As such, the country has a long and storied history when it comes to the Olympics. Countless Canadian athletes have dominated the winter and summer games since their inception. Montreal was the site of the 21st Olympic Summer Games in 1976, and Calgary hosted the 15th Olympic Winter Games in 1988. The Olympic tradition continues in 2010 in Vancouver, site of the upcoming 17-day winter event.

Today, Vancouver’s striking skyline continues to expand in preparation for the spectacle. This upgrading, coupled with the picturesque surroundings of other regions in British Columbia and the alpine appeal of neighboring Alberta, make western Canada a perfect choice for planners and attendees with a penchant for scenic beauty, active pursuits and healthy living.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

VANCOUVER
With more than 1,000 new hotel rooms available at the start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (February 12 to 28) and the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games (March 12 to 21)—plus several city improvement projects in the works—Vancouver is experiencing explosive growth. “Because of the upcoming Olympics, we’re seeing a lot of infrastructure projects implemented, which will leave a lasting legacy for the city,” says Wendy Underwood of Tourism Vancouver. These projects include a rapid-transit line that will link Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver, improvements to the highway between Vancouver and Whistler, several new hotels and extensive renovations to many existing properties. “A large benefit to hosting the Winter Games is the media coverage that a city receives, and this effectively advertises the meeting destination for planners holding their events here,” Underwood adds. 

This Olympic influence, coupled with a landscape that includes mountaintops and beaches, a famous focus on green practices and a reputation for being one of the most livable locales in the world, makes the city a magnet for meetings. “Vancouver is a great place for a meeting, as not only does it have the fantastic range of facilities you would expect of an international city, but it’s also right on the edge of nature,” Underwood says. “This is something that really sets us apart. Meeting planners love how easy it is to incorporate any number of outdoor experiences into their program without having to sacrifice those big-city comforts such as accessibility, luxury hotels, cultural activities and fantastic dining.”

The largest convention space in the city is the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. With views of both the mountains and the ocean, the Centre also features more than 1,000 hotel rooms on-site and 13,000 rooms within walking distance. Additionally, an expansion that will be completed in 2009 will triple the size of the facility. Other alternatives are BC Place, which is located just across the street from Vancouver’s famous seawall. Also consider the British Columbia Institute of Technology or the Morris J. Wosk Center for Dialogue at Simon Frasier University.

There are also countless convention hotels in the downtown area, as well as myriad unconventional sites for meetings. Grouse Mountain, which is accessible via an aerial tram ride, offers stunning views from 3,700 feet above the city. According to Underwood, another “absolute gem” is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which can used as an event venue with both indoor and outdoor options. Edible British Columbia can also put together intimate after-hours dinners held in the Granville Island Public Market, and for those looking for a high-end adventure, Vancouver All-Terrain offers a “Fire and Ice” program that includes a helicopter tour over the Garibaldi volcanic complex and various glaciers followed by a 4x4 adventure in the mountains where groups can enjoy a gourmet picnic.

RICHMOND
Vancouver’s Olympic aspirations also extend to Richmond, a harborside suburb that is just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver and will be the site of various events for both the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. But what makes the area truly unique, according to Gayle Morris of Tourism Richmond, is its unique Asian heritage. “Richmond’s diverse multicultural character makes it attractive to visitors. From the abundance of Asian shopping and dining to the historical attractions, this city resembles Canada in microcosm—a mosaic of its many inhabitants,” she says.

The city offers more than 135,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, but the rich multi-cultural vibe also provides a number of options, ranging from flavorful dining options to meeting venues in such cultural institutions as the Gateway Theatre and the Richmond Art Gallery. “Richmond is an active city with the heart of a village, so there is energy and tranquility at the same time,” Morris says.

Additionally, like many of the towns in western Canada, Richmond’s natural setting appeals to those with an adventurous spirit, with activities that are attractive to all ages and ability levels. Whale watching, fishing charters, hiking and biking tours, and golf are just a few of the outdoor pursuits that can be enjoyed by attendees.

