General Information

Conference Office

To contact the OT Australia 23^rd National Conference & Exhibition Office:

Think Business Events
Level 1, 299 Elizabeth St
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 8251 0045
Fax: +61 2 8251 0097
Email: ausot@thinkbusinessevents.com.au


Conference Venue The Conference will be held at the Sofitel Melbourne. The Sofitel Melbourne is situated at the ‘Paris end’ of prestigious Collins St in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district.

In this city of thriving events, Sofitel Melbourne is a true leader, providing one of the greatest integrated hotel conference venues in Victoria that has often been lauded for its excellent food, service, staff and innovative solutions to the most complex event.

Parking Valet Parking is available to guests at $28.00 for a 24 hour period.

Additional parking is located under the Sofitel, operated independently by Wilson Parking and accessible via Flinders Lane. Flat rate of $9.00 per vehicle per entry applies for weekend parking or entry after 1700 weekdays. The maximum weekday daily rate is $33.00 per vehicle entry.

Please visit the following website for further information on Wilson Parking www.wilsonparking.com.au

Address Sofitel Melbourne
25 Collins St, Melbourne VIC Australia 3000
Phone: +61 3 9653 0000 | Facsimile: +61 3 9650 4261

For more information about the hotel, visit the Sofitel Melbourne website at www.sofitelmelbourne.com.au

‘Going Green’ With an increasing awareness of climate change issues, OT Australia 23rd National Conference and Exhibition 2008 is ‘Going Green’ by making steps towards reducing the environmental impact of the Conference. In the selection of venues, suppliers, airlines, catering ... we’re looking for environmentally aware alternatives that will help reduce the climate carbon footprint of this year’s Conference.

These are the ways that OT Australia and the Conference Office (Think Business Events) are contributing to help minimise the environmental impact and offsetting the carbon footprint of the Conference.

1. Where possible, committee meetings and CPSC meetings are conducted via teleconference to reduce travel
2. Flights booked for the conference are ‘green’ – i.e. a carbon offset is purchased at time of booking for speakers, committee, staff etc
3. Electronic communication, such as the website and emails, has been emphasised as the preferred form – for both delegates and committees – reducing the amount of printed materials
4. Conference Proceedings are being supplied on CDRom and handed out to delegates in the satchels rather than in printed format.
5. Recyclable fascias and wall panel systems are being used for exhibition booths and poster displays.
6. Where possible, plasma and screen signage will be utilised to reduce the wastage of producing signage
7. On line registration is encouraged, which cuts down on printing of forms and enables electronic production of tax invoices and receipts
8. Name badges will be collected and re-used at the end of the Conference

What the Sofitel (Conference Venue) are doing:
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins are committed to reducing waste, water consumption and power consumption and expect to cut the amount of rubbish sent to landfill from their premises by between 20 to 40 per cent within the coming year.

Other initiatives:

1. Water to be served in large jugs rather than using bottled water
2. Reusable crockery and cutlery provided rather than use disposable items
3. Have launched a new project "Green Shield" which is that the hotel will assist with reforestation project.  All Accor hotels are now ensuring a tree is planted for every 4 towels that are reused.
4. Removed the water feature on level 35
5. Looking at replacing shower heads with water saving devices
6. All light globes are being replaced with LED’s that are more energy efficient
7. Looking at having a master switch for lights in all guests rooms that requires the room key in it to turn on the lights and then when it's removed, all lights will be turned off
8. Use comingled recycling bins in all outlets
9. Handwash basins are on automatic timers in all back of house areas
10. Sofitel Melbourne held an Earth Day to raise money and awareness and donated to WaterAid Australia

What can delegate do??

1. Register electronically via the website to reduce paper usage
2. If booking flights, choose the ‘carbon offset’ option to offset your emissions
3. Take public transport, walk or ride to get to and from the venue or organise a car-pool. Go to the transport page to see public transport options to and from Melbourne airport, and in and around the city.
4. Reduce printing by viewing program and information on the website
5. If you do need to print material from the website, make sure your printed is set to ‘double sided’, or on recycled paper.

We thank you for your efforts in helping OT Australian minimise the environmental impact of OT Australia 23rd National Conference and Exhibition 2008 and look forward to welcoming you in September.

Host City Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and the capital of the state of Victoria. The sophisticated city in the south-east corner of mainland Australia inspires a deep passion in those lucky enough to live here. Locals love its vibrant energy, staggering choice of restaurants, funky boutiques, cafe-filled laneways, cool bars and unbeatable galleries among many other things. It is a relatively modern city which is less than 200 years old. Futuristic designs adding to existing architecture ensures a constantly changing skyline. Melbourne is very much about lifestyle. It is no huge surprise to locals that their city has been named in an international poll as the world’s most liveable city.

Dates of the conference The Conference will take place on the 11 – 13th September 2008

Dress Code The dress code for the conference is neat casual attire

Registration & Information Desk The Registration & Information Desk will be located onsite at the Sofitel Melbourne for collection of name badges and conference materials. Staff will be on hand to answer any queries and provide information. Opening times and location of desk will be announced shortly

If you have registered online, you can print your tax invoice and summary for your attendance at the conference. They can be accessed by:

1. go to www.ausotconference.com.au
2. select ‘Registration’ tab
3. select ‘Register online’
4. Enter your access key into the appropriate box
5. Go to Print Options and select View PDF. This will generate the form and you can then print it

Name badges Your name badge will be your official pass to conference sessions and functions and must be worn at all times.

Insurance Registration fees do not include insurance coverage of any kind. Delegates are strongly advised to secure appropriate travel and health insurance. Conference managers cannot accept responsibility for any delegate failing to cover their own insurance.

Visa Information If you are not an Australian citizen you need a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia. With the exception of New Zealand citizens, all foreign nationals must obtain a visa/ETA before travelling to Australia. New Zealand citizens are issued with a visa on arrival in Australia. Visas are available from Australian visa offices, such as Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates. They are also available in ETA form, from travel agents and airlines in certain countries.

For more information on obtaining visas visit www.immi.gov.au

Services and facilities There is a wide range of services and facilities within Collins Place to cater for all your needs. Some of these include:

• Local and international fashion
• Exquisite giftware
• Quality entertainment
• Fine dining
• Hotel Medical Service (Dr Sam Birman) Ste 11
• Physiotherapy Clinic, Ste 18
• Chiropractic service, Ste 10
• ANZ Bank and ATM (all other major banks are represented a short walking distance away)
• Pharmacy
• Post Office
• Dymock’s Bookshop, Shop 31/32
• Taxi rank outside hotel on Collins St

Churches

Catholic	St Patrick’s Cathedral is one block away on the corner of Gisborne St and Cathedral Place
Anglican	St Paul’s Cathedral is a good walking distance away/tram ride on the corner of Flinders and Swanston St
Baptist	Collins St Baptist Church 175 Collins St
Presbyterian Church	Scots Church on the corner of Collins and Russell St
Uniting church	St Michael’s Church on 120 Collins St
Jewish Synagogue	Beit Aharon is a taxi ride away at 15 Mayfield St East St Kilda