Travel
Destination MelbourneWith a population of more than three million, Melbourne is Australia's second largest city. It is regarded as the cultural and fashion capital of Australia and renowned for its fine restaurants. It is a true multicultural city with more than one quarter of Melbourne's inhabitants being born overseas.
Melbourne is one of the great cities of the world. Its unparalleled attractions are its gardens and parklands, food precincts, arcades and great sporting facilities. Most of these attractions are situated around the Central Business District (CBD) or within an easy tram or train ride.
Although Melbourne sprawls around much of Port Phillip Bay, the main focus for visitors is the Yarra River, which forms the southern perimeter of the CBD. The river separates the city from the Southbank development and the parklands that surround the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Venue – Melbourne Convention Centre
Winner of many prestigious awards for excellence, the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre is located in the centre of Melbourne City.
The centre was the first to be named the world's 'Best Congress Centre' by the Association Internationale des Palais de Congres (AIPC). Locally, the MECC has also been a recipient of the Meetings Industry Association of Australia's highest accolade many times over.
The MECC prides itself on its state of the art IT, exceptional food, a variety of meeting rooms and experienced, professional staff, who specialise in hosting everything from small business meetings to international conferences.
Construction is currently underway for the new Melbourne Convention Centre, which will open for business in 2009. The new centre will sit adjacent to the current Exhibition Centre in central Melbourne. It will be an iconic Australian building and a major Melbourne landmark and is also designed to achieve a Six Green Star environmental rating, making it one of the greenest convention centres in the world.
For more information, please visit www.mecc.com.au
Accommodation
Crown Promenade Hotel
Located at the Crown Entertainment Complex Melbourne, the newly opened Crown Promenade Hotel boasts two outdoor terraces, 25-metre pool with sweeping views of the city skyline, spa, gymnasium, steam and sauna facilities. The Tonic Bar beckons guests to relax in plush seating while mingling or enjoying the panoramic view of Melbourne. Every guestroom features an ottoman window seat allowing guests to relax and take in the pleasures of Melbourne's surroundings.
Standard Room $240.00 per room per night
Crowne Plaza Melbourne
Located on the banks of the Yarra River, opposite the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and just a short stroll to the central business district, Southgate and the Melbourne Aquarium, the hotel is ideally positioned to provide the best Melbourne has to offer. Hotel facilities include "Lobby Bar", Heated swimming pool, Gym, Valet parking, Concierge and serviced Business Centre.
Standard Room $225.00 per room per night
Hotel Enterprize
Situated across from the Crown Casino, Telstra Dome and Melbourne Convention Centre, Hotel Enterprize is a recently refurbished Three Star Hotel, in the CBD. Rooms offer ensuites with excellent appointments, air conditioning, heating, Mini Bar, TV, Free In-house movies and tea/coffee facilities, while there is an excellent restaurant and bar for entertaining.
Superior Single Business Room $140.00 per room per night
Superior Double/Twin Business Room $150.00 per room per night
Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne
Blending the zest of the Vibe Hotel brand with the beautiful facade of a heritage building Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne is located only a couple of blocks from the hub of Collins St. The exciting Melbourne CBD is made up of precincts - distinct enclaves, each with their own flavour and charm. Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne is the perfect place to base yourself, you are ideally located to take advantage of the city's tram and rail network as well as easy access to the Telstra Dome and exciting Southbank precinct as well as the Exhibition & Convention Centre.
Standard Room $188.00 per room per night
Important Accommodation Information
ICMS Travel, as the official housing bureau for the Conference, has been able to secure discounted accommodation rates at selected hotels. Reservations need to be made before Friday, 12 October 2007. The room rates are per night and do not include breakfast. Accommodation will be allocated in order of receipt of bookings and payment.
Arrival Time
Please indicate on your registration form your estimated time of arrival to the hotel. Check-in time is usually from 14:00. Should you wish to guarantee your room is ready before the hotel check-in time, it is recommended that you book and pay for the room for the evening prior to your arrival. Failure to advise your arrival time may mean that your room will be released.
