Fluxible 2015 Venues

In a reprise of last year, Fluxible once again takes place at the Communitech Hub in Kitchener’s warehouse district. This space in the newly-renovated Lang Tannery is perfect for our weekend of diving deep into design and UX. Keep your eyes peeled for The Hub’s dozens of tenant companies and startups including Google, Desire2Learn, and VeloCity.

Driving to Fluxible?

Parking is available in lots and on streets near the Communitech Hub. Stay tuned for details and a map showing exact locations. Traffic into and out of Kitchener-Waterloo is pretty good on weekends, so you should have smooth sailing. If you’re arriving Friday night, do your best to avoid Highway 401 during rush hour from about 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Traffic can get nasty at those times and significantly extend your travel time. For instance, the drive from Toronto normally takes 1 hour but can easily reach 2 hours during rush hour. Rideshare: While we can’t organize a formal rideshare program, if you are looking for a ride to/from Fluxible, we’re happy to Tweet your request and help you find a match.

Taking public transit?

If you’re coming from out of town, there’s good news: the Kitchener Via/Go train station and Greyhound bus station are both within easy walking distance of our conference venues.

• Bus: Greyhound operates buses from Toronto’s Dundas Street bus terminal to Kitchener’s Charles Street Station. One way fares range from $11-28 and travel times are between 1h40min and 2 hours depending on the route and time of day. For more on fares and schedules visit www.greyhound.ca.
• Train: Via Rail and GO Transit run a limited service between Toronto and Kitchener, with fares starting at $23 each way. For schedules, fares, and to book tickets, visit www.viarail.ca. In town, Grand River Transit’s Route 7 Mainline will drop you just a block from the main conference venue.

Flying to Fluxible?

Tips for Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

As Canada’s largest airport, YYZ offers the widest range of options for airlines and flight times. When traffic is clear, the drive from YYZ to Fluxible takes just under an hour. During rush hour on weekdays (about 7:00–9:30 am and 3:30–6:30 pm), the trip could take up to 2 hours due to bad weather or accidents. Highway 401 (pronounced “four-oh-one”) has the dubious honour of being regarded as North America’s busiest highway. If you need transportation from the Toronto airport, be sure to make a reservation before your trip. We recommend Airways Transit. You’ll enjoy a shared ride in a van with up to about 7 people. Catch your ride at the Ground Transportation Desk in any airport terminal. Door to door service costs $90 each way.

Tips for Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)

YKF is more convenient than Toronto airport because of its proximity to the conference venues. However, flight options are far more limited, and you’ll tend to pay a premium, too, so be sure to compare flights through both airports. No matter when you arrive, the drive between downtown and YKF will take only 15 to 20 minutes. Expect the cab ride to cost about $35 each way, and taxis are usually available when you exit the terminal. If not, call either City Cabs at (519) 747-7777 or Waterloo Taxi at (519) 888-7777.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel

We’ve secured a block of rooms at the newly-renovated Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Kitchener. The hotel is less than a 15-minute walk from the main conference venue and only 3 blocks from Saturday night’s dinner party. You’ll enjoy a reduced rate of $129/night for a standard room with only $4/night for parking. To book at this rate, call the hotel at 1-800-483-7812 toll free in Canada and the USA, or 1-519-744-4141 direct. This block of rooms will be released to the public in mid-August.

Airbnb

At the time of this posting, there’s a good selection of rooms or homes available close to the Fluxible venue for under $100/night.

Every year, Fluxible attendees comment on the great food offered during the main program — and on our efforts to accommodate allergy and diet requirements. Please keep in mind, however, that you will need to get your own breakfasts and that lunch is not provided between workshops on Friday. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of restaurants to choose from nearby. Breakfast options are more limited, so here are our top recommendations:

• Aqua Lounge and Restaurant: Located in the Crowne Plaza hotel. Opens daily at 6:00 AM and serves an extensive breakfast buffet. [view on map]
• Coffee Culture: Located in the same building as the Walper Hotel and opens daily at 6:00 AM. [view on map]
• Angel’s Diner: This is a popular diner for classic breakfast options. Located less than a 10 minute drive from the conference venue. Opens at 7:00 AM Saturday and 8:00 AM Sunday. [view on map]
• Cora: Located in Waterloo Town Square, about 10 minutes by car from the conference venue. Opens at 7:00 AM and is known for its wide range of fruit-laden breakfast items. [view on map]