[Coral-List] Reminder -- Second IMCC Regular Registration ends March 15, don't forget to book your hotel room!

[John Cigliano]

Please note that regular registration for the Second International Marine Conservation Congress is now open and ends 15 March.  Rates after March 15 increase -- e.g. the developed country non-member rate jumps to $586.

To find more information about registration and to register go to: http://www.conbio.org/IMCC2011/register/fees.cfm

Now is also a good time to book your hotel room as rooms are going fast!

IMCC has arranged a special rate of $165 single/double for Fairmont and Deluxe rooms at headquarters hotel The Fairmont Empress (http://www.fairmont.com/empress/) which is connected to the Victoria Conference Center ( 721 Government Street , Victoria, British Columbia, Canada , V8W1W5).  The beautiful and luxurious hotel is located in the heart of downtown Victoria, overlooking the inner harbor and the capitol buildings. Please note that these rates do not include tax. Reserve your room by calling the Fairmont Hotel directly at 250-384-8111 or going to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/societyconservationbiology. Make sure to mention the IMCC meeting to get the group rate. Reserve early to ensure a room at the group rate. Once the block is sold out, rooms may not be available at the group rate. The cutoff date for reservations is 13 April 2011.

Why should I book at the headquarters hotel?
The hotel rates that IMCC2 has negotiated include many benefits for you and for the IMCC. Based on the number of rooms in IMCC's block of hotel rooms, the hotel provides complimentary meeting room space, exhibit space, and reduced food and beverage charges. These savings are passed on to attendees through IMCC's inexpensive registration rates. If IMCC is unable to meet its room-block commitment because attendees are making reservations at other hotels, the hotel charges IMCC an attrition fee to make up the hotel's lost revenue. If this were to become a trend, IMCC would be forced to increase  the registration fee and cut services.

Is it important for me to let the reservations agent know that I'm associated with the IMCC convention?
Yes. It is only by registrants telling the hotel they are attending the International Marine Conservation Conference that IMCC receives credit for the individual. Please ensure that whoever is making your reservation tells the agent that you are attending IMCC or book directly through the IMCC web link above.

Why does IMCC reserve a large block of rooms?
If IMCC didn't reserve a block of rooms, attendees might not be able to find a hotel room. In the tourist season it can be very difficult to find an affordable hotel room. By reserving a block of rooms, IMCC knows its attendees will be able to have a hotel room. In addition, if IMCC didn't reserve a block of rooms it would be subject to room rental fees and full food and beverage costs that would greatly increase the cost of holding the convention.

What other benefits are there to reserving a room at a IMCC hotel?
IMCC picked hotels that are contained or nearby the conference facilities. By staying at the conference hotel, you don't have to worry about cab fares, weather or forgetting something in your room. Once you factor in these considerations, you may find that the great rate you found at another hotel isn't all that great.

What is IMCC doing to reduce these attrition fees and still keep the
conference affordable?
IMCC tracks sleeping room reservations and cancellations at the conference so that it can more accurately block a number of rooms that will be filled by attendees in the future. However, every discount we receive at a hotel is based on the number of room nights we block, so as we reduce our block, we are consequently paying more for other services at the hotel. Reducing the block means that attendees will either have to pay a higher registration fee or services will have to be cut.

We look forward to seeing you in Victoria!

The IMCC Organizing Committee

IMCC2011 at conbio.org

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For more information on the Second IMCC go to: http://www.conbio.org/IMCC2011/

For more information on the Marine Section got to:
http://www.conbio.org/Sections/Marine/

For more information on the Society for Conservation Biology go to:
http://www.conbio.org/
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