Smart Meetings

As the eagle flies, the region then soars up over the great north-south divide of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, crossing into Alberta’s lake-filled and mountainous land. The prairies of Saskatchewan mark the eastern edge—a boundary that intersects with the U.S. border about halfway across Montana. Western Canada is additionally home to Canada’s only desert; you didn’t know, did you?

Woven through the land is an equally fascinating array of cultures—all intensely felt—from the First Nations’ peoples to large Asian communities. There’s also a profound sense of connectedness to the region’s British roots, and all these combine to give the life in Western Canada such a different flavor from our own.

Truly, the benefit of planning in Western Canada is the benefit of having it all at your fingertips, which allows for true discovery as long as you connect with the local experience.

That desert, for example, is in the Okanagan Valley, which bridges the Washington/British Columbia border at about its center. The valley was just numbered among Frommer’s top 12 destinations for 2007, and Kelowna, the valley’s largest community, proves why. Surrounded by wineries, a picturesque lakeside harbour and picture-perfect scenery, Kelowna’s the place to take a group wanting to escape.

Gayle Voyer, founder of Total Events Conference & Event Management, specializes in planning corporate events in Kelowna. The key to a successful meeting there, she says, is to “provide attendees with an authentic Okanagan experience, inclusive of the cuisine and wines mixed with arts and culture,” she says. “Embrace this location and make it an experience your guests will remember.”

Voyer advises planners eyeing Western Canada to book early to ensure access to as much as possible. As this is a four-season destination, she advises, “Make sure you do your research to select the best timing for your event, based on the type of experience and value your guests expect. Choosing the time of year for your event can include the warmth of springtime to a winter wonderland—the experience is very different.”

Where in Western Canada you choose to plan can make a significant difference, too. British Columbia, certainly, is a haven for meeting planners. With hundreds of quality locations to book, the area offers an array of professionally operated convention bureaus set up to help planners sift through options.

For a metropolis scene bustling with the many cultures of the Pacific Rim, set sights on Vancouver and Richmond. If a more intimate destination in mountains and old-growth forest is more what’s called for, then Whistler and Banff beckon. A happy medium would be Victoria, where architectural sophistication and seaside charm coalesce on Vancouver Island. There’s also welcoming Calgary or wine-country scenic Kelowna.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), of course, selected Vancouver to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Canada won this honor away from compelling winter-sports havens, notably Switzerland, Austria and four other heavyweight nations. The games, scheduled for February of that year, are expected to bring in nearly a million people to Vancouver. Canada intends to be ready for the deluge by making preparations and improvements now.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

While the boundaries of British Columbia take in more real estate than Washington, Oregon and California combined, most of the population of nearly 4 million—and most meeting facilities—are concentrated in the southwestern corner of this province (whose shape on the map bears an eerie resemblance to a squatty California). It’s the location of Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler, as well as Victoria, the provincial capital, located on Vancouver Island.

Inland, the population has wisely clustered around the Okanagan Valley, where a climate that yields happy grapes means happy people.

VANCOUVER

A world-class oceanfront city, Vancouver is a vibrant center offering excellent restaurants, fascinating attractions (the population is noticeably intellectual), high-functioning venues and, of course, premier hotels.

The city’s excellence has been noticed by the International Congress and Convention Association, which ranked Vancouver as North America’s top destination for international meetings. Likewise, Mercer, one of the world’s major consulting firms, ranked Vancouver as the world’s third most livable city, based on quality-of-living standards.

Ever since it was announced that the Olympics were coming to town (there’s a giant countdown clock at the Vancouver Art Gallery, developers and hoteliers have revved up the city’s rate of devel-  opment to significantly upgrade existing facilities and to open new ones.

The waterfront Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, for example, is currently undergoing a $680-million expansion that’s scheduled to finish in fall 2008. The more than 470,000-square-foot complex will serve as the international broadcast center for journalists during the Olympics. Already, the development is winning awards for its eco-friendliness; its engineering consultants received the 2006 Environmental Concept and Assessment Award for making the center compliant with marine-preservation standards. Other environmentally conscious features at the center include energy-efficient design, on-site water management and meeting LEED standards for sustainable building.

