2015 Travel & Venue

Travel Dates:

#SMSociety15 is a two day conference (July 28-29) with an optional one day of pre-conference workshops (July 27). If your schedule permits, we encourage you to register for all three days.

Conference Venue:

 Visa Requirements:

  • Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. Visit Citizenship & Immigration Canada to find out whether you will need to apply for a travel visa and how to apply for one. 

Travel to Toronto:

There are two airports serving Toronto.

1. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

  • Taxis to downtown Toronto. Cost ~ $55.00 + tip (~ 30-60 minutes). Follow signs to the taxi queue.
  • Downtown Express Bus coach service provides direct transportation to a number of downtown Toronto hotels. The bus leaves from Terminal 1 and 3 and you can purchase at the booth upon arrival or online. Cost ~ $28.00 (~ 45-90 minutes).
  • Union Pearson Express Train – $27.50 (one way) (~25 min between the airport and downtown Union train station).
  • Public Transit – Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) There is no direct public transit, but there are city buses that connect to the subway system. Cost $3.00 (~ 60-90 minutes).
    • 1. You can catch the 192 Airport Rocket bus on the lowest level of either terminal (column R4 in terminal 1, columns C8-C12 in terminal 3).
    • 2. At Kipling subway station (the last stop on the bus), transfer to the eastbound Bloor/Danforth subway line.
    • 3. For most downtown hotels, transfer to a southbound subway train at either St. George or Yonge station.
    • 4. Make sure you find out the closest stop to your hotel in advance.  Note that not all subway stations have elevators or escalators, so you might have to climb a flight of stairs.

2. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) via Porter Airline

  • The airport is located in downtown Toronto and you get to enjoy the world’s shortest ferry ride. A ferry service connects the airport to downtown every 15 minutes (it’s free!)
  • There is a complimentary shuttle that will take you to Union Station so you can take the subway to the nearest stop to your hotel.
  • Taxis are located in-terminal and cost about $10 to downtown. 

Travel in Toronto:

  • In the city, you can use the TTC for subway, streetcars, and buses ($3.00). On the weekend, you can buy an unlimited one-day travel pass for $11.00 on all regular TTC routes for two people.
  • Toronto is a very walkable city and the best way to enjoy the city is on foot.

Parking in Toronto:

  • The conference venue is located downtown Toronto and there are several options for parking.
  • Check out Toronto’s Parking Authority Website (parking.green.com) or download the App (Green P) to your iOS device
  • The conference will take place during regular work days, so please arrive earlier to find a parking spot.

Accommodations in Toronto:

Please book your accommodation for #SMSociety15 ASAP. Hotels in Toronto are likely to be very busy during the week of July 26, 2015 due to the extra 150,000+ people expected to be attending/participating in this year’s Pan Am Games. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of accommodations near the conference venue (55 Dundas St W). The conference has no relationship with any of the providers and receives no financial return from any of these providers. Any rates/discounts mentioned are presented as a reference and might be higher at the time of your booking. We encourage you to shop around and book early.

Ryerson University Housing
We have secured a limited number of rooms at Ryerson University Housing for July 26-30, 2015. The accommodations are a 10 minute walk away from the conference at the Ted Rogers School of Management.
Promo code: SMS2015 (Promo code is available until May 26, 2015)
Option 1: International Living Learning Centre (ILLC) Residence
$90.00 plus 13% tax per night. Single or Double room with private washroom. Rooms have one bed and a pullout sofa (limited availability on pullout sofas).
Daily housekeeping and hot breakfast included.
Option 2: Pitman Hall Residence
$55.00 plus 13% tax per night. Single dorm-style rooms with shared washroom facilities. Daily housekeeping included.
Eaton Chelsea Hotel (33 Gerrard Street West Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z4)
Select Your Stay Dates, click “Check Availability” then click “View Available Rooms”.
Rates: Deluxe:  Starting at $159 CAD, Signature Club: Starting at $184 CAD (Taxes not included)
Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre (30 Carlton Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 2E9)
Rates: Starting at $123 CAD (Taxes not included)
Courtyard Marriott Downtown (475 Yonge Street Toronto Ontario M4Y 1X7)
Rates: Starting at $219 (Taxes not included)
Choice Hotels (Various Locations & Rates )
Please be sure to check the box for “Significant Organization Savings” to get up to 20%  off on regular room rates.
Booking: http://www.choicehotels.ca/ryerson (No code require w/ link)
** The four Choice Hotels closest to the conference site are:
1) The Saint James Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member (26 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON, CA, M5B 1G3)
2)Comfort Inn City Centre (321 Jarvis Street, Toronto, ON, CA, M5B 2C2)
3) Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Downtown (335 Jarvis Street, Toronto, ON, CA, M5B 2C2)
4)Comfort Hotel Downtown (15 Charles St. E., Toronto, ON, CA, M4Y 1S1)

Local Restaurants:

Explore Toronto: