The International Association of Lions Clubs MD 105 International Convention Committee

International Convention, - 4th to 8th July 2014

Newsletter - Volume 2, Number 2, January 2014 Editor: PCC Philip Goodier, 34 Hawthorn Crescent, Lea, Preston, Lancashire. PR2 1RD Tel: 01772 463882 E Mail: [email protected]

Welcome to Newsletter 2! MD Designated Hotel

This, the second in what will be a short LCI Convention Division make the series is intended to provide information selection from the hotels they have and whet the appetite of those Lions contracted; the Eaton Chelsea Hotel is thinking of attending the 2014 the designated hotel for MD105 and that International Convention. was our base for the time we were in Toronto. The hotel is the largest in the Kumar, Jacqui and I visited Toronto in British Commonwealth, with 1,590 November 2013 for a fact finding visit and bedrooms. to view, negotiate, decide and book the facilities we believe will offer value for Three banks of lifts serve the different money for delegates from MD105. floors in the two wings. In addition to the restaurant there is a large 'coffee shop' Important – Action Required! area known as 'Market Garden', open 24 hours per day and, in summer, leading to Every member who wishes to attend with an external patio. For keep fit fans there their spouse or partner and attend the are excellent swimming and gym facilities Convention sessions, Exhibition, Shows on the 27th Floor with views to the CN etc., must register both or all attending. Tower. This can be done ‘on line’ at the LCI website www.lionsclubs.org The hotel is located in the 'Downtown Yonge' (Yonge pronounced young!) Once on the site, click on news and neighbourhood. It is the heart of the city events on the top bar, and then and has many options for shopping, International Convention on the left hand entertainment and dining. panel. You will find the page for

Registration.

Convention Registration and Hotel Ten minutes walk from the hotel is the Reservations are now available. To Toronto , a shopping mall take advantage of the early bird with over 200 shops. registration fee, US$110, you must register by January 10th, 2014.

Select the “Registration Information” menu button on the left to access Online Registration or to download a standard registration form to register today.

Yonge Street does not have business zoning regulations as we know them: if someone wants to open a business, they can, and do! Every type of business, and I do stress every, can be found on .

Parade of Nations - will take place on Saturday 5th July along University Avenue and will run North to South towards the lake shore. The assembly area is expected to be the parkland of the University of Toronto. Other shopping centres within a few minutes walk include the , University Avenue is one of the Toronto's College Park and the Hudson's Bay main thoroughfares and is, in the main, a Company who like to say …….. broad street. Included in the 1 Mile Route of the Parade is the area colloquially known as 'hospital alley'. Nestling cheek by jowl are the Princess Margaret, Toronto General, Mount Sinai and 'Sick Kids' as the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children is affectionately known and branded.

There is a major supermarket 10 minutes walk from the hotel and, should the need arise, a pharmacy.

The focal point of the area is 'Yonge- Dundas Square', Toronto's equivalent of New York's 'Time Square'.

Venues: Convention will utilise two main B & I Reception – the Eaton Chelsea venues, they are approx 15 minutes walk Hotel, does not have a function room of apart. The Air Canada Centre (ACC) will sufficient size to host our reception, so, host the International Show and the three plenary sessions: unfortunately, we were the Reception will be held on Monday 7th not able to view the ACC as there was July, from 21:00 in the Toronto Ballroom something on or in preparation every day at the Hilton Hotel, across the road from we were there. The ACC has a capacity the Sheraton Hotel where our DGEs will of 20,000. be staying. The Hilton is 20 minutes walk from the Eaton Chelsea Hotel, or a few As the accompanying photo shows, the minutes by taxi. ACC is not the worldʼs sexiest building, but, it is hugely busy and popular. As the Conference Manager was originally from Cambridge (England) it made conversation, if not negotiation, straight forward.

The Reception will, once again, be the last of the Receptions and will take its, now, traditional form of serving desserts, fruit and pastries.

Finally, thank you to everyone who Registration, exhibits and seminars will completed the questionnaire, the results be hosted in the Metro Toronto have been interesting and contradictory! Convention Centre (MTCC). When you All the comments will be considered and approach the MTCC it does not seem that will help inform what we do in future. large; the reason, as we found out when we went in; everything is underground! Summary:

Toronto is an easy city, all the venues are within a short distance of each other. The MD hotel is a short walk from the parade route, but transport will be provided.

There is plenty to see and do, nothing is too far from anything else and a lot of attractions can be visited on foot, Torontonians are friendly and welcoming.

Convention is using the MTCC South In addition, one of the worldʼs great sights, Building. We entered from the street at Niagara Falls, is about two hours away. level 500 and worked our way down to level 800. Toronto is a compact destination for our International Convention and if you go we B & I Briefing – this will be held on are sure you will enjoy yourself. Thursday 3rd July in the Mountbatten Room at the Eaton Chelsea Hotel from PS: Book by 10th January to register at 19:00. the lowest price.