Sudbury is one of the world’s oldest (~1.8 Ga), largest, and best-exposed meteorite impact sites on Earth, hosts one of the world's premiere Ni-Cu-PGE mining districts, and is surrounded by a wide range of superbly exposed Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic and Quaternary rocks.

The City of Greater Sudbury, the largest city in northeastern Ontario, lies amidst glacially-shaped ridges, green boreal forests, and contains 330 lakes > 10 hectares and 110 lakes > 100 hectares. The success of more than 40 continuous years of environmental reclamation efforts has led to numerous national and international awards, including a Government of Canada, Environmental Achievement Award, a United States, Chevron Conservation Award, and a United Nations, Local Government Honours Award.

SE01 - Icebreaker Reception at Science North, Wednesday, May 24, 18:00-21:00. Science North is a multiple award-winning interactive science museum, on the southwestern shore of Ramsey Lake, consisting of an IMAX 3D laser theatre, a digital planetarium, a butterfly gallery, and a wide range of innovative state-of-the-art exhibits. The two stainless steel snowflake-shaped buildings are built on quartzite of the Mississagi formation, and are connected by a rock tunnel to the Vale Cavern.

Registration: FREE, including bus transport from and back to hotels, food stations, first drink (then cash bar), and access to all exhibit floors.

SE02 - Geological Association of Canada Award Luncheon, Thursday, May 25, 12:00-13:30. GAC members annual luncheon and ceremony for the Logan, Hutchison, Neale and Ambrose medals.

Registration: $45 + HST, maximum 100 participants.

SE03 - Mineralogical Association of Canada Award Luncheon, Friday, May 26, 12:00-13:30. MAC members annual luncheon and ceremony for the Peacock, Hawley, Young Scientist, and Berry medals.

Registration: $45 + HST, maximum 100 participants.

SE04 - GAC Mineral Deposits Division Award Luncheon, Saturday, May 27, 12:00-13:30. MDD members annual luncheon and ceremony for the Derry, Gross, and Robinson medals.

Registration: $45 + HST, maximum 100 participants.

SE05 - Porketta Bingo, Thursday, May 25, 18:00-21:00, a Sudbury tradition, at the Beef & Bird Restaurant and Bar. Bingo winners (called every few minutes) win 1 lb of hot, marinated, slow-cooked pork shoulder with warm pagnuttini bread, which is normally shared with those at your table. Pub food available for purchase (see menu).

Registration: $40 + HST, maximum 140 participants, including bus transport from LU and back to hotels, entrance fee, one 3-card laminated (reusable) bingo strip (second is $5 more, etc), and first beer ($6 thereafter).

SE06 - Dynamic Earth, Friday, May 26, 18:00-21:00 is an immersive, hands-on science centre featuring Earth science and mining experiences. It includes on-site guided underground tours, multimedia theatres, engaging exhibits, an outdoor science park, and the 9m-diameter “Big Nickel” (the world’s largest coin).

Registration: $75 + HST, maximum 200 participants, including bus transport from LU, entrance fee to all facilities, food stations, and first drink (then cash bar).

SE07 - Transport to Downtown Dining Venues, Saturday, May 27, 18:00. Downtown Sudbury has a range of restaurants and pubs, which are very busy on Saturday nights (as the Stompin’ Tom Connors song goes). A list of establishments and road maps will be included in all registration kits.

Registration: $10 + HST, including bus transport to downtown, one way only, meals and drinks not included.

Depending on weather and interest, the following activities are planned for accompanying guests. Transportation costs are nominal, and lunches in restaurants are not included.

G01 - Ramsey Lake Waterfront (winner of a 1992 International Excellence on the Waterfront award) separates downtown Sudbury from Laurentian University. Options include a visit to the Sudbury Art Gallery (~1 hr), a walk along the waterfront through Bell Park and along the Bell Park Pathway (~45 mins), a visit to the multiple award-winning Science North museum (~1-2 hrs) and 3D Imax theatre complex (~45 mins), and possibly a tour of Ramsey Lake on a 70-passenger Cruise Boat (~1 hr). ½ day.

Registration: $15 + HST, maximum 12 participants, including pickup and drop-off at hotel, and entrance fee to Art Gallery.

G02 - Killarney Provincial Park is ~1.5 hrs southwest of Sudbury and contains numerous crystal-clear (deep blue on clear days) lakes set amongst white quartzite ridges and glacially-sculpted pink granites and syenites. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful parks in Canada and was the subject of several paintings by the Group of Seven Canadian landscape artists in the 1920s. There are several options for hikes ranging from short (1 hour) and easy (requiring only sturdy walking shoes) to long (3-4 hours) and moderate-strenuous (requiring sturdy hiking boots), but none will be technically difficult. There may also be time for a refreshing dip in Killarney Lake (cool) or Georgian Bay (very cool). The hike will be followed by late-afternoon fish and chips in the waterfront village of Killarney. 1 day.

Registration: $50 + HST, maximum 12 participants, including pickup and drop-off at hotel, and transport to/from Killarney.

G03 - AY Jackson Lookout: Hiking and lunch (brown bag) at AY Jackson Lookout in Onaping Falls, 45 km WNW of Sudbury on the rugged North Range of the Sudbury Basin. The 50 m water cascade facing the lookout is the site of the painting “Spring on the Onaping River” by Jackson, who was a member of the Group of Seven. There are several hiking trails of various lengths, an information center, and a self-guided geological tour through a collection of very large samples of Sudbury rocks and ores. ¾ day.

Registration: $25 + HST, maximum 12 participants, including pickup and drop-off at hotel.

G04 - Lake Laurentian Conservation Area: There are many hiking trails in the 950-hectare Lake Laurentian Conservation Area, which surrounds Laurentian University and extends around the south of Lake Ramsey, ranging from short to long, and flat to rugged. ½ day.

Registration: $5 + HST, maximum 12 participants, including pickup and drop-off at hotel.

G05 - Kivi Park: South of Long Lake contains a 55 km network of hiking/biking/ski trails. ½ day.

Registration: $20 + HST, maximum 12 participants, including pickup and drop-off at hotel.

Self-Led Options

Dynamic Earth: Science North’s sister attraction contains an underground mine, a wide range of Earth Science exhibits, a giant high-definition movie theatre, and - a must-see for anyone visiting Sudbury - the 9 m diameter “Big Nickel” (listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest coin). A public mineral identification event will be held here during the conference, where mineral kits put together by MAC will be distributed.

Kayaking on Ramsey Lake: The 8 km² Ramsey Lake is the second largest lake in the world located entirely within the boundaries of a single city (the largest is Lake Wanapitei, which fills an 8.4 km diameter, 37 million-year-old meteorite crater near the Sudbury Airport). The northwestern end borders Bell Park, the southeastern and northeastern parts are bordered by homes and much of the rest is undeveloped. Kayaks can be rented from the Northern Watersports Centre.

Other activities in Sudbury are listed on Trip Advisor.