WHISTLER
Whistler is yet another Canadian outpost with a rich Olympic history. Whistler Mountain was developed in the late 1960s with the intent of someday serving as an Olympic site, and in 2010, Whistler will host the nordic, alpine and sliding events. Just two hours north of Vancouver, this mountainous resort town is also a leading conference destination, known both for its wide range of accommodations that include 3,200 hotel rooms and more than 5,000 other units via condos, B&Bs and chalets, and its Olympic-induced development. Plus, the city offers countless restaurants and bars, spas, retail shops, parks, five major lakes and an extensive range of outdoor and indoor activities. In the summer, the region is a mecca for bikers and hikers, and in the winter, skiing and snowboarding options abound. In fact, the area boasts 8,171 acres of accessible terrain, 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails and a one-mile vertical rise.

Of particular interest to planners, Whistler features nearly 150,000 sq. ft. of conference space in a variety of venues, the most notable of which is the TELUS Whistler Conference Centre, which reopened in 2003 following a major renovation and offers 40,000 sq. ft. of usable space. A truly indigenous meeting option is the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, which opened in June. This venue can be used as a meeting and event location and reflects an unprecedented cooperative venture between the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations. The SLCC will be located on six forested acres along Fitzsimmons Creek opposite the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Whistler also offers a selection of other unique and sophisticated off-site venues. Highlights include the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, which has 360-degree mountain views and 15,000 sq. ft. of function space, and Lost Lake Park, an outdoor venue that is an ideal site for a tented lakeshore event. For a more active meeting element, consider taking your group to Rainbow Glacier to enjoy a helicopter ride over pine forests, wildflower meadows, meandering rivers and jagged mountains, followed by a lunch set on a glacier. Or head to Soo Valley, deep into the heart of the forest for a backcountry experience surrounded by mountains and creeks. Travel by ATV, snowmobile, snowcat, Hummer or 4x4, depending on the season.

VICTORIA
For attendees with Olympic-sized aspirations for a healthy event, flower-filled Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city, is the perfect spot to help productivity bloom. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island with easy access from both Vancouver and Seattle, this destination has been named Canada’s Fittest City, the Cycling Capital of Canada and Canada’s Most Walkable City. “With the mildest climate in the country, Victoria is Canada’s destination for year-round outdoor adventure,” says Tiffany Gyles of Tourism Victoria. “The city’s beauty and natural surroundings also inspire people to get active and enjoy the outdoors. Victoria provides easy access to endless scenic trails and sites that incorporate mountains, old-growth rainforests and ocean shores. Hiking, walking, cycling, kayaking and golf are just a few of the activities regularly enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.”

According to Gyles, Victoria is an ideal city for meetings of up to 1,500 delegates. The largest venue is The Victoria Conference Centre. Other conference spaces include the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, a 7,000-seat facility that is home to the Victoria Salmon Kings, a professional hockey team. It is also available for business and trade shows and meetings. Additionally, the University of Victoria can accommodate groups ranging from 12 to 135 people, plus there are several large convention hotels in town.

Also consider hosting an evening meal function in the Totem Gallery of the Royal BC Museum, with the chief of a local nation present to bless the meal and dancers performing traditional dances. Or, arrange an evening in Hatley Castle, where attendees can partake in a fresh salmon dinner while seated in a 100-year-old historic estate surrounded by the rugged old-growth forests.

Gyles says that another area of note is Southern Vancouver Island, an area that is developing a reputation as “Canada’s Provence” for its high-quality, niche food products such as artisanal cheeses, seaweed, water buffalo, pastured poultry, wild mushrooms, white asparagus, salad greens, balsamic vinegar, cider and fine wines, locally produced and harvested by a handful of farms and producers who together create a cast of culinary characters. “This is all something that can enhance the experience of the delegate and can be incorporated into programs to show the local flavor,” she says.

INLAND B.C. (OKANAGAN VALLEY)
For attendees who may prefer wine to workouts, an event hosted in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, which has been dubbed Napa North, can be one worth toasting. Located about two hours north of the border of Washington State and four hours east of Vancouver, this verdant region features more than 4,000 guest rooms and 70,000-plus sq. ft. of meeting space, as well as more than 80 wineries. Kelowna, the gateway city to the Okanagan Valley, is an ideal site for meetings due to its many amenities and closeness to the vineyards.

“Perhaps the greatest surprise of all for meeting planners is this city’s proximity to rural charm,” says Jennifer Horsnell of Tourism Kelowna. “Within minutes, delegates can drive from the city’s epicenter and be on a hiking trail, in an orchard setting, sipping wine at a winery patio or hitting the links on one of Kelowna’s dozen surrounding golf courses.”

