Answering Some Conference Questions

[gr82bart]

I thought I'd answer questions from people that are PMing me or e-mailing me with questions. This may benefit all conference attendess. Note that I am willing to answer questions about Toronto and such, but questions about the conference itself should be addressed to John, Bob or Eric.

In this regard, how long should the drive take from the Niagara Falls' Canada/US Bridge to Toronto?

About 2.5 hours.

Also, given that the "shops" you reference are within (20) minutes of the convention site; is parking readily available, or will I need to take cabs everywhere as is the case in Manhattan?

If you are just going from the recommended hotel to the conference, take your car - lots of street parking and it's a 5 minute drive. If you are staying at another hotel, depending on where the hotel is, you will need a car. Parking is available on the street near the conference and near shopping areas. Toronto is more like LA when it comes to transportation. Cabs are not used as much as in NYC. Toronto, and especially the area near the conference, is no where near as crowded as Manhattan.

Separately, I am thinking of bringing my 8x10/4x5 camera for possible use on the return trip.

Great!

Accordingly, do you know if Canadian law forbids the photographing of certain types of facilities or objects? If so, what facilities or objections are forbidden? In addition, may tripods be used without the need for a governmental permit?

You can photograph anything you want, pretty much. No permits required. Unlike 'phantom' US laws, there is no law against photographing anything in Canada that I know of. The police will NOT stop you from taking pictures of anything in Toronto. Even if you had a tripod, scrims, half naked models, lights and other accessories in the middle of the day in the financial district. At least that has been my experience.

Also, I would appreciate your advising me of difficulties I should anticipate in bringing my photo equipment and film into, and from, Canada?

I don't know exactly what difficulties you may encounter. I assume you are driving? Like I mentioned, bring some print outs of the conference reciepts, etc... Make sure you are saying that you are attending a conference and you are not in Canada to work.

For people who are flying, I'd buy film and get it developed in Toronto.

Lastly, do you know if APUG is doing anything to assure that photo equipment will be safe while its members are attending the APUG conference? Indeed, my concerns for the security of my equipment are weighing against my taking anything other than a 35mm camera to the conference.

Like any other conference or vacation, I will assume that you will be responsible for your own equipment. The conference organizaers can clarify this one.

Regards, Art.

 

[Poco]

Not to pick nits, but you're overstating the drive time from Niagara Falls to TO. The drive can be made in 1 1/2 hours if crossing into canada on the Lewiston/Queenston bridge. Add another 10 minutes if crossing over on the Whirlpool bridge, or 25 minutes if crossing lower down by Buffalo by way of the Peace bridge. Of course, a whole lot depends on traffic on the QEW and what kind of backups there are at the border itself.

Here's a site that gives delays at the various crossing points:

http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hi There .

re parking: I have gotten permission* leaside local govt* for a 5 day breather on parking on Industrial Street. We anticipate a very large crowd from the GTA attending the show and the trade show/ Vendor Area / Beer Tent / Food Area / small live band and dj area


Insurance: Elevator maintains up to date commercial insurance, I will approach my agent and see what *riders* I will require to cover the event. This will be added onto the overhead costs of the Conference.

We are trying to make this event , a education with top rate instructors , but as well we want to make the evenings as social as possible at the conference site.
As Art has well explained the transit, cab, system in Toronto is very good. In fact if you book at the suggested Hotels and group cab the fare is $9.50 canadian to my facility, Bus is $2.50 plus a pleasant 10 min walk. * I live near the hotel and I bus and walk to work every day*

Elevator has handled well over 50 events in our past and we are aware of the issues with drinking and driving.
As Toronto has 0 % tolerence for drinking and driving so does Elevator. We will not allow abuse of this therefore if one is planning to stay for the evening fun, there will be designated drivers and we will enforce our responsiblility.

