Travel & Visas
Visa Information for #ISA2023 Montréal
As many of us have experienced, visa applications can be a source of anxiety when traveling, and ISA wants to help ease that burden as much as possible. To this end, we are committed to releasing the ISA2023 program on September 15 to allow people enough time to submit visa applications.
Applications can take anywhere from 12-23 weeks to obtain. For processing times, click here.
We encourage all attendees to review the Canada visa application to ensure everyone knows about necessary requirements and available resources.
ISA will continue to work with the Canadian government to ensure that ISA2023 attendees receive the most up-to-date information on the visa process. We will have more information in our upcoming newsletters and convention communications.
#ISA2023 Letter of Invitation
ISA2023 is registered with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department, and our “event code” will be in every invitation letter for the convention. You must be on the program to receive a letter of invitation. In addition, any person receiving an ISA travel grant will receive an individualized Letter of Invitation, including your ISA Travel Grant amount, and help with your visa application.
Letters of Invitation will be available for download from your Participation Hub in ISAnet once you have completed convention registration.
ISA is participating in the Visa Barrier Project, a project run by the University of Ottawa. If you experience any visa-related issues, please contact Jennifer Fontanella at HQ at VisaIssues@isanet.org to have your experience included.
Additional Resources:
- Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada
- Travel and identification documents for entering Canada
- How to apply for a Visa
- Check the status of your Visa application
- Find out if you need to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
- Find out if you need to give biometrics
- What to do if your Visa is refused
Nashville Neighborhoods
A half-mile stretch along 12th Avenue South called the 12South neighborhood with a vintage clothing store on one end, a gourmet restaurant on the other, and many unique Nashville businesses in between. One of the most walkable neighborhoods in Nashville, 12South is a shopping and dining destination full of restaurants, coffee houses, bakeries, bars, and boutiques featuring local designers and makers.
Conveniently located near Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities. Hillsboro Village is a collection of shops, boutiques, and restaurants perfect for a day’s stroll. Adjacent to Hillsboro Village is the Belmont area, which is home to Belmont University, historic homes, shops, and some great eating.
Berry Hill looks like a purely residential neighborhood until you realize funky independent shops, restaurants, recording studios, and music publishers occupy many of the homes. Technically its own city, Berry Hill is treated as a distinct neighborhood of Nashville and is located just south of Downtown beyond Eighth Avenue South.
The sound of Nashville reverberates from the city’s downtown core where honky-tonks play world-class live music 365 days a year, historic buildings have been reimagined into music attractions, boutique hotels, art galleries, and chef-driven restaurants, and newly constructed hotels, eateries, music venues, and attractions pop up all over.
Located across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville is the stomping ground of Nashville’s creative class, attracted to the area’s culturally diverse and eclectic vibe and historic homes dating back to the early 1900s. In the early aughts, East Nashville helped put Nashville on the map as a culinary destination with beloved restaurants like Margot Cafe & Bar and Marche Artisan Foods, a reputation the neighborhood maintains today. Locals frequent the many dive bars, craft cocktail joints, coffee shops, and vintage stores sprinkled throughout the neighborhood.
Named for the European immigrants who first settled here in the mid-19th century, Germantown is a historic community on the National Register of Historic Places located just a few blocks northwest of downtown Nashville. The area is home to the Tennessee State Museum and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, local boutiques, and many of Nashville’s most critically acclaimed restaurants making it a culinary destination in its own right.
Just south of downtown lies this once-abandoned industrial area that's undergone an urban revitalization in recent years sparking an intoxicating new energy. The exceedingly walkable LEED-certified community is teeming with boutique hotels, high-rise condos, instagrammable murals, shops, live music venues, breweries, and diverse culinary offerings spanning everything from biscuits and Nashville Hot Chicken to Detroit-style pizza, traditional ramen, and Indian food.
Sandwiched between downtown, Music Row, West End, and Hillsboro Village is Midtown, an area adjacent to the prestigious Vanderbilt University. Here, students, music industry folks, and business executives converge with visitors in the neighborhood’s many chef-driven restaurants and bustling bars.
This neighborhood is considered the heart of Nashville's entertainment industry. Nestled within homes and buildings are the recording studios from which your favorite songs came to be. Including everything from Elvis Presley's "How Great Thou Art" (recorded at Historic RCA Studio B) to Foo Fighters' "Congregation" (recorded at Southern Ground Nashville).
North Nashville is a neighborhood steeped in rich history. Home to three historically Black universities, Fisk University with its famed art galleries and Fisk Jubilee Singers, Meharry Medical College, and Tennessee State University, North Nashville has long been the hub of the city's Black community. Jefferson Street is known for its musical past, once the epicenter of Nashville's thriving R&B and jazz scene. Today, visitors can explore the shops, bars, and restaurants lining Buchanan Street. A newer point of interest, this area of the neighborhood has seen a surge of development in recent years.
Just ten miles east of downtown and seven miles north of the Nashville International Airport is Music Valley where world-class country music entertainment, family-friendly dining establishments, and bargain shopping can be found. This area is home to the Grand Ole Opry, Opry Mills shopping center, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, SoundWaves, and some fantastic country-music themed attractions and restaurants.
