23 October 2009

ATTENTION ALL DELEGATES – IFAC PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

For those of you who have booked onto the International Festival of Athletics Coaching (IFAC), please find below some important information which should be read carefully before you travel to Glasgow. In some cases, a response may be required from you.

FLIGHT DETAILS

All delegates should have provided details of their inbound and return flights. This was required by 9 October 2009 to assist us with arranging transport from Glasgow International Airport to the Marriott Hotel. If you have not yet sent this information, please do so by return to anne.stewart@scottishathletics.org.uk otherwise we will not be able to provide this complimentary service for you.

Arrival into Glasgow International Airport:

*THURSDAY 29TH and FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER ONLY AT GLASGOW AIRPORT*

Domestic Arrivals:

On arrival into Glasgow International Airport, please collect your luggage from the Domestic Arrivals carousel and report to the IFAC Information Desk situated within the arrivals hall. You will be escorted to our IFAC Welcome Desk situated immediately outside International Arrivals where transport to the Marriott Hotel will be arranged.

International Arrivals:

Delegates arriving from outwith the United Kingdom should collect their luggage and report to our IFAC Welcome Desk which will be located immediately outside International Arrivals on your right hand side.

One of the event team will then arrange your transfer to the Marriott Hotel.

Returning to Glasgow International Airport:

A return timetable will be available on the morning of Sunday 1 November and delegates should check their departure time at this time.

Transfers back to Glasgow International Airport will be provided on Sunday 1 November from 1330 until 2000. Guests returning to Glasgow Airport on Monday 2 November will have the option of transport up until lunchtime. Again, please check with the Festival Help Desk in the Hotel Lobby.

Arrival in Prestwick Airport (All Ryanair Flights):

There is no bus service being provided from Prestwick.

Delegates arriving at Prestwick Airport should make use of the frequent train service to Glasgow Central Station. Half price tickets are available on the train by showing your flight booking to the on train or station staff. The approximate journey time to Glasgow is 30 minutes.

ARRIVAL BY TRAIN

If you are arriving by train into Glasgow Central Station, the hotel is approximately five minutes walk from the station. You should depart the Station via the low level side entrance and walk West along Argyle Street for approximately 600 metres to the Marriott Hotel. Alternatively, taxis are readily available at the entrance to the station.

If you are arriving into Glasgow Queen Street Station, the hotel is approximately 20 minutes walk and a taxi is recommended. Taxis are readily available at the main entrance to the station.

ARRIVAL BY CAR

Delegates who are making their own transport arrangements should use Eastbound Junction 19 of the M8. Westbound vehicles should use Junction 19 (signposted Clydebank, SECC). Major roadworks are in operation on the Eastbound stretch of the M8 after the Airport so please allow extra time for your journey.

Parking is available in the hotel car park on a first come first served basis. A small charge for parking per day may be levied by the hotel and drivers will be responsible for settling payment directly with the hotel reception.  Accessible spaces are available outside the main entrance to the hotel.

CONFERENCE VENUE

The Conference is being held at the Marriott Hotel, 500 Argyle Street, GLASGOW, G3 8RR

For further hotel details, please visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/gladt-glasgow-marriott-hotel/

Registration:

A Delegate Registration Desk will be open for delegates who are staying at the Marriott Hotel from Thursday 29 October and you should register here prior to checking in at the main hotel reception desk. The Delegate Registration Desk will be open all day on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October and from 0815 on Saturday 31 October.

For delegates who are not staying at the hotel, you can register at the desks located in the Clyde Suite anytime from 0900 until 1330 on Friday 30 October and from 0815 until 0915 on Saturday 31 October.

Delegate packs should be collected from the registration desks and can only be collected by the named delegate.

EAA Funded Delegates:

If you are representing a European Athletics Federation and have been confirmed with scottishathletics as the Official Representative who is receiving European Athletics Association Bursary Support, you must bring an official letter of confirmation from your Federation unless this has been supplied prior to the Conference.

