We’ve reserved plenty of rooms at Toronto hotels located in close proximity to the convention center. The headquarter hotel for the Union is the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Shuttle bus service from all designated hotels will be provided throughout the convention, however the reserved hotels are in easy walking distance of the convention centre. Once your registration fee has been paid in full, you’ll be able to reserve a hotel room at the following discounted rates.

All room rates are listed in both Canadian and US currencies at the Biennial housing site (which will be accessible to you after you register).

Fairmont Royal York Hotel: $199 USD per night
Sheraton City Centre Hotel: $192 USD per night
Hotel Intercontinental: $239 CAD per night  (You can preform a currency conversion estimate by going to Google.com and typing in "XXCAD to USD", for example, "40CAD to USD")

The Toronto International Airport is a large airport that is serviced by most major carriers.

The Union has arranged for discounts on Continental Airlines flights for Biennial attendees.

Continental Airlines offers discounts off published fares of 2% to 15% or Zone Fares for Biennial attendees. Call your travel professional or Continental MeetingWorks at 800-468-7022 for reservations. Refer to Z Code ZFNA and Agreement Code: C6BVFE

You may save an additional 3% off by booking your own reservations at www.continental.com. Choose your flight times and access your meeting discounts by inserting ZFNAC6BVFE in the Offer Code box located on the left side of the Continental home page.

You may also choose to check rates on other airlines using an online travel search engine such as Kayak.com to make sure that you are booking the most competitive rate available. Farecast.com is an especially useful tool that provides statistically calculated predictions as to whether prices are likely to rise or fall within the next 7 days and a 30 day history of flight prices from your departure city to your destination.

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For those of you driving into Toronto, please know that there are public parking lots (called Green P lots) with rates that are less than most hotel and other private parking spaces.

This lot, Carpark 52, is very close to the Fairmont Royal York and the InterContinental (just around the corner). Its rate is $24/day (Saturdays/Sundays are $14/day). It is a covered garage with an attendant.

For those staying at the Sheraton Centre, this lot, Carpark 36, is right across the street (under City Hall). Its rate is $20/day (Saturdays are $12, Sundays $6). This too has covered parking with attendant service.

For any Green P lot, payment is made on the way out. Cash (CDN $) and major credit cards are accepted.

Parking Tip: Every couple of days, consider moving your car to a different spot within the lot so that it isn’t just ‘sitting’ in one targeted spot for the week.

If you are traveling to Toronto from outside of Canada's borders you will need to keep a few things in mind.

Entry into Canada

• International travelers will need to have a valid passport in order to enter and exit Canada. Please check your passport to make sure that it does not expire prior to the Biennial.
• Passport processing times can take up to 6 weeks, so be sure to apply for or renew your passport with ample time.
• You can visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn more about obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport
• As of June 1, 2009 , all individuals will be required to hold a valid passport to enter/re-enter the United States even if traveling by car, rail, or bus.
  
  For more information on travel security and border procedures, visit the U.S. Department of State.
  
  International Visitors: For specific information on travel documents required to visit Canada from countries other than the U.S., please refer to www.cbsa.gc.ca and www.cic.gc.ca.

Currency

• When in Canada you will need to use the Canadian dollar, while Canadian dollar bills are called dollars, the one dollar coin is known locally as the "loonie." This should not be confused with the two dollar coin, which is called a "toonie."
• You may obtain a supply of loonies, toonies, and money in higher denominations at a currency exchange booth in the airport, at your local bank at home, or by withdrawing cash from an ATM machine once you arrive. Of these three options, the most favorable rate will usually result from withdrawing money from the ATM, but you should be sure to check with your bank in advance about any related fees or surcharges.
• You may check the current exchange rate here.
• You should be sure to call all of your credit card companies to let them know that you will be using your card internationally and to check on any charges or fees that they might apply for doing so.

Bringing children into Canada

Children 15 years of age and under are now required to show proof of citizenship (a certified copy of their birth certificate is acceptable). They are not required to show photo ID. If you are travelling with children, you should carry identification for each child. Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children. When travelling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should travel in the same vehicle as the children when arriving at the border. Customs officers are looking for missing children and may ask questions about the children who are travelling with you.

Returning to the United States
Every 30 days, returning U.S. citizens are allowed to bring back $800 (retail value) in merchandise duty-free, provided they have been out of the U.S. for 48 hours. This amount can include:

• one carton of cigarettes
• 100 cigars (not Cuban)
• two kilograms of smoking tobacco
• one litre of liquor, provided the buyer is 21 years of age

If the length of the stay is less than 48 hours, $200 in merchandise may be taken back to the U.S. duty-free (including up to five ounces of alcohol and 50 cigarettes).

The following items are not permitted into the U.S.:

• Cuban or Iranian products
• fruits and vegetables
• uncooked grains

Goods bought in Canada but manufactured in the U.S. are duty-free and not included in the basic exemption. Original handmade crafts and works of art are also exempt; however, a receipt of purchase may be required.

Please speak with the border agent on the way into Canada to determine whether you need to declare a personal musical instrument, personal electronics, or high end jewelry upon arrival, in order to avoid being required to pay duty on items you did not purchase in Canada when you return home.

For further information on U.S. customs regulations, please visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection.