Conference Update: Of Space and Orientation
With just a few weeks to go before the 2013 edition of the our annual conference, it is time to discuss how to find your way to the conference hotel, and within the facility.
The Hilton Metropole is remarkably convenient to reach. Should you arrive in London via Heathrow Airport (the largest airport in Europe), the "Heathrow Express" will take you to Paddington Station in about 20 minutes, and from there you can walk to the conference hotel in less than 10 minutes (less than half a mile, 650 meters). Those arriving from continental Europe riding the Eurostar train, will arrive at St Pancras station which is just four metro stops from Edgeware Rd, the tube station serving the hotel. More detailed instructions are available on the conference website, here.
Don't be surprised upon reaching the conference hotel: A large portion of lower part of the building is wrapped in scaffolding and canvas. This is the last phase of a major renovation. But don't worry: there's hardly any sign of the construction inside the hotel and there will be no nuisance to the conference. We will in fact enjoy some of the benefits of the renovation already, mainly the new bar and lobby area.
The Hilton Metropole is the largest conference hotel in London, and one of the largest in Europe. We will be using every single conference room it has to offer. In fact, the hotel will even build two additional rooms just for us! Orientation within the hotel might be a bit of a challenge at first because the meeting rooms are located in five different areas of the hotel. Needless to say that particular efforts will be deployed to help delegates find their way (signs and staff), but be prepared for a test of your sense of orientation!
As always, some of the meeting rooms are smaller than others. But in the case of London, capacity is a real concern provided that the smallest rooms will be fitted with just 30 chairs, while the trends in registration figures indicate that we will likely have a record number of participants!
Rest assured that the staff at ICA and at the Hilton, along with the leadership of divisions and interest groups and many members and volunteers are sparing no effort to make the upcoming London conference the best possible experience.