Everyone attending the conference is required to complete an official registration form, available online and in the conference brochure. As space is limited, participants are strongly encouraged to pre-register for the conference as soon as possible.

Registration for the conference opens May 1, 2007. Early registration, when discounted rates are available, closes on September 21, 2007. Registration closes on October 22, 2007.

To register, one may use a credit card and register online, or complete a registration form and submit the form and payment to WANGO, 155 White Plains Road, Suite 220, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Upon receipt of forms and full payment, the conference secretariat will send a confirmation letter.

All participants must pay the registration fee to be confirmed for the conference. Reduced rates are available for WANGO members and for those applying by September 21.

Registration fees provide for a conference program, entrance to all plenary, symposia, and concurrent sessions, including workshops and regional meetings, entrance to the Awards Banquet, entrance to the exhibition hall, daily coffee/snack breaks, and all conference meals (Thursday Opening Banquet; Saturday Awards Banquet; Friday, Saturday and Sunday luncheons; and the Friday dinner).

As attendance is partially subsidized for members of WANGO, the discounted rates are available for up to two authorized representatives of membership organizations. Beyond the first two registrants, and if space permits, additional applicants from member organizations are charged the nondiscounted (non-member) rate.

Credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express), checks, bank wires, money orders, and Western Union, payable in US currency, are the only accepted forms of payment for pre-registration.

When sending registration fees via bank wire or Western Union, contact Marybeth Ross at mbross@wango.org for WANGO designation information.

Alternative payment arrangements are available for established WANGO Chapters if prior approval is obtained from the Conference Secretariat.

The conference sessions and lodging will be at the Delta Chelsea (www.deltachelsea.com):

The Delta Chelsea Toronto is Canada’s largest hotel. It has 1,590 guest rooms, six restaurants and lounges, two indoor pools (one for adults, one for children that includes downtown Toronto’s only indoor waterslide), a state of the art health and recreation club, and is within walking distance of the city’s best shopping districts (including the Eaton Centre, Canada’s second-largest shopping complex), theatres, attractions, and the world’s tallest building (CN Tower).

There is indoor parking at the hotel ($12 Canadian for 24 hours; $ Canadian for full day from 8am to 6pm). Currency exchange is available in the hotel. The nearest subway (College station on Yonge line) is but one block away, and the airport express bus stops at the hotel.

Each participant is responsible for making and paying for their own room reservations.

WANGO has secured special conference rates for hotel rooms at the Delta Chelsea. The cost for a single or double room is $129.00 Canadian per night (US$ 113.00), plus taxes (14%). The cost, therefore, for double accommodations would come to US$ 65.00 per night.

To make reservations at the Delta Chelsea, one can use the secure online form for the Delta Chelsea at: http://www.deltachelsea.com/ngo.

Alternatively, international guests may call 416.595.1975 or Email reservations@deltachelsea.com to make room reservations. United States and Canada reservations can be made by calling 1.800.CHELSEA (1.800.243.5732).

Conference participants may organize rooms at other hotels as well, but special rates have not been organized at other facilities.

WANGO members may utilize a special online roommate matching service to help in locating a roommate for the conference. This service can be accessed on the conference website at http://www.wango.org/congress/roommate.

All cancellations must be made in writing and addressed to the conference secretariat in advance. A full refund minus a $20 cancellation fee will be given if written notification is received before October 25, 2007. No refunds will be given after October 25. There will be no fee reduction, credits, or refunds for no-shows, late arrivals, early departures, or unused upgrades.

Official conference meals are part of the registration package. The conference meals begin with the Opening Banquet on Thursday, November 8 and end with the Closing Luncheon on Sunday, November 11, and include all conference-arranged meals during this time. Conference-arranged meals include three lunches (Friday, Saturday, and the Sunday Closing Luncheon) and three dinners (Thursday Opening Banquet, Friday dinner, and Saturday Awards Banquet). It does not include any breakfasts, and breakfast is not part of the hotel accommodations at the Delta Chelsea, so participants are on their own for those meals. Conference registration does include several coffee/tea/snack breaks during the four days.

Participants are responsible for their own air and ground travel arrangements and expenses.

Toronto Pearson International Airport (airport code YYZ) is Canada’s principal airport, and ranks among the top 30 world airports in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements. There are over 76 scheduled and charter airlines currently serving Toronto Pearson International Airport. Air carriers provide non-stop service to 26 Canadian and 42 United States (transborder) destinations and same-plane service to 56 other International cities.

The Delta Chelsea is located approximately 27 kilometers (16 miles) from Pearson International Airport, taking about 30 minutes by car (45 minutes rush hour).

There are several ground travel options to get from Pearson International Airport to the Delta Chelsea. A taxi will cost about $45 Canadian (US$ 40). There is also an Airport Bus, the Airport Express Aeroport bus service, that travels between the airport and the Delta Chelsea hotel about every 20 minutes. The Airport Express Aeroport bus service picks up from the arrivals level of each terminal and makes stops at six major downtown hotels, including the Delta Chelsea. The fare is $15.50 Canadian (US$13.70).