Indeed, Vancouver as a city is more eco-aware than most; Tourism Vancouver recently announced that it will be purchasing carbon offset credits to balance emissions from air travel, making it the first destination marketing organization to offset all flights not only taken by their staff travel, but also those provided to client guests and media.

Over a half-billion dollars are being spent to upgrade Vancouver International Airport. And the new Canada Line will link downtown Vancouver, Richmond City Centre and YVR.      

The likewise new Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park will also come in time for the Olympics. The 6,000-seat stadium will incorporate multipurpose meeting rooms. Other existing venues, which are getting facelifts and additions, include: the Pacific Coliseum at Hastings Park, with upgrades such as improved seating (for 15,000), and both BC Place and GM Place, where the opening and closing ceremonies will take place, respectively.

The Pacific National Exhibition has many suitable venues; its Pacific Coliseum will host figure skating events during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, while its Agrodome can seat up to 5,000. The Pacific and Hastings rooms are perfect for meetings and banquets.

If you’ve got a group that loves the outdoors, consider Grouse Mountain or the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

RICHMOND

Right near the Vancouver International Airport—and 25 minutes from Vancouver’s convention center—is an attractive, quickly growing harborside suburb called Richmond. It’s home to more than 135,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, as well as charming venues like the 541-seat Gateway Theatre and the forward-thinking Richmond Art Gallery.

Attendees can stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf or visit the city’s maritime attractions, like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site or the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, site of the summer Richmond Maritime Festival.

The London Heritage Farm and Steveston Museum are also interesting sites for group activities. Tourism Richmond covers it all and can help you chose from the array of options.

VICTORIA

Canada’s lively “Garden City” overflows with color, beauty, an Old World heritage modern culture and many culinary experiences to choose from. This picturesque capital city is ideal for meetings for which aesthetic surroundings are important. It’s also perfect for physically active groups or those that enjoy outdoor adventure; Victoria claims the distinction of being Canada's fittest city (according to Canada’s government). Thirty-six percent of Victorians are active—easier in Canada’s mildest climate. Visitors and residents regularly partake in active pursuits like hiking, running, walking, cycling, kayaking and  kite-surfing amid scenic trails, mountains, old-growth rainforests and ocean shores.

Despite its historic surroundings, the Victoria Conference Centre is quite modern. Its current 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space can hold 2,500 delegates, and, 3,500 hotel guest rooms are within walking distance. Tourism Victoria can provide the full overview.

Recently, the city won a bid to take over the historic Crystal Garden building as expanded space for the conference center, a transition that happened on June 1. Located directly across the street from the conference center, the new addition will increase the center’s meeting space by 25,000 sq. ft. In 2006, the Victoria Conference Centre had its best financial year since its 1989 opening, and 2007 is looking just as promising.

If your group consists of politicos, a tour of the city’s monuments and legislative landmarks will surely please. Free guided group tours of the Parliament Buildings are offered each weekday; actors play historically significant Canadian characters.

If you opt for The Royal BC Museum, your event for up to 2,000 people will be a truly historic occasion. Three exhibit galleries are available for after-hours private events adjacent to a replica of Captain Vancouver's ship, the natural history displays or First Nations culture areas. Group rates and bookings are available for parties of 15 or more and include experiencing the museum’s National Geographic IMAX Theatre. Ocean Station is the museum's newest permanent gallery, allowing visitors to explore the complexity of the ocean floor.

The Maritime Museum of British Columbia can be booked for 250-person events; attendees will see maritime memorabilia galore.

The world-renowned Butchart Gardens encompasses 55 acres of floral magnificence. Summer evenings, the gardens are transformed into a light wonderland while musical entertainers perform on the concert lawn. Event planners can take advantage of the Main Dining Room for smaller receptions, or plan a catered alfresco wine picnic.
 

