Q: What is the address of Convention venue?

Sofitel Hotel
25 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Tel: +613 9653 0000
Fax: +613 9653 7733

Q: How far is it from Melbourne International Airport to the Hotel Sofitel (Convention Venue)?
The Sofitel is 23km from the airport and the trip takes around 30 - 45 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

Q: How do I get from the airport to the Convention Venue or my Hotel?
City Shuttle Bus: There is a regular service that operates from the airport to all major hotels. Tickets are available from the Travellers Information Service Desk on the ground floor of the International Terminal. Telephone +613 9335 3066 for more information or visit www.skybus.com.au. Adult one way is $13.

Taxi: Taxi Cabs are available outside the terminal along ground floor level. The cost is approximately $35.

Q: When is the closing date for registrations?
Early Bird Registrations close at 5pm Friday 16 August 2002. Standard registrations can be made leading up to the Convention. On site registrations received on site at the Convention will incur a late fee of AUD $100 for full registrations. Delegates are advised that they need to make their own arrangements for accommodation after 5th August 2002. The special Convention rates quoted cannot be guaranteed when delegates are making their own booking.

Q: How do I get from my hotel to the Convention?
The hotels booked for Convention delegates are within walking distance of the Hotel Sofitel. Ask your hotel concierge for directions. A regular taxi service operates around Melbourne and Taxi's may be flagged on the street, or booked by your hotel.

Q: What is the weather like at this time of year?
Spring in Melbourne is cool, fresh and green. Average high is 18 C (66 F) and average low 8 C (46 F). Keep in mind that spring weather can be a little unpredictable, and we advise that you bring something warm for the cooler evenings.

Q: What meals are included with registration?
The full registration fee for Convention includes:

Thursday: Two tickets for the Welcome Reception - Drinks and nibbles available

Friday: Morning and afternoon refreshments, Lunch, Networking Hour with drinks and Convention Dinner - a three course meal with drinks.

Saturday: Morning and afternoon refreshments, Lunch, Networking Hour with drinks and The Fellowship Night - Drinks and canapés.

Q: How will I know my registration has been received?
All registrations will be acknowledged by email with confirmation of delegate requirements according to the submitted registration form and upon full payment.

Q: What time does the Convention finish on the final day?
The Closing Cermony finishes at 5pm, followed by the Networking Opportunity which precedes the Fellowship night. This final function concludes at 11pm.

Q: I want to make some changes to my accommodation, airfare and registration
arrangements. Who do I contact?
Any changes to accommodation or registration must be made directly to the Convention Secretariat on the contact details below:

The Meeting Planners
91-97 Islington Street
Collingwood VIC 3066
Telephone: +61 3 9417 0888
Facsimile: +61 3 9417 0899
Email: auiac@meeting planners.com.au

All changes to airfares must be made directly with your travel agent or airline.

Q: Where can I get more information about the Convention Program?
You can find a day by day breakdown of Convention activities and session streams on the Program page of this website.

Q: Can I leave my luggage somewhere at the Convention on Friday?
Most hotels will allow you to store your luggage with them for the final day. Ask your concierge at the hotel for details.

Q. Will I need to obtain a visa to enter Australia?
Anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid Visa/Electronic Travel Authority to enter and spend time in Australia. Please ensure that you organise your visa well in advance of travel.

Visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.html for more information.

Once you have registered and paid for the convention you will receive a personalised confirmation letter, which you can use to support your visa application.

Registration and Information Desk
The Registration desk will be located on the 1st Floor in the Grand Ballroom Foyer and will operate

Thursday 5th September 1600 - 1830
Friday 6th September 0730 - 1800
Saturday 7th September 0800 - 1800

Registration Entitlements

Full Convention Registration includes:

Accompanying Person Registration includes:

Pre and Post Convention Tours/Industry Tours
For information on Pre and Post-Convention Institution and Industry Tours and Visits click here

Partners Tours/Delegate Break Tours
For information on Partners' and Delegate-Break Tours click here

Exhibition
The Exhibition will be held along the Promenade of the Convention Floor of the Sofitel and in the Babalu room. The Exhibition will be open during the following hours:

Friday 6th September 0800 - 1830
Saturday 7th September 0800 - 1830

Business Information and Facilitation Centre
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), the Victorian Government Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development and the City of Melbourne are conducting a Business Information and Facilitation Centre at the 2002 Australian Universities International Alumni Convention from 5 - 7 September 2002. The Business Information and Facilitation Centre has been developed to facilitate your business inquiries throughout the duration of the 2002 Australian Universities International Alumni Convention (AUIAC).

Car Parking
The car park located under the Hotel Sofitel is operated independently by Wilson Parking, and is accessible from Flinders Lane.

Catering
The Welcome Reception, Convention Dinner and Fellowship Night are included in the Full Convention Registration fee. These functions are ticketed and only delegates who have indicated their attendance on their registration form are able to attend.

All morning and afternoon teas, and lunches will be provided within the Exhibition area.

Dress Standards
Lounge suit / evening wear is required for the Welcome Reception and Convention Dinner. Smart Casual is required for the Fellowship Night.

Insurance
Registration fees do not include personal travel or health insurance of any kind. It is strongly recommended that all Convention participants arrange their own travel and health insurance as the Convention Committee, Convention Office and Sofitel Melbourne do not take any responsibility for any accident, which may occur whilst attending the Convention.

Messages
Messages can be collected and left at the Registration Desk. All messages will be posted on the message board adjacent to the desk. Please check the board regularly.

Mobile Phones
Delegates and speakers are requested to turn off their mobile phones during all sessions.

Name Badges
Everyone will receive a name badge on registering. For identification and security reasons you are requested to wear this badge at all times during the Convention and Convention Dinner. If you lose or misplace your name badge please contact the Registration Desk. You will need to provide identification to receive a replacement badge.

Public Transport
Trams 11, 109, 12 and 31 run along Collins St, past the Sofitel Hotel. The City Circle tram circles the perimeter of the CBD every day. This free service runs every 10 minutes in both directions from 10am to 6pm each day.

Speakers' Presentations
Speakers' presentation's will be posted on the convention website following the conclusion of the convention.

Speakers' Room
The Speakers' Room is located in the Victoria Suite. A technician will be available in the room to assist speakers with their audio-visual requirements.

Delegate List
A list of attending delegates will be included in your convention satchel. This will be posted on the convention website after the conclusion of the convention, and will also be on display during the convention near the registration desk.

Taxis
Taxis can be hailed at the taxi rank just outside the front entrance of the Hotel Sofitel or in the street if their sign is illuminated. Orange lights indicate that the taxi is not for hire. Please call Black Cabs on 132 211 or Silver Top Cabs on 131 008.

ATM
ATM machines can be found along all major city streets. National Bank ATMs can be found close to the Hotel Sofitel at 71 and 271 Collins Street.

Business Facilities
Hotel Sofitel has a Business Centre complete with secretarial support, computers and fax machines.

Tourist Information:

Currency/Credit Cards
The Australian Dollar ($AUD) is a decimal currency with units in dollars and cents. For information on currency conversions go to http://www.xe.net/ucc/

Australia accepts all major credit cards including Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Diners Club.

Telephone Information
When calling from overseas the country code for Australia is '61'. The area code for Melbourne is '3'.

When calling overseas from Australia, the international access code when dialing overseas is 0011.

Mobile phones are widely used in Australia. Check with your phone company in your home country about international roam facilities in Australia.

Public telephones are located within most major hotels and along city streets. They can be coin operated or by require phonecards which are available at most newsagents.