all modes of entry, we recommend you carry a valid passport for all travel abroad, including visits to Canada from the United States. A passport may be required by your airline or alternative transportation authority, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document.

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs may present their membership cards to the CBSA as proof of identity and as documents that denote citizenship, when arriving by land or marine modes only.

Note for single parent traveling with children
Foreign officials and transportation companies are vigilant concerning documentation for children crossing international borders. Generally, persons younger than 18 years of age could be considered as children.

Unless a child is accompanied by both legal parents, the following documentation should be carried by the child or the accompanying adult:

  • A valid passport or proof of citizenship for the child;

  • A legal document proving that the child has the permission of the lawful parent(s) or guardian(s) to travel and includes contact phone information for the parent(s) or guardian(s). Such a document must be specific for each trip. A sample document is provided on the following website.

Letters of Invitation

If you require a letter of invitation, you will have the option to request one when you register to the conference.

Currency, Banking, ATM Machines & Credit Cards

The monetary system in Canada is based on dollars and cents and the currency is the Canadian Dollar.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and at foreign currency exchange offices either at the Airport or at other locations throughout the city.

Bank debit or credit cards are the most convenient means of getting cash at the many Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). ATMs are spread throughout the city and accept cards with the Interac, Plus, and Cirrus networks. Most are in operation 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

Most businesses accept U.S. currency and traveler’s cheque, as well as major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).

Sales Taxes

There is a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) in effect in Canada and a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 9,975% in the Province of Québec, for a combined tax rate of 14,975%. This tax is applicable to most items and is not refundable.

Medical Insurance

Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance plans. Check with your personal medical plan before leaving your home country to ensure you have adequate travel insurance.

Language

French and English are Canada's two official languages. French is the predominant language in Québec City. However, most, if not all, banks, hotels, airline offices, shops, and key visitor attractions have multilingual staff and most citizens will be able to answer in both languages.

Electricity

The electrical current is the same as in the United States: 110 volts AC at 60Hz adapters are required for appliances from other countries.

Weather

During the glorious autumn months in September and October, the Canadian maple trees blaze with colour for weeks on end and the skies are often dazzling blue. The so-called Indian summer arrives early in Québec City. It usually lasts 2-3 weeks from mid/late September to early/mid October. Nature’s beauty is very colorful in the fall and a very popular time to visit the province. With average minimum and maximum daily temperatures of 7 and 18°C (45-65°F) in September, you may need a light jacket or sweater to keep warm.

Time Zone

Québec City is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (-0500 GMT). Daylight Savings Time (DST) is in effect from 2:00 a.m. on March 8, 2015 until 2:00 a.m. on November 1, 2015.

Telephone Service

Québec City employs two separate area codes: 418 and 581. Calls within the greater Québec City area are local regardless of the area code. However, you will need to dial all ten digits of the phone number in order to be connected. Check with your cellular service provider to ensure your plan offers roaming/long distance service in Québec City.

Strategic Location

Québec City is easily accessible by plane, car, train and ship. It is about an hour and a half from New York, Detroit or Toronto by plane. It is a less than three-hour drive from Montréal, or 50 minutes by plane.

By Car

Highway 20 (autouroute Jean-Lesage) runs along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, and Highway 40 (autoroute Félix-Leclerc) is the north shore access to the city. For delegates from the Northeastern USA, or Eastern and Central Canada, car travel is a viable option. The province’s 4,500 km highway network is amongst the most developed in Canada and links the city to the rest of Canada and the United States.

City Miles Kilometers
Atlanta 1,401 2,241
Boston 381 610
Chicago 1,016 1,625
Detroit 728 1,164
New York 524 839
Philadelphia 617 987
Toronto 599 964
Washington D.C. 749 1,199

By Plane

Located 16 km from the city’s centre, the Jean-Lesage International Airport welcomes more than 700,000 passengers a year aboard all types of aircraft. Ten or so carriers offer over 350 weekly regular flights to various North American, Southern or European destinations. Travel is convenient with direct flights from Paris, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, and all major USA hubs on the east coast: Boston, Detroit, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

There are many daily flights coming from 116 cities from 41 U.S. states, and from all major Canadian cities. There can be as many as 90 departures or more per week with only one stop from a minimum of 80 cities in more than 50 countries, travelling through Paris, London, Detroit, Montréal, Newark or Toronto. http://www.aeroportdequebec.com

By Train

Three train stations serve Québec City and its surrounding areas. Via Rail Canada offers daily service between Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City. There are up to five daily connections between Montréal and Québec, for a total of 800 daily seats between the two cities. http://www.viarail.ca/fr

By Bus

Québec City features two inter-city bus terminals. The Orléans Express network serves many cities. Nearly 20 daily departures for Montréal are available with close to 1,000 seats per day per route and transfers to other carriers. http://www.orleansexpress.com/fr

SAVE UP TO 20% ON TRAVEL WITH THE STAR ALLIANCE NETWORK

The Star Alliance member airlines are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for IEEE ICIP 2015.

