Heart-Mind 2013 Conference FAQs

ACCOMMODATIONS

I'm from out of town. Where can I stay during the Heart-Mind 2013 Conference?

Some options to consider if you are seeking accommodations during the Heart-Mind 2013 Conference:

Carey Centre is on the UBC campus, a five-minute walk from the bus terminal and the student union building at 5920 Iona Drive ( map ). To reserve you may submit an online booking request or call 604.224.4308. Rates are advertised in the $74 - $80 per night range, plus tax and fees.

TRIUMF House is on the UBC campus at 5835 Thunderbird Blvd ( map ). Phone 604.222.7633. Rates are advertised in the $110 per night range, plus tax and fees.

An off-campus option to consider is Hostelling International at 1515 Discovery St ( map ). Reservations: 1.778.328.2220 or 1.866.762.4122. Rates are advertised in the $73 - $86 per night range, plus tax and fees.

Travel from downtown Vancouver to the UBC campus usually takes only 20 minutes or so, and many accommodation options are available and listed on the Tourism Vancouver website.

The DLC has negotiated a special rate with the St. Regis Hotel. To book a room please call the hotel directly at 604-681-1135 or visit their website. Indicate your requested check-in date and provide the code 'Heart-Mind 2013' to be eligible for a special $189/night rate. This special rate is available for check-in Thursday 9-May and check-out Saturday 11-May. Rooms will be individually billed. The hotel is located at 602 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver (near cross of Dunsmuir and Seymour St).

CANCELLATION POLICY

What is your cancellation policy?

100% of the registration fee will be refunded upon request, if such request is received prior to Noon Pacific Time, Friday, April 26, 2013.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

What food and beverage is included in the registration package?

Morning coffee service will be begin at approximately 7:45 AM on Friday and Saturday mornings (sessions will begin at 8:30 AM both days). No food and beverage is allowed in the Old Auditorium so please arrive early if you wish to enjoy this pre-event service. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon beverage breaks are also scheduled for your enjoyment in the lobby.

A boxed gourmet light lunch will be provided to all 3-day registrants on Friday, and to workshop participants on Saturday. A boxed lunch is not included for small group participants on Saturday, as the small group sessions are scheduled to end by 1:00 PM.

Vegetarian and gluten-free boxed lunch options will be available. Unfortunately, we may not be able to accommodate other dietary preferences. Please email heart-mind (at) dalailamacenter (dot) org with dietary preferences in the subject line if you have questions.

REGISTRATION and CHECK-IN

How do I register for the Heart-Mind 2013 Conference?

The event is on-track to be sold-out with 500 people in attendance, so we highly recommend that you register in advance online with a credit card. You should receive an email confirmation within a few minutes of successful registration.

Where do I check-in upon arrival at the Heart-Mind 2013 Conference?

The lobby and check-in desk in the Old Auditorium open at 5:30 PM on Thursday, May 9th, doors to the seating area open at 6:15 PM and the sessions begin at 7:00 PM.

Please bring a copy of your registration confirmation to the conference and arrive early to check-in, receive your name badge and select your seat.

SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS

Can you provide more detailed information about the conference schedule?

Currently, the level of detail listed on the sessions page is available. The web page will be updated as more detailed information is available and, closer to the conference opening date, an information package will be emailed to all registrants.

Download the Heart-Mind 2013 Conference schedule (printable PDF 1.5M).

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS

How will I choose the small group sessions that I wish to attend?

Registrants will receive an email in late April with more information about the small group sessions. We will do our best to honour your preference to attend a specific small group, but due to the limited seats per group we cannot guarantee that your preference will be available.

SPECIAL PRICING

Are any discounts or special pricing packages available?

A discount of $40 per registration is available if you register 5 or more people on a single order with payment by credit card. Choose "5p PACKAGE 3-DAY" on the registration page.

Currently, no other discount or special pricing is available. The Dalai Lama Center continues to seek sponsorship and donations that may allow us to offer scholarships or other special pricing but we have not secured such to date.

Please email heart-mind (at) dalailamacenter (dot) org with 'pricing' in the subject line if you wish to be notified should additional information on this topic become available.

TICKETS FOR SINGLE EVENTS

I can't attend the whole conference. Are tickets for individual events available?

Limited seats are available for a "workshop-only" on Saturday, May 11th. Choose WORKSHOP ONLY on the registration page. All workshops begin at 10:00 AM, include a boxed lunch, and conclude between 2 - 4 PM. This "workshop-only" registration does NOT include access sessions on Thursday or Friday, and does NOT include admission to the opening plenary session Saturday morning.

Tickets for other individual days/events are not currently on-sale. If unsold seats remain in early May, tickets for individual days/events may become available. Please email heart-mind (at) dalailamacenter (dot) org with 'single events' in the subject line if you wish to be notified should such tickets become available.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

What taxi services are available?

Taxi service from downtown Vancouver to the UBC Point Grey Campus (where the Heart-Mind 2013 Conference will be held) usually costs about $30. Travel time is usually about 20 minutes. Options for taxi service include:

Black Top Cabs at 604.731.1111

Yellow Cab at 604.681.1111

Maclure's Cabs at 604.831.1111

Which public transit bus do I take?

Translink provides public bus services in metro Vancouver. Bus routes #044 and #014 are some of the most convenient from downtown Vancouver. Travel time is usually about 30 minutes. Visit the Translink web page for details on these and other routes. The buses unload at the UBC Loop which is approximately 0.77 km or 1/2 mile across campus from the conference venue.

If driving, one of the nearest campus parking facilities is the Fraser River Parkade, located at 6440 Memorial Dr (entrance located on south side of Memorial Rd across from the Asian Centre). More information about parking on campus can be found at UBC Parking.

How do I find my way around campus?

Visit UBC wayfinding for information about the campus. The Thursday night session and all Friday sessions will be held in the Old Auditorium (also referred to as 'the Auditorium') on the UBC Point Grey campus.

Old Auditorium

6344 Memorial Rd

The University of British Columbia

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2

On Saturday, the small group sessions and workshops will be held in Buchanan Building (blocks A, B and D).

WORKSHOP OPTION

How do I choose the workshop option?

In lieu of attending the Small Group Sessions on Saturday, May 11th, 3-day package registrants may register in advance for a special interest workshop. If you select the workshop option during registration you will be asked to state a workshop preference during the checkout process. We will contact you to confirm the availability of your preferred workshop by early May. Lunch will be included for registrants who select the workshop option.

Can I change my preference for a workshop?

We will do our best to accommodate your change requests, but due to the popularity of these workshops and the limited seats available, you may not be able to switch to the workshop option, or change your workshop selection once your original workshop selection has been confirmed.

EDUCATING THE HEART