Meeting Places Alberta 2015

2015

NO LIMITS

Alberta delivers mega-event venues, World Cup sports and awe-inspiring experiences

MEETING PLACESAB MEETING AND EVENT-PLANNING IN ALBERTA LISTINGS | MORE THAN 350 VENUES AROUND ALBERTA

$25

6

8

10

BIG TENT VENUES

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

LESSONS LEARNED

Get full-service facilities and the social space that make it easy to connect with friends and colleagues: • Restaurant/Bar

• Saltwater Pool & Hot Tub

• Event space/Catering

• Free Hot Breakfast

• Free high-speed Internet

• Complimentary Guest Bicycles

• Comfortable rooms

• Avis Budget Car Rental

Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre 954 7th Street SW Medicine Hat, AB T1A7R7

BOOK NOW ClarionHotels.com/CN841 800.4CHOICE

CONTENTS FEATURES Big tent venues 6 Women’s World Cup 2015 8 Lessons learned 10 Meet to a different beat 12 If it’s not fun, I’m out of here 14

2015

no limits

Alberta delivers mega-event venues, World Cup sports and awe-inspiring experiences

ASSOCIATION MESSAGES 5 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS FOR MEETING AND EVENT PLANNERS MEETING PLACES AT A GLANCE

MEETING PLACESAB

5

Meeting and event-planning in alberta Listings | More than 350 venues around aLberta

16

$25

6

8

10

big tent venues

woMen’s worLd cup

Lessons Learned

PUBLISHER: Paul Harris EDITOR : Frank O’Brien WRITERS : Evan Duggan, Noa Glouberman,

BIG AND BOLD 42

Alberta regions combine ancient history and contemporary surprises

Darah Hansen, Geoff Kirbyson, Baila Lazarus, Peter Mitham, Frank O’Brien, Janet Steffenhagen, Jonny Wakefield GRAPHIC DESIGN: Randy Pearsall PROOFREADER: Meg Yamamoto PRODUCTION: Rob Benac SALES MANAGER: Joan McGrogan ADVERTISING SALES : Lori Borden, Corinne Tkachuk ADMINISTRATOR: Katherine Butler RESEARCHERS : Carrie Schmidt, Anna Liczmanska CONTROLLER: Marlita Hodgens PRESIDENT, BIV MEDIA GROUP: Paul Harris Meeting Places Alberta 2015 is published by BIV Magazines, a division of BIV Media Group, 102 Fourth Avenue East, Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1G2, 604‑688‑2398, fax 604‑688‑1963, www.biv.com.

LESSONS LEARNED

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015

Edmonton hosts kickoff to multi-city event that will draw 1.5 million

8

ALBERTA BY THE REGION: OVERVIEW AND LISTINGS Calgary & area—20 Edmonton & area—27 Alberta Rockies—33 Central Alberta—37 Southern Alberta—42 Northern Alberta—46

Expert advice on making your next meeting or event a complete success

10

Copyright 2014 Business in Vancouver Magazines. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or incorporated into any information retrieval system without permission of BIV Magazines.

The list of services provided in this publication is not necessarily a complete list of all such services available in Alberta. The publishers are not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions in this publication.

ISSN 1205-5662 Publications Mail Agreement No: 40051199.

Registration No: 8876. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department, 102 Fourth Avenue East, Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1G2 Email: subscribe@biv.com Cover photo: Peter McMahon/ © Parks Canada/Wood Buffalo National Park

B.C. OWNED AND OPERATED

| 5

Association messages

MPI | GREATER CALGARY: MEETINGS MEAN BUSINESS As the Meeting Professionals International Greater Calgary Chapter (MPI GCC) looks forward to another year, I am more optimistic than ever about the future of our industry here in Calgary and in Canada.

In reviewing the preliminary results of the Canadian Economic Impact Study 3.0 that were released this year, there is no denying that business meetings and events make an impact. Business events supported more than 200,000 full-year jobs in Canada and delivered $27.5 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product.

Business meeting spending in Alberta totalled $5.5 billion, second only to Ontario.

With those kinds of statistics, it is obvious that the work we do generates serious results and makes an impact. As the premier voice for the meetings and events

industry in Calgary, the MPI GCC will focus its 2014-15 year on the Business of Events. From delivering education sessions that provide strategic, tangible business skills to our members to reaching out and advocating for this profession to Calgary citizens, business and government, we are spreading the word that meetings and events mean business.

In 2013-14, the MPI GCC improved the quality of its education and provided more unique networking opportunities to its membership. Heading into our 2014-15 year, we want to capture that momentum while making new connections within Calgary’s business community to grow and diversify our membership.

To find out more, find us at www. mpi-gcc.org.

Anh Nguyen, president, MPI Calgary chapter

PCMA | CANADIAN INNOVATION The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) aims to deliver superior, innovative education and promote the value of professional convention management. Representing 6,000plus meeting-industry leaders globally, our members include planner and trade show/exhibit professionals, suppliers, faculty, students and emeritis.

Building on the success of the inaugural Canadian Innovation Conference of last year, November 23–25, 2014, in Montreal will once again bring together meeting and event professionals and suppliers to experience educational content in an environment customized to the Canadian market.

We invite you to expand your peer network while earning continuing education units at this exciting event.

T h e C a n a d a We s t c h a p t e r

educational workshop will be held Wednesday, December 3, in Vancouver, and a satellite event will be held December 2 in Calgary. Details to be announced.

We encourage you to check back on the PCMA website for location and topic.

Fi n a l ly, Va ncouver w i l l b e hosting the annual conference for PCMA Convening Leaders in January 2016. This is the premier education and networking conference for leading meeting professionals to advance their professional development and discover new ideas, solutions and approaches, and network with peers for meeting success.

For more information on PCMA, please visit www.pcma.org.

Diana Reid, president, PCMA Canada West chapter

Professional associations for meeting and event planners Professional associations provide a means of pooling resources and giving a unified voice to working professionals who share common interests. They may represent broad national and international interests or cover specialty niches within the event-planning industry. In addition to providing forums for like-minded meeting and event-planning professionals, associations offer a wealth of resources, including newsletters, magazines and other reference materials.

Association of Destination Management Executives www.adme.org Business Events Industry Coalition of Canada www.beicc.com Canadian Association of Exposition Management www.caem.ca Canadian Association of Professional Speakers www.canadianspeakers.org Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners www.canspep.ca Canadian University and College Conference Organizers Association www.cuccoa.org Center for Exhibition Industry Research www.ceir.org Connected International Meeting Professionals Association www.cimpa.org Convention Centres of Canada www.conventioncentrescanada.org Convention Industry Council www.conventionindustry.org Corporate Event Marketing Association www.cemaonline.com Destination Marketing Association International www.destinationmarketing.org Exhibit & Event Marketers Association www.e2ma.org

Exhibit Designers + Producers Association www.edpa.com Exhibition Services & Contractors Association www.esca.org Event Service Professionals Association www.acomonline.org Financial & Insurance Conference Planners www.ficpnet.com Global Business Travel Association Canada www2.nbta.org/canada Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association www.hcea.org Incentive Marketing Association www.incentivemarketing.org International Association of Conference Centres www.iacconline.org International Association of Congress Centres www.aipc.org International Association of Exhibitions and Events www.iaee.com International Association of Fairs and Expositions www.fairsandexpos.com International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals www.hispanicmeetingprofessionals.com International Association of Professional Congress Organisers www.iapco.org International Association of Venue Managers www.iavm.org

International Festivals & Events Association www.ifea.com International Hotel & Restaurant Association www.ih-ra.com International Special Events Society www.ises.com International Sport Show Producers Association www.sportshow.org Meeting Professionals International www.mpiweb.org National Association of Consumer Shows www.nacslive.com Professional Convention Management Association www.pcma.org Religious Conference Management Association www.rcmaweb.org Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Canada www.sitecanada.org Society of Event Organisers www.seoevent.co.uk Society of Independent Show Organizers www.siso.org Western Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus www.wacvb.com

6 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

BIG TENTVENUES Alberta is known for wide-open and welcoming spaces, and the largest venues in the province truly live up to that billing

Edmonton’s massive (11 acres under roof) Expo Centre is the largest conference venue west of Toronto. In 2013 it welcomed more than 1.4 million guests. It is also linked to Rexall Place, centre ice for the Edmonton Oilers | EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE

C

BY EVAN DUGGAN

hoosing and booking the right gathering space in Alberta is never an easy task, and planners must deal with an array of factors: Where should it be? How many will attend? How flexible are the facilities? And what else is there to do in the area? To help answer those questions, Meeting Places talked to a few of the province’s top “big tent” venues.

Edmonton Expo Centre In 2010, the Edmonton Expo Centre underwent a major expansion, and it now has more than 520,000 square feet of space, making it the largest of its kind west of Toronto.

The Expo Centre is not just huge in size, but also in its draw, as it welcomed more than 1.4 million guests in 2013 to its eight exhibit halls, 16,000-square-foot ballroom and 4,200-seat arena. “We’ve had heavy oil equipment, farm equipment, helicopters, tanks and more in our halls,” says Adam Cook, venue director and general manager.

But the place is more than just a conference centre.

The 160-acre campus is also home to a racetrack, casino and Rexall Place, the home of the Edmonton Oilers. The setting of Northlands, combined with the venue’s experienced staff, set the centre apart from other large gathering places, he says. “Our event and sales team has a combined 100 to 120 years of experience just at Northlands, so they have tremendous capabilities with our facilities.”

As for some important 2015 dates, Cook says they are welcoming 1,600 delegates for FarmTech, Canada’s top

| 7

Heather Lundy, director of marketing and communications for the Calgary Telus Convention Centre. The centre offers 122,000 square feet of flexible space and 36 meeting rooms and is connected to a trio of fourstar hotels in the heart of the city | LAURA LEYSHON

crop production and management conference. Another 10,000 delegates are set to come for Youth Conference, a multi-denominational Christian youth event.

Banff Centre The Banff Centre, set within the Canadian Rockies, bills itself as the “largest arts and creativity incubator on the planet.”

Each year, the centre hosts 8,000 artists and roughly 80,000 audience members. It also welcomes more than 20,000 attendees of about 500 annual conferences, conventions and events, says Jodi Burke, director of sales and conference services.

“The centre is a campus,” she says. “We have 400 guest rooms, we have 72,000 square feet of venue and meeting space, and we have a full working production theatre that holds 1,000 people.”

Clients can hold their meetings in the centre’s traditional banquet spaces but can also choose a more “creative environment” in the art halls or performance venues. She says arts programming is often integrated into hosted events.

“For our corporate groups, we’ve had a banquet dinner on the stage of our theatre, so we had them dine on the stage and served them a three-course meal on the stage,” she says. “Completely different than being in a ballroom.”

One of Banff Centre’s regular visitors is an annual mathematics conference that brings together top minds from around the world. “They actually recently presented at the Banff Centre about the logistics and possibility of Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak,” Burke says.

Rocky peaks, forests, alpine lakes and wildlife surround the centre, she says. “When you’re here, it’s a feeling of innovation and creativity, no matter your discipline or business.”

Calgary Telus Convention Centre Calgary’s Telus Convention Centre is one of the busiest

The Banff Centre in the Alberta Rockies bills itself as the “largest arts and creativity incubator on the planet.”

Each year, the centre hosts 8,000 artists and roughly 80,000 audience members | BANFF CENTRE

meeting places in the country, hosting more than 700 events a year. But it’s the friendliness of the community and the venue’s convenience that ensure that conventions return, the centre’s spokeswoman, Jenna McLeod, tells Meeting Places.

“We have a special location in the heart of downtown Calgary along the city’s pedestrian-only Stephen Avenue Walk,” she says, noting that the route is “lined with dozens restaurants and shops, perfect for attendees.”

The centre, which was built in 1974, offers 122,000 square feet of flexible space, 47,000 square feet of exhibit space, 36 meeting rooms, five pre-function areas, a multi-purpose hall and a ballroom, she says.

The centre is connected to 1,100 guest rooms of three four-star hotels: the Marriott Downtown, the Fairmont Palliser and the Hyatt Regency. “We are minutes from one of Calgary’s greatest outdoor features, the 635-kilometre pathway system along the Bow and Elbow rivers,” she says.

Calgary’s airport offers non-stop flights to over 60 international cities and is only one stop away from every major city in the world. The airport’s $2.1 billion expansion is set to be complete in fall 2015. It includes the construction of a new international terminal, which will add 22 aircraft gates and double the airport’s size. 

8 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

2015

It kicks off in Edmonton with the final showdown in Vancouver – 1.5 million spectators are expected

M

BY DARAH HANSEN

ark your calendars, soccer fans. Here’s a game you won’t want to miss. On July 5, 2015, Canada will play host to the two best women’s teams in the world in what promises to be a nail-biting (if history is any indication) gold-medal showdown in Vancouver.

Canadian soccer superstar Christine Sinclair (centre) celebrates the launch of the Women’s World Cup 2015, the largest single sports event ever hosted in Canada | FIFA CANADA

| 9

It’s the final game in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, the largest single sport event ever hosted in the country.

The World Cup will feature 24 teams competing in a total of 52 matches. Beginning June 6, the games will be played over four weeks in six official host cities, including Vancouver and Edmonton.

Vancouver will host a total of nine games, including the final. All the games will be played at BC Place stadium, home of the Vancouver Whitecaps and BC Lions, as well as the world’s largest retractable roof and second-largest video board in North America.

Edmonton will host a total of 11 matches, including the World Cup kickoff at a newly renovated Commonwealth Stadium on June 6. The final game scheduled to take place in the city is July 5.

In all, organizers are anticipating record crowds of 1.5 million attending the games, upwards of 1,300 accredited media and a global television viewership of one billion.

Total economic spinoff from the event is expected to generate about $267 million, according to the Canadian Soccer Association. The projections include anticipated spending by out-of-town visitors, capital construction costs and operational expenditures associated with hosting the competitions.

The economic impact, including both direct and indirect impact, on Edmonton alone is estimated at $48.5 million, with nearly 320 full-time jobs created and nearly 3,500 hotelroom nights booked up by spectators, media and players.

“It is definitely a big deal for us,” says Lindsay Harrison, manager of event attraction with Edmonton Tourism.

The expected impact on Vancouver is estimated at $36.8 million, with about 275 full-time jobs generated. Data on projected hotelroom night bookings was not available.

Women’s international soccer burst onto Canada’s radar in 2002 when Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria played host to the U-19 World Championship. History will record the U.S. team as the tournament winners, but Canadians remember it as the moment break-out star Christine Sinclair, and a team of talented, determined teenagers, put the country on the map as a serious soccer contender.

Peter Montopoli, CEO of the National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada

2015, says the success of the 2002 championship proved women’s sport was a sound investment. The event shattered spectator records at the time, with 47,000 people coming out to witness the final game at Commonwealth Stadium.

Since then, women’s soccer has only grown in popularity, while our national team has grown in depth and experience.

In 2012, nearly 11 million Canadians watched women’s Team Canada battle to a (very) bitter end against their American competitors at the London Olympic Games.

The game ranks among the most-watched events at the Games.

“And it will only get bigger and better,” says Montopoli.

Sinclair, now 31, is a star domestically and internationally. She’s expected once again to captain the women’s national team at the World Cup next year.

The 2015 World Cup marks the second time in consecutive years Edmonton will feature women’s soccer. In August, the city was among four municipalities, including Toronto, Montreal and Moncton, selected to host the world’s top youth soccer players competing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014.

That event was estimated to generate about $10.4 million in direct and indirect expenditure in Edmonton.

Beyond the dollars behind the headline events, Edmonton has also identified soccer as an important element in an overall strategy to strengthen the city’s global image as a sports leader.

“Reputation is a huge one for us,” Harrison says. “It’s about making Edmonton more competitive as a worldclass city.”

In Vancouver, tourism officials view the World Cup as a means to build on the enormous goodwill and global exposure that was the legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

“We’ve been extremely excited, not only because our women’s [soccer] team is one of the best in the world, but because this event is a prestigious one internationally.

It’s building on popularity and growth on the sport and it puts a profile on Vancouver that often doesn’t come our way,” says Walt Judas, vice-president of marketing with Tourism Vancouver. 

LINDSAY HARRISON | MANAGER OF EVENT ATTRACTION, It is definitely a big deal for us

Top scorer Christine Sinclair leads Canada’s women’s soccer tream into Edmonton for World Cup 2015 | FIFA CANADA

EDMONTON TOURISM

10 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

LESSONS LEARNED

If a million things can go wrong, something usually does

I

BY JANET STEFFENHAGEN

Anh Nguyen, Spark Event Management, Calgary: “we still come across new situations, but every time that happens it’s one less thing that will catch you off guard next time” | SPARK EVENT MANAGEMENT

t is the reality for the professionals who organize large conferences and special events, but the best in the business aren’t fazed when carefully laid plans slip off the rails – they’ve learned to expect it.

“No matter what you do, no matter how much you plan, something is going to go sideways,” advises Shelley Johnson of SLJ Productions in Vancouver. “There are just too many elements for it not to, and too many elements that

you cannot control.”

Charlene Roth-Diddams, a conference organizer and founding member of the International Special Events Society in Calgary, agrees. “If you go into this business,

| 11

Shelley Johnson, SLJ Productions, Vancouver | MALCOLM PARRY

you do so because you love surprises. Part of the adrenalin rush is problem-solving and figuring out how you’re going to work around it.”

Planning for a large conference usually starts a year in advance and involves dozens of people with diverse interests, including the client, sponsors, vendors, suppliers, decorators and caterers. The first requirements are to make sure everyone understands the vision, respects the budget and works to move forward together.

“Things go awry when you have too many groups operating independently and all the information hasn’t been passed on,” says Johnson, who is also president of the Vancouver chapter of the International Special Events Society.

“It’s like a puzzle… each piece has to be assembled in a choreographed way.”

But even the most carefully crafted plans can be disrupted. Johnson recalls a near disaster at one of her events a dozen years ago when some of the tall paper programs – heavy with ink in those days and standing upright on attendees’ tables – were toppled by the breeze from the air conditioning system.

A few tipped across the tea lights on the tables and

ignited. Johnson and the banquet manager, alerted by puffs of smoke, bustled about collecting smouldering programs and placing the others flat on the table. Although there were several hundred guests, no one noticed anything going awry, which for a conference organizer is a sure indicator of success.

Being able to think on your feet and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances is a prerequisite for the job, adds Anh Nguyen of Spark Event Management in Calgary.

Having a detailed plan is essential, but don’t expect perfection, she says.

During her 10 years in the business, Nguyen says, she’s organized only one conference that followed the script perfectly. One of her biggest challenges was when a keynote speaker, due to a health problem, cancelled less than 12 hours before the event was to begin.

“We worked the phones for a couple of hours, found a speaker who could do it and flew him in,” she says, a testament to the importance of having a good network and strong relationships.

Just as challenging is the highly paid speaker who turns out to be a bore. Roth-Diddams, national director of event services at POP Kollaborative, says she’s learned to vet speakers before recommending them to clients.

In particular she advises them not to shun controversy.

“One of the big things I’ve learned is that a controversial speaker is usually very good for a conference because it gets people talking. They love him or they hate him…

They might even stand up and fire back with questions, but man, that means people are engaged.

“The worst thing that can happen is people walking away saying, ‘Who was that guy and what was he talking about?’

And you’ve just spent $30,000, $40,000 or $50,000 to have him there.”

Marischal De Armond of Victoria, owner of Podium Conference Specialists, recalls a tense time when he and his team landed in Amsterdam late one Friday for an event starting Sunday. He discovered that a printing error meant he had an oversupply of one item and an undersupply of another.

