Calgary Accommodations
Read all about the Visitor/Observer Daily Package
Highlights of the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 package:
Your arrival at Calgary International Airport will be heralded by a traditional Western Welcome (the details of which we are keeping under wraps so you can delight in the experience of being welcomed in true cowboy-fashion by the most hospitable city on earth!).
Members of the WorldSkills Welcome Committee will usher you to a designated area to secure your event accreditation. We are very aware that you have just arrived from a long flight and we promise the process of getting you to your hotel will be as quick and easy as possible.
With your accreditation and welcome gifts in hand, you will be escorted to fully-equipped luxury motor coaches. You will be quickly and comfortably transported directly to your hotel where hotel staff will be alerted and awaiting your arrival to ensure an effortless check-in. The trip from airport to hotel is approximately only 30 to 45 minutes - of course depending on traffic.
Each of our accredited hotels is conveniently located within walking distance of the light rapid transit (LRT also called the C-train) which will ensure your daily commute to the competition is quick and easy. A complimentary LRT travel pass will be included in your accreditation and will last for the duration of your package. This pass will allow you to use the C-train as often as you like - no tickets and no trouble.
Your destination hotel will be situated in the heart of Calgary's City Centre, providing easy walking access to world class and casual dining, restaurants, shopping, museums, theatres, and galleries.
A not-to-be missed experience included in your package will be a day-long excursion to Banff National Park, located at the base of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. This renowned resort destination draws thousands of visitors annually from all corners of the globe. You will be transported directly from your hotel via deluxe motor coach through the scenic foothills of Alberta. Stunning vistas will unfold as you journey to the base of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Range.
Depart Designated Hotels (TBA) at 12:30 p.m.
Schedule:
| 12:30 p.m. | Board Deluxe Motor Coach in Calgary and receive a gourmet boxed picnic lunch |
| 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Travel from Calgary to Banff National Park |
| 2 - 5:15 p.m. | Tour, shop, hike and explore the town of Banff: |
| Banff Gondola - receive a free ride up and down the mountain with your accreditation | |
| Allow 60 minutes for round trip | |
| Regularly scheduled ground transportation will be provided free of charge | |
| A professional photo can be purchased at the summit for $15.00CAD | |
| Bring suitable outerwear as the temperature is cooler at the summit | |
| Banff Upper Hot Springs - Admission charged | |
| Bring swimwear if you want to relax in the outdoor mineral spring fed hot pools | |
| Banff Park Museum - Free access with your accreditation | |
| Whyte Museum - Free access with your accreditation | |
| Banff Springs Hotel - Free to take photos outside of the property and public shoppiner area | |
| Bow Falls - Free | |
| 5:15 - 5:30 p.m. | Return to the Banff drop-off location and board your Deluxe Motor Coach |
| You will be transported to Banff MountView Barbeque for a Welcome Reception (dinner included) | |
| Mix and mingle with other international delegates, and enjoy quality entertainment | |
| Free photos with world-renowned Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will be available | |
| 5:45 p.m. | Short Program and Welcome |
| 6 - 7:15 p.m. | Authentic western-style barbeque dinner and entertainment |
| 8:00 p.m. | Board Deluxe Motor Coach for transportation back to Calgary You will be dropped off at designated hotels (TBD at the beginning of the tour |
| * Most locations are walking distance from one another. You can use local transit for the cost of $2.00 per ride, or you may purchase a day pass for the cost $5.00. A bus schedule, town map and details will be provided upon arrival in Banff. | |
Included in your package are tickets to the exclusive Opening Ceremonies. This event features the classic parade of competitors. There will also be first class and stunning entertainment on the special Stampede stage. Everyone will have excellent viewing and due to the outside staging will be accompanied by impressive light shows.
The Closing Ceremonies tickets are also included which boasts the fever pitch excitement of the grand finale Awards Presentation. This event will be more personal and in the round so that everyone can view and be close to the awards. There is more restricted seating for this event but the priority will be to ensure that competitors and their support team are able to really view and easily access the stage for pictures.
Further admissions in your official package will include the Global Skills Village, Skill City, Canadian/ Alberta House, and the City of Calgary's cultural festival. The Global Skills Village is a presentation of trade, education, and country booths. There are a huge variety of booths booked. There will be opportunities to buy and see many types of general interest exhibits and sales items or network with international educational institutions or businesses. Skills City is a tent full of interactive displays where you can try your skill and in some cases take home the product of your efforts. Canada/ Alberta House will house cultural, Albertan, and Canadian information and displays. There will also be cultural displays and entertainment on stage at the Stampede Park and downtown for you to enjoy.
