THE ALPHA DELTA PHI
181st ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION
AUGUST 8 – 11, 2013
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
Border Entry Requirements
U.S. citizens require a U.S. passport or another valid travel document to enter or re-enter the U.S. U.S. citizens do not need a passport to cross into Canada (unless coming from a third country), but are required to have valid photo ID, proof of citizenship, and, if available, their Permanent Resident Card. U.S. citizens can visit Canada without a visa for up to 180 days.
Legal Matters
The legal drinking age is 19 and licensed establishments are allowed to serve between 11:00 a.m. and 2 a.m. Government issued photo ID is needed for those who appear to be under age 30. Usually a driver’s license is sufficient.
Background Information about Toronto
Toronto is the capital of the Province of Ontario and sits on the north-western shore of Lake Ontario. The population of the City of Toronto is 2.5 million. Including the surrounding area, which is called the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the population is 5.6 million.
The currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Many businesses in the downtown area will accept payment in U.S. Dollars, but the exchange rate will be less favourable than you would get at your own or a Canadian bank. The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and Master Card. Debit cards are widely used in Canada. Almost all establishments will take payment by credit or debit card.
All purchases will have a 13% sales tax added which is called the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Gratuities are similar to the U.S. and 15 – 20% is the norm for good service at a restaurant or in a taxi.
Canada operates under the metric system, so temperatures are in Celius (C), distances are in kilometres and weights are in kilograms. In August in Toronto the average high temperature will be around 26 C (79F) and the average low will be around 13C (55F). In early August it is common for temperatures to be in the mid – high 80s F during the day.
Local Attractions Within Easy Walking Distance of the Hotel
BATA SHOE MUSEUM Hundreds of shoes (from a collection of over 10,000), which celebrate the style, and function of footwear from ancient Egyptian sandals to 20th century celebrity shoes are on display.
327 Bloor St. W. www.batashoemuseum.ca
ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM (ROM) Canada’s largest museum has an impressive collection of over 6 million items ranging from a renowned collection of dinosaurs to Yuan Dynasty paintings to galleries of ancient Egyptian and Bronze Age art.
100 Queen’s Park www.rom.on.ca
GARDINER MUESUM OF CERAMIC ART Housed in an acclaimed modernist building, this boutique museum explores the history, significance and style of ceramics with a 3,000 plus piece collection.
111 Queen’s Park www.gardinermuseum.on.ca
BLOOR – YORKVILLE This shopping area is home to Toronto’s “Mink Mile” along Bloor Street featuring international names like Tiffany, Gucci, Cartier and Prada alongside the best of Canada at Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen and Roots. Yorkville’s bustling streets and cobbled lanes house designer boutiques, galleries and fine dining. www.bloor-yorkville.com
Local Attractions Within a Short Taxi or Subway Ride of the Hotel
ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (AGO) The collections of the 8th largest art museum in North America include more than 6,500 works of art, almost half of which are by Canadian artists including Emily Carr and the Group of Seven.
317 Dundas St. W. www.ago.net
TEXTILE MUSEUM OF CANADA Of interest to fashion fans and history buffs, this museum features more than 12,000 pieces, including garments and unique fabrics.
55 Centre Ave. www.textilemuseum.ca
HOCKEY HALL OF FAME Housed in a former bank building, this museum boasts the largest collection of hockey memorabilia.
Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge St. www.hhof.com
CN TOWER This Toronto landmark features three observation decks, a glass floor, the 360 Restaurant and the new EdgeWalk, 116 storeys in the air.
301 Front St. W. www.cntower.ca
TORONTO EATON CENTRE This enclosed shopping destination stretches two full city blocks and houses more than 230 retailers.
220 Yonge St. www.torontoeatoncentre.com