Approximately 1.5km from campus, Econo Lodge Motel Village offers various motel-style accommodations at reasonable prices. See Super 8 Motel Village, Best Western Village Park Inn, Travelodge Calgary University. and Alt Hotel University District.
Information about the above hotels plus a list of additional accommodations near the University of Calgary can be found here.
On campus:
The MacEwan Student Centre houses a food court, convenience store, pharmacy, and bookstore. A full list of campus food and retail facilities can be found here: UCalgary Food and Retail
Wireless Internet access is available to visitors by connecting to the AirUC-Guest network. Instructions for connecting can be found here: Connecting to AirUC-Guest
Around Calgary:
Buses and trains are accessible from various parts of the campus. Navigation information is available on the Calgary Transit website (www.calgarytransit.com), though conference organizers or attendees from Calgary will be a better source of information.
Transit fares: A single adult fare is $3.70 and is valid for 90 minutes. Cash fares are accepted on the bus, but you will want to have the exact amount as no change is provided. Tickets must be purchased before entering buses and C-trains; you cannot purchase a ticket from the driver. Tickets and passes are available at the campus convenience store, Stör.
The University District is a few steps west of campus, and about 10 minutes on foot from the conference venue. It offers a variety of places to eat, a grocery store (with a pharmacy), a movie theatre and bowling alley, and the Alt Hotel. Brentwood Village Shopping Centre is a 25 minute walk from the conference venue in the other direction. It has a grocery store, pharmacy, and a couple of pubs, and is walking-distance from campus.
For more dining options and a great atmosphere, visit Kensington. You can access the Kensington area by taking the "Somerset" C-train from University Station to Sunnyside Station (5-7 minute train ride). Catching the "Tuscany" C-train from Sunnyside Station will take you back to the university.
You can get to the downtown core from the university by taking the "Somerset" C-train to 7th Street SW, 4th Street SW, or 1st Street SW stations. Head south one avenue from the C-train line to Stephen Avenue (i.e. 8th Avenue) for a number of shopping and dining options. (Keep in mind that Calgary roadways typically work on a quadrant system with streets running north-south and avenues running east-west.) Taking the "Tuscany" C-train from any of the downtown stops on the north-side of 7th avenue will get you back to the university.
Please feel free to ask conference organizers or local attendees for recommendations and directions!