Mormon History Association -

2012 MHA Calgary Canada Conference

June 28–July 1, 2012

Download Preliminary Conference Program [PDF]

Conference Updates

Transportation Options

Shuttle Service

(1) Besides the list of Rental Car agencies, taxi and shuttle services listed in the Preliminary Program, we have learned that there is another shuttle service that may prove economical: BP Airport Shuttle, (403) 259-5959, approximately $30 (CA).

Public Transportation

(2) An economical transportation option from the airport to the university that you may consider is using public transportation. (This could be an “adventure.”) There are two options using bus service. (1) At the airport terminal, Bus #300, an express bus, leaves the airport for downtown Calgary every thirty (30) minutes. Ask the bus driver for a transfer that can be used to take the Crowfoot Light Rail Transit (LRT, NW line) from downtown to the University. You must purchase an all-day pass, the cost of which is $8.00 (CA). Transit time, once you get on the bus, is about forty-five (45) minutes. However, when you get to the University Station, you must then walk to Hotel Alma, which may be as brief as a ten to fifteen minute hike. (With luggage it could take a little longer.)

The other bus option (2) is to take Bus #100 from the airport terminal to the NE line of the LRT that goes downtown. You can then transfer to the Crowfoot LRT, the NW line, which goes to the university. You will need to ask the bus driver for a transfer to use on the LRT, but it will get you all the way to the university. Again, once you arrive at the University LRT station, you must then walk to Hotel Alma, again, as short as a ten to fifteen minute walk or a little longer with luggage. It is a longer “adventure,” but also a cheaper one at $2.75 (CA).

Join Us in Calgary for the 47th Annual MHA Conference

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Calgary, Alberta, Canada, “Heart of the New West,” is the site of the 47th Annual Mormon History Association Conference, June 28-July 1, 2012. This is the second MHA conference held in Canada, the first being the 30th Conference, held in Kingston, Ontario, in 1995. The setting for this year’s conference is the campus of the University of Calgary. The campus’s social center is the MacEwan Conference and Event Centre where the MHA Conference will be held. First organized as a branch of the University of Alberta in 1960, six years later the University of Calgary became an autonomous center for higher education in western Canada. Its effects upon the city have been significant. Convenient to the city are transportation options to help make travel to the campus expedient, including the Calgary International Airport (13 miles/21 kilometers from campus), Provincial Highway 2 (the primary route from the south linking to I-15 and US 89), the east-west Trans-Canada Highway that runs just south of campus, and Calgary’s Light Rail Transit system (LRT) that services downtown Calgary and the university.

Calgary is one of the fastest-growing metropolises in the North American West, with over a million residents. Created as a post of the North West Mounted Police in 1875, the site became Fort Calgary the following year. Frontier air still swirls above the skyline of the modern city located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies at the junction of the Bow and Elbow rivers. The discovery of oil near Calgary in 1914 portended its present status as a petroleum center for all of Canada. The city hosted in 1988 the 15th Winter Olympics, bringing the city international fame and acclaim. A city with great ethnic diversity, visitors will find the city modern, beautiful, and cultured. Even sports enthusiasts have something to cheer about: the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames, and the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders, who play in McMahon Stadium on the University of Calgary’s campus make Calgarians proud. (The University of Calgary is located just south of the large Nose Hill Park in the upper center of the map below.)

Tourism Calgary, www.tourismcalgary.com

This year marks the Centennial Anniversary of one of North America’s most famous exhibitions of rodeo talent and stock, the Calgary Stampede. With roots in the 19th century, the rodeo has become one of the most noted symbols of Calgary’s heritage. And while it is not part of the MHA conference offerings, beginning just a week following the MHA Conference, July 6-15, those who choose may experience this exciting vestige of western Canada’s "Cow Town" heritage and charm. Last year 1,174,697 people attended the exciting display of western Canadian culture, including the five-nation Indian Village on the bank of the Elbow River in the southern section of Stampede Park.


www.calgarystampede2011.com

Held at the optimum time of the calendar year for MHA conference attendees, Calgary’s summer warmth hosts visitors who will experience Canada’s long days and mid-year beauty. The conference’s schedule to be held between school sessions allows for uncongested access to the university’s recreational amenities, which include a Fitness & Lifetime Centre, a Racquet Centre, Outdoor (rental) Centre, Aquatic Centre, Olympic Oval (from 1988), and a Climbing Wall. Please visit Tourism Calgary for more information on the city and things to do while there.