WHISTLER

This upscale resort town amid breathtaking mountains is thought of most often for its winter activities—skiing and snowboarding. In fact, Whistler Blackcomb enjoys the longest ski season in North America, and it will play host to some of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games events. But don’t forget that during summer, many other outdoor sports and activities can be pursued here. Situated 75 miles northeast of Vancouver, Whistler is an alpine destination where you can experience the grand splendor that exists throughout much of Canada, not to mention great golf, on courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. With more than 90 restaurants, 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space spread over multiple venues and 115 lodging options offering 3,200 hotel rooms, it’s a perfect place to meet. Tourism Whistler can get you started.

The centrally located TELUS Whistler Conference Centre—recently upgraded for environmental sustainability—has 65,000 sq. ft. for 2,500 attendees. One of its ballrooms alone can contain 2,000 people within 16,500 sq. ft. of space.

Planners wanting to give their group an unfogettable experience should try Ziptrek. Excellent for team-building, this is an incredible journey during which visitors are strapped into a harness, and then attached to suspension cables hooked hundreds of feet above the forest floor. More than a mere ropes course, Ziptrek gives the sensation of gliding over Whistler’s natural spectacles.

Another unique group excursion is the new Whistler Mountaineer train, which provides transport between Vancouver and Whistler. This three-hour journey through cities and scenic forests includes breakfast and afternoon tea. In winter, the train is available for private group trips for up to 200. The Parlour Car has a functional 20-person boardroom.

INLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA

Situated in British Columbia’s goregous Okanagan Valley, the city of Kelowna (pop. 100,000) recently hosted the National Tour Association’s Spring Meet. Though Kelowna doesn’t have a formal conference center, the 19,000-square-foot Kelowna Memorial Arena, downtown in Kelowna’s Cultural District, can work for a tradeshow.

Intriguing venues in the surrounding area include Summerhill Pyramid Winery, a quirky and scenic facility that can host 100 in its 1,500-square-foot, four-story replica of the Great Pyramid of Cheops (appropriately, this is where the winery ages all its wines), or up to 120 in its Sunset Bistro.

Gray Monk Family Estate, available March through October, has a magnificent restaurant and patio area overlooking Okanagan Lake and the Gray Monk vineyards. Its 2,400-square-foot Grapevine Restaurant seats 90. The Harvest Golf Club (harvestgolf.com), available April through October, has a 1,900-square-foot, 160-person dining room and a 400-square-foot Gazebo Room for 12.

Kelowna Land & Orchard Co. is a charming, rustic locale for a reception; its vineyard restaurant can be used for smaller groups, or a 200-person tent can be set up in the apple orchard. The Laurel Packinghouse, Kelowna’s first designated heritage building, houses the BC Orchard Industry Museum and the VQA Wine Museum. Its atmospheric interior is ideal for receptions up to 300.
 

ALBERTA

Tucking into British Columbia’s California-like form on the map, the province of Alberta likewise delivers an intriguingly Nevada-esque shape. It’s home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including dinosaur haunts and also First Nations’ earliest campsites.

In the west, against the jagged backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, are Canada’s magnificent national parks, Banff and Jasper, with all the skiing, hiking and exceptional resorts your group might seek.

As Canada’s Cultural Capital for 2007, Edmonton, is an urbane center offering an ongoing schedule of cultural events at museums and galleries, as well as the programs of the city’s internationally recognized theater and music festivals. To the south, Calgary embodies a true Western spirit both as an oil and gas boomtown, and for its famed annual Calgary Stampede. But don’t overlook Calgary’s museums, restaurants, theaters and unique shopping that will keep your group most entertained.

Overall, Alberta has a healthy, growing economy with exciting opportunities and some of the planet’s most spectacular scenery. Oh, and no provincial sales tax.

