GENERAL INFORMATION

AREA ATTRACTIONS AND HOTEL OVERVIEW

The sight of USAEE/IAEE's 29th North American meeting is the Hyatt Regency Calgary. Calgary is called the Gateway to the Rockies and the conference venue hotel is conveniently located downtown in the heart of the city.  Surrounded by shopping along histroic Stephen Avenue Walk, restaurants, Pengrowth Saddledome, Stampede Park and theaters.  Only 20 minutes from the Calgary Airport Authority, the Hyatt Regency Calgary is an ideal stopping point for both business and leisure travelers.  The Hyatt Regency Calgary is a green friendly hotel using Bull Frog Power - 100% green electricity. All rooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access.  The hotel contains restaurants, a fitness center, spa and buisness center.  You can visit the hotel's website by clicking here.

Here is a sampling of local area attractions:

Calgary Tower:   Website: www.calgarytower.com

One of the first Towers of its kind, the Calgary Tower offers the best view in Calgary and is a must-see on any tourist's itinerary. Throughout the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, a flame burned at the top of the Tower, making the Calgary Tower the World's Largest Olympic Torch.  Dare to try something that will take your breath away? Visitors to the Observation Deck are able to virtually "step out into" space on the glass floor experience. Imagine standing 525 feet above the ground in the heart of Calgary and being able to look straight down and directly out in front of you into the heart of the city.

Canada Olympic Park:  Website: http://www.winsportcanada.ca/facilities/cop.cfm

As the premiere site of the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, the venue is perhaps the most visible legacy of the 1988 Games to visitors and Calgary alike - truly a one-of-a-kind attraction. Situated 15 minutes from downtown Calgary, at the gateway to the magnificent Rocky Mountains, the Park is distinct from most Olympic venues in that it continues to function as a multi-purpose competition, training and recreation area designed for year-round use by both athletes and the general public.

Glenbow Museum:   Website: http://www.glenbow.org/index.cfm

At the Glenbow Museum, intriguing stories from Western Canada connect with extraordinary art and artifacts from around the world. Combining a museum, art gallery, library and archives all under one roof, Glenbow boasts over a million artifacts and some 28,000 works of art in its vast collections and is one of the largest museums in Canada.

Heritage Park Historical Village:   Website: http://www.heritagepark.ca/

Discover "How the West was Once" at Canada's largest living history museum. Meet fur traders, railway workers and prairie town folk as you explore 127 scenic acres. Ride an authentic steam train, enjoy the thrills of an antique midway or set sail on Calgary's only paddlewheeler!

Admission to Heritage Park Historical Village includes access to the world class Gasoline Alley Museum.

Stephen Avenue Walk:   Website:  http://www.downtowncalgary.com/saw.html

Stephen Avenue Walk is situated along 8 Ave SW (Stephen Avenue) and spans from 1 St SE to 4 St SW. It is home to: 5,000 to 10,000 people per hour in peak times; live performances, buskers, music, festivals, artists and culture galore; nine major shopping centres/department stores; downtown's retro cinemas; some of Calgary's finest restaurants, pubs, cafés and bars; and an eclectic mix of boutiques and galleries.  Stephen Avenue Walk is managed daily from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm by the Calgary Downtown Association on behalf of the City of Calgary.

TELUS World of Science:  Website: http://www.edmontonscience.com/pages/home/default.aspx

There’s nothing quite like TELUS World of Science - Edmonton. Our Mission is to create a positive science and technology culture in our region that inspires and motivates people to learn about, and contribute to, science and technology advances that strengthen themselves, their families, and their community.

Calgary Zoo:  Website: http://www.calgaryzoo.org/

For more than 75 years, the Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park has offered visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience and interact with wildlife - right in the heart of the city only 5 minutes from downtown. Western Canada's largest accredited zoo makes every trip an adventure with over 1000 animals, 6 acres of botanical gardens, a prehistoric park, zoo-nique playgrounds and more! Let us take you around the world for your very own zoo adventure!

FURTHER AFIELD:  If you're planning to tour outside of the Calgary area, there are many towns for exploration -- most of them within an easy drive.

For more information on Calgary, please visit http://www.tourismcalgary.com/visitors/home.htm

For more information on Canada, please visit                                                                                              http://explore.canada.travel/us_en/ctc/ke/homepageab38.html

AREA DINING

Calgary and regional restaurants truly offer something for everyone. In addition to our world-renowned Alberta beef, Calgary is home to Canada's third-largest concentration of ethnic cultures - resulting in authentic culinary traditions and diverse cuisine options, which are complemented by award-winning chefs and eateries. All restaurants in Alberta are 100% smoke-free.  For a listing of area dining in Calgary, click here.

CLIMATE

Calgary has a moderate four-season climate, with large variations in temperature between seasons and from one locale to another. Calgary is typically dry with the largest amount of rainfall during the spring months.  October weather in Calgary averages 52 degrees Farenheit and has cool evenings because of the altitude and proximity to the mountains. Bring a warm jacket and clothing that can be layered.

WHAT TO WEAR

This year's conference attire is business casual.  This includes slacks, polo-type shirts, blazers, or sweaters for gentlemen; slacks, skirts, polo-type shirts or blouses, blazers or sweaters, and comfortable shoes for ladies.  Suits, ties, nine-to-five dresses and high heels are strongly discouraged.