In addition, one can take the subway from the airport, by boarding a bus at the airport to the subway, for the cost of only $2.70 Canadian (US$ 2.40), with the fare providing for both the bus and the subway. There are two subway stops about one block from the Delta Chelsea, one on each side of the Delta Chelsea. These two subway stops are the College Subway Station (the closest) and the Dundas Subway Station, both on the Yonge line.

When taking a subway, remember that transferring is permitted for an uninterrupted trip, as many times as required, between any combination of surface routes and subways. However, you must get a transfer when you pay your fare.

VIA Rail and AMTRAK bring visitors into the heart of the city each day. Toronto’s Union Station is located centrally downtown and connects to the underground subway. Reservations: 416-366-8411 (phone) 416-956-7698 (fax) or visit www.viarail.com

Several highways, including 2, 401, 407 and the Queen Elizabeth Way, link surrounding cities to Toronto. Nearest Canada-U.S. border crossings are at Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Windsor.

Temperatures in early November can be chilly, but not unpleasant. The average November temperature is 7ºC (45ºF), with an average high of 11ºC ( 52ºF) and an average low of 1ºC (34ºF). About 1/3 of the days it does rain. Preferred clothing would include sweaters and a jacket.

The official language of the conference is English. For Canada, both English and French are official languages.

In addition to a visa issued by a consulate, all attendees traveling to Canada should bring a valid passport or equivalent national identity document.

A valid passport is required for visitors entering Canada (With the exception of US visitors traveling by land or sea (see below). Participants must check to determine if a visa for entry is also necessary. If a visa is necessary, you must apply for a tourist visa, which may be obtained from the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your respective country, neighboring country, or region.

Visitors from other countries can visit the Canadian Government web site for more information:

Or, visitors can contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for their region (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/missions.html).

Please allow ample time to secure your visa, as it may take up to three to four months to secure a visa for some countries. For those who require a visa to allow their entry into Canada, the confirmation letter from WANGO will serve as the required invitation letter. These letters will only be sent after you have registered for the Congress and paid the registration fee.

For visitors from the United States, it has been effective since January 23, 2007 that American visitors traveling by air require a valid passport to re-enter the United States. You will need the passport upon arrival, and upon departure you will go through immigration and customs (with all your luggage) prior to boarding a plane to return to the United States. U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa.

American visitors crossing the border by land (car, bus, train) or sea do not require a passport to re-enter the United States at this time. The U.S. Government is planning to require passports for travelers crossing the border by land and sea beginning in 2008. Visitors may be asked to verify citizenship and should therefore carry at least one of the following documents: birth certificate, naturalization certificate, Green Card or passport. Photo identification is also required, so visitors should carry their driver’s license or other valid photo ID with them.

The World Congress of NGOs offers an opportunity for registrants and exhibitors to gain focused access to its highly influential NGO leaders. Exhibitors should complete the Application for Exhibit Space .

As the Delta Chelsea is downtown, many sites are within walking distance, including the world’s largest building (CN Tower, where you rocket to the top of the world in just 58 seconds), Canada’s second largest mall (Eaton Centre), the world’s longest street (Yonge, just outside the hotel), and so forth. In addition, for those who would like to stay after the Congress, a one-day excursion will be taken to Niagara Falls on Monday, November 12. Other excursions will be made available for the afternoon on Sunday, November 11. Please note that participants are responsible for their own accommodations and meal expenses after the conference ends with the Closing Luncheon on Sunday, November 11.

Attire for the conference can be business attire or business-casual attire. Attire for the Awards Banquet is evening wear (not formal).

The organizers cannot accept responsibilities for injuries, health problems, or losses occurring to persons or personal belongings during the conference. Since the organizers do not accept responsibility for individual medical, travel, or personal insurance, conference attendees and accompanying persons are advised to arrange their own insurance policies.

In Toronto, electricity is supplied at 110 volts 60 cycles AC, with the same type of 2-pin outlets (3-pin, with the ground) used in the United States. Although the hotel may have a limited number of converters available, you should plan to bring you own if you will be using a laptop computer or have other needs.

Canada’s country code is 1, as with dialing the United States.

Toronto’s currency is the Canadian dollar. For denominations under five dollars, coins are used, including the “Loonie” (gold-colored, one dollar coin) and the “Two-nie” (gold-and-silver colored, two dollar coin). A 15-20% tip on the bill is customary when dining out as a standard expression of appreciation, as well as for taxi rides, haircuts, and some other services.

The World Congress will provide an “Internet café” with a limited number of Internet stations for hotel guests. In addition, the hotel has a business center in which many services are available. Participants wishing to work on documents should bring their own laptop and printer, or pay to use the business office of the hotel. The Congress does not provide printers or copying services.