The fact it was a weekend only heightened anxieties while he tried to contact the suppliers and correct the errors. Meanwhile, his staff worked furiously on alternative plans in case those attempts were unsuccessful.

Things ended well, but it was a reminder of the importance of double-checking everything and being prepared to respond to last-minute developments over which a planner has no control, he says.

No matter what happens, planners must remain calm.

“The more you do it, the more you know these things are inevitable,” Nguyen says. “We still come across new situations, but every time that happens it’s one less thing that will catch you off guard next time.” 

CHARLENE ROTH-DIDDAMS | NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF EVENT SERVICES, POP KOLLABORATIVE If you go into this business, you do so because you love surprises. Part of the adrenalin rush is problem-solving and figuring out how you’re going to work around it

Charlene Roth-Diddams, national director of event services at POP Kollaborative, Calgary.

Top tip: “love surprises”

Marischal De Armond, owner of Podium Conference Specialists, Victoria

12 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

MEET TO A

DIFFERENT BEAT Alberta’s offbeat venues stand out from the regular fare

I

BY BAILA LAZARUS

n business, the 21st century is being marked by the realization that salary is no longer enough to keep employees happy and inspired; programs that give your employees that little “extra” can go a long way to keeping the creative juices – and loyalty – flowing.

Luckily, Alberta has enough off-the-beaten-track venues to give you plenty of choices to impress even jaded workers.

Star power If you’re out to make staff feel like Hollywood A-listers, how about having them walk a red carpet to their meeting venue? Cineplex Alberta has a number of locations that can be rented out for a staff appreciation night or the largest PowerPoint presentation they’ve ever seen.

Venues can stream web video or countrywide satellite multi-casts. Companies can have training seminars presented from a single location to in-auditorium corporate meetings elsewhere, and lobbies can be used for breakout sessions or cocktail receptions. Add a private or preview movie screening, and they’ll have plenty to talk about at the water cooler. Theatres hold up to 579.

For special corporate functions needing that extra bit of elegance, opt for Watson House at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise, one of only six Relais & Châteaux hotels in Western Canada | POST HOTEL

Smash hit Often overlooked due to its renown as an interpretive centre, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump is a stunning alternative for regular meetings within a few hours’ drive of Calgary in southern Alberta. The World Heritage Site offers its Joe Crowshoe Sr. Lodge that can be rented for meetings for up to 30 people.

Art felt Hotel Arts in downtown Calgary is a boutique hotel that makes people feel like they are staying in a museum. Created by the Hotel Arts Group, a team of Calgary investors formed in 2005, Hotel Arts offers 185 rooms, with a large collection of curated art.

It has an expanded conference and meeting facility, as well as full banquet services and a dedicated events team.

The site has 11,000 square feet of flexible event space, including the 9,500-square-foot Spectrum Ballroom that divides into different sections and two boardrooms for breakout use.

For an energetic boost between meetings, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s free bike program and borrow some Brooklyn Cruisers to explore the city.

| 13

Stage presence Canmore’s Cornerstone Theatre, located one hour from Calgary and a few minutes from Banff, is available for rent for conferences, meetings, gala dinners, parties, company retreats and more. The theatre’s rustic feel fits perfectly in the mountain surroundings in Canmore. With comprehensive audiovisual equipment, a commercial kitchen, licensed bar open until 2 a.m., free Wi-Fi and onsite parking, the theatre has complete conference and banquet solutions.

The venue can seat a boardroom meeting for 12; 250 in classroom style and sit-down galas for 180. The 500-square-foot stage is open for use along with stage lighting and audiovisual equipment. In addition, 6,000 square feet of floor space means the possibility of 230 dinner guests or 280 theatre-style.

Educate yourself If it’s just meeting rooms you’re looking for and not necessarily a gourmet meal, educational institutions are always a great bet. The University of Calgary can fit up to 900 in lecture format, Mount Royal University Events and Conference Services in Calgary can host up to 600, the University of Alberta Conference Centre in Edmonton can fit up to 400 and Red Deer College in Red Deer has 50 meeting rooms for groups up to 800.

Most universities and colleges offer dorm accommodation, but usually between May and August when students are away.

Open to new ideas For a more open-concept meeting arena, check out Headspace in Sunalta in Calgary’s southwest. The 5,300-square-foot space is completely changeable for different layout options. It follows the concept that you can promote more creative thinking and problem-solving by removing physical and organizational barriers that standard meeting spaces have. Even more rare – it’s entirely solar-powered.

Keep staff posted As a luxurious option that takes meetings to a different level of elegance, consider Watson House at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise. One of only six Relais & Châteaux hotels in Western Canada, the Post is a perfect venue for a corporate retreat or small special function.

Watson House itself is a private, 3,000-square-foot, two-storey mountain lodge. It can accommodate 10 for sleeping, and its grand living room is perfect for retreat meetings with the privacy and luxury of a private mountain home. 

Rustic – yet high-tech – Cornerstone Theatre in Canmore, located one hour west of Calgary, can seat 230 dinner guests or 280 theatrestyle | GASTON MAQUEDA Visitors are dwarfed by a namesake sculpture at Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump. The World Heritage Site has meeting rooms for up to 30 guests | PROVINCE OF ALBERTA

14 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

IF IT’S NOT FUN, I’M OUT OF HERE Here are five bright ideas to put the fun back into your next event, be it a business meeting or a social happening. You might be surprised by the impact of incorporating just one or two of these tips. Including all five suggestions is a surefire template for success.

BY SHARON BONNER

Sharon Bonner is president and CEO of Bright Ideas Event Coordinators Ltd., of Vancouver, and has been providing professional event co-ordination services to an international roster of companies and organizations since 1988.

Bright idea 1 – move your body Mental fatigue sets in after you’ve been sitting for an extended period of time. You must get up and move your body to stay focused and alert.

Whether it’s a group jog in the morning or midday yoga, incorporating the chance for physical movement into events and conferences gets brains stimulated and thinking.

Even short breaks, such as having attendees stand up and stretch, can boost thinking and engagement.

Getting your move on is also a good tactic if you want to add some fun and frivolity to the agenda. After dinner at your next event, hold a dance contest. Guests stand on an LED-lit dance platform and use their feet to touch coloured arrows laid out in a cross pattern, to musical and visual cues. Guests are judged by how well they time their dance to the patterns presented to them, with a chance to pick more music when they win.

Bright idea 2 – work as a team In addition to brain stimulation from exercise, team-building activities create learning experiences guests can apply to their everyday life. Team-building is a great way to improve communication and problem-solving. For event guests, team-building activities also provide opportunities for networking and getting to know their colleagues.

The best type of team-building activity is unstructured. Guests are placed on a team at the start of the event, branch off individually

throughout the event and then regroup at the end of the event. This combination seems to give guests the variety of working/playing as a team, but enough autonomy to do their own thing as well.

Bright idea 3 – be creative Some of the most successful and fun events I have produced over the last 25 years included creativity. If the creative activity came with a prize, it was even more appreciated.

A perfect example of creative activity that guarantees fun is party hats. Your guests become creative hat-makers, decorating colourful hats with all sorts of fantastic trimmings such as feathers, beads, flowers, etc. The fun and excitement continues as they wear the hats throughout the event, participate in a hat parade and then take them home as a souvenir. This activity is great fun for any event, regardless of age, gender, or occupation. With no right or wrong way to create a party hat, it’s a great way to get your team using the lateral thinking skills that foster innovation.

Another successful creative activity is the community canvas. Guests are encouraged to paint a square on a giant canvas. Painting alongside your boss or colleague can break the ice and allows one and all to connect on another level. Painting and drawing for the pure fun of it is something that many people haven’t done since they were children, but the benefits to the brain are well documented. And, once the tape is removed, the combined creative

results are invariably magnifico.

Bright idea 4 – play time We are all big kids at heart. When it comes to events, why not give your guests an opportunity to play? For corporate meetings and conferences we suggest setting up a few Ping-Pong tables and arcade games (old-fashioned and virtual) and let your guests run wild. Give them a punch card and hand out prizes when they have tried all of the activity stations. You can also include passive activity stations such as a Caricaturist, CD recording booth, LED shuffleboard and social media video booths. Guests can visit these stations at their leisure and play as long as they like.

Bright idea 5 – laugh a lot Actors, magicians or comedians are a must at your next event. When they are strolling throughout the crowd and entertaining a few guests at a time, they are spreading the laughter and fun. Have them interact with the guests and provide and pose for Polaroid photos.

The most effective way to utilize these entertainers is to give them small gifts that they can award to guests. Everyone loves to win a prize, so a small, branded freebie brings a smile to faces and enhances your profile.

Movement, creativity, fun. They form the magic menu for a memorable event. A professional will manage the myriad details that make the difference between OK and outstanding. 

We are all big kids at heart. When it comes to events, why not give your guests an opportunity to play?

Your Event Registration System Should Help Your Event Succeed, Get Work Off Your Plate and Make You Look Good!

If you’re dealing with registration glitches, have frustrated registrants or were expecting more from your registration software see these 2 tips!

Tip #1 Be Careful With Ultra Low Priced Systems

Tip #2 Use Your System In the Right Way

With so many systems on the market promising great things it can be hard to tell them apart. This means that decisions are often based on the upfront cost which is rarely the whole cost of using the system. Even if the software is good, if it’s not quite right for your needs it will cost you in terms of time, frustration and maybe lost registrations. Avoid getting into the wrong software by asking a lot of questions upfront, exploring the system with a free account and testing out the support before you really need it.

Even the best software can give you a headache if it’s not used in the right way.

For example, if you don’t give careful consideration to the types of fields you put on the form, you may not be able to pull the reports you need. Plus, advanced features might sound great but may cause more work than they save if not deployed in the right way. Good registration support staff will answer your questions while great ones will review your form and offer advice and suggestions to make your event registration a smooth and easy experience for all.

2 Free Offers

#1 Start A Free Account - Get access to the entire system and support from online registration experts to help you explore and fully evaluate the system. No contract or credit card required and no obligation. Get started now at www.eply.com. #2 Free Download - 5 Tough Questions to Help Pick the Perfect Online Registration System - A Special Report for Event planners. Helpful if you are researching systems or if you have one and are wondering if it’s what you really need. Go to www.eply.com to get this report.

1-800-507-3759 A Canadian Company

www.eply.com sales@eply.com

16 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Meeting places at a glance

How to use Meeting Places’ region-by-region directories of venues and services Welcome to the meeting planners’ resource section of Meeting Places, including directories of all the resources you’ll need for planning meetings, conferences, conventions and trade shows throughout Alberta.

Start by using the colour-coded map of Alberta on page 19 to identify the region of your intended event.

Then use the two main sections of the Meeting Places resource guide: Meeting Places at a Glance, which offers details of meeting venues in each region; and regional directories, which guide you to all the services you’ll need wherever you are holding your event.

Calgary & Area—20 Edmonton & Area—27 Alberta Rockies—33 Central Alberta—37 Southern Alberta—42 Northern Alberta—46

Regional Directories

Company Index

Refer to the Alberta map on page 19 for the page numbers of individual regional directories. The introductory pages will update you on the latest news: new conference or convention facilities that have come on-line in the past year, or significant meeting-venue renovations. The directories that ensue list the services available in each of the region’s towns and cities.

If you a l ready know the compa ny you want for the job, simply turn to the company index at the back of the regional directories. You’ll find an alphabetized listing of every company, referring you to the page that includes a description of the company and contact information.

Meeting place or venue/City/Phone number Holiday Inn Calgary - MacLeod Trail South/ 403‑450‑5716 Hotel Arts/403‑266‑4611 Hotel Blackfoot/403‑252‑2253 Hotel Clique Calgary Airport/403‑460‑9588 Hyatt Regency Calgary/403‑717‑1234 Il Sogno/403‑232‑8901 Inglewood Bird Sanctuary/403‑268‑2489 International Hotel Calgary/403‑290‑7851 Kahanoff Conference Centre/403‑262‑1224 Kensington Riverside Inn/403‑228‑4442 Marlborough Park Community Centre/403‑248‑1775 Metropolitan Conference Centre, The/403‑266‑3876 Mount Royal University Events and Conference Services/403‑440‑8890 Ramada Plaza Calgary Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, The/403‑250‑4585 Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall Inc/ 403‑253‑1100 Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary Airport/403‑219‑2475 Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary West/403‑288‑6033 Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre/403‑513‑2544 Service Plus Inns & Suites Calgary/403‑256‑5352 Shawnessy Community Centre/403‑256‑5206 Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire/403‑266‑7200 Spruce Meadows/403‑974‑4264 Stage West Theatre Restaurant/403‑243‑7077 Strathcona Community Association Building/ 403‑249‑1138 Talisman Centre/403‑233‑8393 Theatre Junction GRAND/403‑205‑2922 Valley Ridge Golf Club/403‑221‑9682 Westin Calgary/403‑508‑5206 Wingate by Wyndham Calgary South/403‑514‑0099 Cochrane Cochrane Golf Club/403‑932-5103 Crossing at Ghost River, The/403‑932‑3392 Days Inn & Suites Cochrane/403‑932‑5588 Ramada Cochrane/403‑932‑6355

Num

Meeting Places at a Glance

If you’re looking for details of specific venues, start with Meeting Places at a Glance, below. First check the Alberta map on page 19 to confirm which region your event is in, then browse the listings under that region.

Calgary & Area

Airdrie Comfort Inn & Suites Airdrie/403‑948‑3411 Nose Creek Valley Museum/403‑948‑6685 Ramada Inn & Suites Airdrie/403‑945‑1288 Bragg Creek Bragg Creek Community Centre/403‑949‑4277 Calgary Acclaim Hotel Calgary Airport/403‑291‑8000 Austrian Canadian Cultural Centre/403‑250‑9126 Best Western PLUS Port O’ Call Hotel/403‑291‑4600 Best Western PREMIER Freeport Inn & Suites/ 403‑264‑9650 Calgary Stampede/403‑261‑0282 Calgary TELUS Convention Centre/403‑261‑8500 Century Casino Calgary/403‑287‑1183 Cilantro Restaurant/403‑245‑8880 Coast Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre/800‑661‑1464 Commonwealth Centre/403‑338‑2100 Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Calgary-Airport/ 403‑250‑1800 Days Inn Calgary South/403‑243‑5531 Deerfoot Inn & Casino/403‑236‑7529 Delta Bow Valley/403‑205‑5415 Delta Calgary Airport/403‑250‑6031 Delta Calgary South/403‑225‑8620 Earl Grey Golf Club/403‑249‑5548 EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts/403‑294‑7455 Executive Royal Hotel Calgary, The/403‑291‑2003 Fort Calgary/403‑290‑1875 Four Points by Sheraton Calgary Airport/403‑648‑3177 Glamorgan Community Centre/403‑246‑8218 Glenbow Museum/403‑268‑4132 Glenmore Inn & Convention Centre, The/403‑279‑8611 Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Calgary University/ 403‑289‑9800 Headspace/403‑541‑2799 Heritage Park Historical Village/403‑268‑8500

1 2 1

40 103 • • 6,590 • 75 59 • •

7

350

12 2 12

550 225 280 250 200

•

• • • • •

• •

3 110 97 • • • 30 9,000 • • 36 4,000 • 2 1,000 • 2 40 • 13 1,300 248 • • • • 3 1,600 1 24 106 • • • 7 300 134 • • 14 700 188 • • 11 325 394 • • 15 200 296 • • • 16 350 252 • • • 2 180 12 1,800 • • 7 400 200 • • • 9 220 • 5 300 159 • • • • 3 160 • 5 500 • 14 1,000 169 • • • 3 30 96 • • 1 100 12 1,000 • •

b er o

f me etin g ro o L arg ms est m ro o m e eti n capa g cit y (p er Num sons b er o ) f sle epin g ro o Res t ms aura nt on p r e Walk mis e s to sh ops / re s t Po ol aura /s p a nts /g y m Air p or t s hut t le

Num

Meeting place or venue/City/Phone number

b er o f me etin g ro o L arg ms est m ro o m e eti capa ng cit y (p er Num sons b er o ) f sle epin g ro o Res t ms aura nt on p rem Walk is e s to sh ops / r e s taur Po ol ant s /s p a /g y m Air p or t s hut t le

Meeting places at a glance

7 300 151 • • • 8 1,000 185 • • • 10 280 198 • • • • 5 250 103 • • • 24 1,800 355 • • • 3 80 • 3 60 7 100 248 • • • 6 110 • • 3 60 19 • • 4 300 8 600 • 17 600 600 • • • • 8 500 210 • • • • 1 1,100 • 5 110 177 • • • 1 50 111 • • 3 150 300 • • • 1 60 139 • • 2 13 600 323 • • • • 7 700 3 400 9 200 • 5 150 • 3 400 • • 3 200 • 25 2,000 525 • • • 3 100 103 • • 1 150 • 2 85 24 • 2 40 61 • 1 25 72 •

Edmonton & Area

3

200

•

4 400 72 • • •

Edmonton Alberta Place Suite Hotel/780‑423‑1565 1 90 85 • Best Western Cedar Park Inn/780‑434‑7411 3 175 195 • • Best Western Plus City Centre Inn/780‑479‑2042 3 100 109 • • Best Western Plus South Edmonton Inn & Suites/ 780‑801‑3580 1 25 105 • Best Western Plus Westwood Inn /780‑483‑7770 8 500 172 • • • Campus Tower Suite Hotel/780‑439‑6060 3 60 90 • • • • Canterra Suites Hotel/780‑421‑1212 1 65 44 • • • • Chateau Lacombe Hotel/780‑420‑8357 13 1,000 307 Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre/ 780‑452‑7770 11 325 140 • • • • Chateau Nova Hotel & Suites Kingsway/780‑732‑5734 3 250 152 • • Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel/780‑423‑4811 9 500 299 • • • • Conference Services - University of Alberta/ 780‑492‑6057 24 320 • • • Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown/ 780‑945‑4735 4 100 177 • • • Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton West/780‑638‑6070 6 485 136 • • Delta Edmonton Centre Suite Hotel/780‑429‑3900 17 400 169 • • • Delta Edmonton South Hotel & Conference Centre/ 780‑434‑6415 21 800 237 • • • • DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton/780‑484‑0821 23 1,000 238 • • Edmonton EXPO Centre/780‑471‑7210 16 4,000 • • Executive Royal Inn West Edmonton/780‑930‑6852 6 500 235 • • • Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South/780‑465‑7931 11 400 139 • • • Hilton Garden Inn West Edmonton/780‑443‑2233 5 200 160 • • • • Holiday Inn Conference Centre Edmonton South/ 780‑432‑1200 8 600 224 • • • Lodge at Snow Valley, The/780‑809‑2374 1 200 • Metterra Hotel on Whyte/780‑431‑5318 3 80 98 • • Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium/780‑427‑2760 6 2,514 Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino/780‑471‑7210 5 200 • • Oasis Centre - Conferencing & Events, The/ 780‑451‑9227 4 720 Polish Veterans Hall and Country Lodge/780‑475‑9366 3 350 • Quality Inn West Harvest Edmonton/780‑484‑8000 5 60 159 • • • Radisson Hotel Edmonton South/780‑437‑6010 15 1,200 235 • • • • Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre/780‑453‑7343 26 1,000 233 • • Rexall Place/780‑471‑8107 18,500 • • Sands Inn & Suites/780‑474‑5476 3 450 53 • • Shaw Conference Centre/780‑917‑7607 23 6,000 • Timms Centre for the Arts/780‑492‑2273 4 289 • • Union Bank Inn/780‑401‑2209 4 130 34 • • Westin Edmonton, The/780‑426‑3636 18 800 416 • • Wingate by Wyndham Edmonton West/780‑443‑1000 4 120 105 • • • • Winspear Centre/780‑401‑2522 6 1,716 Enoch Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort/ 780‑930‑2622 16 600 249 • Fort Saskatchewan Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan/ 780‑992‑6409 14 1,500 • • • Lac Ste Anne County (near Onoway) Old Stone House, The/780‑967‑3324 2 32 • Leduc Best Western Plus Denham Inn & Suites/780‑986‑2241 4 200 95 • • • • Days Inn Edmonton Airport/780‑986‑6550 3 150 116 • • • • Executive Royal Hotel Leduc-Nisku/780‑986‑1840 9 400 255 • • • • Nisku Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton International Airport/780‑770‑9099 2 125 112 • • • • Sherwood Park Festival Place/780‑410‑8567 9 500 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sherwood Park/ 780‑417‑3388 1 40 90 • •

b er o f me etin g ro o L arg ms est m ro o m e eti capa ng cit y (p er Num sons b er o ) f sle epin g ro o Res t ms aura nt on p rem Walk is e s to sh ops / re s t Po ol a uran /s p a ts /g y m Air p or t s hut t le

