Urban sophistication and alpine adventures go hand in hand

By Avery Matteo

Imagine this: Your attendees take a break from meetings to enjoy an outdoor lunch framed by the snow-capped Canadian Rockies, then end the day with a nightcap by a crackling fire, swapping stories under an endless sky.

That’s the kind of experience Western Canada is poised to deliver. Stretching from vibrant urban centers to some of North America’s most spectacular mountain landscapes, the region offers planners an opportunity to pair productive meetings with stunning natural experiences.

Planners can organize several days in the metropolitan hubs of Vancouver or Calgary before continuing on to Banff or Jasper National Park for executive retreats, wellness programming or incentive experiences. The contrast between energetic city life and rustic scenery creates itineraries that leave attendees feeling inspired, wowed and connected to a sense of place.

 

Reasons Why Meeting Planners Love Western Canada

Firepit
Firepit at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, photo by Gelu Popa/ Shutterstock.com
  • It’s built for bleisure and incentive travel. Western Canadian destinations make it easy to extend business trips into memorable leisure experiences, a practice that’s growing in popularity. A 2025 survey conducted by Corporate Traveller Canada and analytics group YouGov reports that 24% of Canadian business travelers ages 45 to 60 and 25% of Gen Z travelers are mixing work with pleasure “all or most of the time.” Those eager to get the most out of their bleisure getaways can complement conferences with a plethora of outdoor adventures, encouraging attendees to stay longer and engage more deeply with the destination.
  • Extraordinary outdoor experiences. Whether attendees prefer adventure or relaxation, Western Canada delivers year-round recreation. Groups can ride the Banff Gondola for panoramic views, paddle across the turquoise waters of Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, hike among glaciers in Jasper National Park, explore the dramatic landscapes of Yoho National Park or enjoy sightseeing time in the Canadian Rockies. In winter, world-renowned skiing and snowboarding add an appealing layer to incentive travel.

Read More: Outdoor Team-Building Basics

  • Accessible gateway cities. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Calgary International Airport (YYC) provide extensive nonstop service from destinations across North America, Europe and Asia. Once attendees arrive, modern highways and luxury motorcoach services make it easy to reach mountain communities, allowing planners to easily build multidestination itineraries without sacrificing convenience.
  • Legendary resorts with a culture of exceptional service. Western Canada’s reputation for exceptional service extends from the historic grand hotels of the Canadian Rockies to acclaimed independent wilderness resorts along British Columbia’s coast. Iconic properties such as Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise have welcomed travelers for more than a century, while destinations like the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge have earned international recognition from Michelin, Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure for their personalized service and immersive guest experiences.

Places to Meet & Stay

People taking escalator in convention center

Set along Vancouver’s rustic Coal Harbour, Fairmont Waterfront offers harbor views, sustainable event spaces and easy access to the Vancouver Convention Centre, Stanley Park and the city’s renowned dining scene.

24,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 489 guest rooms

Woman entering pool

Nestled inside Banff National Park, Fairmont Banff Springs pairs historic castle architecture with one of Canada’s most iconic mountain settings. Meeting groups can enjoy championship golf, a luxury spa and year-round recreation.

76,931 sq. ft. of meeting space; 739 guest rooms

Person making s'more

Located just outside Calgary, AAA Four Diamond Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is surrounded by mountain trails and combines modern facilities with team-building opportunities and access to nearby parks.

26,511 sq. ft. of meeting space; 318 guest rooms

Lake lodge

Built in 1902 and located on the shores of Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake Lodge offers an intimate mountain setting ideal for executive retreats and incentive programs.

3,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 85 guest rooms

 This article appears in the September/October 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.