We are continuing several inclusion initiatives that turned out successful in past RecSys conferences:
As last year, RecSys will provide deeply discounted rates for attendees registering in countries designated by ACM as “economically developing” (categorization based on World Bank GNI), acknowledging the impact of exchange rates and international inequities. These will be available directly on the RecSys 2023 registration page. Unfortunately, this year we are unable to offer registration waivers to attendees.
Care grants are designed to cover extra costs for caring for dependents if attendees’ caretaker responsibilities are a barrier to their participation in the conference. Parents with young children can find child care facilities listed on the location page. Applicants do not need to have a paper accepted to obtain the grant. Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis until September 3, 2023.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the chairs at .
Linus Dietz, King’s College London, United Kingdom
Gary Marsden Travel Awards (GMTA) for SIGCHI Conferences
GMTA supports undergraduate and graduate students, as well as early-career researchers (i.e., those who are ≤ 5 years post-graduation) in attending SIGCHI supported conferences, events, and (for early-career researchers) mentorship meetings. First-time presenters, researchers/ presenters suffering from financial hardship or lacking institutional support are prioritized for these awards.
RecSys Travel Grant for Doctoral Symposium Students supported by SIGCHI
Participants of the doctoral symposium were granted travel support by RecSys through the SIGCHI Development Fund. This initiative aims to offer assistance with travel expenses for early-career researchers who present and receive feedback on their research projects in the RecSys doctoral symposium.
General
How do I communicate accessibility needs to ACM Conference on Recommender Systems organizers?
The Inclusion and Accessibility chairs for the ACM Conference on Recommender Systems are Wanling Cai and Linus Dietz, whose goal is to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labelled ‘Do you have a disability or special need that impacts your access to RecSys 2023 conference, special interest groups, publications, or digital resources?’. In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access or a guide. Wanling and Linus will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by mailing .
Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
Please contact Wanling and Linus or discuss your specific needs with the venue directly via mail.
If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any conference accessibility requirements, please contact our Inclusion and Accessibility chairs by mail: , and someone will respond to you shortly.
What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?
In case of emergency call 995 for an ambulance. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.
Accessibility at the Conference Venue
Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
The conference will try to provide a team of sign language interpreters or captioners if requested by any attendees during the early registration period, if that is possible. Please make your request as early as possible. Our Inclusion and Accessibility chairs will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After 13rd August 2023 (the deadline for early registration), a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters or captioners will be available.
Who can I ask about accessibility in Singapore?
For information about Singapore accessibility, including public transport, go to website of Singapore.
Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form.
Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants do not need to register for the conference. If the assistant will be having food and drink provided by the conference during coffee/tea breaks, lunches, and/or the reception, we ask that these be added into the attendee’s registration at the ‘extra options’ stage of the registration process.
What is the conference space like?
The conference is hosted in Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is located in Singapore’s Central Business District. It can hold events up to 15,000 people and is directly accessible to various shopping, dining and hotel options. It is also next to a MRT station. Please see the map of the conference venue.
Emergency evacuation plans will be shared as part of the initial presentation. Emergency evacuation plans are available on the Suntec Convention and Exhibition webpage.
Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair or power scooter access, provisions for presenters, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.
Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchair spots will be reserved in the auditorium. There are a limited number of accessible rooms that can be booked in the venue hotel. Upon request on registration there will be a ramp to access the speakers podium, and student volunteers will be available to help during coffee breaks.
We have a ramp on to the stage at request. If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.
What are the restroom facilities like?
Plenty of restroom facilities including elderly and handicap-friendly are available. Please note that the handicapped stalls inside the two-gendered restrooms and there are no mixed-gender restrooms in the convention centre.
What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?
All attendees are expected to follow the accessible presentations guidelines communicated by the respective track chairs.
A ramp will be provided to access the podium if needed, and student volunteers will guide anyone who requests it. If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters. If you would like a student volunteer to operate slides or guide you onto and off the stage, or have other accessibility requests please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs by 13rd August 2023.
Can I bring my guide dog?
Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at the ACM Conference on Recommender Systems. There will be a relief area with water available. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.
How much walking or standing will be needed?
The conference will require minimal walking as all sessions will be held in the same centre, and lifts are available.
Please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.
Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?
We are still working on establishing which rooms have induction loops. Please let us know in the registration if you require an induction loop to be installed in the conference area.
Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
Yes, microphones will be used for all speakers. Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.
What food service will be provided?
The conference will not provide lunch meals, however many restaurants are available around the conference center. In the coffee breaks, coffee and refreshments will be served.
Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
The entire conference venue is a non-smoking area. However, smoking is permitted at the designated smoking areas outside of the building.
Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
The venue is mostly free of smell, sound and light stimuli. Participants will be requested not to use flash photography. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance.
Please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.
Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?
We hope to be able to provide a quiet space at the conference. The conference lobby is a quiet place during the talks and suitable for conversation.
Travel
What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?
Please see our travel information page. Taxi services within Singapore are generally affordable and safe.
Do I need a Visa for Singapore?
Singapore is a global travel and trade hub with visa exemptions for short-time stays for many countries. Please check
the official documentation whether you meet the entry or visa requirements to Singapore.