EDMONTON

Set in a scenic river valley, Edmonton has adopted the theme “Building Connections” as the cultural capital theme, and building it is: the Art Gallery of Alberta is undergoing major renovation from the structure’s former use as the Edmonton Art Gallery. The new 80,000-square-foot facility, to be completed in 2009, will be the dramatic home of the more than 5,000 contemporary and historic artworks from international, Canadian and First Nations sources. The Royal Alberta Museum, which traces 12,000 years of Alberta’s natural and cultural history, is going through expansion. Phase 1 is a 250,000-square-foot addition, now beginning construction and scheduled for completion in 2011.

Downtown Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre is Alberta's largest conference facility, with 23 meetings rooms and an 80,000-square-foot hall. Hall D is a particularly spectacular option; it’s a glass-enclosed space with an incredible view of Edmonton’s river valley.

Other meeting facilities include the 325,000-square-foot Northlands Agricom and the Citadel Theatre. Meeting planners can even book space in the Muttart Conservatory gardens or host a historic pioneer dinner at Fort Edmonton Park. Edmonton Tourism operates the Shaw Conference Centre and can assist you in your planning in their city and surrounding area.
 

CALGARY

Earlier this year, Forbes named Calgary the world’s cleanest city (and you thought it was Singapore). Another ranking of interest is that last year, Calgary was rated as #2 in the world for business travelers by The Economist, factoring the city’s transportation, infrastructure and perceived safety.

Calgary International Airport is growing, with more than 1,300 flights per week. The population of nearly 1.1 million Calgarians is young (average age is 34) and highly educated. The city leads in Canada for technology startup companies and Internet connection. In fact, Calgary is home to 95 corporate head offices, making it the second largest head-office city in Canada.

As such, there’s a diverse selection of dining options, live music performances and theater venues, as well as professional hockey and football teams. And many of them can be reached on the world’s most extensive indoor elevated walkway system. But the most attention-grabbing event is “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth,” the nearly century-old Calgary Stampede.

Calgary TELUS Convention Centre offers 132,000 sq. ft., including 68,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, banquet space for up to 3,600, all with CAT6 cabling. Last September, the centre added to its flexibility with four additional 1,400-square-foot meeting rooms.

The Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005, and it’s still very much up to the job of offering seven unique meeting venues in addition to its 2,538-seat theater.

Tourism Calgary will help with these and other smaller venues, as well as accommodations.

BANFF

Banff’s spectacular scenery and proximity to Calgary International Airport are just tip-of-the-iceberg reasons to plan in this alpine paradise, located about an hour’s drive west of Calgary. The scenic beauty of the Canadian Rockies, Bow River and Banff National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) provide stunning backdrops for a wealth of activities, including skiing, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, tennis, white-water rafting, the Banff Gondola or the Sulphur Mountain hot springs. For a balance of business, mind and body, these mountains’ sheer splendor provide for successful meetings. 

Just 10 minutes from the town of Banff, in the heart of Banff National Park, is the world-class Banff Centre, which has 72,000 sq. ft. of meeting space that can accommodate attendees spread over more than 60 options, including an 1,000-seat theater. There are also 414 guest rooms. Its Canadian Rockies setting inspires with gorgeous views, fresh mountain air, glimpses of wildlife and outdoor activities like river rafting. Knowledgeable conference-planning professionals are always on hand, Wi-Fi is free, and recreation opportunities include a swimming pool, a climbing wall, an indoor running track and a fully equipped exercise room.

On a more intimate scale is the Art-Deco inspired Rimrock Resort Hotel Convention Facility, which is actually dug into the mountainside. It offers 11 meeting rooms, all with spectacular mountain views, with a total of more than 18,000 sq. ft. of facilities.

Western Canada is impressive enough to win one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings, the Olympic Games. This destination does it all with the style and grace that comes with the commitment to maintaining local culture, a most appealing and abundant mix that will leave you with the enviable problem of what to eliminate among so many possibilities.
 