Meeting place or venue/City/Phone number Strathcona Wilderness Centre/780‑922‑3939 St Albert Best Western Plus The Inn at St Albert/780‑470‑3800

Num

Meeting place or venue/City/Phone number De Winton Heritage Pointe Golf Club/403‑256‑9192 High River Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre High River/ 403‑652‑3834

Num

b er o

f me etin g ro o L arg ms est m ro o m e eti capa ng cit y (p er Num sons b er o ) f sle epin g ro o Res t ms aura nt on p rem Walk is e s to sh ops / re s t Po ol aura /s p a nts /g y m Air p or t s hut t le

| 17

3

50

6

2

50

90

•

•

Alberta Rockies

Banff Banff Aspen Lodge/403‑762‑4401 Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa/403‑561‑9152 Banff Centre/403‑762‑6485 Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel & Conference Centre/ 403‑760‑3265 Banff Ptarmigan Inn/403‑561‑9152 Banff Rocky Mountain Resort Hotel & Conference Centre/403‑561‑9152 Banff Voyager Inn/Spruce Grove Inn/800‑879‑1991 Buffalo Mountain Lodge/403‑781‑8131 Fox Hotel & Suites/403‑561‑9152 Inns of Banff/403‑561‑9152 Maple Leaf Grille & Lounge/403‑760‑5088 Rimrock Resort Hotel/403‑762‑3356 Rundlestone Lodge/403‑762‑2201 Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies/403‑762‑2291 Canmore Best Western Plus Pocaterra Inn/403‑678‑4334 Blackstone Mountain Lodge/403‑609‑8098 Canmore Recreation Centre/403‑678‑0808 Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn/403‑678‑5221 Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre/ 403‑609‑5438 Econo Lodge Canmore/403‑678‑5488 Elevation Place/403‑678‑0808 Falcon Crest Lodge/403‑678‑6150 Grande Rockies Resort, The/403‑678‑8880 Quality Resort Chateau Canmore/403‑678‑6699 StoneRidge Mountain Resort/403‑961‑5039 Dead Man’s Flats Copperstone Resort/403‑678‑0303 Hinton Best Canadian Motor Inn Hinton/780‑865‑5099 Black Cat Guest Ranch/780‑865‑3084 Hinton Golf Club/780‑865‑2904 Holiday Inn Express Suites Hinton/780‑865‑2048 Holiday Inn Hinton/780‑865‑3321 Overlander Mountain Lodge/877‑866‑2330 Jasper Best Western Jasper Inn & Suites/780‑852‑4461 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, The/780‑852‑3301 Pyramid Lake Resort (Mountain Park Lodges)/ 780‑852‑2516 Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre Jasper/ 780‑852‑6597 Kananaskis Boundary Ranch/403‑591‑7171 Lake Louise Baker Creek Mountain Resort/403‑522‑3761 Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, The/403‑522‑3511 Lake Louise Inn/403‑522‑3791 Post Hotel & Spa/403‑522‑3989 Morley Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino/403‑881‑2830

1 18 89 • • • 2 60 190 • • • 60 959 419 • • • • 19 500 211 • • • • 2 100 134 • • • 4 5 5 1 5 4 18 2 6

175 171 • • • 130 88 • • 100 108 • • • 12 91 • • • 160 244 • • • 46 • • 500 346 • • 80 96 • • • 350 •

3 2 2 1

150 83 • • 60 127 • • 100 • • • 60 50

10 400 164 • • • • 1 85 60 • • 3 50 • • • 2 40 66 • • • 3 150 150 • • 3 135 93 • • 1 60 101 • • • 1

12

3 2 1 2 1 2

80 104 • 30 16 • 160 • 10 99 • • 100 104 • • 30 41 •

4 19

120 600

144 450

•

• • •

•

• •

1 60 62 • • • 7 240 153 • • • 3

200

•

1 21 3 2

30 750 100 60

35 • 554 • • 247 • 97 •

• • • •

5

450

110

•

•

Central Alberta

Blackfalds Blackfalds Community Hall/403‑885‑4677 Blackfalds Multi-Plex/403‑885‑4677 Microtel Inn & Suites/403‑885‑9797 Bonnyville Bonnyville Neighbourhood Inn/780‑826‑3300

1 250 2 125 1 40 63 • • 3

80

•

18 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Camrose Best Western PLUS Camrose Resort Casino/ 780‑679‑4956 Camrose Regional Exhibition/780‑672‑3640 Camrose Super 8/780‑672‑7303 Chuck MacLean Arts Centre/780‑672‑9949 Norsemen Inn/780‑672‑9171 Drayton Valley Lakeview Inns & Suites Black Gold Inn/780‑542‑3200 Ramada Drayton Valley/780‑514‑7861 Service Plus Inns & Suites Drayton Valley/888‑875‑4667 Edson Best Western High Road Inn/780‑712‑2378 Edson & District Recreation Complex/780‑723‑3311 Kitscoty Kitscoty Hall/780‑872‑9465 Lloydminster Centennial Civic Centre Auditorium/780‑875‑4529 Holiday Inn & Suites Lloydminster/780‑870‑5050 Lloydminster Exhibition Association/306‑825‑5571 Servus Sports Centre/780‑875‑4529 Tropical Inn Hotel & Conference Centre/780‑875‑7000 West Harvest Express/780‑875‑8884 West Harvest Inn Lloydminster/780‑875‑6113 Olds Olds College Conference Services/403‑556‑8359 Red Deer Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum/403‑341‑8614 Best Western Plus Inn & Suites/403‑346‑3555 Collicutt Centre/403‑358‑7524 Comfort Inn & Suites Red Deer/403‑348‑0025 Days Inn Red Deer/403‑340‑3297 Festival Hall/403‑346‑0055 Hampton Inn & Suites/403‑346‑6688 Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South/403‑348‑8485 iHotel 67 Street/403‑357‑1108 Motel 6 Red Deer/403‑340‑1749 Ramada Red Deer Hotel & Suites/403‑342‑4445 Red Deer Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre/ 800‑661‑1657 Sandman Hotel Red Deer/403‑343‑7400 Sheraton Red Deer Hotel/403‑755‑1150 Westerner Park/403‑343‑7800 Rocky Mountain House Prairie Creek Inn, The/403‑844‑2672 Sundre Sundre Golf Club/403‑638‑5812 Vermilion Vermilion Regional Centre/780‑581‑2413 Whitecourt Admiral Inn & Suites/780‑778‑2216 Eagle River Casino/780‑779‑2727

3 320 113 • • 9 1 60 72 • 7 125 5 475 75 • • 2 1 1

100 30 12

91 82 89 •

2 5

350 114 500

• • •

• • • •

1 455 • 1 2 8 1 7 2 3

350 80 116 • • • 1,500 • 120 350 165 • • • 50 80 • 150 96 • • •

20

400

600

•

•

2 200 1 12 92 • • 5 80 • • 4 200 88 • • • 1 100 76 • • 2 525 1 70 110 • • 1 500 114 • • • 10 300 142 • • • 0 2 70 90 • • 11 120 223 • • 2 50 143 • • • 14 2,500 241 • • • 16 1,200 • • 1

24

13

•

1

150

4

600

2 1

100 74 70

• •

• • •

Southern Alberta

Brooks Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre Brooks/ 403‑362‑6666 Ramada Inn & Suites/403‑362‑6440 Super 8 Brooks/403‑363‑0080 Lethbridge Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre/ 403‑327‑5701 Days Inn Lethbridge/403‑327‑6000 Econo Lodge Inn & Suites/403‑328‑5591 Fort Whoop Up National Historic Site/403‑329‑0444 Galt Museum & Archives/403‑320‑4247 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lethbridge/ 403‑394‑9292 Holiday Inn Lethbridge/403‑359‑5612 Lethbridge College /403‑329‑7218 Lethbridge Exhibition Park/403‑317‑3213

6 600 106 • • • 2 60 101 • • 1 45 94 • 6 1 1 5 4

550 103 • • • 15 70 • • 10 75 • • 300 200 •

1 6 2 6

20 114 • • • 150 124 • • • 500 • 34,000 •

Lethbridge Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre / 403‑328‑1123 Quality Inn & Suites Lethbridge/403‑331‑6440 Ramada Lethbridge/403‑329‑0555 Regent Restaurant/403‑328‑7800 Ric’s Grill & The Mix by Ric’s Lounge in the Watertower/403‑317‑7427 Sandman Hotel Lethbridge/403‑328‑1111 Super 8 Lethbridge/403‑328‑6636 University of Lethbridge Conference & Event Services/403‑329‑2244 Medicine Hat Best Western Plus Sun Country/403‑527‑3700 City of Medicine Hat - Arenas/403‑502‑8745 Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre/403‑527‑8844 Comfort Inn & Suites Medicine Hat/403‑504‑1700 Desert Blume Golf Club/403‑581‑4653 Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre/403‑502‑8787 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Medicine Hat/ 403‑504‑5151 Medalta - Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District/403‑529‑1070 Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede/403‑527‑1234 Medicine Hat Lodge Resort/403‑502‑8190 Paradise Valley Golf Course/403‑526‑3330 Southside Events Centre/403‑528‑9997 Pincher Creek Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre Pincher Creek/403‑627‑5000 Taber Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre Taber/ 403‑223‑4424 Waterton Park Bayshore Inn at Waterton Lake/403‑859‑2211

b er o f me etin g ro o L arg ms est m ro o m e eti capa ng cit y (p er Num sons b er o ) f sle epin g ro o Res t ms aura nt on p rem Walk is e s to sh ops / re s t Po ol a uran /s p a ts /g y m Air p or t s hut t le

Meeting place or venue/City/Phone number

Num

Meeting place or venue/City/Phone number

Num

b er o

f me etin g ro o L arg ms est m ro o m e eti capa ng cit y (p er Num sons b er o ) f sle epin g ro o Res t ms aura nt on p rem Walk is e s to sh ops / re s t Po ol aura /s p a nts /g y m Air p or t s hut t le

Meeting places at a glance

10 850 190 • • • • 1 15 60 • • 2 30 86 • • 3 80 • 3 150 • • 8 350 119 • • • 1 10 75 • • 75 350 1 3 1 1 2 6

• • •

40 122 • 120 550 65 • • • 40 100 • • 160 • 240 •

3 100 93 • • • 2 200 7 2,000 • 9 500 222 • • • 1 50 • 2 455 • • 3 260 77 • • 4 300 74 • • 4

300

96

•

•

•

Northern Alberta

Athabasca Athabasca Golf & Country Club/780‑675‑4599 Athabasca Super 8/780‑675‑8888 Days Inn Athabasca/780‑675‑7020 Fort McMurray Chateau Nova Fort McMurray/780‑278‑6155 Clearwater Suite Hotel & Spa/780‑799‑7676 Franklin Suite Hotel/780‑788‑2199 Merit Hotel & Suites/780‑714‑9444 Nomad Hotel & Suites/780‑791‑4770 Podollan Inn & Rez-idence Fort McMurray/ 780‑790‑2000 Quality Hotel & Conference Centre Fort McMurray/ 780‑713‑3335 Super 8 Fort McMurray/780‑799‑8450 Grande Prairie Best Western Hotel & Suites Grande Prairie/ 780‑402‑2378 Crystal Centre/780‑513‑5242 Evergreen Park/780‑357‑2849 Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Conference Centre/ 780‑402‑6886 Paradise Inn & Conference Centre Grande Prairie/ 800‑661‑7954 Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre/780‑832‑2436 Pomeroy Inn & Suites Grande Prairie/780‑831‑2999 Sandman Hotel Grande Prairie/780‑513‑5555 Service Plus Inn & Suites Grande Prairie/780‑538‑3900 Stanford Hotel Grande Prairie/780‑539‑5678 High Level Best Western Plus Mirage Hotel & Resort/ 780‑821‑1000 Executive House Suites Hotel & Conference Centre/ 780‑926‑3311 Slave Lake Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Slave Lake/ 780‑849‑4819 Super 8 Slave Lake/780‑805‑3100

1 144 • 1 15 47 • • • • 2 30 69 • • 2 5 1 3 2

150 30 12 150 200

170 • • 150 • • • 75 • • 228 • • 165 • •

• • • • •

1 40 101 • • 6 600 153 • • • 2 50 140 • • • 3 160 100 • • • • 4 1,400 • 11 5,000 • 7 800 145 • • • • 6 5 3 2 1 2

400 800 100 150 50 40

102 • • • • 202 • • • 152 • • • 134 • • • 123 • • • • 204 • • • •

4 500 92 • • • • 3 150 32 • • 1 30 111 • 1 30 58 •

| 19

Regional map of Alberta NWT CALGARY & AREA—20 Airdrie—24 Bragg Creek—24 Calgary—24 Cochrane — 26 De Winton—26 High River—26 Okotoks—26

EDMONTON & AREA—27

High Level

Edmonton—30 Enoch—31 Fort Saskatchewan—31 Lac Ste Anne County—32 Leduc—32 Medicine Hat—32 Nisku—32 Sherwood Park—32 Spruce Grove—32 St Albert—32 Stony Plain—32

Northern Alberta—P46

Fort McMurray

35

ALBERTA ROCKIES—33 Banff—34 Canmore—36 Dead Man’s Flats—36 Hinton—36 Jasper—36 Kananaskis—36 Lake Louise—36

CENTRAL ALBERTA—37 Blackfalds—38 Bonnyville—38 Camrose—38 Drayton Valley—38 Edson—38 Kitscoty—40 Lloydminster—40 Olds—40 Red Deer—40 Rocky Mountain House—41 Sundre—41 Vermilion—41 Whitecourt—41

Peace River

High Prairie

Clairmont

2

36

43

Lac La Biche Edmonton Cold Lake & area—P27

Athabasca 40

Bonnyville

2

Westlock

Whitecourt

St. Paul

47

Grande Cache

Bruderhelm Edson

Fallis St. Albert Edmonton Sherwood Park Spruce Grove Stony Plain Enoch Beaumont Devon Nisku Drayton Valley Leduc Camrose Westerose Wetaskiwin New Norway

16

16

14

Wainwright

13

36

Rimbey

21

12

Sylvan Lake

Rocky Mountain House

11

Innisfail

Nordegg

13

Provost

Stettler

Red Deer

12

21

2

12 36

22

93

Olds

Three Hills

Lake Louise

Banff Morley Cochrane Canmore Kananaskis Calgary

41

9

Carstairs

9

Drumheller Airdrie 9

Rocky View Langdon Bragg Creek De Winton Okotoks Turner Valley High River

Southern Alberta—P42

56

Rosebud

21

1

1

Patricia Brooks

23

2

1

Calgary & area—P20

41

Medicine Hat Claresholm

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Picture Butte

Fort Macleod Coleman

3

Lethbridge

3

Pincher Creek

36

Taber 36

4

2 4

Waterton

WASHINGTON

Lloydminster

13

11

Alberta Rockies—P33

Kitscoty

14

2

Central Alberta—P37 93

45 36

16

16

21

Jasper

Heinsburg

45

Lamont Fort Saskatchewan

2

Evansburg

Hinton

NORTHERN ALBERTA—46 Athabasca—47 Fairview—47 Fort McMurray—47 Grande Prairie—47 High Level—47 Slave Lake—47

Slave Lake

49

Grande Prairie

SOUTHERN ALBERTA—42 Brooks—43 Drumheller—43 Lethbridge—43 Medicine Hat—44 Pincher Creek—44 Taber—44 Waterton Park—44

S AS KAT CH E W A N

2

IDAH O

MONT ANA

3

Bow Island

20 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Calgary & area

NOWTOWN Sophisticated and friendly Calgary is Canada’s city of the century

C

BY GEOFF KIRBYSON

The 400-acre Spruce Meadows welcomes national and international equestrian competitions just south of downtown – and boasts 56,000 square feet of conference facilities | TOURISM CALGARY

algary’s tourism industry is confident the continued growth of non-oil-andgas sectors will keep it the top-ranked hotel city in Canada.

“We will always be the oil and gas capital but we’re seeing very strong growth in the tech and health sectors.

That helps protect against any downturn in the oil and gas market,” says Jon Jackson, executive director of the Calgary Hotel Association (CHA).

The stronger the overall economy, the more confidence hoteliers will have to build or expand.

“We’re aware of 15 properties throughout the city in various construction phases,” Jackson says.

“Calgary is still Canada’s No. 1 [hotel] market. We are such a strong business market that there’s room for growth,” he says.

The CHA predicts Calgary’s hotel room stock will grow by more than 25 per cent from last year’s 12,000 total to slightly more than 15,000 by 2017.

“The great thing is we’re seeing strong growth from the [major] brands, such as Hilton, Marriott and Starwood, so that’s showing the continued confidence in Calgary as a hotel city and as a city that continues to grow,” he says.

The high calibre of hotels is reflected in the Hotel Le Germain downtown, which opened in 2010. The boutique

| 21

Calgary & area

Visitors take a thrilling, professionally piloted bobsled run in Canada Olympic Park legacy facilities from the 1988 Calgary Olympics | TOURISM CALGARY

22 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Calgary & area

Young people celebrate on Stephen Avenue: Alberta’s “oil capital” is Canada’s youngest city, drawing workers and visitors from around the world | TOURISM CALGARY

hotel combines luxury suites and fine dining with a series of sophisticated meeting rooms for groups from a dozen to more than 100.

Starwood has just brought one of its other banners, Aloft, to Calgary. This boutique hotel is much more connected digitally than most. “It’s for young professionals, high social media users, the gen-Ys and millennials,” he says.

And later this year, a Fairfield by Marriott will be opening just south of downtown. The 124-room hotel will boast “substantial” meeting space, Jackson adds.

Calgary’s current convention activity bears out much of the optimism on the hotel front.

Much of that takes place at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre, which has 122,000 square feet of convention space, more than 47,000 square feet of exhibit space, five pre-function areas and 36 meeting rooms. Spruce Meadows, Canada’s premier equestrian facility, has 56,000

Historic

Events Happen Here

square feet of conference and meeting space.

Team-building events don’t come any livelier than challenging the bobsled run or North America’s fastest zipline at Canada Olympic Park, a popular meeting venue just west of the city.

David Ferguson, senior associate at PKF Consulting Inc., a Vancouver-based advisory firm to the hospitality industry in Canada, predicts more than five per cent growth in Calgary total room supply in 2014 and 2015.

City and airport planning is playing a role in the growth.

Ferguson says when a new runway was built recently, the road out of the airport to the south was closed.

“That has increased travel times to and from the hotels in the northeast, hence there’s a lot of interest in developing new hotels to the north of the airport terminal building because they’re now the closest hotels to the airport,” he says. 