Timetable:

The Festival timetable is available to view at www.ifacscotland.co.uk

This is subject to change although this is unlikely. Copies of the timetable will be posted around the registration area within the hotel.

Discipline Workshop Choice:

A number of delegates have not returned their workshop choice pro-forma. At this stage, entry to first choice workshops may no longer be available. If you have not selected workshops, please report to the Festival Help Desk on your arrival.

Meals/Refreshments/Functions:

All hotel residents who have booked accommodation through the scottishathletics office will be provided with a full Scottish breakfast after each night stayed.

Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival on Saturday and Sunday and in addition there will be breaks for refreshments during all three days.

All Conference delegates will receive a three course buffet lunch on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2009.

On the evening of Friday 30 October, the Gala Dinner will be held in the Marriott Hotel at 7.30pm. Delegates should note that entry to the dinner is by ticket only. Spaces should have been purchased and paid for prior to arriving in Glasgow. Seb Coe will be the evening speaker during the course of the dinner.

On Saturday 31 October at 7pm, Glasgow City Council are hosting a Civic reception with the City Chambers in George Square, which is situated in Glasgow City Centre. sportscotland will share in the hosting of this event. Entrance to the Civic Reception is free to all delegates and invites have previously been extended on an RSVP basis. Drinks and a light buffet will be served to delegates. Transport from the Marriott Hotel to and from the City Chambers is being provided and Delegates should gather in the Hotel Reception no later than 6.35pm to make use of the shuttle service. 100 delegates and guests are expected for the Civic reception.

All other meal and refreshment costs during the weekend will be the responsibility of delegates.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is in the same location as the Conference – the Marriott Hotel, 500 Argyle Street, GLASGOW, G3 8RR

All resident guests are welcome to use the extensive leisure facilities, including gym and swimming pool, free of charge. These facilities are for residents only.

All rooms are based on a bed and breakfast basis. Any additional charges (ie mini bar, room service etc) are the responsibility of the delegate.

Refunds for unused accommodation will not be provided as we have committed to pay for all requested rooms.

The Marriott Hotel is now FULLY BOOKED for the Conference weekend. We suggest that you try the following alternatives. Delegates are responsible for booking their own accommodation. scottishathletics cannot take responsibility for further accommodation bookings.

Menzies Hotel – Glasgow

Tel: 00 44 (0) 141 222 2929

Website: www.menzies-hotel.co.uk

Distance to Marriott Hotel: 1-2 Minutes (Directly opposite on main road)

Premier Inn (Glasgow City Centre – Charing Cross)

Website: www.premierinn.com

Distance to Marriott Hotel: 5-10 minute walk approximately

Ibis Hotel (Glasgow City)

Tel: 00 44 (0) 141 225 6000

Website: www.ibishotel.com

Distance to Marriott Hotel: 5-10 minute walk

ENTERTAINMENT

Should you be extending your stay in Glasgow, The Marriott Concierge staff will be happy to assist with restaurant bookings etc. There are a wide range of excellent restaurants nearby. Yen at the Rotunda is a five minute taxi ride and serves Thai, Chinese and Tepinyaki Cuisine and is highly recommended. There are a variety of other restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets so please check with the Concierge for further information.

Glasgow offers a wide range of retail and entertainment opportunities. Buchanan Galleries, St Enoch Centre and Princes Square shopping malls are all within walking distance. Glasgow also boasts extensive cultural entertainment. For further information on events, please contact the hotel concierge.

FURTHER INFORMATION/KEY CONTACT DETAILS

In case of any last minute announcements, please visit www.ifacscotland.co.uk where any news items will be posted in the lead up to the Conference.

If you require any further information in the meantime or whilst you are travelling, please email mary.anderson@scottishathletics.org.uk or phone the Marriott Hotel on 00 44 (0)141 226 5577 and ask to leave a message for the Athletics Festival Help Desk. If you require a response, please leave your number.

This information will be emailed to all delegates who have provided an email address at the time of booking.

In the meantime, please have a safe and pleasant journey and we look forward to welcoming you to the Festival.

Kind regards,
Ewen Cameron
IFAC Festival Manager