Western Canada seems huge, but one can count on two hands the number of major urban locales that regularly attract meetings and conventions.
With that in mind, plenty of easy escapes and alternative experiences are available, no matter how jam-packed an itinerary may be. From B.C. to Alberta to the Prairie provinces, there is a variety of creative ways for groups to bail from the boardroom and escape into the great outdoors.
British Columbia
Already a top delegate draw in the entire convention industry due its seemingly effortless blend of the urban and the natural, Vancouver exudes health, fitness and outdoorsy chic. Cycle City Tours adds even more to the group experience, with numerous forays into the city and the nearby forest. Josh Bloomfield, founder of the company, says the tours are designed to accommodate any group’s busy itinerary.
“We bring the bikes to their hotel or the restaurant,” Bloomfield says. “We totally customize the tour so it’s making the most of their time.”
As a city, Vancouver sells itself, according to Bloomfield, but touring the landscape on a bicycle leaves a lasting impression.
“They’re blown away that only five minutes from their hotel we’re already in this tremendous rainforest with old-growth trees,” Bloomfield says. “People are blown away that we can do a tour of the whole city in bike lanes. You never have to ride with traffic. Our tours are very laid-back, not for cyclists per se, but for anyone.”
The provincial capital of Victoria is usually overwhelmed with tourists and groups of all ages, so its infrastructure is more than well suited for the meetings industry. On the outskirts, Sooke Harbour House has won award after award. Situated right on the beach, facing the Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca, the property includes a wealth of ingredients for groups, including a fantastic art gallery, organic gardens, numerous event spaces and options for retreats and team building. And the staff has been on hand for 15 years—always a good sign.
Heading up north, Whistler is not just for wintertime activities. Even in spring or summer, the town introduces groups to numerous outdoor options off the beaten path. Callahan Valley is home to Whistler Olympic Park. This is where the cross-country, ski jumping and biathlon events unfolded during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Day Lodge, in particular, is located in virtual isolation, with only one road in or out, so groups can seclude themselves away from civilization. The biathlon shooting range, cross-country ski trails and ski jumping platforms all still exist and function as great visual backdrops. PageBreak
Alberta
Contrary to what some may think, Calgary is not just beef, oil and cowboy hats. To be specific, Calgary Food Tours, introduces groups to the heart of the city, beyond downtown and beyond the stereotypes. Karen Anderson, owner of the company, says this year, once the good weather season kicks in, groups will have several options from mid-May to mid-October. Inglewood, Kensington and an area called Uptown 17th Avenue are just a few neighborhoods groups can explore.
“It’s amazing the things people realize that round out our food scene beyond the beef,” Anderson says. “Our indigenous food is bison and elk. We’re the world’s fifth-largest honey producer and we have intensely sweet vegetables and fruits here because of how cold our nights are.”
Other adventures include trips to the farmers market so participants can meet the true ranchers and farmers of Alberta, plus mid-day tours for spouses of convention attendees. Private group programs are also accommodated.
As with Calgary, Edmonton also has surprises up its sleeve. Designed by Randall Stout, the Art Gallery of Alberta is a fantastic building to stage events come springtime and into summer. Meetings Focus revisited the venue last summer and reacquainted ourselves, first with its stunning exterior and then with a variety of event spaces and galleries across multiple levels. Architectural ribbons of stainless steel wind their way through the building and when juxtaposed against angular glass panels, the whole package mirrors the urban grid of Edmonton Streets and the North Saskatchewan River. Spaces common for groups include a theater and foyer, an atrium, an outdoor sculpture terrace and a cafe.
Since the Canadian Rockies dominate Alberta, especially the Banff and Canmore areas, Alpine Helicopter provides breathtaking and totally unique views of the mountain scenery from the air. There is a full-service facility situated at the Canmore Municipal Heli-port, at the base of Three Sisters Peaks. Several options are available. For example: a 12-minute jaunt takes a group over the Goat Range and Spray Lakes, while a private 60-minute excursion over Mount Assiniboine, the “Matterhorn of the Rockies” drops couples close to Cabin Lake at an elevation of 7,200 feet, surrounded by towering peaks. PageBreak
Manitoba
Don Finkbeiner of Heartland Travel in Winnipeg claims just about every convention that comes to the city winds up on the Hermetic Code Tours of the Manitoba Legislative Building. Mystical, masonic, numerological and esoteric symbols are built into every layer of the architecture, inside and outside, whether it’s statuettes, windows, staircases, paintings, columns or even the acoustics. The tours point out every little detail of the building and its history, which is unique to North America, sort of like a prairie version of the Da Vinci Code.
“Every conference group now does it,” FinkBeiner says. “Anytime an architect puts that kind of thought into something, it’s like a painting, a Rembrandt. It’s that incredibly unique. And it opens the door to think about other buildings where architects may have done a similar thing.”
Meeting Focus took the tour last year and can testify to its allure. We were definitely impressed.
Saskatchewan
Shear Water Tours in Saskatoon hosts more than 100 charter cruises on the South Saskatchewan River every year. The Prairie Lily features a climate-controlled cabin and a licensed bar. A 90-minute tour on the river usually includes a hot meal and bar service.
Also in Saskatoon, The Cave Restaurant is popular for groups that desire an underground experience. An independently owned landmark, The Cave includes a Goblin’s Den, a Bear Parlor, various banquet rooms and even a waterfall, all of which groups can utilize.
As a journalist, poet and photographer, gary singh travels to the Great White North multiple times a year.
