Event Information

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the content of the guide and to bring it with you to Austin as a quick reference. A soft copy of the guide can be found HERE.

Austin

Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has everything you need to entertain you. Get inspired by Austin’s vibrant and diverse communities, culture, attractions, restaurants, museums, and activities combined with its legendary music scene and distinct neighborhoods for a unique city experience.
Visit the following websites for more information on the city:

austintexas.org
cityseeker.com/austin-tx

Weather

Get ready to explore the city in the heat. In June, it will be warm, humid and sunny. Daytime temperatures in June range between a low of 22°C (mid-70’s°F) and high of 35°C (lower-90’s°F).

What to pack

Austin’s casual attire is born of necessity, dealing pro-actively with a humid desert climate. Smart-casual and casual-wear take precedence over business clothing to account for the weather. The city can get quite hot and humid in June, and you will often find air conditioners set at very cool temperatures indoors (typically between 60-65°F). We recommend you account for these changes in temperature when packing. Here are some suggestions:

Conference fees

A C$20 ground transportation fee per attendee (total of C$40 if you bring a guest) will be applied for all ground transfers during the official Global Investment Summit agenda. A separate fee of C$75 per person will apply to guests participating in our guest program. 

Please note that you are responsible for booking and paying for all transfers outside of the official agenda and airport transfers at home. The cost of a taxi to and from the airport to the Fairmont Austin hotel is approximately US$30-$40. RBC GAM will not be offering organized airport shuttles as the cost of the shuttles would be more than the cost of a taxi. The conference fees listed above are fixed and will not change.

When you completed your online registration, you were asked to provide your credit card information. This will act as your pre-authorization for RBC Global Asset Management to charge your card accordingly. All conference fees will be charged after the Summit and a formal receipt will follow by email in July.

Guests

Guests are welcome and may attend all meals, as well as participate in the scheduled social events. Please note that we are not able to accommodate more than one guest per person or anyone under the age of 21.

Guest program - Thursday, June 7 (registration required, CA$75 per participant) 

The Real Austin SOCO Experience

South Congress Street (SOCO) oozes homespun character and boasts the story of Austin’s yesteryear in its boutiques, eateries, galleries and music venues. On this tour, guests are handed a custom map with key spots on South Congress Street. 

Along with free time to explore on their own, guests will enjoy a group lunch at a local hotspot and a VIP experience at one of Austin’s homegrown retailers: guests will choose between designing their very own piece of jewelry at Kendra Scott’s Studio colour bar or tasting the coldest local craft beers in the city at YETI’s flagship store, along with a gift to take home. Don’t miss the quintessential Austin experience on the hottest street in the capital city! 

Group activity - Friday, June 8 

Option 1: The Real Austin Culture Experience: Street Art & Street Food

To experience Austin you don’t have to look much further than out a window, in any area of town. The streets are lined with some of the most amazing art in the country only to be interrupted by the endless food trucks that dominate their culinary scene. On this tour, attendees will weave through the city showcasing the very best and most offbeat street art while popping into Austin’s famous food trucks to sample their delicious specialties. Don’t miss this tour if you want to experience what it’s like to be a true Austinite! 

Option 2: The Real Austin Music Experience: How Austin Became the “Live Music Capital of The World”

Discover Austin’s musical heritage and what makes us the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Austin’s live music tradition is unrivaled just about anywhere on earth, and our tour uncovers the history behind the hype. Hear about Austin legends such as Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan and modern day local celebrities such as Bob Schneider, Malford Milligan and Guy Forsyth. Today, Austin may be best known for South By Southwest or Austin City Limits Music Festival, but the story goes back much further! 

Option 3: Free time 

If you prefer to roam the city on your own, you will be able to select ‘free time’ as your activity selection. 

Costs covered by RBC Global Asset Management

RBC GAM will cover the following costs for you and your registered guest during the Global Investment Summit:

• All food and beverages associated with the Summit 
• All scheduled social events as listed in the official agenda Costs covered by you 

The following are considered personal expenses that you must settle with the hotel or transportation company prior to your departure:

• All conference fees as noted in previous section 
• Airport transfers at home and in New Orleans 
• Transportation for additional guests 
• Accommodation at the Fairmont Austin, for the conference dates and additional room nights 
• Room charges for incidentals and activities (porterage, room service, mini-bar, long distance phone calls, movies, spa, etc.) 
• Medical expenses 
• Food and beverages outside RBC GAM’s sponsored functions 

An itemized statement of your account will be available prior to departure. If you choose to use a credit card, the total will be billed directly to your credit card. If you wish to settle your account in cash, you may do so at checkout.

Time difference

Austin is on Central Standard Time (CST). Please adjust your watches accordingly. For detailed time zone maps, please visit www.worldtimezone.com.

Credit and debit card use

You may wish to contact your bank and credit card company prior to travel to advise them of your travel destination and travel dates. This will prevent any potential blocks on your purchases while out of the country.

A guide to gratuities

Unless otherwise noted, a gratuity is not included in bills at restaurants and other establishments. Tipping is voluntary, but service attendants are customarily rewarded as follows:

• Server at sit-down restaurant: 15-20% of the total before tax 
• Bartender: 10-15% of the total 
• Parking lot attendant/valet: US$2-3 after car is retrieved 
• Taxi driver: 15-20% of fare 
• Luggage handler: US$1-2 per bag
• Hotel maid: US$3 per night 

Telecommunications and internet connectivity

It is recommended that you obtain a roaming package from your mobile service provider prior to departure to avoid potentially costly roaming charges. Wi-Fi internet is included in your room rate at the hotel for your convenience.

Insurance

As travel and accommodations will be the responsibility of each attendee, remember to purchase the appropriate insurance for your trip to Austin.

Luggage and valuables

RBC GAM, the Fairmont Austin, and the activity and transportation providers contracted by RBC GAM cannot be held responsible for loss or damage of luggage and valuables. Please consider purchasing insurance.

Medical

All attendees are required to have out-of country emergency medical coverage, as your government health insurance plan pays only a small percentage of any costs for medical providers outside your home province. Before leaving home, please refer to the details of your travel coverage with your benefits provider and ensure you and your guest have the proper numbers and record all important personal information. 

Canada customs information

To expedite customs clearance upon your return to Canada, retain all receipts for merchandise purchased. If you are out of the country for more than 24 hours, total purchases exceeding C$200 are subject to custom charges. If your stay is over 48 hours, total purchases exceeding C$800 per person are subject to custom charges. Please visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca for further information.

Travel in the United States

Airport transfers: Estimated travel time and fare

The fare estimates below are for a standard car and include the airport fee but do not include extra luggage, large vehicle or additional passenger fees. We recommend that you confirm the fare with your driver before leaving the airport. Travel time between the airport and the hotel is approximately 25 minutes.

• Taxi from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) to the Fairmont Austin: US$30-40 (for two passengers). This may vary slightly due to traffic and time of day.
• Private limo transfers are available with Carey. Book online at www.carey.com: Sedan, 2 passengers, US$130-140 excluding any wait time, airport fees or additional stops.
• Uber and UberX are available in the greater Austin area, please refer to the app for fares.