ICMS 2026 will take place in Waterloo Ontario, a city near Toronto. Sessions will be held at the Waterloo campus of Wilfrid Laurier University, with additional events at the University of Waterloo and at the Maplesoft headquarters. All of these are close together in Waterloo, with the universities in walking distance from each other. Transportation will be provided for a reception at Maplesoft.
The city of Waterloo is easily reachable by air and ground transportation. The location of the universities is approximately a 25-minute drive away from Waterloo International Airport, 70 minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport, and 80 minutes from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
Here is an interactive map of the campus.
From the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)
The ICMS 2026 venue is most easily reached by taxi or rideshare. Several local taxi companies operate from the airport, and travel time to campus is approximately 20–30 minutes. Fares vary depending on destination and time of day.
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From Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Toronto Pearson International Airport is the region's primary international gateway. The Waterloo area can be reached via:
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Conference-specific booking instructions or discounted fares (if available) will be announced on the ICMS 2026 website closer to the event.
Participants are strongly encouraged to book transportation in advance, particularly during peak travel periods.
From John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM)
Hamilton International Airport is an alternative arrival option. Ground transportation to the Waterloo area is available via shuttle services, taxis, or rental cars.
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A variety of hotels are available in Waterloo, Kitchener, and the surrounding area, within a convenient distance of the Wilfrid Laurier University campus. Options range from budget-friendly accommodations to full-service hotels. Please note that this is not a complete list.
Parking is available on the Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo) campus. Visitors are encouraged to consult the campus map for building locations and nearby parking areas. Information about parking regulations, rates, and daytime parking options is available on the Wilfrid Laurier University website.
The Waterloo Region is served by Grand River Transit (GRT), which provides bus and light rail service throughout the region. Wilfrid Laurier University is well served by multiple GRT bus routes along University Avenue West and King Street North. Google Maps can be used to plan trips using GRT services in real time.
Regional and inter-city travel options are also available through GO Transit and VIA Rail Canada, with connections to Toronto and other nearby cities.
The following interactive ICMS 2026 Waterloo Local Guide Map highlights a curated selection of restaurants, cafés, markets, shopping areas, cultural attractions, and other useful amenities throughout the Waterloo region to help ICMS 2026 participants explore during their stay.
Listings are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsements.
More comprehensive recommendations may be found on the websites of Region of Waterloo, Explore Waterloo Region, City of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, and City of Cambridge. Furthermore, Great Canadian Holidays offers a number of tours that may be organized before or after the conference.
To determine whether you require a visa to enter Canada, please consult the Government of Canada’s official resource, "Find out if you need a visa to enter Canada" on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Nearby Canadian embassies and consulates can be found on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada's Canadian Offices Abroad page.
If you require a visitor visa to enter Canada and have an accepted paper to present at ICMS 2026, the conference organizers can issue an official invitation letter upon request.
To obtain an invitation letter, please submit the following documentation:
This documentation is to be sent to Ilias Kotsireas/Stephen Watt with the subject line "Request for ICMS 2026 visa invitation letter". The conference will be unable to process your request for a visa invitation letter if any documentation is missing. If you require an official document, for funding purposes, confirming that you will be travelling to Canada to attend ICMS 2026, please also send the request to Ilias Kotsireas/Stephen Watt. Please ensure the aforementioned matters are addressed as early as possible to allow sufficient time for unforeseen difficulties or delays.
In case of an emergency requiring police, fire, or ambulance services, dial 911 from any phone in Canada. Campus security services are available 24/7. Several hospitals, urgent care centers, walk-in clinics, and pharmacies are located throughout the Waterloo Region for non-emergency medical needs. During the conference, a designated ICMS 2026 contact will be available to assist participants with emergencies or urgent issues, with contact details provided on-site and in the conference program.