IMS2012 International Microwave Symposium

We have less than two weeks to go before the much anticipated Microwave Week. With IMS2012 as its center piece, together with the RFIC and ARFTG conferences, our Steering Committee is prepared to welcome all of you to Montréal and to the largest professional microwave gathering in the world. Have you registered as attendee of IMS2012? Do it now, you cannot afford to miss this unique opportunity of IMS outside the US for only the second time. And as an extra treat, we are also celebrating the 60^th anniversary of MTT-S!

You have probably already read about IMS2012 and Microwave Week in previous issues of our e-newsletter “IMS Insider”. You should also have received our colorful program book, which contains a wealth of information about our technical and social programs in addition to other interesting activities and hints about Montréal and Microwave Week. Of course, you can also download the entire electronic version of the program book and useful information from our website (http://ims2012.mtt.org). Regardless of your status as a first-time or as a regular attendee, you simply cannot miss the world’s largest exhibition of RF, microwave, and wireless technologies, products, and services. We will all see many new faces during IMS2012 and Microwave Week, as there are already about 1000 first-time technical registrants. 

To make your experience more enjoyable and productive, check out the following list of hints and tips to assist you in your travel, visit, and stay planning. Our volunteers are omnipresent and you will be able to get assistance from any of them. Our regular student volunteers will wear orange-colored polo shirts while our 53 invited (under a new AdCom Ph.D. initiative) new Ph.D. students will wear lime-green colored polo shirts.  

1. You should take advantage of our 10% discount if you travel by Air Canada and book through its website. We negotiated this discount with Air Canada, our official airline. Please consult the IMS2012 website for more details and valid travel dates.
2. Upon your arrival at the Montréal – Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, you will be greeted with a warm welcome from Tourism Montréal. You can use a special frequent bus service (BUS#747), or you can go by taxi or other transportation. Bus fare is C$8. Taxi trips between downtown Montreal and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport have a flat rate of $40. Minimum taxi fare from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport is $17. Fares by meter for all other destinations except downtown also have the minimum rate of $17. Please consult http://www.admtl.com/Passengers/AccessAndParking/TaxisAndLimousines.aspx for more details. Tipping is customary but not mandatory in cabs. There should always be a visible taximeter, clearly indicating the fare for the trip.
3. Once you get to Montréal, you can exchange your currency for Canadian dollars. The current trend suggests that the Canadian dollar is slightly lower than its US counterpart. You can withdraw your money from any banking machine anywhere in Montréal using your bank cards. Credit cards are accepted everywhere. Tipping in Canada is about the same as in the US. For example, for good service, it is customary to add 15% of your restaurant bill before taxes as your tip. US currency is also often accepted.
4. Canada makes use of the same AC power plugs, electric outlets and also the same 120V/60Hz voltage as the United States. Please get your adapter ready if you come from countries other than the US. See http://www.travel-images.com/electric-plugs.html for more information.
5. You can use your mobile phone in Canada through roaming services, which are usually arranged between a Canadian provider and your local provider. However, it is recommended to check with your provider to get information on additional charges, which could be very high. In most cases, it would be better to buy a SIM card or a calling card in Canada or take advantage of special services offered by your provider.
6. There is so much to learn and see during your stay in Montréal. We have prepared a series of smart phone-based Apps and a mobile web site as well as an unprecedented author-attendee internet forum for exchanges and discussions. Please visit our website and experience those new tools, which could significantly enhance your visit.
7. You will be able to walk within seconds between technical sessions and industrial exhibits, which are separated by just one floor. Therefore, you can enjoy both booth visits on the exhibition floor and paper presentations in the session rooms in close succession. Our university booths and historical exhibits will be located in the hallway just outside the main exhibition floor. As usual, there is a special local interest booth, here run by Tourism Montréal (CVB).
8. Enjoying outdoor activities and city tours is easy as our official hotels and the Palais des Congrès (Convention Center) are conveniently located between the downtown area and Old Town. The convention center is directly connected to bus stations, subways and parking lots. There are plenty of restaurants and stores within the Palais des Congrès itself. Chinatown and the Old Town are just meters away and a wide variety of restaurants are found there.   
9. You can freely download technical papers during the entire Microwave Week, and of course, you can use our free print-on-demand stations for your hardcopy printing. You will have free internet access throughout the Palais des Congrès. If you need to run a large print job, you have access to fast business services within the building. Most postal services are located in drug stores such as Pharmaprix or Jean Coutu in addition to special delivery and postal/courier services that are located in the Palais des Congrès.
10. You will enjoy our unique array of entertainment and great receptions during the Opening and Closing sessions. Special shows are also planned for the Awards Banquet. The well-known industrial cocktail reception will take place on Wednesday afternoon in the exhibition hall. Please note that the exhibition on Wednesday is free of charge for everyone. You will have chances to win many prizes and receive gifts from exhibitors. During the three day show, you will be able to attend the well-known MicroApps seminars in the exhibition hall.
11. There is an array of MTT-S sponsored social activities and guest programs waiting for you during the entire Microwave Week. These are tailored for everyone and are described on page 126 of Program Book. You may receive special invitations from your industrial partners or business customers for attractive evening receptions and/or dinners. In addition, you may attend some AdCom- and IMS-sponsored technical committee meetings and/or luncheons. Definitely, MTT-S chapter chairs and their representatives are invited to attend the Chapter Chairs’ Meeting (CCM) and drinks/dinner will be served.
12. Our guest lounge will be open to registered guests (a nominal fee applies). This lounge will be located at the Hyatt Regency Montréal on the 6^th floor in the Inspiration Room. Light foods, snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the opening hours of Microwave Week. The Hyatt Regency Hotel is situated in a well-decorated shopping mall, adjacent to the well-known Place des Arts and theatre district, a short walking distance from the convention center. All attendees and guests are invited to visit a special micro-site (http://ieeemontreal2012.com/), prepared by Tourism Montréal, for downloading various saving coupons. They will definitely make your shopping experiences more interesting and enjoyable.

Setting new all-time records in attendance, technical papers, and commercial exhibits, “MICROWAVES WITHOUT BORDERS” or “MICRO-ONDES SANS FRONTIÈRES” will make IMS2012 a truly historic event. Plan on attending, and bring your family too, to experience an incredible and amazing week in exciting Montréal. I am looking forward to seeing you soon! A très bientôt!

Ke Wu

General Chair