NEWS

IN VANCOUVER

• Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is undergoing a $420-million expansion to the international terminal and is building a $117-million Link Building to connect the international and domestic terminals. The new Canada Line will link downtown Vancouver and Richmond City Centre with YVR and is due to open in November 2009.
• Kor Hotel Group's first Canadian property, Loden Hotel will open in July with 3,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 16-seat boardroom.
• Additional upcoming Vancouver hotel openings include the 119-room Shangri-La Vancouver (fall 2008) and the 415-room Fairmont Pacific Rim (late 2009).

IN VICTORIA

• Delta launched year-round nonstop service to Victoria from its Salt Lake City hub, while Horizon began using larger aircraft from Seattle to Victoria. In addition, Howe Sound Seaplanes has recently begun offering scheduled service from Victoria to Whistler.

IN RICHMOND

• Designed for the 2010 Olympics, The Richmond Oval will open by fall 2008. The enormous sports center will make room for conferences and events, with a seating capacity of 8,000 and about 105,000 sq. ft. of total space.
• Rockwater Secret Cove Resort on the Sunshine Coast, has completed renovations on new designer suites, with unique tenthouse suites and cabins overlooking the ocean. Rockwater has 900 sq. ft. of meeting space that hosts up to 80.

IN WHISTLER

• The newest full-service hotel to open in Whistler is the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, though Adara and Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre are also newish properties. The Hilton features finely appointed guest suites with wood burning fireplaces and the Artesia Spa.
• Whistler Blackcomb broke ground in May on a project called the Peak to Peak Gondola, which should link Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains by 2008. It’s envisioned to take riders (up to 4,100 people per hour!) 2.7miles in 11 minutes. 

IN ALBERTA

• When the Edmonton International Airport completed a seven-year, $280-million redevelopment in 2005, it was supposed to serve until 2015, with a projected traffic peak of 5.5 million passengers by then. However, the airport welcomed 5.2 million passengers in 2006, so it’s back to the jackhammers with a second redevelopment of $200 million for new gates, more trans-border space and a new concourse. The new trigger points are 7.5 million by 2015.

IN CALGARY

• Calgary Stampede is expanding its meeting space, the Roundup Centre, to begin in the next few months. The project will add a second floor and two new exhibition halls. (calgarystampede.com)
• The Best Western Hospitality Inn was converted to the Delta Calgary South at the end of last year and is now undergoing a $3-million renovation that will add an all new meeting facility among other features.
• A new, but unflagged, 150-room boutique hotel has been announced by Quebec-based Le Groupe Germain as part of a 20-story development in downtown to be completed in the spring of 2009.

Getting There

• Vancouver International Airport is served by more than 85 air carriers. About 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver in the suburb of Richmond, the airport is linked to the city by a road system until 2009, when it will connect to downtown Vancouver (see News). The latest air service updates are as follows: WestJet Airlines started daily flights from Toronto, Las Vegas, Honolulu and Palm Springs; Air Pacific started Friday flights from Honolulu; Air New Zealand will fly from Auckland starting in November; in December, Air Canada will have daily direct service from Sydney.
• From the U.S., Victoria International Airport is served by Horizon Air (Alska Airlines) and Delta. Within Canada, Air Canada and Pacific Coastal fly direct. Floatplane service between Vancouver and Victoria is offered by West Coast Air, as well as Harbour Air. Kenmore Air flies floatplanes from Seattle. Ferry service operated by Victoria Clipper links Victoria with Seattle, and Washington State Ferries connect from nearby Anacortes. BC Ferries and Coho Ferry make runs between Victoria and Vancouver, and Victoria and Port Angeles, respectively.
• Whistler is approximately 80 miles north of downtown Vancouver. West Coast Air offers floatplane service connecting Victoria and Whistler from early June through September. Bus charters to Whistler from downtown Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport are also available. This last May, the Whistler Mountaineer began daily train service to Whistler from Vancouver, scheduled through October 14.

• Edmonton International Airport serves as a travel hub for all of Alberta, and is one of Canada's busiest airports. A Sky Shuttle provides frequent service between the airport and downtown and other parts of town. Edmonton Transit System “ETS” is also an efficient option for moving folks around. Calgary International Airport is about 20 minutes from the city center.

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