Heritage Park Historical Village is Calgary’s most distinctive venue with facilities to suit any event, year-round.

Let our Executive Chef, Jan Hansen, create the perfect menu for your culinary needs.

• BANQUETS • SEMINARS • WEDDINGS • BUSINESS LUNCHEONS • BARBEQUES •

FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND BOOKING AVAILABILITY VISIT HERITAGEPARK.CA OR CALL 403.268.8526

PLANNING A MEETING OR EVENT IN CALGARY? Success Starts Here.

Whether you are hosting a meeting for 5 or a conference for 225, our team will ensure that all of your details are taken of.

Delta Calgary South features 19,000 square feet of meeting space in 16 meeting rooms. We are located in the heart of the Macleod Trail business and entertainment district, minutes away ffrom world-class attractions and premium shopping.

Please contact us by phone at 403-225-8631 or by email at service@deltacalgarysouth.com.

www.deltacalgarysouth.com 135 Southland Drive SE Calgary, Alberta T2J 5X5 1-877-278-5050

24 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Calgary & area Airdrie Hotels and Motels Comfort Inn & Suites Airdrie 133 Sierra Springs Dr SE, Airdrie T4B 3G7 �������������� p403‑948‑3411 f403‑948‑0021 ereservations@comfortinnairdrie.com wwww.comfortinn.com Ramada Inn & Suites Airdrie 191 East Lake Cres, Airdrie T4A 2H7 �������������� p403‑945‑1288 f403‑945‑1012 egm@ramadaairdrie.com wwww.canaltahotels.com

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Nose Creek Valley Museum 1701 Main St SW, Airdrie T4B 1C5 ������������������������������������������p403‑948‑6685 encvm@telus.net wwww.nosecreekvalleymuseum.com

Bragg Creek Photography - Event/Videography Gold Photography 31 White Ave Box 1059, Bragg Creek T0L 0K0 Gail Gold ������������ p403‑949‑2748 f403‑949‑2725 epgold@goldphotography.com wwww.goldphotography.com

Resorts/Retreats Riverside Chateau 104 White Ave Box 1319, Bragg Creek T0L 0K0 Marek Grzesiak ������������������������������p403‑835‑6032 einfo@riversidechateau.com wwww.riversidechateau.com

Restaurants Bavarian Inn Restaurant 75 White Ave Box 808, Bragg Creek T0L 0K0 ������������������������������������������p403‑949‑3611 erestaurant@thebavarianinn.com wwww.thebavarianinn.com

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Bragg Creek Community Centre 23 White Ave Box 39, Bragg Creek T0L 0K0 Shaye Radford ��������������������������������p403‑949‑4277 especialevents@braggcreekca.com wwww.braggcreekca.com

Calgary Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Meeting Professionals International Greater Calgary Chapter Box 61203 Kensington RPO, Calgary T2N 4S6 �������������� p403‑835‑1601 f403‑266‑6709 einfo@mpi-gcc.org wwww.mpi-gcc.org Tourism Calgary 238 11th Ave SE Suite 200, Calgary T2G 0X8 �������������� p403‑263‑8510 f403‑263‑8510 wwww.visitcalgary.com

Audiovisual Services Mediaco 1220 28th St NE Suite 114, Calgary T2A 6A2 Peter Cornforth ��� p403‑278‑1200 f403‑278‑1232 ecalgary@mediaco.ca wwww.mediaco.ca Westin Calgary 320 4th Ave SW, Calgary T2P 2S6 Andrea Fernando p403‑508‑5206 f403‑265‑7908 eandrea.fernando@westin.com wwww.westin.com/calgary

Banquet Facilities Austrian Canadian Cultural Centre 3112 11 St NE, Calgary T2E 7J1 Christa Schmidt �� p403‑250‑9126 f403‑250‑9128 einfo@austrianclub.ca wwww.austrianclub.ca Century Casino Calgary 1010 42 Ave SE, Calgary T2G 1Z4 Todd Thull ����������� p403‑287‑1183 f403‑243‑3166 einfo.calgary@cnty.com wwww.calgary.cnty.com Il Sogno 24 4 St NE, Calgary T2E 3R7 ��������������� p403‑232‑8901 f403‑232‑8816 eilsogno@shaw.ca wwww.ilsogno.org

Westin Calgary 320 4th Ave SW, Calgary T2P 2S6 Andrea Fernando p403‑508‑5206 f403‑265‑7908 eandrea.fernando@westin.com wwww.westin.com/calgary

Employment Agencies/Event Staffing`

Bus Services Airport Shuttle Express Ltd 2536 7 Ave NE, Calgary T2A 2L7 ��������������� p403‑509‑4799 f403‑272‑4799 einfo@airportshuttleexpress.com wwww.airportshuttleexpress.com

Caterers A Splendid Affair 10 Coachway Rd SW Suite 143, Calgary T3H 1E5 Beat Schmassmann �����������������������p403‑228‑6280 ebeat@asplendidaffair.com wwww.asplendidaffair.com Distinctive Catering 2828 18 St NE Suite 1, Calgary T2E 7B1 Connie Quinton ������������������������������p403‑256‑4380 einfo@distinctivecatering.ca wwww.distinctivecatering.ca Grumans Catering & Delicatessen 230 11th Ave SE, Calgary T2G 0X8 Peter Fraiberg ����� p403‑261‑9003 f403‑261‑5012 eevents@grumans.ca wwww.grumans.ca

BBW International Inc. Calgary ��������������������������������������������p866-984-0352 esales@bbwinternational.com wwww.bbwinternational.com Local Calgary and Edmonton event staff for conference registration, cashiers, booth hostesses and experiential marketing ambassadors.

Event Marketing`

Community Halls Glamorgan Community Centre 4207 41 Ave SW, Calgary T3E 1G2 ������������������������������������������p403‑246‑8218 einfo@myglamorgan.ca wwww.myglamorgan.ca Strathcona Community Association Building 277 Strathcona Dr SW, Calgary T3H 2A4 Office Manager �� p403‑249‑1138 f403‑249‑7811 einfo@scacalgary.ca wwww.scacalgary.ca

PNH Solutions 5225 Creekbank Rd, Mississauga L4W 1R3 Francois Hudon ������������������������������p514‑683‑3279 einfo@pnh.ca wwww.pnh.ca PNH SOLUTIONS: Canadian leader in event marketing and trade show exhibit products - fast turnaround - knowledgeable professionals at your service.

Conference Organizers/Planners/ Tradeshow Consultants

Event Group, The 1235 17 Ave SW Suite 210, Calgary T2T 0C2 David Howard ���� p403‑543‑1509 f403‑543‑1516 edave@eventgroup.ca wwww.eventgroup.ca POP Kollaborative Inc 318 11 Ave SE Suite 430, Calgary T2G 0Y2 Kenneth Kristoffersen ��������������������p403‑264‑9801 f403‑264‑9809 einfo@pophasemail.com wwww.pophasawebsite.com

ConventionALL Management 4905 102 Ave SE Bay 3 Second Fl, Calgary T2C 2X7 Lisa Doyle ����������� p403‑244‑7821 f866‑808‑0366 einfo@conventionall.com wwww.conventionall.com Delisle Marketing & Events Inc 1120 44 Ave SE Suite A, Calgary T2G 4W6 Charlene Delisle � p403‑203‑9243 f403‑236‑0524 ecdelisle@dmeinc.ca wwww.dmeinc.ca Details Convention & Event Management 305 4625 Varsity Dr NW Suite 400, Calgary T3A 0Z9 Jean Silzer ��������� p403‑277‑7377 f888‑820‑7757 einfo@detailsinc.ca wwww.detailsinc.ca

Decor and Design Services Chair Flair Linen Rentals & Event Decor 246 Stewart Green SW Suite 2024, Calgary T3H 3C8 Shannon Collins �����������������������������p403‑923‑8751 echairflair@shaw.ca wwww.chairflair.ca Flagworks Inc 5622 Burleigh Cres SE Bay 1, Calgary T2H 1Z8 ������������� p403‑265‑5595 f403‑265‑5612 eflagworks@flagworks.com wwww.flagworks.com

Destination Management/Marketing Meetings + Conventions Calgary 120 9 Ave SE, Calgary T2G 0P3 ������������������������������������������p403‑261‑8569 einfo@meetingscalgary.com wwww.meetingscalgary.com

Display Designers & Builders Display Dynamics Ltd 1733 10 Ave SW, Calgary T3C 0K1 �������������� p403‑269‑5566 f403‑269‑4265 einfo@displaydynamics.ca wwww.displaydynamics.ca Nexus Exhibits Ltd 2424 2 Ave SE, Calgary T2E 6J9 �������������� p403‑262‑8030 f403‑266‑3414 emarketing@nexusexhibits.com wwww.nexusexhibits.com

Event Planners

Event Registration CONEXSYS Event Registration 6115 4th St SE Unit 9, Calgary T2H 2H9 Mike Carruthers � p403‑254‑0695 f403‑254‑0472 emike@conexsys.com wwww.conexsys.com

Golf Courses & Country Clubs Earl Grey Golf Club 6540 20 St SW, Calgary T3E 5L2 Jennifer Cox ������� p403‑249‑5548 f403‑246‑2458 ejenn@earlgreygolfclub.com wwww.earlgreygolfclub.com Valley Ridge Golf Club 11618 Valley Ridge Park NW, Calgary T3B 5L4 Kaitlyn Bruce ����������������������������������p403‑221‑9682 wwww.valleyridgegolf.com

Hotels and Motels Best Western PREMIER Freeport Inn & Suites 86 Freeport Blvd NE, Calgary T3J 5J9 Elise Shorting ����� p403‑264‑9650 f403‑264‑9651 einfo@bestwesterncalgary.com wwww.bestwesterncalgary.com Coast Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre 1316 33 St NE, Calgary T2A 6B6 �������������� p800‑661‑1464 f403‑248‑0749 einfo@calgaryplaza.com wwww.calgaryplaza.com Country Inn & Suites by Carlson CalgaryAirport 2481 39 Ave NE, Calgary T2E 8V8 Leanne Shaw-Brotherston �������������p403‑250‑1800 f403‑250‑2121 ecx_clgr@countryinns.com wwww.countryinns.com/calgaryab Deerfoot Inn & Casino 11500 35 St SE Suite 1000, Calgary T2Z 3W4 Michael Seguin �� p403‑236‑7529 f403‑252‑4767 emseguin@dfic.ca wwww.deerfootinn.com Delta Calgary Airport 2001 Airport Rd NE, Calgary T2E 6Z8 Grant Erickson ���� p403‑250‑6031 f403‑250‑8722 egrant.erickson@deltahotels.com wwww.deltacalgaryairport.com

Delta Calgary South 135 Southland Dr SE, Calgary T2J 5X5 ��������������� p403‑225‑8620 f403‑225‑5813 eservice@deltacalgarysouth.com wwww.deltacalgarysouth.com Executive Royal Hotel Calgary, The 2828 23 St NE, Calgary T2E 8T4 �������������� p403‑291‑2003 f403‑291‑2019 enorthcalgary@royalinn.com wwww.executivehotels.net/calgary Four Points by Sheraton Calgary Airport 2875 Sunridge Way NE, Calgary T1Y 7K7 Karlee Zemp ������� p403‑648‑3177 f403‑648‑3179 ecatering@fourpointscalgaryairport.com wwww.fourpointscalgaryairport.ca Glenmore Inn & Convention Centre, The 2720 Glenmore Trail SE, Calgary T2C 2E6 Laura Pocock ������ p403‑279‑8611 f403‑236‑8035 elaurapocock@glenmoreinn.com wwww.glenmoreinn.com Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Calgary University 2231 Banff Trail NW, Calgary T2M 4L2 Rupesh Mulakkal p403‑289‑9800 f403‑289‑9200 ehsuites@shaw.ca wwww.hamptoncalgary.com Hotel Blackfoot 5940 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary T2H 2B5 �������������� p403‑252‑2253 f403‑252‑3574 esales@hotelblackfoot.com wwww.hotelblackfoot.com Hyatt Regency Calgary 700 Centre St SE, Calgary T2G 5P6 Danielle Durand � p403‑717‑1234 f403‑262‑3490 esalescalrc@hyatt.com wwww.hyattregencycalgary.com International Hotel Calgary 220 4 Ave SW, Calgary T2P 0H5 Chantel Lindal ���� p403‑290‑7851 f403‑290‑7885 ecatering@internationalhotel.ca wwww.internationalhotel.ca Ramada Plaza Calgary Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, The 3515 26 St NE, Calgary T1Y 7E3 Coral Bechdholt �� p403‑250‑4585 f403‑291‑9719 ecoral.bechdholt@sodexo.com wwww.ramada.com Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary Airport 25 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary T3J 4V7 �������������� p403‑219‑2475 f403‑219‑2476 esalescalair@sandman.ca wwww.sandmanhotels.com Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary West 125 Bowridge Dr NW, Calgary T3B 3R6 ������������� p403‑288‑6033 f403‑288‑6063 esales_calwest@sandman.ca wwww.sandmanhotels.com Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre 888 7th Ave SW, Calgary T2P 3J3 Sandra Watson �� p403‑513‑2544 f403‑264‑4256 eswatson@sandman.ca wwww.sandmanhotels.com Service Plus Inns & Suites Calgary 3503 114 Ave SE, Calgary T2Z 3X2 ��������������� p403‑256‑5352 f403‑256‑5321 ereservations@spis.ca wwww.serviceplusinns.com Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire 255 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary T2P 5C2 ��������������� p403‑266‑7200 f403‑266‑1300 ehotelinfo@sheratonsuites.com wwww.sheratonsuites.com

Westin Calgary 320 4th Ave SW, Calgary T2P 2S6 Andrea Fernando p403‑508‑5206 f403‑265‑7908 eandrea.fernando@westin.com wwww.westin.com/calgary Wingate by Wyndham Calgary South 400 Midpark Way SE, Calgary T2X 3S4 �������������� p403‑514‑0099 f403‑514‑0090 emeetings@wingatebywyndhamcalgary.com wwww.wingatebywyndhamcalgary.com

The

GLENMORE INN & Convention Centre

We will accommodate your business meetings and conventions with personal attention and professional service.

The Glenmore Inn provides numerous options that can easily accommodate your needs.

Our facilities are perfect for almost any size of special occasion.

• 15,000 sq. ft. of Adaptable Banquet Space from 156 - 9,700 sq. ft.

• 14 Banquet Rooms – up to 1,200 Guests • Customized Catering Menus Available • Complimentary Parking 2720 Glenmore Trail SE Calgary, AB T2C 2E6 Phone: (403) 279-8611 Toll Free: 1-800-661-3163 Fax: (403) 236-8035 E-mail: cateringmgr@glenmoreinn.com

www.glenmoreinn.com

26 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Calgary & area Meeting Planners

Signs, Banners, Flag

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities

PNH Solutions 5225 Creekbank Rd, Mississauga L4W 1R3 Francois Hudon ������������������������������p514‑683‑3279 einfo@pnh.ca wwww.pnh.ca PNH SOLUTIONS: Canadian leader in event marketing and trade show exhibit products - fast turnaround - knowledgeable professionals at your service.

Calgary Stampede 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary T2G 2W1 Greg Newton ������ p403‑261‑0282 f403‑261‑0421 egnewton@calgarystampede.com wwww.calgarystampede.com/venues EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts 205 8 Ave SE, Calgary T2G 0K9 �������������� p403‑294‑7455 f403‑294‑7457 ebooking@epcorcentre.org wwww.epcorcentre.org

Capitol Conferences Inc PO Box 75008 Cambrian, Calgary T2K 6J8 Amanda Barber �� p403‑210‑0596 f403‑220‑9361 ecapitol@shaw.ca wwww.capitolconferences.com Impact Events Ltd 2033 46 Ave SW , Calgary T2T 2S1 Laurel Deplaedt �� p403‑243‑3220 f403‑243‑3273 elaureld@impacteventsltd.ca

Regional Convention Spaces

Tourist Attractions - Major Calgary Stampede 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary T2G 2W1 Greg Newton ������ p403‑261‑0282 f403‑261‑0421 egnewton@calgarystampede.com wwww.calgarystampede.com/venues Calgary TELUS Convention Centre 120 9 Ave SE, Calgary T2G OP3 �������������� p403‑261‑8500 f403‑261‑8510 esales@calgary-convention.com wwww.calgary-convention.com

Restaurants Westin Calgary 320 4th Ave SW, Calgary T2P 2S6 Andrea Fernando p403‑508‑5206 f403‑265‑7908 eandrea.fernando@westin.com wwww.westin.com/calgary

Heritage Park Historical Village 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary T2V 2X3 Jeff Hodgson ������ p403‑268‑8500 f403‑268‑8501 ejhodgson@heritagepark.ab.ca wwww.heritagepark.ca Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall Inc 9615 MacLeod Trail S, Calgary T2J 0P6 Wendy Daniel ����� p403‑253‑1100 f403‑259‑5447 wwww.ranchmans.com

Cochrane Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Cochrane Tourism Association c/o Cochrane RancheHouse 101 RancheHouse Rd, Cochrane T4C 2K8 Hillary Richardson ��������������������������p403‑981‑6716 ecochranetourism@gmail.com wwww.cochrane-tourism.ca

Golf Courses & Country Clubs

Calgary Zoo 1300 Zoo Rd NE, Calgary T2E 7V6 Sharon Hobbs ����� p403‑232‑7770 f403‑232‑7582 esalesinfo@calgaryzoo.com wwww.calgaryzoo.com

Heritage Park Historical Village 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary T2V 2X3 Jeff Hodgson ������ p403‑268‑8500 f403‑268‑8501 ejhodgson@heritagepark.ab.ca wwww.heritagepark.ca Hyatt Regency Calgary 700 Centre St SE, Calgary T2G 5P6 Danielle Durand � p403‑717‑1234 f403‑262‑3490 esalescalrc@hyatt.com wwww.hyattregencycalgary.com Metropolitan Conference Centre, The 333 4 Ave SW, Calgary T2P 0H9 Tracey Wilkinson p403‑266‑3876 f403‑233‑0009 etwilkinson@metcentre.com wwww.metcentre.com Stage West Theatre Restaurant 727 42 Ave SE, Calgary T2G 1Y8 ������������������������������������������p403‑243‑7077 email@stagewestcalgary.com wwww.stagewestcalgary.com Theatre Junction GRAND 608 1 St SW, Calgary T2P 1M6 Tod Petersen ������� p403‑205‑2922 f403‑263‑3605 eevents@theatrejunction.com wwww.theatrejunction.com Westin Calgary 320 4th Ave SW, Calgary T2P 2S6 Andrea Fernando p403‑508‑5206 f403‑265‑7908 eandrea.fernando@westin.com wwww.westin.com/calgary

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor

Cochrane Golf Club 240 Riverview Dr, Cochrane T4C 1K6 ���������������������������������������������p403‑32-‑103 einfo@cochranegolfclub.com wwww.cochranegolfclub.com

Hotels and Motels Days Inn & Suites Cochrane 5 West Side Dr, Cochrane T4C 1M1 ������������ p403‑932‑5588 f403‑932‑9541 wwww.daysinn.ca Ramada Cochrane 10 Westside Dr, Cochrane T4C 1M1 ������������� p403‑932‑6355 f403‑851‑0808 egm@cochraneramada.com wwww.ramada.com

Resorts/Retreats Crossing at Ghost River, The PO Box 879 Stn Main, Cochrane T4C 1A9 Diane Young ������� p403‑932‑3392 f403‑932‑2582 einfo@crossingexperience.ca wwww.crossingexperience.ca

Speakers/Facilitators Kevin Burns - Safety Speaker 14-312 5th Ave W Suite 150, Cochrane T4C 2E3 Kevin Burns ������������������������������������p403‑770‑2928 ekevin@kevburns.com wwww.kevburns.com

De Winton Golf Courses & Country Clubs Heritage Pointe Golf Club 1 Heritage Pointe Dr RR 1, De Winton T0L 0X0 Mia Heitland ������ p403‑256‑9192 f403‑256‑4494 emia.heitland@heritagepointe.com wwww.heritagepointe.com

High River Hotels and Motels

Take your next event out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary.

