ACM SIGMOD/PODS Conference: Vancouver, 2008
Delegates: University Housing Information
First, a note about the Westin Bayshore hotel availability (just in case that's the reason you're seeking alternate accommodation): The current Web site of Westin is not very intelligent in dealing with a time period. If there is a single day within a period that the hotel is sold out for the conference rate, then the whole period is returned as "sold out". The hotel still has rooms left from June 8th to 13th, particularly from the 9th to 12th. Please call the hotel by phone to find out the non-conference rate for other days.
SIGMOD/PODS has reserved a block of university residence rooms on the campus of the University of British Columbia in UBC's Gage Towers. The residence is located about one hour from the conference site when using public transit (includes a 0.75-kilometre (i.e., half mile) walk) ... or about 25 minutes by car when driving in light traffic.
The single occupancy rate for rooms is $49 per day (Canadian dollars), plus taxes. To receive this rate, you must book your room on or before May 18th. After this date, any remaining rooms will be released to the public.
The rooms are Premium Single rooms. Each locked bedroom is approximately 99 square feet, with a single bed, work desk, lamp, telephone, high-speed Internet connection (Ethernet), closet with shelves, and set of drawers. There are 4 bedrooms in an apartment unit or wing--some with great views. Thus, up to 4 guests--usually all from SIGMOD/PODS--share the washroom, TV lounge, and kitchenette. The kitchenette is not equipped with dishes or cookware. Registered guests will be given a card key that opens the main door to the 4-bedroom unit and (only) their own bedroom. Here is some more information about the rooms in Gage.
Wireless Internet access is not available in the apartment units, but is available in most parts of the first floor (lobby). Each bedroom, however, has an Ethernet port for high-speed Internet access. The activation fee is $10 for the whole stay, plus 5% GST/tax. You'll have to supply your own Ethernet cable. If you forget to bring one, there are two stores nearby (UBC bookstore and Staples office supply store) that will sell you an Ethernet cable.
Reservations should be made directly with the UBC conference housing office, using a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). The best way to register is by following the Gage Towers link above. Additional information about the Gage Towers site is available by clicking on this PDF page. Mention that you are registering for the 2008 SIGMOD or PODS conference to: (a) qualify for the room rates, and (b) to make sure that they put you in the SIGMOD/PODS allocated block of rooms.
UBC is located at the western edge of the City of Vancouver (but not downtown), bordering Georgia Strait (the Pacific Ocean), in a pleasant neighbourhood on a beautiful campus. Recreation facilities (e.g., hiking, swimming, gymnasium) are nearby. Here is a map of the area around the Gage Towers. Note that the bus loop is across the street. Furthermore, the conference banquet is located at UBC's Museum of Anthropology, which is an easy walking distance back to UBC's Gage Towers.