Food

Besides the traditional MHA conference banquets—this year with lighter fare for the lunches—the very-convenient University Dining Centre adjacent to the Hotel Alma, may be available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For the Mormon History Association to benefit from the use of the Dining Centre, at least 40 must be registered for each of the meals. For those interested, please look for the option on the Conference Registration form that will be available mid-March 2012. Other dining options are also available on campus and at nearby commercial restaurants.

Lodging

Lodging for the MHA Conference will be hosted by the Hotel Alma, located on the University of Calgary campus. Several options for lodging at varying prices are available at Hotel Alma and at nearby university housing. Hotel Alma and university lodging descriptions and costs follow.

(To secure the MHA-negotiated rates (listed below), you will need to call Hotel Alma to make the lodging reservation. When doing so, please identify yourself as a member of the Mormon History Association.)

Hotel Alma

Reservations

direct: (403) 220-2603; toll free: 1-877-498-3203

Room blocks (by number) for Hotel Alma and university dormitories follow the description of each particular accommodation below. Hotel Alma will not honor conference rates on days other than those listed. There are other lodging options near the university for days before and after the conference. (Remember--the Calgary Stampede begins the week following the conference.)

81—Euro-Style Standard Rooms: includes queen size bed, washroom, and 32-inch flat screen television, mini-fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker, desk with ergonomic chair, Wi-Fi connection and MP3 clock radio. Rate includes: Continental breakfast in Bistro Alma, local and long distance phone calls (within Canada and U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii), wired/wireless internet, access to the University of Calgary Fitness Facilities. ($118 Canadian) Rates are subject to 5% GST, 4% Alberta Tourism Levy, & 3% Destination Marketing Levy.

(June 26, 18 rooms; June 27, 50 rooms; June 28, 81 rooms; June 29, 81 rooms; June 30, 81 rooms; July 1, 2 rooms)

14—One Bedroom Suites: includes king size bed, living room with sofa, washroom, two 32- inch flat screen televisions, DVD player, full wet-bar with mini-fridge, and microwave, and coffeemaker, desk with ergonomic chair, Wi-Fi connection and MP3 clock radio. Rooms with city or campus views. Rate includes: Continental breakfast in Bistro Alma, local and long distance phone calls (within Canada and U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii), wired/wireless internet, access to the University of Calgary Fitness Facilities. ($153 Canadian) Rates are subject to 5% GST, 4% Alberta Tourism Levy, & a 3% Destination Marketing Levy.

(June 27, 10 rooms; June 28, 14 rooms; June 29, 14 rooms; June 30, 14 rooms)

Hotel Alma at the University of Calgary Campus

Summer Residence (SR) at Alma

50—Two Bedroom Summer Apartments: includes two bedrooms each with a lockable door. Bedrooms include double bed, desk and 32-inch flat screen TV. Kitchenette with fridge, sink, and microwave. Rate includes: local and long distance phone calls (within Canada and U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii) and wired/wireless internet. University of Calgary Fitness passes can be purchased at the Front Desk for $5.00. Continental breakfast is not included with this room rate. Should the guests wish to have breakfast in Bistro Alma they are welcome to do so and pay as they go. ($113 Canadian) Rates are subject to 5% GST, 4% Alberta Tourism Levy, & a 3% Destination Marketing Levy.

