RCEN 2010 Conference: About

About the Conference

The Canadian Environmental Network's (RCEN) 2010 Conference will take place at the Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Montreal, from September 17-19.

For over 30 years, environmental NGOs have attended this annual event to meet their colleagues, share stories and strategize around the most pressing environmental issues. As long-time RCEN member Martha Kostuch used to say, "this is where environmentalists come to recharge their batteries!"

This year, environmentalists from across Canada - including youth, Indigenous people, government and industry representatives - are invited to participate in our 2010 Conference.

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Conserving Biodiversity Pays: The Values of Ecosystem Services

We all depend on biodiversity to live happy, healthy lives. In fact, biodiversity supports all life on Earth through a multitude of free ecological goods and services, such as food, water, medicines, air purification, pollination of crops, and more. To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, this year’s conference will focus on the different values our society attaches to biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides. Read more about the theme

Policy on Eco-Responsibility

Our objective for the 2010 Conference is to reduce as much as possible, within the available budget, the environmental footprint of the event. Prior to, and during the conference, the RCEN will:

Promote the role that participants can play in the greening of the event
Ensure that the hotel does what it can to reduce the environmental impact of the conference
Encourage the use of low carbon transportation options for participants
Keep the use of paper to a minimum while providing alternatives

This will be a carbon neutral event. Greenhouse gas emissions generated from the conference will be offset by Carbonzero. Thank you for helping us make this an eco-friendly event. Read more about the Policy

* For the comfort and health of all participants, please note that this is a scent-free event.

How to Get to the Conference

To get to the Grand Plaza Hotel downtown Montreal, you must get off at the end of the bus route which is the Montreal Bus Depot. From there you can walk directly to the hotel, located only two blocs away. See the map

From the airport: To get from the airport to the Grand Plaza Hotel, we suggest taking Express Bus 747. The Socité de transport de Montréal runs an express bus line ("747") between the airport and downtown, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Departures are about every 15 minutes.

The trip between Montréal-Trudeau Airport and the Montréal bus terminal at Berri-UQAM métro station takes approximately 35 outside of rush hour. The service stops at Lionel-Groulx metro station, and along Boulevard René-Lévesque at Guy, Drummond, Peel, Mansfield, Anderson and Saint-Laurent.

The price is $7 for a one-way trip. At the airport, tickets are sold at the International Currency Exchange (ICE) counter on the international arrivals level or you can purchase a ticket directly on the bus. For this you need change (no paper money) and the exact amount. For more information and the exact departure times, please visit the airport’s website.

Accommodations

1) The Grand Plaza Montreal Centre-Ville, is located in downtown Montreal, offering its guests elegantly furnished hotel guestrooms & suites, and very easy access to all the Montreal attractions & landmarks, including cafés, restaurants and nightlife in the city.

The RCEN has reserved a block of rooms for conference participants. The cost is $129/room/night, single or double occupancy, including breakfast for two people, plus applicable taxes. There is an extra charge of $20 per additional person.

To reserve a room, please contact the Grand Plaza directly at 1-800-561-4644. Don't forget to mention the "Canadian Environmental Network Conference".

2) HI-Montreal Youth Hostel
Call 1-866-843-3317