Join us at Pre-conference Tours, the Welcome Reception, Exhibitors' Reception, Birds of a Feather Breakfast and the Conference Reception + Cruise.

There are formal Sessions and less formal Interactions throughout the conference.

Pre-Conference Tours

The day before the Pre-Conference Workshops, cultural and educational institutions and multimedia developers in the Vancouver, BC, area team up to provide attendees at MW2005 behind-the-scenes tours of some of the most interesting new media programs in the area. Tours are a great chance to share experiences with other delegates in an informal environment. Take a Pre-Conference Tour on April 12, 2005. There are two itineraries; separate advance registration is required.

Downtown Vancouver

• The Vancouver Art Museum - focus on Eyes of Laura (http://www.eyesoflaura.org) a  Web exhibition by Janet Cardiff (a contemporary new media artist) commissioned as part of the museum collection
• Storyeum - take a 'back of house' walk through a new underground Historical Theatre Experience in Gastown, Vancouver's historic borough, and see how the multimedia components, including

  video, audio, theatrical lighting and special effects in nine theatres are are powered by the PIVoD Media Platform

• Science World - learn how Science World currently uses the Web in its daily activities and discuss how it plans to use the Web in the future.

University of British Columbia

• The University of British Columbia Botanical Garden - see the garden and learn about the on-line community
• Nitobe Memorial Garden - tour this traditional Japanese garden, considered to be the one of the most authentic Japanese Tea and Stroll Gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan
• The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia - see the handhelds in the galleries developed by Ubiquity Interactive that provides visitors with interpretive multimedia -- audio, video, text, graphics, animation, and information-sharing features, and learn about the development of the Reciprocal Research Network (RRN) linking museums and native peoples across Canada

Workshops

Pre-Conference Workshops on April 13, 2005 offer more structured learning environments.

Social Events

Each night during the MW2005 conference there will be a social event, to make sure that everyone gets connected with other attendees.

Welcome Reception: Museum of Anthropology
Wednesday, April 13, 6:00-7:30 pm

The evening after the pre-conference workshops and before the first full day of sessions, Museums and the Web 2005 kicks off with a Welcome Reception at the UBC Museum of Anthropology on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Get acquainted and re-acquainted at our early evening reception featuring British Columbia's world famous wines and a rich array of hors d'oeuvres. Buses will go from the hotel and return there via other spots in downtown Vancouver so you can head out for dinner.

Exhibitors' Reception - Exhibit Hall, Hyatt Regency
Thursday, April 14, 5:00-8:00 pm

Enjoy a three-hour, multi-course reception banquet sponsored by the Exhibitors. The Exhibit Hall will feature the most exciting new products and designs of the year, in the largest annual gathering of interactive multimedia museum products and services in the world. Make plans to revisit the booths that catch your eye; the Exhibit Hall is open all day on April 15, 2005.

Birds of a Feather Breakfasts - Hyatt Regency
Friday, April 15, 7:30 – 9:00 am

On the morning of April 15, 2005, colleagues get together informally over coffee and continental breakfast to discuss issues of interest. Each table at the breakfast will be devoted to discussion on a theme proposed by attendees. Join us to identify common concerns, share tested solutions and make arrangements to join up with new found colleagues later in the week. To suggest a topic, contact

Conference Reception + Dinner Cruise - Vancouver Harbour
Friday, April 15, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Directly after the Best of the Web celebrations, buses will take MW2005 attendees to Vancouver Harbour for a celebratory sunset buffet cruise aboard the MV Britannia. Enjoy the spectacular Vancouver Harbour on our own private cruise past the downtown skyline, the Mountains and the islands. Dine on board, in the best spot in Vancouver to watch the sun slowly disappear behind the channel islands. Bus transportation provided.

Stay In Touch – If You Must

Throughout the conference a room is set aside for you to check your e-mail, and for speakers to test their presentations. Please give speakers priority access to the computers provided.

Hours are as follows. The e-mail room is not open during the Demonstrations, as all computers are needed in the Demo Hall.