According to Horsnell, the city can be described as “down to earth and active, traits drawn from its many recreational offerings and its agricultural experiences. Yet its sophistication in terms of the culinary and cultural offerings, not to mention its wines, sets it apart from many cities its size and makes it the perfect meeting destination.”

Beyond the vineyards, the region’s 200 days of sunshine and minimal rainfall make it ideal for outdoor activities year-round, from hiking, horseback riding, beach activities and golf in warmer months to skiing in the winter. “There’s really never a season when you can’t get outdoors,” she says.  

Several properties feature expansive meeting facilities and are within close proximity to the area’s vineyards. As for unique event venues and attractions, there are several in Kelowna. One example is Kelowna’s Cultural District, a six-block concentration of galleries, museums, theaters, restaurants and artist studios. Not only does it offer unique venues for group events, this district is an excellent option for walking tours during meeting breaks.

ALBERTA

CALGARY
To much of the world, Calgary is perhaps best known as the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. But locals and frequent visitors know that the largest city in Alberta, an area that is surrounded by the rolling foothills, expansive prairies and dramatic badlands of the Canadian West, is a cowboy town at its heart. Nicknamed Cowtown, The Stampede City and Heart of the New West, Calgary has a true pioneer heritage that is perhaps best displayed during the annual Calgary Stampede, a 10-day celebration in July that features a rodeo competition, stage shows, agricultural competitions, chuck-wagon races and First Nations exhibitions, among other attractions. But this heritage isn’t just honored once a year. According to Kristin Link of Tourism Calgary, cowboys still ride the range on horseback, and traditions such as small-town rodeos, Aboriginal pow-wows, country farmers’ markets and cowboy poetry festivals also thrive year-round, adding a true allure to any meeting or event.

In addition to this honored heritage, Calgary has a modern, metropolitan appeal and draws adventure lovers with its stunning natural bounty. “Calgary is a city built on pioneer spirit and western heritage and traditions,” Link says. “People enjoy visiting Calgary because of the amazing recreational opportunities at its doorstep, but this metropolis also has some of Canada’s finest shopping, spas, hotels and meeting facilities.”

Calgary’s main convention venue is the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (calgary-convention.com). But the city’s western roots are readily apparent in its other convention offerings. A short ride on Calgary’s Light Rail Transit system (known as the C-Train) takes delegates to Calgary Stampede Park, site of the Calgary Stampede, where extensive meeting and trade show facilities include the Pengrowth Saddledome, the Roundup Centre and the Big Four Building. Commonwealth Hall & Conference Centre also meets planners’ needs with 26,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Downtown hotels provide additional choices, as well as close to 4,000 guest rooms. Many downtown hotels are connected or within easy walking distance of the Convention Centre, shopping destinations and fine restaurants. Additionally, much of the city’s core is linked by temperature-controlled indoor walkways, making winter events cozy and easy to navigate. To bring a more active element to your event, Canada Olympic Park is ideal for groups and offers such options as a climbing wall, mini golf, luge rides, mountain biking and more.

BANFF
Just 90 minutes west of Calgary, Banff provides a true wilderness experience for meetings. The unspoiled region is situated within untamed Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where eagles still soar in the skies, wildlife abounds and pure water streams into rivers from 1,000 glaciers. Luxe accommodations, fine dining and expansive meeting facilities also thrive in this alpine region. “You will probably see wildlife from your window while eating in a five-star restaurant,” says Annik LaRoche of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. “Banff is a small but vibrant community with all of the city’s benefits, such as art productions, a variety of restaurants, easy access to shopping, transit and quality conference services, in a setting that is stunning and friendly.”

According to LaRoche, Banff Centre offers cultural opportunities of many types that can be incorporated into meetings. Other large conference hotels are also available, but even if you do host most of your event within a hotel, to truly enjoy this famous and picturesque region, LaRoche says off-venue options are an ideal selection. Consider planning an event from the summit of the picturesque Banff Gondola or at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.