(June 27, 20 rooms; June 28, 50 rooms; June 29, 50 rooms, June 30, 50 rooms; July 1, 2 rooms)

Kananaskis Hall

10—Traditional Dormitory: includes two single beds, desks, dressers and minifridge. Washroom and shower facilities are shared by gender with other guests on each floor. Basic daily housekeeping is provided. Linens will be changed every three days. Televisions and phones are not provided for these rooms. There is a TV in a common lounge on floors 2 through 7. ($48.35 Canadian) Rates for dormitory accommodations are subject to 5% SGT and a 4% Alberta Tourism Levy.

(June 27, 10 rooms; June 28, 10 rooms; June 29, 10 rooms; June 30, 10 rooms)

Yamnuska Hall

5—Three-Bedroom Apartments, Yamnuska Hall: includes three lockable bedrooms each with a double bed, washroom, wet-bar, microwave, fridge and breakfast table. Basic daily housekeeping is provided. Linens will be changed every three days. Cutlery, plates, cooking utensils, televisions and phones are not provided for these rooms. Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided. Fitness passes can be purchased at the Front Desk in Hotel Alma at the discounted rate of $5.00. ($146 Canadian) Rates for dormitory accommodations are subject to 5% GST and a 4% Alberta Tourism Levy.

(June 27, 2 rooms; June 28, 5 rooms; June 29, 5 rooms; June 30, 5 rooms; July 1, 2 rooms)

(Please visit www.hotelalma.ca/home to see all lodging options.)

Parking

Covered parking, with open access, is available nearby for $8 (CA) per day. We have also arranged for the use fo the parking lot at the LDS chapel at the northeast corner of the university campus, at the intersection of Crowchild Trail and 24th Avenue NE, during all conference events. This is about a 20 minute walk to the MacEwan Conference and Event Centre.

www.hotelalma.ca

Lodging Alternative

The Best Western Village Park Inn
1804 Crowchild Trail NW
Calgary, AB T2M 3Y7
1-403-289-0241; (toll free) 1-888-774-7716; (fax) 1-403-289-4645

The Mormon History Association has also reserved a block of rooms at the Best Western Village Park Inn, located at the east edge of the University of Calgary’s campus. It is about a 20 minute walk from the Village Park Inn to the MacEwan Conference and Event Centre. The Village Park Inn offers all non-smoking rooms, with fridges, microwaves, hairdryers, iron and ironing boards in each room. There is also complimentary underground parking, complimentary local calls, free high-speed internet access, and a self-service coin laundry. The LRT (Light Rail Transit) is nearby, offering a 10-minute ride to downtown Calgary. Room rate for a standard single or standard double is $135 (Canadian, plus 4% hotel tax, 5% GST, and 3% Destination Marketing Fee). For reservations or contact: info@villageparkinn.com and www.villageparkinn.com.

For those securing lodging at the Hotel Alma or the Best Western Village Park Inn, please tell them you are with the Mormon History Association.

Transportation Options (from the Calgary Airport)

Besides the list of Rental Car agencies, Taxi services, and Shuttle services listed in the Preliminary Program, we have learned that there is another shuttle service that may prove economical: BP Airport Shuttle, (403) 259-5959, approximately $30 (CA).

Another, more economical transportation option from the airport to the university that you may consider is using public transportation. (This could be an “adventure.”) There are two options using bus service. (1) At the airport terminal, Bus #300, an express bus, leaves the airport for downtown Calgary every thirty (30) minutes. Ask the bus driver for a transfer that can be used to take the Crowfoot Light Rail Transit (LRT, NW line) from downtown to the University. If you purchase an all-day pass, the cost is $8.00 (CA). Transit time, once you get on the bus, is about forty-five (45) minutes. However, when you get to the University Station, you must then walk to Hotel Alma, which may be as much as a half-hour hike.

