Travelling to Nanaimo
Nanaimo can be reached via several gateways. Getting to the downtown hotels and VIU will vary based on your entry point. For the best information on how to get to Nanaimo please visit Tourism Nanaimo's webpage.
Getting to VIU
For those staying in a downtown hotel, there is a FREE shuttle from the Coast Hotel to VIU (and return) each day. To ensure that there is enough space for all, we require shuttle users to register before the conference. To book your seat please visit Eventbrite.
For those driving to VIU, there are entrances to campus off 5th Street and 4th Street. We will be in exams during the conference so parking should be easier to locate. However, you won't always be able to park close to the buildings we are in. Check out the Parking Lot Map. Lots C and E are the most centrally located lots on 5th street and lots N and S are the closest is using the 4th street entrance.
Those opting for BC Transit may need to plan their routes as Nanaimo is a spread-out city! Bus numbers 5, 6, 15, 15A, 25, and 40 all have direct stops on campus. To plan your route please visit the Nanaimo Regional District Webpage.
If you are cabbing to the campus each day - tell your driver to drop you off at the Welcome Centre and pick you up at the Bus Loop.
For those driving to VIU, there are entrances to campus off 5th Street and 4th Street. We will be in exams during the conference so parking should be easier to locate. However, you won't always be able to park close to the buildings we are in. Check out the Parking Lot Map. Lots C and E are the most centrally located lots on 5th street and lots N and S are the closest is using the 4th street entrance.
Those opting for BC Transit may need to plan their routes as Nanaimo is a spread-out city! Bus numbers 5, 6, 15, 15A, 25, and 40 all have direct stops on campus. To plan your route please visit the Nanaimo Regional District Webpage.
If you are cabbing to the campus each day - tell your driver to drop you off at the Welcome Centre and pick you up at the Bus Loop.
Parking at VIU

Pay parking is almost always in effect at VIU and those choosing to drive to campus are responsible for their own parking fees and any parking tickets they receive. All major credit cards are accepted at machines; however, you can also download the Indigo parking app from Apple and Google Play.
Navigating the Ramps and Stairs at VIU
From bottom to top VIU has 403 stairs! Fortunately, you won't have to walk them all (unless you choose to). Monday night and each morning we will start at the Malaspina Theatre (Building 310). Concurrent sessions will be held in the Ralph Nilson Centre for Health and Science (Building 210) and the Faculty of Management Centre (Building 250). Lunch will be located in the upper cafeteria (Building 300), which is located near our bookstore, library, and Starbucks (Building 305). To access a campus map with accessibility features (e.g., slope) please click here.