The Calgary Zoo is an ideal location for your next meeting or corporate function. Break away from the boardroom and let our unique surroundings motivate and inspire your team.

Call (403) 232-7770 or email salesinfo@calgaryzoo.com

Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre High River 1104 11 Ave SE, High River T1V 1M4 Rick Bart ������������� p403‑652‑3834 f403‑652‑4432 einfo.highriver@heritageinn.net wwww.heritageinn.net Calgary Stampede 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary T2G 2W1 Greg Newton ������ p403‑261‑0282 f403‑261‑0421 egnewton@calgarystampede.com wwww.calgarystampede.com/venues Fort Calgary 750 9 Ave SE, Calgary T2P 2M5 Sandi McNeill ���� p403‑290‑1875 f403‑265‑6534 einfo@fortcalgary.com wwww.fortcalgary.com Glenbow Museum 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary T2G 0P3 Allison Ainsley ��� p403‑268‑4132 f403‑265‑9769 eaainsley@glenbow.org wwww.glenbow.org

Langdon Entertainment Services Room to Dance Band 26 Wilson Rd NE, Langdon T0J 1X1 JC Plett �������������������������������������������p403‑461‑3722 ejc@roomtodance.com wwww.roomtodance.com

Okotoks Caterers Don’s Good Time Catering , Okotoks Donald Buehler ������������������������������p403‑606‑1247 edon@goodtimecatering.ca wwww.goodtimecatering.ca

| 27

Edmonton & area

CAPITAL IDEAS Edmonton has no lack of large and vibrant meeting venues

E

BY GEOFF KIRBYSON

dmonton’s downtown is about to get a transformational facelift that will give the capital city’s tourism industry and convention business a shot in the arm.

Plans for the Edmonton Arena District (EAD) call for it to be the largest mixed-use sports and entertainment development in Canada. Anchored by Rogers Place arena, which will be the new home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers for the 2016-17 hockey season, the EAD will revitalize more than 25 downtown acres.

Carrie Russell, Vancouver-based managing director of

hotel market consultancy company HVS International, calls the project “a game-changer for Edmonton.”

Edmonton’s hotel market is already up 3.1 per cent year-over-year, Russell says, driven largely by activity taking place in the oilpatch.

Most of the action is coming south of town near the airport in the suburbs of Leduc and Nisku and in the form of select service hotels. The new Renaissance hotel is among those with generous meeting and conference space. The Renaissance boasts 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a grand ballroom that can seat 415 comfortably – though it welcomed 600 to a standing-room-only crowd when it opened in May 2014.

One of the central hubs of activity in Edmonton is the

The Edmonton Arena District redevelopment will transform the core of Alberta’s capital city | CITY OF EDMONTON

28 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Edmonton & area

The Shaw Conference Centre features state-ofthe-art architecture in the capital’s premier largeconference venue | SHAW CONFERENCE CENTRE

Shaw Conference Centre. Cliff Higuchi, vice-president of the 250,000-square-foot facility, says it is ramping up for a busy fall and winter.

He was expecting to host about 3,000 athletes for the ITU World Triathlon in early September.

Shortly after that, the Canadian Country Music Association Awards roll into the centre, followed by the Tour of Alberta, an endurance bike race that will take riders

through seven communities.

One of the biggest events of the year will be the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention and trade show.

“Business is up about 16 per cent year-over-year and we would expect, anecdotally, that 2015 will be an even better year than this year,” Higuchi says.

Bobbi Menard, manager of communications at the

EDMONTON EXPO CENTRE

In the Edmonton EXPO Centre, which offers 522,000 sq ft of conference, meeting, trade and consumer show space, featuring: • Natural light • Outstanding cuisine and attentive service • Six branded food service concessions • Convenient ground and dock access for organizers and exhibitors For More Information:

Phone 780.471.7377

Toll Free 1.888.800.7275

salesinfo@northlands.com northlands.com

| 29

Edmonton & area

Meeting & Banquet Facilities u Guestrooms u Fine Dining

The new Edmonton Renaissance hotel offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space and a ballroom that can seat 425 with ease | RENAISSANCE EDMONTON AIRPORT HOTEL

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, says the Shaw Conference Centre also hosts industry conferences, concerts and communitybased events.

The Edmonton chamber has its annual formal ball there, a 2,200-person gathering to hear the mayor’s state of the city address every January.

Many conferences also happen in downtown hotels, such as the Westin hotel and Sutton Place. In the south end of town, the Sawridge, which is owned and operated by the Sawridge First Nation, and, to the west, the Marriott River Cree Resort, complete with a casino, are also busy, Menard says. 

Coming soon inWhere earlyBusiness 2014 is a Pleasure

DoubleTree by Hilton™ West Edmonton

780.423.3600 1.888.423.3601 www.unionbankinn.com 10053 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton AB

Edmonton has a whole lot to celebrate.

The first DoubleTree by Hilton™ in Alberta is now located at the home of the Mayfield Dinner Theatre that has been fully refurbished and freshly updated.

We want you to be one of the first to enjoy everything we have to offer from Stages Kitchen & Bar to our Silverbirch Conference Centre.

There’s cookie in town Wherea the new little things mean everything.™ Where the little things mean everything.™ 16615 – 109th Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada T5P 4K8 T (780) 484 0821 | F (780) 486 1634

WestEdmonton.DoubleTree.com | yegnm_ds@hilton.com

Hilton HHonors™ membership, earning of Points & Miles™ and redemption of points are subject to HHonors ©2013 Hilton Worldwide

30 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Edmonton & area Conference Organizers/Planners/ Tradeshow Consultants

Edmonton Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Meeting Professionals International Greater Edmonton Chapter 11215 Jasper Ave NW Unit 93, Edmonton T5K 0L5 ��������������������������p780‑909‑4006 empiedmonton@gmail.com wwww.mpiedmonton.org

Banquet Facilities Oasis Centre - Conferencing & Events, The 10930 177 St, Edmonton T5S 2X7 Christine Dimler � p780‑451‑9227 f780‑486‑7870 einfo@oasiscentre.com wwww.oasiscentre.com

Sands Inn & Suites 12340 Fort Rd NW, Edmonton T5B 4H5 Christee Reda ����� p780‑474‑5476 f780‑477‑2714 echristee@sandshoteledm.com wwww.sandshoteledmonton.com Shaw Conference Centre 9797 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton T5J 1N9 Lisanne Lewis ��������������������������������p780‑917‑7607 ellewis@edmonton.com wwww.shawconferencecentre.com Union Bank Inn 10053 Jasper Ave, Edmonton T5J 1S5 Deidre Keates ���� p780‑401‑2209 f780‑401‑2213 esales@unionbankinn.com wwww.unionbankinn.com

CEO Corporate Event Organization Inc 11355 105 Ave, Edmonton T5H 3Y3 Anne Finzer �������� p780‑421‑1240 f780‑429‑1591 einfo@ceoinc.ca wwww.ceoinc.ca Family Productions Inc Special Event Rentals & Sales Ltd 6010 99 St, Edmonton T6E 3P2 Lars Erickson ������ p780‑435‑2211 f780‑437‑4964 einfo@specialeventrentals.com wwww.specialeventrentals.com

Event Marketing`

PNH Solutions 5225 Creekbank Rd, Mississauga L4W 1R3 Francois Hudon ������������������������������p514‑683‑3279 einfo@pnh.ca wwww.pnh.ca PNH SOLUTIONS: Canadian leader in event marketing and trade show exhibit products - fast turnaround - knowledgeable professionals at your service.

Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South 7230 Argyll Rd, Edmonton T6C 4A6 �������������� p780‑465‑7931 f780‑485‑0611 einfo@fourpointseds.com wwww.fourpointsedmontonsouth.com Hilton Garden Inn West Edmonton 17610 Stony Plain Rd, Edmonton T5S 1A2 �������������� p780‑443‑2233 f780‑486‑8980 wwww.hiltongardeninn.com Radisson Hotel Edmonton South 4440 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton T6H 5C2 �������������� p780‑437‑6010 f780‑431‑5802 erhi_esal@radisson.com wwww.radisson.com Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre 11834 Kingsway, Edmonton T5G 3J5 �������������� p780‑453‑7343 f780‑453‑7324 ereservations@ramadaedmonton.com wwww.ramadaedmonton.com

Sands Inn & Suites 12340 Fort Rd NW, Edmonton T5B 4H5 Christee Reda ����� p780‑474‑5476 f780‑477‑2714 echristee@sandshoteledm.com wwww.sandshoteledmonton.com

Hotels and Motels Best Western Cedar Park Inn 5116 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton T6H 2H4 �������������� p780‑434‑7411 f780‑437‑4836 esales@cedarparkinn.com wwww.bestwesternalberta.com Best Western Plus South Edmonton Inn & Suites 1204 101 St, Edmonton T6X 0P1 ��������������� p780‑801‑3580 f780‑801‑3579 e61078@hotel.bestwestern.com wwww.bestwesternalberta.com

With over 7,000 square feet of meeting space, Sands Inn & Suites has 3 fully equipped banquet halls to accommodate a variety of special events ranging from 10 to 450 people. We’ve hosted wedding receptions & ceremonies, charity events, corporate functions, live music and much more. We pride ourselves in our delicious catering options, and our friendly and professional staff.

• Pet Friendly • Non & Smoking Rooms

Canterra Suites Hotel 11010 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton T5K 0K9 �������������� p780‑421‑1212 f780‑421‑1211 einfo@canterrasuites.com wwww.canterrasuites.com Chateau Lacombe Hotel 10111 Bellamy Hill NW, Edmonton T5J 1N7 �������������� p780‑420‑8357 f780‑420‑8379 esales@chateaulacombe.com wwww.chateaulacombe.com Chateau Nova Hotel & Suites Kingsway 159 Airport Rd, Edmonton T5G 0W6 ������������ p780‑732‑5734 f780‑424‑6683 esalesandcatering@novahotels.ca wwww.novahotels.ca Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown 1 Thornton Crt, Edmonton T5J 2E7 Celia Daniel �������� p780‑945‑4735 f780‑945‑4731 ec.daniel@concordhotels.com wwww.courtyardedmontondowntown.com Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton West 10011 184 St NW, Edmonton T5S 1B6 �������������� p780‑638‑6070 f780‑638‑6299 wwww.marriott.com Delta Edmonton South Hotel & Conference Centre 4404 Gateway Blvd NW, Edmonton T6H 5C2 �������������� p780‑434‑6415 f780‑434‑5298 edeltaedmonton@deltahotels.com wwww.deltaedmonton.com

• Close to Rexall & Northlands • North East Located

12340 Fort Road NW Edmonton Alberta T5B 4H5

Main 780-474-5476 Fax 780-477-2714 info@sandshoteledm.com www.sandshoteledmonton.com

DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton 16615 109 Ave NW, Edmonton T5P 4K8 Jessica Rogers ��� p780‑484‑0821 f780‑481‑3923 eyegnm_ds@hilton.com wwww.westedmonton.doubletree.com

Union Bank Inn 10053 Jasper Ave, Edmonton T5J 1S5 Deidre Keates ���� p780‑401‑2209 f780‑401‑2213 esales@unionbankinn.com wwww.unionbankinn.com

| 31

Edmonton & area Regional Convention Spaces

Universities and Colleges

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor

Conference Services - University of Alberta 1-047 Lister Centre, Edmonton T6G 2H6 �������������� p780‑492‑6057 f780‑492‑5297 econference.services@ualberta.ca wwww.ualberta.ca/conferenceservices

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities

Rexall Place PO Box 1480, Edmonton T5J 2N5 Adam Cook ��������� p780‑471‑8107 f780‑471‑7134 eacook@northlands.com wwww.northlands.com

Shaw Conference Centre 9797 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton T5J 1N9 Lisanne Lewis ��������������������������������p780‑917‑7607 ellewis@edmonton.com wwww.shawconferencecentre.com

Signs, Banners, Flag

Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre 11727 Kingsway NW, Edmonton T5G 3A1 Nigel Swarbrooke ��������������������������p780‑452‑7770 f780‑454‑3436 enigel@chateaulouis.com wwww.chateaulouis.com

Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino 7410 Borden Park Rd NW, Edmonton T5B 4W9 �����������������������������������������p780‑471‑7210 esalesinfo@northlands.com wwww.northlandspark.ca

Enoch Hotels and Motels Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort 300 Lapotac Blvd E, Enoch T7X 3Y3 Sales Hotline ������ p780‑930‑2622 f780‑930‑2736 eyegmc-sales@marriott.com wwww.edmontonmarriott.com

Fort Saskatchewan PNH Solutions 5225 Creekbank Rd, Mississauga L4W 1R3 Francois Hudon ������������������������������p514‑683‑3279 einfo@pnh.ca wwww.pnh.ca PNH SOLUTIONS: Canadian leader in event marketing and trade show exhibit products - fast turnaround - knowledgeable professionals at your service.

Speakers/Facilitators Affinity Consulting and Training (ACT) 215 Blackburn Dr E Suite 105, Edmonton T6W 1B9 Brian Ward �������������������������������������p877‑432‑8182 einfo@affinitymc.com wwww.affinitymc.com

Edmonton EXPO Centre 7515 118 Ave, Edmonton T5B 4X5 �������������� p780‑471‑7210 f780‑471‑7134 esalesinfo@northlands.com wwww.edmontonexpocentre.com Oasis Centre - Conferencing & Events, The 10930 177 St, Edmonton T5S 2X7 Christine Dimler � p780‑451‑9227 f780‑486‑7870 einfo@oasiscentre.com wwww.oasiscentre.com

Shaw Conference Centre 9797 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton T5J 1N9 Lisanne Lewis ��������������������������������p780‑917‑7607 ellewis@edmonton.com wwww.shawconferencecentre.com Winspear Centre 9720 102 Ave NW, Edmonton T5J 4B2 Diana de Sousa �� p780‑401‑2522 f780‑425‑1913 eddesousa@winspearcentre.com wwww.winspearcentre.com

Inspiration.

Add exceptional service to an outstanding location and you have Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre – a convention and exhibition space that inspires planners and delegates alike. Located at the heart of downtown and foot of North America’s largest urban park.

Learn more at shawconferencecentre.com or call us at 780-917-7610.

Banquet Facilities Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Conference Organizers/Planners/ Tradeshow Consultants Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

32 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Edmonton & area Event Planners

Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Meeting Planners

Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Production Companies/Live/Staging

Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Regional Convention Spaces

Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Speakers/Facilitators

Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Team Building

Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ��������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities

Dow Centennial Centre - City of Fort Saskatchewan 8700 84 St, Fort Saskatchewan T8L 4P5 Kelly Almer ������� p780‑992‑6409 f780‑992‑3150 ekalmer@fortsask.ca wwww.fortsask.ca/dowcentre

Lac Ste Anne County (near Onoway)

» » » »

Five minutes south of the Edmonton International Airport

Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton International Airport 403 11th Ave, Nisku T9E 7N2 Jackie Lovely ���� p780‑770‑9099 f780‑770‑9098 ejackie.lovely@fourpointsedmontonairport.com wwww.fourpointsedmontonairport.com

Sherwood Park

Old Stone House, The 2217 TWP Road 540, Lac Ste Anne T0E 1V0 Carolyne Saumer ��������������������������p780‑967‑3324 einfo@TheOldStoneHouse.ca wwww.TheOldStoneHouse.ca

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sherwood Park 11 Portage Ln, Sherwood Park T8H 2R7 ������������ p780‑417‑3388 f780‑417‑3183 ejanice@hiesherwoodpark.ca wwww.hiesherwoodpark.ca

Leduc Best Western Plus Denham Inn & Suites 5207 50 Ave, Leduc T9E 6V3 Carol J Borowic p780‑986‑2241 f780‑986‑1511 einfo@bestwesterndenham.com wwww.bestwesterndenham.com Days Inn Edmonton Airport 5705 50 St, Leduc T9E 6Z8 Gail Johnson ���� p780‑986‑6550 f780‑986‑7885 ebook@daysinnedmontonairport.com wwww.daysinnedmontonairport.com

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities

Located on highway 2, connecting Alberta’s two largest cities – Edmonton and Calgary

Hotels and Motels

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor

Hotels and Motels

Meet success in Leduc!

Nisku

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Festival Place 100 Festival Way, Sherwood Park T8A 5T2 Peggy Thomas �� p780‑410‑8567 f780‑449‑0743 ethomasp@strathcona.ab.ca wwww.festivalplace.ab.ca

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor Strathcona Wilderness Centre 2025 Oak St, Sherwood Park T8A 0W9 Bjorn Taylor ������ p780‑922‑3939 f780‑922‑6415 eswcinfo@strathcona.ca wwww.strathcona.ca/wildernesscentre

Spruce Grove Caterers Premium Catering Services Inc 101E Main St, Spruce Grove T7X 3X2 Kelly Schriever �����������������������������p780‑906‑3934 wwww.premiumcateringservices.com

SCAN TO WATCH OUR COMMUNITY VIDEO!

Over 3,000 hotel rooms

City of Leduc 1 Alexandra Park, Leduc T9E 4C4 ������������� p780‑980‑7177 f780‑980‑7127 einfo@leduc.ca wwww.leduc.ca

Medicine Hat Hotels and Motels

70-plus great restaurants

St Albert Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres St Albert & District Chamber of Commerce 71 St Albert Rd, St Albert T8N 6L5 ������������ p780‑458‑2833 f780‑458‑6515 eevents@stalbertchamber.com wwww.stalbertchamber.com

Hotels and Motels Best Western Plus The Inn at St Albert 460 St Albert Trail, St Albert T8N 5J9 ������������ p780‑470‑3800 f780‑470‑0038 egm@bestwesternstalbert.com wwww.bestwesternstalbert.com

Stony Plain Promotional Items/Novelties/ Corporate Gifts/Gift Baskets Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre Medicine Hat 954 7th Street SW, Medicine Hat T1A 7R7 Lynn Deis ��������������������������������������p403-527-8844 elynn@clarionmh.ca wwww.choicehotels.com/cn841

NWT Promotions Inc 7 Boulder Blvd Suite 103, Stony Plain T7Z 1V6 Randy Strocki ��� p780‑968‑8700 f780‑968‑8799 erandy@nwtpromotions.com wwww.nwtpromotions.com

we’ve got the

energy...

AMENITIES INCLUDE:

• Arena and Soccer Pitch • Fitness Centre/Running Track • Live Performance Theatre • Meeting and Banquet Rooms • Food and Beverage Kiosks

Affordability and close proximity to Edmonton make Dow Centennial Centre in Fort Saskatchewan your first choice to host business meetings or events!

780.992.6400

8700 84 Street, Hwy 21 fortsask.ca/dowcentre

| 33

Alberta Rockies

PEAK PLANNING A range of mountain-high meeting places welcomes visitors to the Rockies

W

BY NOA GLOUBERMAN

The Banff Centre’s new Shaw Amphitheatre can accommodate 1,600 people and features spectacular views of the Bow Valley | DONALD

ith stunning scenery, wildlife sightings and year-round cultural and recreation opportunities, it’s no surprise that Alberta’s Rockies are a major draw for tourists – and that’s good news for meeting

planners and delegates.