EDMONTON
The capital of the province of Alberta, Canada’s sixth-largest city is home to the longest stretch of urban parkland in Canada, which is 22 times larger than New York’s Central Park. It is also known as the Festival City for its countless year-round festival offerings. The city offers a hip, funky, artsy vibe with great shopping, spectacular dining and a youthful appeal. Greater Edmonton also offers countless opportunities to explore nature and outdoor adventure in the region. A true four-season destination, Edmonton’s weather is similar to Toronto, making it an accessible and feasible option all year.

Edmonton features several convention centers that are ideal for meetings, including the Shaw Conference Centre (shawconferencecentre.com), which is located in the heart of downtown Edmonton and within walking distance of more than 3,000 hotel guest rooms. Consider booking Hall D, a glass-enclosed space offering a 270-degree view of Edmonton’s river valley, the largest urban park in North America. Northlands is an exhibition facility connected by Light Rail Transit to downtown and the university. A major expansion of the facility will be completed by 2009. The newly built Oasis Edmonton Conference Centre, the Mayfield Inn Trade Centre, The University of Alberta Conference Centre and the TELUS Centre for Professional Development also can accommodate meetings.

Among the city’s centralized lodging options, be sure to check out the Edmonton Downtown Hotel Group, with all properties located in the heart of town and showcasing a wide array of accommodations and meeting spaces. There are also several inspired options for meeting venues that go beyond traditional convention center or hotel settings. The Art Gallery of Alberta, the Citadel Theatre and the Royal Alberta Museum are a few cultural venues. If you are looking to make your next meeting more of an outdoor adventure, consider booking space at Fort Edmonton Park, Canada’s largest historic park.

No matter where you host your meeting, contemplate incorporating the Festival City in a Box program, which launched in the spring of 2006 and promotes festival theme-ing throughout your event. The program features a menu of ideas to theme keynote addresses, breakout sessions, team building, entertainment, décor, catering and receptions around the festival brand.

So whether you head for British Columbia, where Olympic fever is at its peak in several cities and towns, or to Alberta, where natural beauty and easy-to-navigate cities abound, planners who head to western Canada for their next event will find themselves—and their attendees—scoring meeting gold.

Julie Keller is editor-in-chief of American Spa, and the Healthy Meetings columnist for Smart Meetings.

Getting There

VANCOUVER AND RICHMOND
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located in Richmond and just 20 miles away from downtown Vancouver, is an Air Canada hub city, providing direct flights to many destinations in the U.S. All major U.S. airlines serve Vancouver, including American, United, Alaska, Continental, Delta, Northwest and US Airways. YVR is also a major gateway for international flights. In 2007, YVR handled 17.5 million passengers, making it the second-busiest international airport on the west coast of North America. Travel by BC Ferry or by highway from the U.S. is also an option.

WHISTLER
Whistler is a 75-mile drive from Vancouver International Airport via the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Dubbed the “Most Romantic Highway in the World” by the Robb Report, there are some breathtaking views along the way. The highway is currently undergoing a $600-million improvement project. Additionally, floatplane service from Vancouver is available from June through September, and the Whistler Mountaineer offers daily train service from Vancouver, as well.

VICTORIA
Located 30 minutes from downtown Victoria, Victoria International Airport (YYJ) serves daily flights from Vancouver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma Airport, as well as direct flights from points throughout Canada and the U.S. The major airlines that fly into Victoria International Airport are Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada and WestJet. Transportation is also available by sea via the Victoria Clipper and BC Ferries, both of which offer group travel pricing and amenities.

INLAND B.C. (Okanagan Valley)
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) welcomes daily nonstop flights from Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle. A runway expansion at the Kelowna International Airport, which will start within the year, will allow for nonstop flights from European destinations.

CALGARY
Located just 20 minutes from the city center, Calgary International Airport (YYC) is Canada’s fourth-busiest airport, serving more than 12 million passengers in 2007. It is a hub for regional, domestic and international carriers, with more than 200 weekly flights operating between Calgary and major U.S. cities, and more than 25 weekly flights to major international destinations.

BANFF
Calgary International Airport is approximately a 90-minute drive from Banff, with car rentals and shuttles readily available from the airport.

EDMONTON
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is served by more than 25 airlines, providing air service to all major Canadian cities and 10 major U.S. hubs, as well as seasonal charter services to Europe. The new terminal building boasts modern facilities and services.