VALA2018 General Information

ConferenceTransport |  VenueVenue Floorplans

Conference Information

Registration & Information desk

The VALA2018 Conference Registration and Information Desk will be located on Concourse Area 3, opposite Door 6 of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and will be open as follows:

Tuesday 13 February 2018
0730 – 1830

Wednesday 14 February 2018
0800 – 1730

Thursday 15 February 2018
0800 – 1730

Speaker Preparation Room

Speakers are asked to submit and preview their presentations prior to their session. The Speaker Preparation Room is located in Room 215 on Level 2 and will be open as follows:

Tuesday 13 February 2018
0730 – 1730

Wednesday 14 February 2018
0800 – 1730

Thursday 15 February 2018
0800 – 1630

Eposters

Eposters are new to VALA2018, and can be viewed at any time on the touchscreens in the Exhibition Hall. Eposters can also be viewed on your own devices at vala2018.paperlessevents.com.au. For the Eposter presentation schedule, please check the Conference Program pages.

Name badges and securityRegn categories

Conference name badges must be worn at all times during the Conference. Without a name badge, you will not be admitted to the VALA Exhibition or Conference Session Rooms. For Social Functions, guests must have their name badge or function tickets with them to gain entry. The Social Functions are not appropriate for children; therefore we ask that you do not purchase tickets for children under the age of 18 years. To avoid difficulty accessing Conference areas and functions, please always have your name badge or function ticket with you.  Registration categories and colours are as shown.

Network and Recharge Hub

Located in the Exhibition, the VALA Network and Recharge Hub is a place for communication, physical or virtual: recharge devices, organise a meet-up. See you at the Hub!

Wireless Internet Access

VALA2018 will be supported by a dedicated wireless internet access service, provided for the exclusive use of delegates. The access will be password protected. Please refer to your pocket programme for access code and further details. When using the internet service, please be mindful of your colleagues and use the connection responsibly.

VALA Code of Conduct

VALA seeks to provide a respectful and safe environment in which diverse participants may learn from, challenge, network with and share the company of colleagues. We recognise a shared responsibility to create and sustain that environment and do not tolerate harassment in any form. Any concerns can be shared with the nominated Duty Officer, whose details will be available via the Conference App, onsite announcements and at the Registration Desk. Click HERE for the full VALA Code of Conduct document.

SAGE PublishingVALA View – sponsored by Sage Publishing

All VALA2018 Keynote Speakers, Concurrent Sessions and Roundtables will be recorded and available to view on demand on VALA View accessible from the VALA website.


Transport Information

Public Transport

myki is the smart card ticketing system in metropolitan Melbourne. It is an integrated system that works on trains, trams and buses. You may purchase a ticket online in advance at www.ptv.com.au or for interstate and international guests, a myki visitor pack can be purchased from the MCEC Business Centre at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, PTV Hub at Southern Cross Station, the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square and the SkyBus terminals at Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station.

Please note that a myki travel card must be purchased in advance and tickets cannot be purchased on board.

The free tram zone within the central business district extends from Victoria Street in the north to Flinders Street in the south; Collins Street in Docklands West to Spring Street in the East. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Clarendon Street stop is outside of the free tram zone, you will need to touch on and touch off at this stop.

Visit the MCEC website for detail on directions, public transport and parking information.  The SkyBus transports visitors directly from Melbourne Airport to Southern Cross train station.


Venue General Information

Conference Catering

Lunch, morning and afternoon teas will be served in the Exhibition Area on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday morning tea and lunch will be served in the Exhibition Area with the afternoon tea being served in the Main Foyer. See also “Special Dietary Requirements”.

Dress

The dress code for VALA2018 is smart casual.

Disclaimer

VALA, the Conference Organising Committee and WALDRONSMITH Management will not accept liability for the damages of any nature sustained by participants or their accompanying persons for loss or damage to their personal property as a result of VALA2018 and Exhibition or related events.

Emergency Response

In the event of an evacuation, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre staff will act as fire wardens to assist in the movement of patrons to the designated assembly point. Please follow their instructions accordingly.

People with Special Needs

Every effort has been made to ensure that people with special needs are catered for. Should you require any specific assistance, please contact the Registration and Information Desk to enable us to make your attendance at the Conference a pleasant and comfortable experience.

Photography and VALA View Recording

VALA2018 will be supported by onsite webcasts, video recording and photography. The resulting footage and images may be published by VALA in promotional material, including on the VALA website. When registering, delegates were able to withhold their authority for VALA to use any footage or images in which they appear; this will be indicated by the allocation of a distinctive lanyard where appropriate. If unsure, please enquire at the Registration Desk.

Special Dietary Requirements

Every effort will be made to accommodate all special dietary requirements; however, advance notification is required. You will need to make yourself known to a staff member at the various catering times in order to obtain your special meal. All buffet lunches have vegetarian options. No guarantee can be made to cater for delegates who did not advise dietary requirements in advance.