COGEL Conference 2007 - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

The 2007 COGEL Conference is taking place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, which is the largest of British Columbia's 6,500 islands. It is a community of choice for its temperate climate, natural beauty, recreational sites and superior economic opportunities. For almost every citizen, native born or "immigrant," the decision to live here is consciously made.

According to the 2001 census, about 325,000 people make their home in the Greater Victoria area. The population has increased from 148,000 in 1961 and is expected to approach 400,000 by the year 2020.

Greater Victoria has attracted people from all over Canada, the United States and other countries. Many of those moving here add to the high level of artistic, technical and professional skills as well as to the entrepreneurial activity. While the region is a popular retirement centre, each year many younger people also move here, bringing education, energy, skills and funds to invest in local business.

The region's strategic location as a gateway to the Pacific Rim, its closeness to U.S. markets, and its many sea and air links have made the area a hub for business development and economic investment.

The Empress Hotel

Rising regally on Victoria's spectacular Inner Harbor, The Fairmont Empress showcases the spirit and energy of Vancouver Island in grand style. With her turn-of-the-century beauty, The Fairmont Empress captures the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era, while her facilities and services meet the needs of today's traveler.

» The Empress Hotel

IMPORTANT: Please note if you have not made your hotel reservation, the response for this conference had exceeded the number of rooms in our original contract. The Fairmont Empress has worked with us to increase the room block and extend our contract rate of $178 (CAN), but currently only deluxe or higher rooms are available.

Conference Housing, Additional Hotels

If you have not yet secured a hotel room for your stay in Victoria, the Fairmont Empress is sold out for at least one of the nights of the COGEL Conference. We have secured a small block of rooms at a nearby property, Chateau Victoria, for September 16 - 19 at a preferential rate. Please contact the hotel at 1-800-663-5891 and ask for the COGEL Conference rate. Or if your prefer, the following is a list of nearby hotels which may also have rooms available

• Chateau Victoria 1-800-663-5891, www.chateauvictoria.com
• Coast Victoria Harbourside 1-800-663-1144, www.coasthotels.com
• Executive House Hotel 1-800-663-7001, www.executivehouse.com
• Harbour Towers Hotel 1-800-6635896, www.harbourtowers.com
• Hotel Grand Pacific 1-800-663-7550, www.hotelgrandpacific.com
• Magnolia Hotel 1-877-624-6654, www.magnoliahotel.com
• Marriott Victoria 1-800-306-5451, www.marriottvictoria.com
• Oswego Hotel 1-877-767-9346, www.oswegovictoria,com
• Queen Victoria Hotel 1-800-663-7007, www.qvhotel.com

The Victoria Conference Centre

In the heart of downtown Victoria, British Columbia, by the spectacular Inner Harbour is the Victoria Conference Centre; a bright, modern and technically advanced meeting place that is most inviting. Here, you can defy convention within the environs of an historic city and one of the world's top travel destinations. It's business, in the most pleasurable surroundings possible.

You can travel to Victoria via direct flights from major Canadian and U.S. centres.

» Victoria Conference Centre Website

NOTE: US Passports

The United States government has temporarily suspended the recent rule requiring U. S. citizen to have passports for travel to and from Canada. If you have applied for a U. S. passport and have not received it before your travel to Canada for the Annual Conference, you will be permitted to cross the border with your valid driver's license and a State Department receipt indicating your application is being processed. Please go to (then put the link from Sherry's email) for further information.