The cost of a cab split by two from the event will be about 5 dollars, Beck Taxi knows us and will be the official Taxi for the event.
so budjet this into your overall plans.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Regarding Gear

We will have a lockdown area for Vendors and Attendees. basically a locked room with someone on site with the only key. (basically a coat check system), beyond this I would think each person coming with expensive photo gear will have an insurance rider for this trip.

 

[Jordan]

One other issue (and like gr82bart I'm not affiliated with the conference organization, merely trying to be a helpful Torontonian) regards parking at the official hotel (the Best Western Roehampton). To the best of my knowledge, parking at the Roehampton is /valet parking only/. They have only a small lot meant for people checking in and out. I've stayed at the Roehampton several times (before I moved back to Toronto) and this can be an issue. There are residential streets in the area, but parking on them can be dicey (it's a pretty densely populated neighbourhood).

Toronto is easy to get around by public transit. Buses that will get you to within a few minutes' walk of Bob's lab pass by the hotel literally every few minutes all day and into the evening.

 

[Will S]

Anyone know the travel time from Detroit?

Also, check out www.lotr.com I'm going on Saturday at 1:00 or 7:00

Best,

Will

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I would think you could get from Toronto to the tunnel in Detroit in 4 1/2 hours without really pushing it.
-Rob Skeoch

 

[jd callow]

Anyone know the travel time from Detroit?

Also, check out www.lotr.com I'm going on Saturday at 1:00 or 7:00

Best,

Will

4-4.5 hours is an easy pace. I would really recommend taking the train as an alternative. The train costs about 100.00 round trip and takes about the same amount of time. We did the math and it worked out a tad cheaper to drive, if parking is free. As I recall 90.00 - 100.00 in gas v. 100.00 + subway and bus fare.

 

[Will S]

4-4.5 hours is an easy pace. I would really recommend taking the train as an alternative. The train costs about 100.00 round trip and takes about the same amount of time. We did the math and it worked out a tad cheaper to drive, if parking is free. As I recall 90.00 - 100.00 in gas v. 100.00 + subway and bus fare.

That's a good idea. They used to have a train from Chicago all the way which would be even better.

But, I'm bringing the wife and kids, so I think it will be cheaper to drive. I just got a 1993 EuroVan with camper and we are kind of excited to try it out!

Thanks,

Will

 

[Bob Carnie]

Will

Driving from Chicago I think you would want to go through Sarnia Ontario , boot past London Ontario and you are in Toronto a couple of hours past London.
Try to make sure you are not hitting Toronto any where between 3:30-6:30 pm. Rush hour is brutal and with the Kids on board , I think you know what I mean.

 

[Will S]

Will

Driving from Chicago I think you would want to go through Sarnia Ontario , boot past London Ontario and you are in Toronto a couple of hours past London.
Try to make sure you are not hitting Toronto any where between 3:30-6:30 pm. Rush hour is brutal and with the Kids on board , I think you know what I mean.

Cool! Thanks. I definitely know what you mean. I've gotten quite spoiled about traffic living in Madison the last 4 years. People here complain about the rush 15 minutes that happens at 4:30 everyday....

Thanks,

Will

 

[gr82bart]

Those of you wanting to know what to photograph in Toronto:
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What to photograph outside Toronto:
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Where to dine in Toronto:
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Travelling to and within Toronto:
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Customs and Immigration
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Recommended Accommodations and B&Bs:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Hostels:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Other cheap alternative accommodations:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Regards, Art.

 

[gr82bart]

Some more questions

Could you tell me how to get to the Conference site from the Union Station (65 Front Street)? Any bus or subway, or the best bet is just to get a taxi?

Taxi is about a $20 fare from Union Station - my guess. Should be about a 15 minute ride in total. Address is 42 Industrial Drive near Laird and Eglinton. Easiest way to get to the conference.

Or you can take the TTC (public transportation or 'Metro' as you guys call it). From Union Station follow the signs for the TTC. Take the Yonge Line to Eglinton Station. Take the # 56 Leaside South (make sure it's SOUTH and don't take #56B!) bus and ask the driver to indicate when you get to the corner of Industrial Dr (about a block south of Wicksteed/McRae). Get out there and walk to the conference. About $2 and 30 minutes in total, but honestly, I'd take a cab. You can get info here: http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/ and also download the route map.