The area, which clings to the province’s southwest border, includes the communities of Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis, Jasper and Lake Louise. Well accustomed to hosting visitors from around the world, each of these areas includes all of the amenities – hotels, dining facilities, conference space, planning experts and more – that make for first-class meetings.

To begin, Banff boasts at least 25 properties to accommodate groups small and large – up to 2,000 delegates, in fact. A must-mention is the magnificent Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, with 76,000-plus square feet of versatile meeting and exhibit space, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment (and technicians to run it), gourmet cuisine, a world-class spa, a championship golf course and staff to ensure every event is executed with precision.

A second area gem is the Banff Centre, which claims the distinction of being the “largest arts and creativity

LEE/BANFF CENTRE

Meeting planners can choose from a healthy stock of facilities in Canmore and Kananaskis | TOURISM CANMORE KANANASKIS

incubator on the planet”. With 8,000 artists, leaders and researchers arriving annually to participate in popular multidisciplinary programming, the centre houses 60 unique meeting facilities, lecture theatres and auditoriums to suit as many as 1,600 participants.

In nearby Canmore and Kananaskis, meeting planners can choose from a healthy stock of space. The major players here include the Best Western Plus Pocaterra Inn (2,000 square feet of meeting and conference facilities for two to 100), the Coast Canmore Hotel and Conference Centre (10 meeting rooms with space for up to 600), the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis (21 meeting spaces, the largest of which can host 800) and the Holiday Inn Canmore (four

34 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Alberta Rockies

Gourmet cuisine at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel | FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS

Guided group mountain adventures for all skill levels are provided by award-winning naturalists at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS

meeting rooms totalling 4,016 square feet of meeting space). For something extra special, Boundary Ranch in the Kananaskis Valley offers log and cedar meeting lodges, team-building activities, group trail rides and hearty mountain meals.

Next up, Jasper, where memorable meetings are a particular specialty of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Beyond its 700-acre property, 26,500 square feet of meeting space and five recently updated function rooms, this luxury mountain resort offers thoughtfully designed “signature events” that include experiences such as golf, art classes, ghost tours, photo contests, beer tastings, organic smoothies and live country music to engage and

Banff Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Banff Lake Louise Tourism PO Box 1298, Banff T1L 1B3 Jason Elie ����������� p403‑762‑0271 f403‑762‑8545 ejelie@banfflakelouise.com wwww.banfflakelouise.com

Banquet Facilities Banff Ptarmigan Inn 337 Banff Ave Box 1070, Banff T1L 1H8 Claire Young ������� p403‑561‑9152 f403‑592‑1441 ecyoung@bestofbanff.com wwww.bestofbanff.com Maple Leaf Grille & Lounge 137 Banff Ave, Banff T1L 1C8 Jessica Pacheco � p403‑760‑5088 f403‑760‑7656 ejessica@banffmapleleafgroup.com wwww.banffmapleleaf.com

Destination Management/Marketing Discover Destination Management 147 Eagle Cres PO Box 1566, Banff T1L 1B5 Mark Zanetti ������ p800‑496‑9958 f403‑760‑7651 egroups@discoverdm.com wwww.discoverdm.com

Hotels and Motels Banff Aspen Lodge 401 Banff Ave PO Box 1017, Banff T1L 1A9 ��������������� p403‑762‑4401 f403‑762‑5905 einfo@banffaspenlodge.com wwww.banffaspenlodge.com Banff Rocky Mountain Resort Hotel & Conference Centre 1029 Banff Ave N Box 1070, Banff T1L 1H8 Claire Young ������� p403‑561‑9152 f403‑592‑1441 ecyoung@bestofbanff.com wwww.bestofbanff.com Banff Voyager Inn/Spruce Grove Inn 555 Banff Ave Box 1540, Banff T1L 1B5 Georgina Raso ���� p800‑879‑1991 f403‑760‑7792 esales@banffvoyagerinn.com wwww.banffvoyagerinn.com Fox Hotel & Suites 461 Banff Ave, Banff T1L 1H8 Claire Young ������� p403‑561‑9152 f403‑592‑1441 ecyoung@bestofbanff.com wwww.bestofbanff.com Inns of Banff 600 Banff Ave, Banff T1L 1H8 Claire Young ������� p403‑561‑9152 f403‑592‑1441 ecyoung@bestofbanff.com wwww.bestofbanff.com

delight delegates when their work is done.

The conference crown jewel of the Alberta Rockies is, arguably, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This iconic hotel, set amid soaring mountain peaks and perched on the shore of a glistening emerald lake, contains meeting space sure to please every planner – 36,000 square feet of it, to be exact. From an entire Mount Temple Wing designed to accommodate the technology needs of modern business to guided group mountain adventures for all skill levels provided by award-winning naturalists, the chateau’s goal is to provide the ultimate meeting environment without detracting from the rich heritage and protected wildlife of beautiful Banff National Park. 

Rundlestone Lodge 537 Banff Ave Box 489, Banff T1L 1A6 ��������������� p403‑762‑2201 f403‑762‑4501 esales@rundlestone.com wwww.rundlestone.com

Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon 201 Banff Ave, Banff T1L 1C4 ��������������� p403‑762‑0333 f403‑762‑0399 ewildbills@bestofbanff.com wwww.wbsaloon.com

Resorts/Retreats

Taxi/Limo

Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa 521 Banff Ave Box 1070, Banff T1L 1B7 Claire Young ������� p403‑561‑9152 f403‑592‑1441 ecyoung@bestofbanff.com wwww.bestofbanff.com Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel & Conference Centre 222 Lynx St Box 2200, Banff T1L 1K5 �������������� p403‑760‑3265 f403‑762‑4740 esales@banffparklodge.com wwww.banffparklodge.com Buffalo Mountain Lodge 700 Tunnel Mountain Rd Box 1326, Banff T1L 1B3 ��������������� p403‑781‑8131 f403‑410‑7406 ebmlmanager@crmr.com wwww.crmr.com

Alpine Limousine & Tours PO Box 2235, Banff T1L 1B9 Andreas Lindner � p403‑762‑5558 f888‑370‑5238 einfo@alpinelimo.ca wwww.alpinelimo.ca

Restaurants Bison Restaurant & Terrace, The 211 Bear St, Banff T1L 1C4 Jessica Pacheco � p403‑760‑5088 f403‑760‑7656 ejessica@banffmapleleafgroup.com wwww.thebison.ca

Tourist Attractions Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies 111 Bear St Box 160, Banff T1L 1A3 Monte Greenshields ����������������������p403‑762‑2291 emgreenshields@whyte.org wwww.whyte.org

Venues – Event or Meeting Facilities Banff Centre 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr Box 1020, Banff T1L 1H5 ��������������� p403‑762‑6485 f403‑762‑6202 econferences@banffcentre.ca wwww.banffcentre.ca/conferences Rimrock Resort Hotel 300 Mountain Ave PO Box 1110, Banff T1L 1J2 ��������������� p403‑762‑3356 f403‑762‑1842 esales@rimrockresort.com wwww.rimrockresort.com

36 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Alberta Rockies Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies 111 Bear St Box 160, Banff T1L 1A3 Monte Greenshields ����������������������p403‑762‑2291 emgreenshields@whyte.org wwww.whyte.org

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies 111 Bear St Box 160, Banff T1L 1A3 Monte Greenshields ����������������������p403‑762‑2291 emgreenshields@whyte.org wwww.whyte.org

Canmore Banquet Facilities Tourism Canmore Kananaskis PO Box 8608, Canmore T1W 2V3 ������������� p403‑678‑1295 f403‑678‑1296 esales@tourismcanmore.com wwww.tourismcanmore.com

Caterers Bow Valley Gourmet PO Box 8703, Canmore T1W 0B9 Michael Anderson ��������������������������p403‑679‑8470 f403‑678‑0085 echef@bowvalleygourmet.ca wwww.bowvalleygourmet.ca

Golf Courses & Country Clubs Tourism Canmore Kananaskis PO Box 8608, Canmore T1W 2V3 ������������� p403‑678‑1295 f403‑678‑1296 esales@tourismcanmore.com wwww.tourismcanmore.com

Hotels and Motels Best Western Plus Pocaterra Inn 1725 Mountain Ave, Canmore T1W 2W1 Damien Adomeit p403‑678‑4334 f403‑678‑3999 esales.bwp@royalhotelgroup.ca wwww.pocaterrainn.com Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn 1719 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore T1W 1L7 ������������� p403‑678‑5221 f403‑678‑3352 etours@canmorerockymountaininn.com wwww.canmorerockymountaininn.com Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre 511 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore T1W 1N7 Marie-Eve Jackson ������������������������p403‑609‑5438 em.jackson@coasthotels.com wwww.coasthotels.com/hotels/ab/canmore/ coast-canmore-hotel-and-conference-centre Econo Lodge Canmore 1602 2nd Ave, Canmore T1W 1M8 ������������ p403‑678‑5488 f403‑678‑2670 esales@canmoremountainlodge.com wwww.canmoremountainlodge.com Grande Rockies Resort, The 901 Mountain St, Canmore T1W 0C9 ������������� p403‑678‑8880 f403‑678‑6022 esales@granderockies.com wwww.granderockies.com Quality Resort Chateau Canmore 1718 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore T1W 2X3 ������������ p403‑678‑6699 f403‑678‑6954 einfo@chateaucanmore.com wwww.chateaucanmore.com Ramada Inn & Suites Canmore 1402 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore T1W 1N5 ������������ p403‑609‑5402 f403‑609‑2773 etours@ramadacanmore.com wwww.ramadacanmore.com Tourism Canmore Kananaskis PO Box 8608, Canmore T1W 2V3 ������������� p403‑678‑1295 f403‑678‑1296 esales@tourismcanmore.com wwww.tourismcanmore.com

Photography - Event/Videography Aydin Productions Ltd Box 8052, Canmore T1W 2T8 Aydin Odyakmaz � p403‑678‑0339 f403‑678‑0911 eaydin@aydin.ca wwww.aydin.ca Mountain Light Studio 1612 11 Ave, Canmore T1W 2B2 Colin Ferguson �������������������������������p403‑678‑0432 einfo@mountainlightstudio.com wwww.mountainlightstudio.com

Resorts/Retreats Blackstone Mountain Lodge 170 Kananaskis Way, Canmore T1W 2A8 Ashley Magyar ��� p403‑609‑8098 f403‑679‑7098 egsm@blackstonelodge.ca wwww.blackstonelodge.ca Falcon Crest Lodge 190 Kananaskis Way, Canmore T1W 3K5 Trish Appleyard �� p403‑678‑6150 f403‑678‑6148 etrish@falconcrestlodge.ca wwww.falconcrestlodge.ca StoneRidge Mountain Resort 30 Lincoln Park, Canmore T1W 3E9 Kevin Piercey ������ p403‑961‑5039 f403‑675‑5002 ekevin@stoneridgeresort.ca wwww.stoneridgeresort.ca Tourism Canmore Kananaskis PO Box 8608, Canmore T1W 2V3 ������������� p403‑678‑1295 f403‑678‑1296 esales@tourismcanmore.com wwww.tourismcanmore.com

Taxi/Limo Canmore Limousine & Tours 405 Canyon Close, Canmore T1W 1H4 ������������� p403‑609‑1680 f888‑370‑5238 einfo@canmorelimo.com wwww.canmorelimo.com

Tourist Attractions - Major Alpine Helicopters Inc 91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore T1W 1N8 Jo-Anne Kobelt �� p403‑678‑4802 f403‑678‑2176 ecanmore@alpinehelicopters.com wwww.alpinehelicopters.com

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Canmore Recreation Centre 1900 8th Ave, Canmore T1W 1Y2 ������������� p403‑678‑0808 f403‑678‑6661 efacility_bookings@canmore.ca wwww.canmore.ca Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre 511 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore T1W 1N7 Marie-Eve Jackson ������������������������p403‑609‑5438 em.jackson@coasthotels.com wwww.coasthotels.com/hotels/ab/canmore/ coast-canmore-hotel-and-conference-centre Elevation Place 700 Railway Ave, Canmore T1W 1P4 ������������� p403‑678‑0808 f403‑676‑6661 efacility_bookings@canmore.ca wwww.elevationplace.ca Tourism Canmore Kananaskis PO Box 8608, Canmore T1W 2V3 ������������� p403‑678‑1295 f403‑678‑1296 esales@tourismcanmore.com wwww.tourismcanmore.com

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor Tourism Canmore Kananaskis PO Box 8608, Canmore T1W 2V3 ������������� p403‑678‑1295 f403‑678‑1296 esales@tourismcanmore.com wwww.tourismcanmore.com

Dead Man’s Flats Hotels and Motels Copperstone Resort 250 2nd Ave, Dead Man’s Flats T1W 2W4 Joey Belanger ���� p403‑678‑0303 f403‑678‑0453 egm@copperstoneresorthotel.com wwww.copperstoneresorthotel.com

Hinton Golf Courses & Country Clubs Hinton Golf Club 760 Keil Dr, Hinton T7V 0B2 �������������� p780‑865‑2904 f780‑865‑2906 eevents@hintongolfclub.com wwww.hintongolfclub.com

Hotels and Motels Best Canadian Motor Inn Hinton 386 Smith St, Hinton T7V 2A1 �������������� p780‑865‑5099 f780‑864‑7640 ehinton@bestcdn.com wwww.bestcdn.com Holiday Inn Express Suites Hinton 462 Smith St, Hinton T7V 2A1 ������������� p780‑865‑2048 f780‑865‑2049 eapoiron@zsholdings.com wwww.hiexpress.com

Holiday Inn Hinton 393 Gregg Ave, Hinton T7V 1N1 �������������� p780‑865‑3321 f780‑865‑7856 ecboisvert@zsholdings.com wwww.bestsleepintown.com

Kananaskis

Resorts/Retreats Black Cat Guest Ranch 50508 Range Rd 271A Box 6267, Hinton T7V 1X6 �������������� p780‑865‑3084 f780‑865‑1924 email@blackcatguestranch.ca wwww.blackcatguestranch.ca Overlander Mountain Lodge PO Box 6118, Hinton T7V 1X5 �������������� p877‑866‑2330 f780‑866‑2332 eevents@overlandermountainlodge.com wwww.overlandermountainlodge.com

Jasper Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce PO Box 98 409 Patricia St (Robson House), Jasper T0E 1E0 Pattie Pavlov ����������������������������������p780‑852‑4621 eadmin@jpcc.ca wwww.jasperparkchamber.ca Tourism Jasper PO Box 568, Jasper T0E 1E0 Kaitie Worobec ������������������������������p780‑820‑2126 ekaitie@jaspercanadianrockies.com wwww.jaspercanadianrockies.com

Hotels and Motels Best Western Jasper Inn & Suites 98 Geikie St PO Box 871, Jasper T0E 1E0 Laura Campbell �� p780‑852‑4461 f780‑852‑5916 egroups@jasperinn.com wwww.bestwesternjasperinn.com Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre Jasper 76 Connaught Dr PO Box 2080, Jasper T0E 1E0 Pierre Frigon ������� p780‑852‑6597 f780‑852‑6594 ejasper@sawridge.com wwww.sawridgejasper.com

Resorts/Retreats Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, The 1 Lodge Rd Box 40, Jasper T0E 1E0 Uwe Walter �������� p780‑852‑3301 f780‑852‑5107 ejasperparklodge@fairmont.com wwww.fairmont.com/jasper Pyramid Lake Resort (Mountain Park Lodges) PO Box 1200, Jasper T0E 1E0 Jordan Tucker ����� p780‑852‑2516 f780‑852‑3833 esales@mpljasper.com wwww.mpljasper.com

Moraine Lake

Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino 888 Nakoda Way, Kananaskis T0L 1N0 Chris Grimes ������� p403‑881‑2830 f403‑881‑2831 eevents@stoneynakodaresort.com wwww.stoneynakodaresort.com

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino 888 Nakoda Way, Kananaskis T0L 1N0 Chris Grimes ������� p403‑881‑2830 f403‑881‑2831 eevents@stoneynakodaresort.com wwww.stoneynakodaresort.com

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor Boundary Ranch 2 Guinn’s Rd Hwy 40 Box 44, Kananaskis T0L 2H0 Haylie Guinn ������� p403‑591‑7171 f403‑591‑7326 ealy@boundaryranch.com wwww.boundaryranch.com

Lake Louise Hotels and Motels Lake Louise Inn 210 Village Rd Box 209, Lake Louise T0L 1E0 ��������������� p403‑522‑3791 f403‑522‑2950 esalesmanager@lakelouiseinn.com wwww.lakelouiseinn.com Post Hotel & Spa 200 Pipestone Rd PO Box 69, Lake Louise T0L1E0 ��������������� p403‑522‑3989 f403‑522‑3966 esales@posthotel.com wwww.posthotel.com

Resorts/Retreats Baker Creek Mountain Resort Bow Valley Parkway Box 66, Lake Louise T0L 1E0 ��������������� p403‑522‑3761 f403‑522‑2270 ebakerinfo@bakercreek.com wwww.bakercreek.com Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, The 111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise T0L1E0 ��������������� p403‑522‑3511 f403‑522‑3834 echateaulakelouise@fairmont.com wwww.fairmont.com/lakelouise

| 37

Central Alberta

CENTRE ICE Hockey history among reasons to linger in Central Alberta

I

BY JONNY WAKEFIELD

f you’re looking to break out of Edmonton for your next conference but don’t want to sacrifice quality, never fear: Alberta’s heartland is home to some of the province’s premier conference facilities, as well as quirkier locations that will make your event memorable.

Just south of the Alberta capital is Wetaskiwin, a city of planes, trains, automobiles – and a museum dedicated to Alberta’s deep and distinguished sports history.

In fact, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is a popular meeting and event venue in Central Alberta, capable of hosting up to 250 for a cocktail reception, groups for team building or those who want to tour the Hall of Fame and try out the interactive sports competitions.

Wetaskiwin is also home to both the Central Alberta Railway Museum, and Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (which recently inducted Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield).

In terms of conference space, the Best Western Wayside Inn offers meeting, conference and banquet facilities.

If you’re seeking something close to Edmonton but a world away, don’t overlook Camrose. The Norsemen Inn is equipped for gatherings of up to 500 people, with rooms ranging from small conference spaces to a banquet hall.

Plus, it has its own brew pub on site.

The nearby Best Western Plus Camrose Resort and Casino can accommodate conferences of up to 400 people for banquets and 450 for meetings.

Red Deer is smack dab in the middle of central Alberta, located at the midpoint between Calgary and Edmonton.

The downtown Red Deer Lodge is one of the city’s best-equipped conference spaces. In total, the lodge has more than 9,000 square feet of event space split among eight rooms that can accommodate anywhere from four to 120 people.

The Sheraton Red Deer Hotel continues to set the standard for conference space in central Alberta. The complex also features two lounges and two nightclubs, if your guests are so inclined.

For larger events like trade shows and seminars, Westerner Park is the region’s premier facility for major events. It has three pavilion facilities that range in size from 31,000 to 44,000 square feet. The park also has three banquet rooms that can seat between 40 and 400 people.

Cold Lake’s founders must be applauded for their

Legendary former Calgary Flames captain Lanny McDonald – who led the Flames to their first Stanley Cup victory – visits the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum | ALBERTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

38 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Central Alberta

The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Wetaskiwin includes interactive games and hosting for up to 250 for a reception, or groups for team-building events | ALBERTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

The Sheraton Red Deer Hotel is a best bet for top-of-the-line amenities, featuring plush meeting spaces that can handle up to 2,000 attendees – or as few as five | SHERATON HOTELS & RESORTS

honesty. The city of 13,000, which is just under four hours northeast of Edmonton, is situated on a large body of water, that can be quite chilly 10 months of the year.

