If you're looking for important information about travel, accommodation and general logistics, read on! This page is dedicated to the need-to-know information that will make your registration and travel just that much easier.

Registration

Standard registration fees are as follows:

• Corporates/ for profit companies $ 710.00
• Non profit/ academic/ government $ 510.00
• Students $ 210.00

Payment options

Registration fees and accommodation bookings can be paid via wire transfer directly into the iCommons bank account (details of which are available on the payment page as well as here or via Paypal (When you click the pay via Paypal option on the pay now screen, you will see the iCommons account name.). If you wish to use Paypal, please remember that you will be required to open your own Paypal account in order to make payment to the iCommons Paypal account. For more information on how to open a Paypal account, click the Take a Tour button here.

You may only register one person at a time as there is no facility for a group registration. If you have a group of people that would like to register, each person will be required to create an account and register separately. However, you will be able to pay a lump sum (i.e: one inclusive payment for the group) via wire transfer or paypal, and you are welcome to email rosanne 'at' icommons 'dot' org for further information.

Organisations or companies wishing to register

The good news for organisations and corporates that wish to pay for five or more of their employees to register, will receive a 20% discount on the registration fee. Please contact Kerryn at mckay 'at' icommons 'dot' org to find out more. (Please note that the discount is for the registration fee only and does not include the accommodation costs.)

Accommodation

Accommodation has been reserved for iSummit participants at the Sapporo Grand Hotel. This year, participants will be able to book their accommodation through the iSummit registration system. The following types of rooms have been set aside:

• Classic rooms (standard room)
• Comfort rooms (more upmarket)
• Grand in Grand (premier suites)

Accommodation for couples

Many participants may wish to bring their partners with them to the summit, so we have included the option when booking accommodation to book a full twin room for two people. Thus the amount will reflect booking two people per room, per night. You will find this option included within the accommodation booking screen. Please note that the registration fee will be for one person only. If your partner wishes to attend the summit, s/he will be required to create a profile and register separately.

Assigning participants to twin rooms

One of the options for accommodation is book one of two beds in a twin room, which is slightly cheaper than booking a single room. In this case, iCommons will assign people to rooms. However, if you have a particular wish to share a twin room with a friend or colleague who has also registered for the summit and has booked a bed in a twin room, then you will be able to email Rosanne (rosanne 'at' icommons 'dot' org) with the two names that would like to share a twin room and we will assign you together. Please only do this once you have both completed your registration (ie: clicked the PAY NOW button on the registration system.)

"Spouse" sight-seeing programme

Of course this includes boyfriends, girlfriends and kids as well! During the iSummit we are looking at offering a sight-seeing programme over Day 1 and Day 2 which will enable your partner to see the sights of Sapporo whilst you are being inspired at the iSummit. The tour will take place during the day to enable your partner to attend the evening events with you. If you are interested in this programme, please email Kerryn at mckay 'at' icommons 'dot' org so that we can have an indication of numbers. (Please note that this programme will only offered subject to community interest.)

If you wish to look for accommodation independently, or would like to find out more about what to do, see and
eat in Sapporo, take a look at the Lonely Planet guide to the city, or the WikiTravel entry on Sapporo.

Visas

A number of countries will require visas for Japan. When you book your registration and select your country of residence, a message is relayed to our system that tells us you will require a visa. A letter of invitation to attend the iSummit 08 in Sapporo, Japan, will be drafted by iCommons and Sapporo City and emailed directly to you, so please allow up to two weeks to receive this letter via email. Should you not receive your letter within two weeks of registering, please email rosanne 'at' icommons 'dot' org. However, please check your country requirements in order to know whether or not you will be receiving a visa letter.

Travel to Sapporo City

New Chitose Airport is the main airport that serves Sapporo and is an international hub, but most people who come to the iSummit will probably fly in from either Hong Kong or Tokyo and then require a connecting flight to Sapporo. New Chitose Airport is 40 km southeast of the city.

Upon arrival at New Chitose Airport, the easiest and cheapest way for participants to get to Sapporo city will be by subway via an express train, the JR Rapid Airport train, which runs every 15 minutes and arrives at Sapporo station in about 36 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around 1,040.00 yen (10.3 USD). The timetable for the JR Rapid Airport train can be found here.

Participants should disembark at Sapporo station (which is next door to the wonderful shopping mall, Stellar Place!) The walk to the Sapporo Grand Hotel is about five minutes, but the Sapporo City team will organise shuttles to the hotel given the fact that participants will be carrying luggage.

Travelling in Japan

Should you wish to travel around Japan before or after the iSummit, an inexpensive and effect means of getting around, especially if you plan on travelling within specific regions of the country, is by train. Find out details on buying a Rail Pass on the Japan National Tourist Organisation website. Note that you will need to buy the ticket from a travel agent in your home country before you arrive in Japan, here is a list of local travel agents who offer this service. You will also need to enter Japan on a temporary visa in order to be able to use the Rail Pass.

Travel assistance

iCommons has limited support for speakers, facilitators and participants to the iSummit '08. Support will be directed through the tracks/labs in order to get it to those who are in the greatest need and those who have been the most active participants in designing the programme. As with previous years, we are trying our best to find support for volunteers, but we hope that community members will also try to find alternative sources of funding to lessen the burden on iCommons.

Pics: New Chintose Airport, by Hyougushi on flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0, Sapporo Station, Luthor522 on flickr.com, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, and inside the Sapporo metro, Puss_In_Boots on flickr.com, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0