The other bus option (2) is to take Bus #100 from the airport terminal to the NE line of the LRT that goes downtown. You can then transfer to the Crowfoot LRT, the NW line, which goes to the university. You will need to ask the bus driver for a transfer to use on the LRT, but it will get you all the way to the university. Again, once you arrive at the University LRT station, you must then walk to Hotel Alma, which may be as much as a half-hour walk. It is a longer “adventure,” but also a cheaper one at $2.75 (CA).

Pre- and Post-Conference Tours

Pre- and post-conference tours, capitalizing on the remarkable surroundings and local venues, provide exciting bookends to the MHA Conference. On Thursday, June 28th, there will be three pre-conference tours that will return to Hotel Alma prior to the Opening Reception that evening. The first of the pre-conference tours is a day-tour of magnificent (1) Banff National Park and Lake Louise. It will be held concurrent to two separate Calgary City Tours that include (2) the nationally-famous Heritage Park Historical Village and (3) one of Canada's most important museums, the Glenbow Museum.

Following two days of exciting and informative presentations of Mormon History, the traditional Sunday devotional on July 1st precedes the post-conference tour: “Legends of the South—Mormon Historic Sites” tour. Buses will depart Calgary for the LDS settlements/communities just south of Lethbridge, Alberta: Cardston, Raymond, Magrath, and Stirling.


Cardston Temple	Raymond, Alberta

This tour will also include a visit to Waterton Lakes National Park and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a remarkable UNESCO Heritage site, and a night’s stay in Lethbridge before returning to Calgary on July 2.


Waterton Lakes National Park	Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Total cost (in U.S. Dollars) for the PRE-CONFERENCE tours (before May 31, 2012) are: Heritage Park and Calgary City Tour ($99); Glenbow Museum and Calgary City Tour ($65); and Banff/Lake Louise ($177). Cost of the “Legends of the South: Mormon Historic Sites” POST-CONFERENCE tour, w/double occupancy, ($432/ $514 for single occupancy). Costs for each tour will be raised $15 after May 31, 2012. Please select the tour(s) that strike your fancy and join us for these wonderful addenda to MHA’s Calgary Conference. Registration is now open.

Southwestern Alberta

Reminders about Travel from the U.S. to Canada

*As many attending the Calgary Conference may opt to drive by automobile, there are several major routes to Calgary from the United States. The nearly 1,000 miles distance to Calgary from the Intermountain West, depending on the route, will likely require the bulk of two days of driving. (As the Opening Reception begins on Thursday evening, the 28th of June, your plans may include a Wednesday, the 27th, morning departure to get there before the reception.) Please plan ahead for safe travel. There are numerous hotels along each of the major routes to Alberta, Canada, from the United States or from points within Canada.

Entering Canada

You must have appropriate and current travel documents to enter Canada and to return to the United States. U.S. citizens must either have a valid passport or a passport card.

U.S. citizens should bring a passport when visiting Canada (Americans can cross the U.S. border to Canada with just a birth certificate and photo ID, but you’ll need your passport to go home again.) A passport card is a wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It was developed in 2008 as a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. It cannot be used for international flights for which only a passport is valid. The passport card, like the passport, is good for 10 years.

Money: Currency—Canadian Dollar

Officially it’s “the Canadian Dollar,” but you can call it the “loonie” (because of the loon depicted on the one-dollar coin). The two-dollar coin is a “toonie,” of course.
Many venues accept American dollars, but you’re likely to get a better exchange rate by simply using your bank card to withdraw Canadian cash from an ATM. The “loonie” generally trades a little lower than the greenback, but check exchange rates for current information.

Credit Card Use in Calgary

Most travelers from abroad will have no trouble withdrawing cash from a Calgary ATM with their home bank card or credit card (check with your financial institution before you travel). You can expect a transaction fee on your credit card purchases.

Taxes

A 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applied to most purchases including restaurant meals, transportation, lodging, and admissions. Additionally, a 4% lodging tax is applied to rooms. On the bright side, Alberta is the only province without a provincial sales tax.

Telephone Service

Please check with your cellular carrier about using your phone internationally.