The Best Western Cold Lake Inn is one of many places

Blackfalds Banquet Facilities Blackfalds Multi-Plex 5302 Broadway Ave, Blackfalds T0M 0J0 ������������ p403‑885‑4677 f403‑885‑4610 einfo@blackfalds.com wwww.blackfalds.com

Community Halls Blackfalds Community Hall 4810 Womacks Rd, Blackfalds T0M 0J0 ������������� p403‑885‑4677 f403‑885‑4610 einfo@blackfalds.com wwww.blackfalds.com

Signature Events 5012A 51 Ave Box 7548, Bonnyville T9N 2H8 Toy Brand ����������������������������������������p780‑687‑3373 esignatureeventsonline@gmail.com wwww.facebook.com/signatureeventsonline

Hotels and Motels Bonnyville Neighbourhood Inn 5011 66th St, Bonnyville T9N 2L9 Richard Wurst ���� p780‑826‑3300 f780‑826‑7541 einfo@neighbourhoodinn.com wwww.neighbourhoodinn.com

Camrose

Hotels and Motels

Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres

Microtel Inn & Suites 6021 Parkwood Rd, Blackfalds T0M 0J0 ������������� p403‑885‑9797 f403‑885‑9790 egm@microtelblackfalds.com wwww.microtelinn.com

Tourism Camrose 5402 48 Ave, Camrose T4V 0J7 Hazel Cail ����������� p780‑672‑4255 f780‑672‑1059 etourismcamrose@telus.net wwww.tourismcamrose.com

Bonnyville

Hotels and Motels

Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Bonnyville & District Chamber of Commerce Box 6054 Hwy 28 West Vezeau Beach Park, Bonnyville T9N 2G7 Megan Naylor ���� p780‑826‑3252 f780‑826‑4525 emanager@bonnyvillechamber.com wwww.bonnyvillechamber.com

Event Planners

Best Western PLUS Camrose Resort Casino 3101 48 Ave, Camrose T4V 0K9 Dawn Anderson � p780‑679‑4956 f780‑679‑0992 edanderson@bestwesterncamrose.com wwww.camroseresortcasino.com

guests can warm up. For meetings, it offers four meeting spaces that can seat between 12 and 120.

The nearby Portage College also has space available for meetings.

If you are planning a conference for a pan-Prairie organization with an intense Saskatchewan-Alberta rivalry, Lloydminster is a good middle ground.

Lloydminster, which straddles the province’s eastern border, takes its role as a border town seriously. Its major landmark is a series of four survey markers, 100 feet high, along the Alberta-Saskatchewan divide.

The town has three great venues that can host conferences of all sizes. The Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds, which hosts around 900 events a year, has everything from small meeting rooms to large halls. The Civic Centre Auditorium can seat up to 300 people and has a kitchen available for rent.

As well, the Days Hotel and Suites features a conference wing that can host between six and 450 people.

Lacombe is a city of around 11,000 on rich agricultural land a little over an hour south of Edmonton.

The Lacombe Memorial Centre is a good place to start if you’re holding a conference in town. The facility has four meeting spaces, ranging in size from 760 square feet to over 8,000 square feet. 

Camrose Super 8 4710 73 St, Camrose T4V 0E5 �������������� p780‑672‑7303 f780‑672‑7347 egm@super8camrose.com wwww.canaltahotels.com Norsemen Inn 6505 48 Ave, Camrose T4V 3K3 Sean Willms ������� p780‑672‑9171 f780‑608‑1789 enorsemen@norsemeninn.com wwww.norsemeninn.com

Venues – Event or Meeting Facilities Camrose Regional Exhibition 4250 Exhibition Dr, Camrose T4V 4Z8 Jennifer Filip ������ p780‑672‑3640 f780‑672‑8140 ejfilip@cre.ab.ca wwww.cre.ab.ca Chuck MacLean Arts Centre 4809 52 St, Camrose T4V 1T9 Jane Cherry Lemire ������������������������p780‑672‑9949 f780‑608‑8740 ejcherry@camrose.ca wwww.camrose.ca

Drayton Valley Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Brazeau Regional Tourism 6009 44 Ave Box 6401, Drayton Valley T7A 1R4 �������������� p780‑542‑7529 f780‑542‑7523 einfo@brazeautourism.ca wwww.brazeautourism.ca

Hotels and Motels Lakeview Inns & Suites Black Gold Inn 4302 50 St, Drayton Valley T7A 1M4 ������������� p780‑542‑3200 f780‑542‑7282 edraytonvalley@lakeviewhotels.com wwww.lakeviewhotels.com Ramada Drayton Valley 2051 50th St, Drayton Valley T7A 1S5 �������������� p780‑514‑7861 f780‑514‑7863 egm@ramadadraytonvalley.com wwww.ramada.com Service Plus Inns & Suites Drayton Valley 5704 Power Centre Blvd, Drayton Valley T7A 0A5 �������������� p888‑875‑4667 f780‑542‑3811 edraytonvalley@spis.ca wwww.serviceplusinns.com

Edson Best Western High Road Inn 300 52 St, Edson T7E 1X8 ��������������� p780‑712‑2378 f780‑723‑1868 egm@highroadinn.com wwww.highroadinn.com Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Edson 4520 2nd Ave, Edson T7E 1C3 ��������������� p780‑723‑4011 f780‑723‑4447 egm-edsonhiexpress@shaw.ca wwww.hiexpress.com

RED DEER. A PLACE TO CONNECT. We’re more than a quick stop.

Our convenient location is perfect for your next meeting, conference or convention. With venues for 20 or 2,000, we can accommodate everyone comfortably. Bring your business together in Red Deer. tourismreddeer.com

40 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Central Alberta Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities

Equipment and Supply Rentals

Edson & District Recreation Complex 1 Golf Course Rd Hwy 16 3905A Golf Course Rd, Edson T7E 3E2 Nancy Hill ����������� p780‑723‑3311 f780‑723‑4025 eedsonrecsociety@gmail.com wwww.edsonrecreationcomplex.com

Tent Guys, The PO Box 10087, Lloydminster T9V 3A2 Pamela Becotte ������������������������������p780‑205‑7368 ethetentguys@hotmail.com wwww.thetentguys.net

Kitscoty

Holiday Inn & Suites Lloydminster 5612 44 St, Lloydminster T9V 0B6 �������������� p780‑870‑5050 f780‑875‑9759 ekelly@hilloydminster.com wwww.hilloydminster.com Tropical Inn Hotel & Conference Centre 5621 44 St, Lloydminster T9V 0B2 �������������� p780‑875‑7000 f780‑875‑7828 etropinn@shaw.ca wwww.tropicalinns.com/lloydminster West Harvest Express 1402 50 Ave, Lloydminster T9V 2K5 �������������� p780‑875‑8884 f780‑875‑3719 ewhel@westharvest.ca wwww.westharvest.ca West Harvest Inn Lloydminster 5620 44 St, Lloydminster T9V 0B6 ������������� p780‑875‑6113 f780‑875‑2265 ewhl@westharvest.ca wwww.westharvest.ca

Banquet Facilities Kitscoty Hall 5202 51 St, Kitscoty T0B 2P0 �������������������������������������������p780‑872‑9465 ekitscotycommunityhall@hotmail.com

Lloydminster Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres

Hotels and Motels

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Lloydminster Economic Development Corp 5420 50th Ave, Lloydminster T9V 0X1 �������������� p780‑875‑8881 f780‑875‑8882 etourism@lloydminster.ca wwww.lloydminstertourism.com

Centennial Civic Centre Auditorium 5405 49 Ave, Lloydminster S9V 0Y7 ������������� p780‑875‑4529 f780‑875‑4303 ebookings@lloydminster.ca wwww.lloydminster.ca Lloydminster Exhibition Association 5521 49 Ave Box 690, Lloydminster S9V 0Y7 �������������� p306‑825‑5571 f306‑825‑7017 elloydexh@lloydexh.com wwww.lloydexh.com

Servus Sports Centre 5202 12 St, Lloydminster T9V 0W2 ������������� p780‑875‑4529 f780‑875‑4303 ebookings@lloydminster.ca wwww.lloydminster.ca

Olds Universities and Colleges Olds College Conference Services 4500 50 St, Olds T4H 1R6 Connie Conley ���� p403‑556‑8359 f403‑507‑7786 ecconley@oldscollege.ca wwww.oldscollege.ca

Red Deer Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres

Tourism Red Deer 101 4200 Hwy 2, Red Deer T4N 1E3 Liz Taylor �����������������������������������������p403‑346‑0180 einfo@tourismreddeer.com wwww.visitreddeer.com

Audiovisual Services Vold Audio Group Inc 4819C 48 Ave Suite 106, Red Deer T4N 3T2 John Vold ����������� p403‑348‑5800 f403‑346‑5803 wwww.voldaudio.com

Bus Services Frontier Bus Lines Ltd Box 13 Site 6 RR 1, Red Deer T4N 5E1 Keith Budd ���������� p403‑347‑4990 f403‑347‑4999 efrontbus@platinum.ca wwww.frontierbuslines.com

Community Halls Hotels Red Deer 4200 Hwy 2 Suite 101, Red Deer T4N 1E3 Karen Kitchen ���������������������������������p403‑304‑4050 ekaren@hotelsreddeer.ca wwww.visitreddeer.com

Festival Hall 4214 58th St, Red Deer T4N 2L6 �������������� p403‑346‑0055 f403‑347‑8759 erdchs@telus.net wwww.rdchs.com

Hotels and Motels Best Western Plus Inn & Suites 6839 66 St, Red Deer T4P 3T5 Lana Goldie ������������������������������������p403‑346‑3555 esales@bestwesternreddeer.com wwww.bestwesternreddeer.com

| 41

Central Alberta Comfort Inn & Suites Red Deer 6846 66 St, Red Deer T4P 3T5 Deanna Elchuk ��� p403‑348‑0025 f403‑348‑0026 esales@comfortinnreddeer.com wwww.comfortinnreddeer.com Days Inn Red Deer 5001 19 St Suite 1000, Red Deer T4R 3R1 Shaundra Syme �� p403‑340‑3297 f403‑340‑3274 essyme@d3h.ca wwww.daysinnreddeer.ca Econo Lodge Inn & Suites 23 Gasoline Alley E, Red Deer T4E 1B3 ��������������� p403‑346‑4188 f403‑346‑8225 wwww.choicehotels.com Hampton Inn & Suites 128 Leva Ave, Red Deer T4E 1B9 Lisa Klein ������������ p403‑346‑6688 f403‑341‑9996 elisa.klein@hilton.com wwww.reddeersuites.hamptoninnbyhilton.com Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South 33 Petrolia Dr, Red Deer T4E 1B3 Ash Ahamed �����������������������������������p403‑348‑8485 eaahamed@zsholdings.com wwww.bestsleepintown.com/red-deer/reddeer-south Holiday Inn Express Red Deer 2803 50th Ave, Red Deer T4R 1H1 Ash Ahamed �����������������������������������p403‑343‑2112 eaahamed@zsholdings.com wwww.bestsleepintown.com/red-deer-express Howard Johnson Inn 71 Gasoline Alley East, Red Deer T4E 1B1 Al Samji �������������� p403‑343‑8444 f403‑342‑4310 ereservations@hojoreddeer.com wwww.hojoreddeer.com iHotel 67 Street 6500 67 St, Red Deer T4P 1A2 Karima Suleman � p403‑357‑1108 f403‑343‑3600 esales@hi67.com wwww.ih67.com

Motel 6 Red Deer 900 5001 19th St, Red Deer T4R 3R1 Fran McKeown ��� p403‑340‑1749 f403‑349‑8954 emotel6rd@d3h.ca wwww.motel6rd.ca Ramada Red Deer Hotel & Suites 6853 66 St, Red Deer T4P 3T5 Vimal Pillay �������������������������������������p403‑342‑4445 einfo@ramadareddeer.com wwww.ramadareddeer.com Red Deer Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre 4311 49 Ave, Red Deer T4N 5Y7 Kevin Ritchie ������ p800‑661‑1657 f403‑341‑3220 ereddeerlodge@silverbirchhotels.com wwww.reddeerlodge.ca Sandman Hotel Red Deer 2818 50th Ave, Red Deer T4R 1M4 Chris Oldring ������ p403‑343‑7400 f403‑343‑7411 egm_reddeer@sandman.ca wwww.sandmanhotels.com Sheraton Red Deer Hotel 3310 50 Ave, Red Deer T4N 3X9 Lisa Francoeur ���� p403‑755‑1150 f403‑346‑4790 esales@sheratonreddeer.com wwww.sheratonhotelreddeer.com Super 8 Red Deer City Centre 4217 Gaetz Ave, Red Deer T4N 3Z4 �������������� p403‑358‑7722 f403‑358‑7778 einfo@super8reddeer.ca wwww.super8reddeer.ca

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities

Restaurants

Prairie Creek Inn, The Box 22 Site 12 RR 2, Rocky Mountain House T4T 2A2 Terri Cameron ���������������������������������p403‑844‑2672 etheprairiecreekinn@telus.net wwww.theprairiecreekinn.com

Glenn’s Family Restaurant 125 Leva Ave Westside Gasoline Alley, Red Deer T4E 1B2 Glenn/Jessie Simon �����������������������p403‑346‑5448 f403‑340‑2199 eglenrest@telus.net wwww.glenns-restaurant.com

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum 102 4200 Hwy 2, Red Deer T4N 1E3 �������������� p403‑341‑8614 f403‑341‑8619 einfo@ashfm.ca wwww.ashfm.ca Collicutt Centre 3031 30 Ave, Red Deer T4N 3T4 Chris Martyn ������ p403‑358‑7524 f403‑314‑4900 efacility.bookings@reddeer.ca wwww.reddeer.ca/collicuttcentre

Golf Courses & Country Clubs Sundre Golf Club PO Box 379, Sundre T0M 1X0 Mike Gallagher �� p403‑638‑5812 f403‑638‑3530 emike@sundregolf.com wwww.sundregolf.com

Vermilion Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Vermilion Regional Centre 5702 College Dr, Vermilion T9X 1X1 Carol Coleman ���� p780‑581‑2413 f780‑853‑4910 eccoleman@vermilion.ca wwww.vermilion.ca

Whitecourt Banquet Facilities Westerner Park 4847A 19 St, Red Deer T4R 2N7 Meghan Gustum p403‑343‑7800 f403‑341‑4699 easkus@westerner.ab.ca wwww.westernerpark.ca

Rocky Mountain House Resorts/Retreats

A Retreat Close to Home...

A meeting or conference held in the unique atmosphere of the Badlands Community Facility, nestled along the Drumheller River Valley, is sure to motivate your team!

• 11,900 square feet of modern and versatile conference and banquet facilities, accommodating groups of 2 to 600 • 20,900 square feet of field house space ideal for exhibitions and team building • State- of- the -art audio visual system • Extensive fitness facilities, library, art gallery and outdoor terrace overlooking Drumheller’s breathtaking landscapes • World class attractions including the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Atlas Coal Mine, the World’s Largest Dinosaur and more!

• Centrally located to Drumheller’s finest accommodations Our exceptional staff is ready to assist you to make your visit enjoyable, professional and successful.

We invite you to experience the Badlands Community Facility.

Drumheller, Alberta Phone: (403) 823-1370 Email: mflater@dinosaurvalley.com www.dinosaurvalley.com

Sundre

5% Discount, Promo Code: Badlands2

Eagle River Casino Junction Highway 43 & 32 N PO Box 10, Whitecourt T7S 1N3 Eris Moncur �������� p780‑779‑2727 f780‑706‑7451 egm@eaglerivercasino.ca wwww.eaglerivercasino.ca

Golf Courses & Country Clubs Whitecourt Golf & Country Club Box 1688, Whitecourt T7S 1P5 ��������������� p780‑778‑3531 f780‑778‑4032 wwww.whitecourtgolf.com

Hotels and Motels Admiral Inn & Suites 5003 50 St PO Box 1230, Whitecourt T7S 1P1 �������������� p780‑778‑2216 f780‑778‑4733 eadmiral@whitecourtadmiral.com wwww.whitecourtadmiral.com

42 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Southern Alberta

SOUTHBOUND Sunny, warm and friendly sums up vibrant Southern Alberta

Giant dinosaur is a trafficstopper in Drumheller, home of the famous Royal Tyrrell Museum with its extensive dinosaur exhibits | BADLANDS COMMUNITY FACILITY

The art centre in Lethbridge includes the ATB Financial community room, with 2,760 square feet of space.

The room seats 200 people theatre-style and 100 cabaret-style. A podium, basic sound system and digital projector with 20-foot screen are available upon request when booking | ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL OF LETHBRIDGE

T

BY FRANK O’BRIEN

he sweeping vista that is Southern Alberta comes alive with history and activities that make it one of the top go-to destinations for social gatherings and conference events.

A key centre in the region is Lethbridge, a mid-size city and home to the world’s tallest and longest train bridge. With an average of 320 days of sunshine each year and one of the warmest winters, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy all this city has to offer.

Numerous activities are possible in Lethbridge, from visiting the historical fort, Japanese garden, museum, art galleries, nature centre, Henderson Lake and the championship golf courses to the 140 kilometres of cycling paths. Home to a variety of local cuisine and an award-winning restaurant, Two Guys and a Pizza Place, featured on Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here!

The Best Western Plus Service Inn & Suites in Lethbridge, the city’s newest hotel, offers 113 spacious rooms with modern amenities including complimentary highspeed wireless Internet, a waterslide, a pool with swim jet and hot tub, and 24-hour fitness facilities. The hotel

has meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 60 guests.

The Coast Lethbridge Hotel and Conference Centre, built more than 60 years ago, is a traditional meeting place, offering a 9,000-square-foot banquet ballroom, plus separate meeting rooms that can hold up to 800 guests.

Drumheller, at the northern edge of Southern Alberta, salutes dinosaurs with a massive T. Rex style statue.

Drumheller’s Royal Tyrrell Museum is one of the most visited places in Alberta and contains thousands of dinosaur skeletons and stories. Most of the dinosaurs discovered in this area are preserved and assembled right here in Drumheller. Many famous films have been shot in the area, including the original Superman movie, Unforgiven, Lonesome Dove and many others.

Drumheller also offers contemporary meeting facilities, among the best in the Badlands.

The jewel is the Badlands Community Facility in downtown Drumheller. Its spacious conference hall, equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems, can comfortably welcome large and small conferences with seating for up to 650 theatre-style or 450 for a sit-down banquet.

There are also two more intimate meeting rooms for

| 43

Southern Alberta

breakout or training sessions, each with views of green space. A fully equipped commercial kitchen and generous parking make the fully accessible facility a perfect fit for meetings of any size.

Brooks is home to the Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, with seating for up to 600.

In the southwest corner of Alberta, Medicine Hat has approved a new Regional Event Centre that will hold more than 7,000 people, but it will not be complete until at least 2015. The city’s Exhibition & Stampede Grounds hosts Brooks

Drumheller

Hotels and Motels

Banquet Facilities

Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre Brooks 1217 2nd St W, Brooks T1R 1P7 Eric Deringer ������ p403‑362‑6666 f403‑362‑7319 egm.brooks@heritageinn.net wwww.heritageinn.net Ramada Inn & Suites 1319 2 St W, Brooks T1R 1P7 ��������������� p403‑362‑6440 f403‑362‑6480 egm@ramadabrooks.com wwww.ramada.com Super 8 Brooks 115 15 Ave W, Brooks T1R 0V5 �������������� p403‑363‑0080 f403‑363‑0088 egm@super8brooks.com wwww.super8brooks.com

an annual rodeo each summer and has 10 meeting rooms and grounds that can accommodate up to 10,000 guests.

