ICML 2009: Networking & Social Events

The Social Program, including an accompanying partners’ program, is traditionally a highlight of the Congress, providing a chance to network with peers in a relaxing and enjoyable environment.

The below options may be booked when registering for the Congress.

• Welcome Reception & Opening of the Exhibition
  Date: Tuesday 1 September 2009
  Time: 17.00-20.00 (Entertainment from 18.00)
  Venue: Exhibition Hall, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
  Dress: Casual
  The Organising Committee extends a warm invitation to delegates to attend the Welcome Reception and Opening of the Exhibition. This function will give delegates an opportunity to relax with colleagues, meet new friends and explore the outstanding exhibits. Included in Full Delegate & Delegate registration fee.

• Gala Dinner - Sponsored by Wolters Kluwer Health: Ovid Technologies
  Date: Thursday 3 September 2009
  Time: 19:00 - 19:30 Pre Dinner drinks
  Venue: Plaza Ballroom, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
  Dress: Smart evening attire
  Time to celebrate the Congress and relax at the Gala Dinner. You will welcomed by a Brisbane based string quartet, Carmody Quartet and enjoy an evening of fine dining and Australian wines.The entertainment will be provided by Nick Earls, a unique Australian dinner speaker. He is the author of twelve books, including bestselling novels such as Zigzag Street, Bachelor Kisses, Perfect Skin and World of Chickens. His work has been published internationally in English and also in translation, and this led to him being a finalist in the Premier of Queensland's Awards for Export Achievement in 1999. You will then enjoy swinging to the blue grass sounds of the world's only international library rock band The Bearded Pigs. Included in Full Delegate fee.

• Biblioteca Botanica
  Date: Sunday 30 August 2009
  Time: 10:00 - 15:00
  Departing: Bus outside BCEC
  Dress: Casual, bring along sun cream
  The 60 hectares (150 acres) of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens are internationally regarded as being amongst the world's leading subtropical Botanic Gardens. The Gardens are Brisbane's second largest tourist attraction (after South Bank) and feature significant plant collections for enjoyment, reference and research. The Gardens contain the world's largest representative collection of Australian native rainforest plants.
  The Library of The Brisbane Botanic Gardens is a major reference library; and is unique in Australia in that it is the only botanic gardens public lending library. The Librarians serve as information consultants and reach out to help an extensive clientele which includes not only the general public but horticultural, agricultural and specialised botanical and floral societies.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and River Cruise
  Date: Monday 31 August 2009
  Time: 8:45 - 15:00
  Departing: The foyer of the BCEC at 8.45am
  Dress: Casual, bring along sun cream
  Begin the day with a relaxing river adventure on the historic MV Mirimar and spend a fascinating cruise to the world famous Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Once you arrive at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary you can cuddle a Koala, hand feed Kangaroos and marvel at Australia's animal wonders. Also see the bat colony and hear the story of Brisbane.

• Bush Walk
  Date: Tuesday 1 September 2009
  Time: 9:00 - 15:30
  Departing: BCEC Main Foyer
  Dress: Walking shoes, rain jacket, sun cream, drinking water.
  Join us for a walk in the Brisbane Forest Park to the west of Brisbane. A bus will take us to the Manorina carpark, located on the Mt Nebo road just past the little village of Mt Nebo on the way to Mt Glorious. Morelia Walking Track — 6km return (Allow 1-2 hours) From Manorina carpark, this track leads to Mount Nebo lookout through open eucalypt forest and pockets of cabbage tree palm rainforest. See spectacular views of Samford Valley and Moreton Bay from the lookout.  Pack sturdy shoes.  Lunch will be provided at a nearby cafe after the walk.

• Australian Outback Spectacular
  Date: Wednesday 2 September 2009
  Time: 17:30 - 22:30
  Departing: BCEC Main Foyer
  Dress: Casual
  Discover the Outback Spirit with Australian Outback Spectacular, an evening dinner show, filled with outback music, drama and action! Australian Outback Spectacular enthrals visitors with a unique and exciting evening experience in a performance that goes beyond traditional folk stories delivering a spectacular insight into the present day culture of outback Australia.

• Whale Watching
  Date: Thursday 3 September 2009
  Time: 08:30 - 15:30
  Departing: BCEC Main Foyer
  Dress: Casual, bring along sun cream
  ICML 2009 invites you to come on board the magnificent 'Eye-Spy' for an encounter with the whales. Of all the great whales, the humpback is the most surface active displaying behaviour that will not only inspire you but leave you in awe. There quite clearly is no better place to observe the mighty humpback than Brisbane's Moreton Bay, recognised as one of the world's best Whale watching areas.

• Twilight Story Bridge Adventure Climb
  Date: Friday 4 September 2009
  Time: 15:00 please arrive on time as we will be walking to the Story Bridge for a 16:00 climb. Climb lasts approx 2½ hours
  Departing: BCEC Main Foyer
  Dress: Casual
  The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a soft adventure experience with a difference and the most spectacular way way to discover Brisbane. You'll be exhilarated by the breath-taking panorama of Brisbane and its surrounds. You will hear interesting and factual commentary by experienced climb leaders, including history and heritage information of both the city and the bridge.

• Australia Zoo
  Date: Saturday 5 September 2009
  Time: 08:00 - 17:00
  Departing: BCEC Main Foyer at 8:00am; Australia Zoo at 3.30pm
  Dress: Casual, Bring along suncream
  A prefect way to end the week and a real must trip when visiting Queensland. Home of the Crocodile Hunter. Australia Zoo is the place to go for thrilling wildlife action shows, one-on-one interaction with heaps of amazing animals and more fun, education and excitement than you can poke a stick at! Please join us on this unique opportunity – if we get sufficient numbers a special performance will be organised for us in the stunning and spectacular Crocoseum.