Deposit
To secure your reservation a deposit equivalent to one night’s room tariff is required. If paying by credit card, your details will be passed onto the hotel as a guarantee. The hotel may not initially deduct a deposit payment from your credit card but may charge your full payment at the time of checkout. Bookings cannot be made until ICMS Travel receives your payment or credit card details. Room rates are in Australian Dollars and include the Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST).
General Information
Banks
Banks in Australia are open from 09:30 - 16:00 Monday to Thursday and from 09:30 - 17:00 on Fridays. Most banks are closed weekends and public holidays. Automatic Teller Machines are open 24 hours and are located throughout the city and surrounds. Facilities for exchange of currency are available at the airport, larger hotels and banks.
Car Rental
Cars can be rented in Australia from local or international companies. Average cost per day for a medium sized car is A$70.00. All cars are right-hand drive.
Credit cards
Credit cards are widely accepted. Commonly recognised cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club. Only these cards are accepted by the Congress.
Currency exchange
Decimal currency is used in Australia (AUD) and currency units are dollars and cents. Australian notes are: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coins are: $2, $1, $ .50, $.20, $.10, $.05 cents.
Disabled Facilities
If you require disability specific facilities, please notify the secretariat by indicating on your registration form.
Disclaimer
In the event of industrial disruptions, the Conference Office [hotlink to www.icms.com.au] cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred by delegates. The program is correct at the time of printing, but the Conference Office [hotlink to www.icms.com.au] reserve the right to alter the program if and as is deemed necessary.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 240 volts, 50 Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug. Most city hotels provide 110 volts for shavers.
Health
Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from a yellow fever- infected country zone within six days prior to your arrival. You do not need any other health certificate to enter Australia. Australia has a high standard of hygiene and doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped. In the event of illness, hotel staff can arrange a doctor for you.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent.
Invitation Letters
Letters of invitation will not be issued for this Congress. To assist in obtaining any necessary visas that you may require, it is essential that you complete the registration via the Congress website ensuring to include a valid fax number and credit card details. The Conference Office [hotlink to www.icms.com.au] will process your registration and sent to you a confirmation invoice confirming receipt of your payment and attendance at the Congress. You will then be able to present this invoice to your Embassy/High Commission to assist with the application of your visa. In the event that your application is unsuccessful, a full refund will be provided.
Liability
The Organising Committee and/or Conference Office shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered delegates of the Congress. Delegates should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.
Passport and Visa
All international visitors require a valid passport and visa for entry into Australia (New Zealand visitors require a valid passport only). A facility for electronically issuing visas, The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system, is currently available through international travel agents and airlines in 29 countries including the US, UK, parts of Western Europe, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. This system also includes pre-clearance for entry which reduces the time needed to process passengers on arrival. Your local Australian Embassy or Consulate can advise of the availability. For non-ETA countries, visas are issued from Australian Embassies and Consulates around the world at a cost of AUD $60.00. In non-ETA countries, we recommend that you apply early for your visa.
For further information, please visit: www.immi.gov.au
Program
A complete up-to-date program will be available at the time of registration.
Quarantine
Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine rules apply to the importation of animals and plants which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. Animal and plant products are also restricted.
Tax
Australia applies a tax to the purchase of both goods and services called the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The rate of tax that applies to taxable products and services is 10%. Tax is already included in the advertised prices.
Tipping
Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is your prerogative, a reward for service. It is customary to tip hotel porters, and a gratuity of about 10% is usual in restaurants if good service is received. NO service charge is added to hotel or restaurant bill.
Travel
For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight, before the Congress commences. Travellers flying westward across the Pacific Ocean are reminded that they will lose a day by crossing the International Date Line. The 'lost day' will be returned on the return journey.
Vaccinations
A current valid international certificate of inoculation against cholera and yellow fever is required if you as a passenger come from or travel through infected areas. Consult your airline in this regard.
Contact Us
For more information on Game Connect: Asia Pacific 2007, please contact the Conference Office.
ICMS Pty Ltd
PO Box 3496
South Brisbane Qld 4101
Phone: +61 7 3844 1138
Fax: +61 7 3844 0909
Email: info@gameconnectap.com
Fury
Auran
Heatseeker
IR Gurus
Equestrian Challenge
IR Gurus
Bioshock
Irrational Games Australia
