Meeting Venues
Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue
Simon Fraser University
580 West Hastings Street
(enter via Seymour Street courtyard entrance)
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 1L6
Description
“Build it and they will come!” Since the opening of the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in September 2000, over two thousand events have been hosted in Asia Pacific Hall alone, and the eleven additional rooms are in constant use by members of the business and professional community, government, community groups, and members of the university.
The award winning repurposing of a fine neoclassic bank building to provide comfortable and attractive meeting space, superb meeting technology, and highly trained staff all contribute to the experience of any gathering in British Columbia’s only centre dedicated exclusively to meetings certified by the prestigious International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). What is perhaps more special is the intention underlying the building of such a centre.
The goal of the university when the Dialogue Centre was planned was to create a home for dialogue which provides the best possible environment for interaction and full participation by all delegates. The Wosk Centre for Dialogue has hosted heads of state, religious and political leaders, delegations, arbitrations, deliberations, private negotiations on environmental and legal concerns, annual general meetings conferences on a wide range of topics — all of which shared a concern for achieving a high level of communication among delegates.
The Wosk Centre for Dialogue is located in Vancouver’s Heritage District, close to historic Gastown, Vancouver’s theatres and sports arenas. Simon Fraser University’s main downtown campus building of Harbour Centre is situated directly across the street, and the Segal Graduate School of Business is one block away. The city’s principal transportation hub, Waterfront Station, is also one block away, providing access to the SeaBus, SkyTrain and West Coast Express.
Nearly all of Vancouver’s major hotels are within a short walking distance, along with retail complexes, international shopping districts, theatres and other cultural institutions and restaurants. The Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre is a short 7 minute walk from the Centre.
Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre
515 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5K3
Description
Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre is located in Vancouver’s historic Spencer building, at the corner of Hastings and Richards Streets in the city’s Heritage District. Shopping, restaurants, hotels and entertainment facilities are all minutes away.
Harbour Centre is directly across the street from Vancouver’s transportation hub, Waterfront Station, where Skytrain, Seabus, and Westcoast Express stations conduct visitors and commuters to all parts of metro Vancouver and beyond. The new Canada Line of Skytrain links Waterfront Station directly to the Vancouver International Airport. Public parking is available at many locations near the campus as well.
Directions
The Wosk Centre for Dialogue and Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre are located across the street from each other. Directions for both locations are below.
Driving from Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
From the airport, proceed north along the Arthur Laing Bridge to Granville Street. Head north on Granville Street into downtown Vancouver. After crossing the Granville Street Bridge, take the Seymour Street exit and continue north on Seymour. Turn right into the Wosk Centre, just before reaching Hastings Street. For Simon Fraser University, continue north on Seymour until Hastings. Harbour Centre is located on Hastings Street, between Seymour and Richards.
Parking
Public parking is available at many locations near the Wosk Centre. Street parking is free after 8 pm. The closest parking lot is across the courtyard; enter via Seymour Street. For the Harbour Centre, the closest parking lot is at 400 West Cordova Street. Street parking is also free after 8pm.
Public Transit
Major public transit lines, the SeaBus, SkyTrain and WestCoast Express terminate at Waterfront Station, located in the historic CP Rail Station on Cordova Street, opposite Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre. Transit schedules can be found at www.translink.bc.ca. The Centre is also within easy walking distance of all street buses with a terminus in downtown Vancouver.
AccomModations
A variety of accommodations are available near the Wosk Centre for Dialogue and SFU Harbour Centre. Book early to select the accommodation of your choice
Delta Vancouver Suites
550 West Hastings Street
Ask for their provincial government rate – starting from $154 plus tax per night for standard room and subject to availability. For more information call: 1-888-663-8811.
Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel
1088 Burrard Street
Ask for their provincial government rate and/or Canadian University rates (proof of membership required) starting from $129 plus tax per night for single or double occupancy and subject to availability. For more information call: 1-800-325-3535.
St. Regis Hotel
602 Dunsmuir Street
There are 10 rooms blocked until February 28th at the Global Health conference rate, starting from $159.00/night standard queen room (Information sheet). All rates include breakfast, long distance calls, internet, and Steve Nash fitness club passes. For more information call: 1-800-770-7929.
Sandman Hotel
180 West Georgia Street
Bedroom suites have a queen size bed, sofa bed, kitchen, washer and dryer. Rates start at $99 plus tax per night for bedroom suites.
YWCA Hotel
733 Beatty Street
Rooms range from singles (starting from $65/night) to quints ($125/night). There are also group accommodations available.
The Cambie Hostel
300 Cambie Street and 515 Seymour Street
Two available locations: Cambie Gastown and Cambie Hostel Downtown. Rooms range from double bed private ($68/night) to four bed mixed dorms ($26/person/night).
Please check travel websites such as Expedia.ca for hotel deals in Downtown Vancouver. For example:
Best Western Plus Chateau Granville
1100 Granville Street
Through Expedia.ca, Courtyard Standard room rates are $75/night for a queen bed. Suite rooms are $93/night for two double beds and a double sofa bed.
Empire Landmark Hotel
1400 Robson Street
Through Expedia.ca, Atrium Standard rooms are $78/night for a queen or two single beds. Beachside Deluxe rooms are $90/night for two double beds.