The south side of downtown Nashville’s Broadway is called SoBro. Unlike its neighbor North of Broadway up the hill, this area is known for all things new – live music venues, restaurants, bars, music museums, and even the just under 15-year-old Schermerhorn Symphony Center designed to look like it’s been there for decades.
Located a few blocks south of downtown Nashville with borders defined by Houston Street to the north, Wedgewood Avenue to the south, Eighth Avenue South to the west, and Fourth Avenue South/Nolensville Pike to the east. The proximity to downtown, relatively affordable rents and real estate prices, and the number of old warehouses, factories, and garages have attracted artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs to open restaurants, distilleries, breweries, galleries, studios, and workshops in the area. Look for major growth in the years to come: Apple Music’s Nashville office is slated to open here soon.
The epicenter of West End is Centennial Park, one of Nashville’s premier urban parks located adjacent to Vanderbilt University and home to a full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon. Just up the way is Elliston Place where some of the city’s most storied rock clubs can be located – hence the microneighborhood’s “Elliston Place Rock Block” nickname – as well as several eclectic dining options. Further south down West End is Belle Meade, a wealthy residential community known for its stately homes including two historic properties that can be toured by visitors: Visit Belle Meade & Winery and Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.
Explore Montréal
There are several options for getting to and around Montréal for ISA2023!
Flying Into Montréal
Montréal is serviced by the Montréal- Trudeau International Airport (YUL), which offers a range of local, national, and international flights. The Convention Hotel and Venues are approximately 20-30 minutes away from the Montréal- Trudeau International Airport.
Airport Shuttle:
With 24-hour service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the 747 shuttle service offers convenient transportation between the airport and downtown. The 747 shuttle service includes 11 stops in each direction, taking approximately 45 to 70 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Wi-Fi service is available on most 747 buses. Buses run frequently, are custom-designed to serve the airport, and are handicap-accessible. Furthermore, for a mere $10 – payable on board (coins only) –travelers may enjoy unlimited bus and metro access for 24 hours.
For more information on the airport shuttle service and the routes, please visit the link below:
Taking public transportation in Montréal:
Public transportation* is an affordable way to get around Montréal. The metro (subway) system is clean, safe, and fast. Four lines connect the downtown center to major tourist sites, bus stops, and train stations. The metro operates daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (1:30 a.m. on Saturdays). The average train wait is eight minutes and three minutes during rush hour.
Travel worry-free by bus or metro: it’s an inexpensive way to discover the city while at ISA2023!
*Masks are currently required on public transportation, but please note this is subject to change.*
By Taxi Service
Taxelco is more than just a taxi service; it is a local, ecological and social project with the environment and the consumer at the heart of its priorities.
Taxelco includes Téo Taxi, Taxi Diamond, and Taxi Hochelaga, offering efficient and courteous service around Montréal and the surrounding area. Call, book online, or reserve via the mobile app!
For more on taxi services, .
Explore Montréal:
Mount Royal Park:
Mount Royal park is an urban park overlooking the city, offering great views from several scenic points throughout the park. In addition to stunning views, Mount Royal Park is the home to St. Joseph’s Oratory with its impressive copper dome, only surpassed in size by St. Peter’s in Rome.
Museums:
Montreal’s museums host various collections of exhibitions throughout the year, giving art, history, and culture lovers endless opportunities to visit Internationally recognized exhibits.
Old Port of Montréal:
The old port of Montréal offers countless outdoor activities in the heart of Montréal. Whether you embark on a cruise or disembark, enjoy a relaxing time at the spa on water Bota Bota, or visit one of the many events throughout the year!
Underground Pedestrian Network
This vast network of tunnels, corridors, and atriums links people with transportation, accommodation, shopping, restaurants, art, entertainment, and even an arena! Used by some 500,000 people each day, this 33 km indoor pedestrian network is one of the most expansive in the world. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter, RESO (phonetic spelling of réseau, which means network) lets you get quickly and ecologically about town, no matter the weather!
Montréal Botanical Gardens
With a collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses, some 30 thematic gardens, and teams of researchers and activities staff, the Montréal Botanical Garden ranks as one of the world's largest and most spectacular botanical gardens.
On-Site Resources
On-site Health and Safety Protocols
We can't wait to see you in Montréal! As always, ISA is committed to the health and safety of our members, exhibitors, and partners. We are working hard to ensure our event is as safe as possible. We will continue to update this page with more information as the event draws near. Please check back often for updates. ISA is following Canadian Government requirements and guidance regarding health and safety. These requirements and guidelines are constantly changing, so you should review the Travel to Canada site for the latest information available.
ISA encourages and fully supports your decision to mask at our Annual Convention.
Childcare Services On-site
ISA is pleased to continue our partnership with KiddieCorp at the 2023 Annual Convention. KiddieCorp is a nationally recognized provider of on-site childcare programs.
Childcare services are available only to ISA members on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-members who wish to participate in the childcare program must first join ISA before submitting a registration request to KiddieCorp. Enrollment for the program opens on October 17, 2022. The advance registration deadline is February 15, 2023.
For information on rates, hours, and registration, check out our Childcare Services page.
Other On-Site Arrangements & Services - Coming Soon!