You will also be provided access to the ultimate farewell bash (party) held at Nashville North at Stampede Park. There will be good food, drinks, and entertainment to celebrate the conclusion of some great competition.
Concluding your package festivities will be admission to the Annual Labour Day Classic, a nationally-televised Canadian Football League game. Prior to the game will be a tailgate party (this is an Canadian classic with food and drink usually served from the back of trucks as you wait to go into the game). The CFL Football game is a very special event with limited tickets on sale. The game boasts an attendance of over 50,000 Canadians. The half-time show will feature a parade of "World Champions on the World Stage." The champions being paraded are our own WorldSkills Calgary 2009 competitors who will be showcased by parading at the half-time show to the applause of everyone at the game. Join the cheers for your team. After the game is an all Canadian BBQ for accreditation holders.
To conclude a wonderful trip you will be transported back to the airport in time for your flight.
A final word - these official packages which are being offered to delegates and visitors have been carefully constructed to provide the ultimate experience of both Calgary and Canada, a true cultural experience and a trip to remember. Your travel experience can only be substantially enhanced by permitting our team of Calgary experts to take care of you. It is the guaranteed way to gain access to components of the competition and events. We are implementing an electronic scanning system to ensure safety and security and that the international competition rules are implemented. This system will also make sure that your seat is secured and you have the access to events according to your package accreditation. We assure you that it is without question, the best way to ensure your entire experience of Calgary is both effortless and memorable. We've taken care of all logistics for you so all you need to focus on is having a terrific time!
See you in Calgary.
Competitors' Village
WorldSkills Calgary 2009 will feature a Competitors' Village to house all international competitors. The Competitors' Village will be located at the SAIT Polytechnic, just a 15-minute, LRT train ride from the competition venue at Calgary Stampede Park.
The Competitors' Village will not only eliminate proximity/transportation issues, but also create a great opportunity for competitors to spend more time together enhancing their international experience.
The Village will accommodate up to 1,200 WorldSkills competitors. Village facilities and amenities will include hotel or apartment-like accommodations, on-site medical service, high-speed Internet, a pool, gymnasium and other recreational facilities and voice-over IP telephones.
The Competitors' Village will simultaneously provide sanctuary and excitement, camaraderie and privacy. Throughout the Competition, the Competitors' Village will be a true global village, reflecting and respecting cultures from around the world. SAIT's distinguished culinary school serves up an international menu of gourmet cuisine. Diverse dietary requirements and cultural preferences will be easily accommodated.
During WorldSkills 2009, competitors and other participants will have access to on-site medical services at SAIT's Health, Safety and Wellness Centre. At the International Students' Centre, counselors can assist guests in many languages.
SAIT has generously agreed to adjust the start of its 2009-2010 academic year to enable WorldSkills competitors to enjoy all that its campus has to offer.
Competitors' Village (SAIT) recreational facilities include:
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Hotel Accommodation
All other participants will stay in Calgary's downtown core, in some of the city's best hotels. Hundreds of hotel rooms have already been reserved for WorldSkills participants. Guest services at the hotels include voice-mail, audio-visual services, computer equipment, airport limousine services and meeting facilities in very spacious hotel rooms.
Calgary is known for the warmth of its hospitality, the quality of its accommodation and its award-winning cuisine. The core of the city offers great shopping, multicultural dining opportunities and an authentic western atmosphere, as well as being a short walk or a short Light Rapid Transit (LRT) ride from the competition site.
All accommodations have been inspected by the Alberta Hotel Association and meet its standards for certification.
Hotels have been block booked for the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 competition. The packages will be available for on line booking and member countries will be notified when this is available. Bookings made outside this process are not acceptable to WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and will not receive accreditation or access to the competition or events. Also, transportation will only be accommodated and included in the packages between the airport, hotels included in the packages, excursions, and the events as in the package.
Sample of the hotels which are block booked for our competition are as follows:
These hotels are all within LRT or walking distance to the competition site and are in the downtown. There is easy walking access to all the downtown shopping and restaurant facilities from these hotels.
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