Will cameras be allowed on the premises to take some snapshots?

Yes

And should I bring my home built 8x10 just in case?

Up to you. If you want to take part in some of the tours and outings, I'd bring a camera that you feel comfortable walking/carry with and of course taking pictures with. Bob will have his darkroom setup and ready to develop whatever you throw at him.

Regards, Art.

 

[jp80874]

Regarding Gear

We will have a lockdown area for Vendors and Attendees. basically a locked room with someone on site with the only key. (basically a coat check system), beyond this I would think each person coming with expensive photo gear will have an insurance rider for this trip.

As you may know, it is always a good idea when traveling with equipment to have a complete list of serial numbers with you and a copy with someone that can email or fax it to you. In the case of theft the police are very grateful to have this tool to check against questionable discoveries.

John Powers

 

[thebanana]

Does anyone know how far Vistek is from the conference site and/or the Roehampton? Cheers,

John

 

[roteague]

Can anyone provide walking instructions from the Roehampton to the conference site? If the weather is nice, I'm going to walk.

 

[gr82bart]

Does anyone know how far Vistek is from the conference site and/or the Roehampton?

Vistek is not that far from the conference or the Roehampton if you have a car. Easiest way for those not familiar with Toronto is:

Make your way south on Mt Pleasant from the hotel until you get to Queen St. Turn left onto Queen St and look for the yellow VISTEK sign on the left. Park in the rear and make sure you go through the archway in the building.

Should be about 10-15 minutes total travel time by car.

Regards, Art.

 

[gr82bart]

Can anyone provide walking instructions from the Roehampton to the conference site? If the weather is nice, I'm going to walk.

From the hotel go to Eglinton Ave. The hotel is on the corner of Mount Pleasant and Eglinton. Head EAST on Eglinton Ave which should be towards your left if you are walking out of the hotel onto Mt Pleasant.

When you get to Laird Dr, turn right and walk to Industrial Drive which will be on your left. Walk to the conference which will be on your left.

About a 30 minute walk.

Regards, Art.

 

[roteague]

Thanks Art. I actually found it on my Microsoft Street and Trips; according to this program it is about 1.9 miles - a walk in the park. I'm going to download the city map to my PDA and I should be just fine. This is the one good thing about the digital age.

 

[gr82bart]

according to this program it is about 1.9 miles - a walk in the park.

That's about right - 3.5km thereabouts. I always overstate travel times to visitors and first timers.

Regards, Art.

 

[Will S]

Is the address on Industrial Ave, Industrial Drive, or Industrial Street? Google maps seems to think it is Industrial Street... And is there a difference?

Thanks,

Will

 

[jd callow]

Is the address on Industrial Ave, Industrial Drive, or Industrial Street? Google maps seems to think it is Industrial Street... And is there a difference?

Thanks,

Will

It is Industrial St. I originally used Ave, because I think it was on the business cards or elevator website.

 

[Bob Carnie]

It is 42 Industrial Street

if you go to elevatordigital.ca you can get a downloadable site map to our location.

 

[jp80874]

Art,

The good doctor says retirement will go longer and better if I walk a mile or more five times a week. I don't really want to sweat on my neighbor after walking from the Roehampton to the conference. Are there safe places, parks or trails near the Roehampton hotel. Anyone else interested I enjoy the company.

I ask ever since a sales prospect booked me into a hotel near his business on the NE side of Detroit. When I arrived at about 9:00 PM the check in area was surrounded with one inch bullet proof glass. That was in the lobby. I decided not to walk outside that night. I wasn't really too sure about the room either.

Thanks,

John Powers

 

[roteague]

Anyone else interested I enjoy the company.

Sure, Travis and I were planning on walking. It will take about 30 minutes, from what I have been told.