To obtain the Star Alliance Conventions Plus discounts please visit Conventions Plus online booking tool here

Registered Event participants plus one accompanying person travelling to the Event qualify for a discount of up to 20%, depending on fare and class of travel booked.

The participating airlines for this Event are: ANA, Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EVA Airways, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAP Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United.

Discounts are offered on most published business and economy class fares, excluding website/internet fares, senior and youth fares, group fares and Star Alliance Round the World fares.

The following Star Alliance airlines are offering special discounts for travel to/from Japan: Special Offers for Japan are available from : Turkish Airlines, Air India.

To obtain these discounts for travel to/from Japan please contact the respective Star Alliance member airlines’ booking office. Contact details can be found on www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus/delegates under “Conventions Plus Booking Contacts”. Please quote the following Event code AC22S15 for ticket reservation.

Airport Transfers

The Jean-Lesage International Airport is located 16 km (10 miles) from the centre of the city. Cab fare from the airport to the city centre is a flat CAD $35. All of these services accept major credit cards. http://www.aeroportdequebec.com/en/to-and-from-the-airport/taxis

Public Transit (RTC local buses)

The city bus network (Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC)) serves Québec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Wendake, and Ancienne-Lorette. The bus fares is CAD 3.25 Effective as September 1, 2014. Exact change is required Daily passes as well as 2-day and weekly passes are also available and are generally advantageous solutions. http://www.rtcquebec.ca

Ferry

The ferry links Québec City and Lévis 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It sails every half hour during day time and hourly at night. http://traversiers.com/traverses/quebeclevis_1.php

Limousine

Limousine rentals services are available from various suppliers.

Taxi

Québec City area taxis can be identified by the sign on their roof. There are several companies. We suggest that you call one of them and they will send a car. You can also get a cab at one of the various taxi stands in the city and in front of any major hotels.

Car

Car rentals can provide a practical way to visit areas less than an hour from downtown, such as the Orleans Island (Île d'Orléans), and nearby regions such as Côte-de-Beaupré, Jacques-Cartier, and Portneuf. Information on vehicle and parking regulations: www.quebecregion.com/en/useful-information

Motorcycle

Motorcycles can be rented. However, note that motorcycles are not allowed inside the walls of the Old City unless you have a reservation at a hotel inside the walls.

Cycling

The Québec City area has close to 400 km of bicycle paths and bikeways. For bicycles rentals, visit: www.cycloservices.net www.velopasse-sport.com

AIRLINES
Air Canada (www.aircanada.com)
Reservations: 1-888-247-2262
Information: 1-888-422-7533

Porter Airline (www.flyporter.com)
Reservations: 1-888-619-8622

United Airlines (www.united.com)
Reservations: 1-800-538-2929 (International)
1-800-864-8331 (Domestic)

WestJet (www.westjet.com)
Reservations, Flight status: 1-888-937-8538 (1-888-WESTJET)

US Airways (www.usairways.com)
Reservations: 1- 888-240-4770

American Airlines (www.aa.com)
Reservations: 1-800-433-7300

Delta (www.delta.com)
Reservations: 1-800-241-4141 (International)
1-800-221-1212 (Domestic)

Air Transat (www.airtransat.com)
Reservations: 1-866-255-4871

TAXIS
Taxi Coop 1-418-525-5191
Taxi Québec 1-418-522-2001

HOTELS
Château Frontenac
1 rue des Carrières, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 4P5
Phone: 1-418-692-3861

Château Bellevue
16 rue de la Porte, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 4M9
Phone: 1-418-692-2573
Fax: 1-418-692-4876

Chateau Laurier
1220, Place George-V Ouest, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 5B8
Phone: 1-418-522-8108
Fax: 1-418 -524-8768

Delta
690, Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 5A8
Phone: 1-418-647-1717
Fax: 1-418-647-2146

Hilton
1100, Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 4P3
Phone: 1-418-647-2411
Fax: 1-418-647-6488

Hotel Clarendon
57, rue Sainte-Anne, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 3X4
Phone: 1-418-692-2480
Fax: 1-418-692-4652

Manoir Victoria
44, Côte du Palais, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 4H8
Phone: 1-418-692-1030
Fax: 1-418-692-3822

Mariott Courtyard
850 Place D’Youville, Québec (Québec) Canada G1R 3P6
Phone: 1-418-694-4004
Fax: 1-418-694-4007

Québec City Convention Centre
900 Bd Rene-Levesque Est Québec (Québec), Canada G1R 2B5
Phone: 1-418-644-4000