Close by are both the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park with Elkwater Lake and the Hidden Valley Ski Resort.

Medicine Hat – named for the Blackfoot word “saamis” for the hat of a medicine man – also boasts the Medicine Hat Lodge that has a grand ballroom for 600 guests, nine meeting rooms and a casino.

In all, Southern Alberta delights with a mix of history, culture and contemporary meeting facilities.  Ric’s Grill & The Mix by Ric’s Lounge in the Watertower 103 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1J 4Y8 Jonas Taleon ����������������������������������p403‑317‑7427 elethbridge@ricsgrill.com wwww.ricsgrill.com

Town of Drumheller c/o Badlands Community Facility 224 Centre St, Drumheller T0J 0Y4 Cathy Kuntz �������� p403‑823‑1333 f403‑823‑6991

Hotels and Motels

Venues – Event or Meeting Facilities Town of Drumheller c/o Badlands Community Facility 224 Centre St, Drumheller T0J 0Y4 Cathy Kuntz �������� p403‑823‑1333 f403‑823‑6991

Lethbridge Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Economic Development Lethbridge/ Convention & Event Development 308 Stafford Dr S, Lethbridge T1J 2L1 Kerry Lowe ��������� p403‑331‑0022 f403‑331‑0202 ekerry@chooselethbridge.ca wwww.chooselethbridge.ca

Visit Lethbridge Lethbridge ������������������� eed@visitlethbridge.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com

Banquet Facilities Regent Restaurant 1255 3rd Ave S, Lethbridge T1J 0K1 ��������������� p403‑328‑7800 f403‑328‑0250 wwww.regentrestaurant.ca

Best Western Plus Service Inn & Suites 209 41st St S, Lethbridge T1J 1Z3 Bruce Primeau ��������������������������������p403‑329‑6844 egm@bestwesternlethbridge.ca wwww.visitlethbridge.com Canada’s Best Value Inn and Suites 1142 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1K 2P8 Aran Shortt �������������������������������������p403‑328‑4436 ecbvilethbridge@gmail.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com Coast Lethbridge Hotel & Conference Centre 526 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1J 3M2 Jackie French ����� p403‑327‑5701 f403‑327‑5075 ej.french@coasthotels.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com

44 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Southern Alberta Days Inn Lethbridge 100 3rd Ave S, Lethbridge T1J 4L2 Ted Lang �����������������������������������������p403‑327‑6000 esales@ladaysinn.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com Econo Lodge Inn & Suites 1124 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1K 2P8 Christopher Beaton ������������������������p403‑328‑5591 emotelmanager@shaw.ca wwww.visitlethbridge.com Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lethbridge 120 Stafford Dr S, Lethbridge T1J 4W4 Sacha Johnson �������������������������������p403‑394‑9292 ehielethbridge.gm@gmail.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com Holiday Inn Lethbridge 2375 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1K 7M1 Dwayne Stratton ����������������������������p403‑359‑5612 edstratton@fortisproperties.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com Howard Johnson Express 1026 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1K 2P8 Paul Bachhal ����������������������������������p403‑327‑4576 ehj123511@yahoo.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com Lethbridge Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre 320 Scenic Dr S, Lethbridge T1J 4B4 Paul Harrigan ���������������������������������p403‑328‑1123 epharrigan@silverbirchhotels.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com Quality Inn & Suites Lethbridge 4070 2nd Ave S, Lethbridge T1J 3Z2 Lilly George �������� p403‑331‑6440 f403‑331‑6442 egm.cn828@choicehotels.com wwww.choicehotels.com Ramada Lethbridge 1303 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1K 2R1 Brian Um ������������ p403‑329‑0555 f403‑328‑8846 egm@lethbridgeramada.com wwww.lethbridgeramada.com Sandman Hotel Lethbridge 421 Mayor Magrath Dr, Lethbridge T1J 3L8 Doug Hayes ������������������������������������p403‑328‑1111 egm_lethbridge@sandman.ca wwww.visitlethbridge.com Super 8 Lethbridge 1030 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge T1K 2P8 Christopher Beaton ������������������������p403‑328‑6636 emotelmanager@shaw.ca wwww.visitlethbridge.com

Universities and Colleges University of Lethbridge Conference & Event Services 4401 University Dr W, Lethbridge T1K 3M4 Erin Crane ���������������������������������������p403‑329‑2244 eerin.crane@uleth.ca wwww.visitlethbridge.com

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Lethbridge College 3010 College Dr S, Lethbridge T1K 8A2 Jo-Anne Wilson �����������������������������p403‑329‑7218 ejo-anne.wilson@lethbridgecollege.ca wwww.visitlethbridge.com Lethbridge Exhibition Park 3401 Parkside Dr S, Lethbridge T1J 4R3 Doug Kryzanowski ��������������������������p403‑317‑3213 f403‑320‑8139 edoug@exhibitionpark.ca wwww.exhibitionpark.ca

Paradise Valley Golf Course 90 Gehring Rd SW, Medicine Hat T1B 4W1 Kim Bronson ������� p403‑526‑3330 f403‑529‑5077 ekimbronson@paradisevalleypar3.com wwww.paradisevalleypar3.com

Hotels and Motels

Visit Lethbridge Lethbridge ��������������������eed@visitlethbridge.com wwww.visitlethbridge.com

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor Fort Whoop Up National Historic Site Box 1074 Indian Battle Park, Lethbridge T1J 4A2 Doran Degenstein ��������������������������p403‑329‑0444 f403‑329‑0645 einfo@fortwhoopup.com wwww.fortwhoopup.com Galt Museum & Archives 502 1 St S, Lethbridge T1J 0P6 Lea-Ann Owsley � p403‑320‑4247 f403‑329‑4958 efacilityrentals@galtmuseum.com wwww.galtmuseum.com

Medicine Hat Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres

StayInMedicineHat.com Medicine Hat Accommodation Association 95 Palliser Way NE, Medicine Hat T1C 1R5 Elisha Ammann ������������������������������p403‑581‑5002 eelisha@stayinmedicinehat.com wwww.stayinmedicinehat.com Tourism Medicine Hat 8 Gehring Rd SW, Medicine Hat T1B 4W1 ������������� p403‑527‑6422 f403‑528‑2682 eevents@tourismmedicinehat.com wwww.tourismmedicinehat.com

Banquet Facilities City of Medicine Hat - Arenas 155 Ash Ave SE, Medicine Hat T1A 3B1 Terra Petryshyn ��� p403‑502‑8745 f403‑529‑1112 eterpet@medicinehat.ca wwww.medicinehat.ca

Golf Courses & Country Clubs Desert Blume Golf Club 107 Clubhouse Dr SW, Medicine Hat T1B 0A4 Ruthanne Monahan �����������������������p403‑581‑4653 f403‑529‑0775 eevents@desertblume.com wwww.desertblume.com Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club 947 Pigeon St NE PO Box 232, Medicine Hat T1A 7E9 �������������� p403‑529‑6930 f403‑526‑2118 wwww.medicinehatgolf.com

Best Western Plus Sun Country 722 Redcliff Dr SW, Medicine Hat T1A 5E3 �������������� p403‑527‑3700 f403‑526‑8689 e61020@hotel.bestwestern.com wwww.bestwesternalberta.com/hotels/bestwestern-plus-sun-country Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre 54 7th St SW, Medicine Hat T1A 7R7 Lynn Deis ����������������������������������������p403‑527‑8844 elynn@clarionmh.ca wwww.choicehotels.com Comfort Inn & Suites Medicine Hat 2317 Trans Canada Way SE, Medicine Hat T1B 4E9 Jennifer Fontaine p403‑504‑1700 f403‑527‑1579 einfo@comfortinnmedicinehat.com wwww.comfortinnmedicinehat.com Days Inn Medicine Hat 24 Strachan Crt SE, Medicine Hat TIB 4R7 ��������������� p403‑580‑3297 f403‑580‑3299 edaysinnmedhat@d3h.ca wwww.daysinn.com Holiday Inn Express & Suites Medicine Hat 9 Strachan Bay, Medicine Hat T1B 4Y2 Nicole Daffy ������� p403‑504‑5151 f403‑504‑0055 endaffy@fortisproperties.com wwww.hiexpress.com/medhat Imperial Inn 3282 13 Ave SE, Medicine Hat T1B 1H8 Harp Nijhar ��������� p403‑527‑8811 f403‑526‑7039 eimperialinnmedicinehat@gmail.com wwww.imperialinn.ca Medicine Hat Lodge Resort 1051 Ross Glen Dr SE, Medicine Hat T1B 3T8 Jill Scherer ��������� p403‑502‑8190 f403‑528‑4075 ejscherer@medhatlodge.com wwww.medhatlodge.com Motel 6 Medicine Hat 20 Strachan Crt SE, Medicine Hat T1B 4R7 Crystal Mytton �������������������������������p403‑527‑1749 ecmytton@d3h.ca wwww.motel6mh.ca Super 8 1280 TransCanada Way SE, Medicine Hat T1B 1J5 John Lee �����������������������������������������p403‑528‑8888 esuper8medicinehat@shawbiz.ca wwww.super8.com

Restaurants Thai Orchid Room 36 Strachan Crt SE Suite 3, Medicine Hat T1B 4R7 Sou Boss ������������ p403‑580‑8210 f403‑580‑8976 wwww.thaiorchidroom.ca

Venues - Event or Meeting Facilities Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede 2055 21 Ave SE Box 1298, Medicine Hat T1A 7N1 Natalie Weir ������� p403‑527‑1234 f403‑529‑6553 enweir@mhstampede.com wwww.mhstampede.com Southside Events Centre 4 Strachan Crt SE, Medicine Hat T1B 4R7 Kevin Schaan ����� p403‑528‑9997 f403‑527‑9804 eadmin@southsideeventscentre.com wwww.southsideeventscentre.com

Venues - Historical or Themed or Outdoor Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre 401 1 St SE , Medicine Hat T1A 8W2 Trampas Brown �� p403‑502‑8787 f403‑502‑8589 eesplanade@medicinehat.ca wwww.esplanade.ca Medalta - Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District 713 Medalta Ave SE, Medicine Hat T1A 3K9 ������������������������������������������p403‑529‑1070 equentin@medalta.com wwww.medalta.org

Pincher Creek Hotels and Motels Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre Pincher Creek 919 Waterton Ave Box 399, Pincher Creek T0K 1W0 Claire Layton ������ p403‑627‑5000 f403‑627‑3936 einfo.pinchercreek@heritageinn.net wwww.heritageinn.net

Taber Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre Taber 4830 46 Ave, Taber T1G 2A4 Tyrel McLelland �� p403‑223‑4424 f403‑223‑1733 einfo.taber@heritageinn.net wwww.heritageinn.net

Bayshore

Waterton Park

Banquet Facilities

I NN

Resort & Spa

WATERTON PARK, ALBERTA www.waterton.ca

Bayshore Inn at Waterton Lake PO Box 38 111 Waterton Ave, Waterton Park T0K 2M0 Shameer Suleman ��������������������������p403‑859‑2211 f403‑859‑2291 einfo@bayshoreinn.com wwww.bayshoreinn.com

Bayshore

Hotels and Motels

I NN

Resort & Spa

WATERTON PARK, ALBERTA www.waterton.ca

Bayshore Inn at Waterton Lake PO Box 38 111 Waterton Ave, Waterton Park T0K 2M0 Shameer Suleman ��������������������������p403‑859‑2211 f403‑859‑2291 einfo@bayshoreinn.com wwww.bayshoreinn.com

Book online at Waterton.ca

Waterton Lakes National Park | Alberta, Canada

Waterton’s Only Lakefront Hotel

Waterton’S All-Suite Hotel

1.888.527.9555 | www.bayshoreinn.com

1.866.621.3330 | www.watertonsuites.com

46 | MEETING PLACES ALBERTA 2015 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Northern Alberta

BIG SKY THINKING Northern Alberta is Canada’s centre for resource wealth and a popular conference destination

Fort McMurray’s Suncor Community Leisure Centre hosts large trade shows and exhibitions and can handle sit-down banquets for more than 1,000 people | MACDONALD ISLAND PARK/ FORT MCMURRAY

Outdoor adventures in Northern Alberta help corporate meetings hook more than another deal | TRAVEL ALBERTA Athabasca offers plenty of outdoor activities for corporate meeting groups | TRAVEL ALBERTA/SABRINA HILL

B

BY PETER MITHAM

usiness deals may get done in the boardrooms of Edmonton and Calgary, but the vast expanse of wilderness stretching north of the North Saskatchewan hosts plenty of opportunities for big-sky recreation.

Northern Alberta meeting space has largely paralleled the development of the resource sector.

The biggest concentration is in Fort McMurray, where demand for hotel space has skyrocketed over the past decade as investment in the region’s oilsands increased.

MacDonald Island Park and the Suncor Community Leisure Centre regularly host trade shows and exhibitions that welcome thousands of visitors. The centre’s curling arena can handle sit-down banquets for more than 1,000 people.

Well-known names such as Radisson and Quality Hotels provide meeting space for up to 650 people alongside smaller properties such as Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, operated by the Sawridge Cree First Nation of Slave Lake (which also offers accommodation and meeting facilities in Peace River).

Outside of town, Wood Buffalo Regional Municipality offers fishing and hunting expeditions at lodges set on pristine lakes. The region’s experienced guides know where to find stunning bear, deer, pike and walleye, providing top-notch wilderness adventures for hunters and photographers.

Athabasca, a northern outpost for Edmonton and the first major community south of Fort McMurray, is among the communities that have seen adventure tourism flourish. Opened in 2008, the Athabasca Regional Multiplex can host groups of up to 1,000, but its primary claim to fame is its trail networks ideal for snowmobiling and skiing in winter. Boating and fishing are popular summer activities.

South of town, the Junior Forest Wardens’ Camp provides a rustic setting for group meetings, while Winefred

| 47

Northern Alberta

Lake Lodge near Conklin offers space for up to 40 people.

Winefred Lake offers complete packages, including backcountry outings for wildlife viewing and fishing as well as homestyle cooking, that offer memorable experiences for business groups without going offline.

Grande Prairie anchors northwestern Alberta and is a hub for activity across the Peace River country, from Fort St. John in neighbouring B.C. to Fairview and the town of Peace River to the north.

Grande Prairie’s Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre opened in 2004, offering 11,000 square feet of event space and rooms for up to 500 people, while a Motel 6 and smaller properties have opened since. Eastlink Centre lays claim to being one of Canada’s largest multiplex recreation facilities, while the Wapiti Nordic Centre boasts more than 40 kilometres of skiing and hiking trails.

Peace River boasts 500 rooms including the 141-room Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, but its glory is a spectacular landscape of rolling hills hosting golf courses, biking trails and fishing holes.

North of Peace River, a vast region of wide-open skies arcs above forests, rivers and lakes.

High Level is the region’s hub and the last major community on Route 35, the Mackenzie Highway, which runs north to Yellowknife. A wave of investment driven by forestry and gas exploration in the surrounding country has led to upgrades at many properties. Well-known banners are now common, including Best Western, Days Inn and Super 8.

The town’s biggest single conference facility is the

Visitors to Fort McMurray are awed by the northern lights – and the bustling nightlife of Alberta’s iconic boomtown | PETER MCMAHON, PARKS CANADA/FORT MCMURRAY NATIONAL PARK

Best Western Plus Mirage Hotel and Resort, which can accommodate events of up to 500 people.

Recreation centres and community halls in High Level and surrounding communities provide additional space for smaller groups, while lodges on lakes in the hinterland afford pristine retreats. 

Fort McMurray

Franklin Suite Hotel 10300 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray T9H 2H9 �������������� p780‑788‑2199 f780‑788‑2159 einfo@franklinfortmcmurray.com wwww.franklinfortmcmurray.com Merit Hotel & Suites 8200 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray T9H 2H9 �������������� p780‑714‑9444 f780‑714‑9440 ehotelinfo@meritfortmcmurray.com wwww.meritfortmcmurray.com Nomad Hotel & Suites 10006 MacDonald Ave, Fort McMurray T9H 1S8 ������������� p780‑791‑4770 f780‑790‑1684 einfo@nomadfortmcmurray.com wwww.nomadfortmcmurray.com Podollan Inn & Rez-idence Fort McMurray 10131 Franklin Ave, Fort McMurray T9H 2K8 Kevin Cloutier ����� p780‑790‑2000 f780‑790‑2775 egmfm@podollan.com wwww.podollan.com Quality Hotel & Conference Centre Fort McMurray 424 Gregoire Dr, Fort McMurray T9H 3R2 Barnie Yerxa ������� p780‑713‑3335 f780‑790‑1658 edgilles@silverbirchhotels.com wwww.qualityhotelfortmcmurray.com Super 8 Fort McMurray 321 Sakitawaw Trail, Fort McMurray T9H 5E7 �������������� p780‑799‑8450 f780‑799‑8464 egsm@super8fortmcmurray.com wwww.super8fortmcmurray.com

Hotels and Motels

Grande Prairie

Chateau Nova Fort McMurray Mod 3 Comp 9 RR1, Fort McMurray T9H 5B5 ������������� p780‑278‑6155 f780‑732‑5719 efmcatering@novahotels.ca wwww.novahotels.ca Clearwater Suite Hotel & Spa 4 Haineault St, Fort McMurray T9H 1R6 �������������� p780‑799‑7676 f780‑799‑4501 ecatering@clearwaterfortmcmurray.com wwww.clearwaterfortmcmurray.com

Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres

Athabasca Golf Courses & Country Clubs Athabasca Golf & Country Club No 1 Highway 813 and Golf Course Rd PO Box 2225, Athabasca T9S 2B7 �������������� p780‑675‑4599 f780‑675‑7027 egm@athagolf.com wwww.athagolf.com

Hotels and Motels Athabasca Super 8 4820 Woodheights Rd, Athabasca T9S 1V4 �������������� p780‑675‑8888 f780‑675‑8889 egm@super8athabasca.com wwww.super8athabasca.com Days Inn Athabasca 2805 48 Ave, Athabasca T9S 0A4 �������������� p780‑675‑7020 f780‑675‑7783 wwww.daysinn.ca

Fairview Associations/Chambers of Commerce/ Tourist Info Centres Fairview & District Chamber of Commerce 10912 103 Ave PO Box 1034, Fairview T0H 1L0 �������������� p780‑835‑5999 f780‑835‑5991 edirector@fairviewchamber.com wwww.fairviewchamber.com

Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce 11330 106 St Suite 127 Centre 2000, Grande Prairie T8V 7X9 Dan Pearcy ��������� p780‑532‑5340 f780‑532‑2926 einfo@gpchamber.com wwww.grandeprairiechamber.com

Hotels and Motels

Regional Convention Spaces

Best Western Hotel & Suites Grande Prairie 10745 117 Ave, Grande Prairie T8V 7N6 Michelle Bellehumeur ��������������������p780‑402‑2378 f780‑402‑8026 eres@bestwesterngrandeprairie.com wwww.bestwesterngrandeprairie.com Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Conference Centre 9816 107 St, Grande Prairie T8V 8E7 ��������������� p780‑402‑6886 f780‑402‑6835 ecatering@higrandeprairie.com wwww.higrandeprairie.com Paradise Inn & Conference Centre Grande Prairie 11201 100 Ave, Grande Prairie T8V 5M6 Debbie Gamble �� p800‑661‑7954 f780‑532‑1961 edgamble@paradiseinnandsuites.ca wwww.paradiseinngrandeprairie.com Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre 11633 100 St, Grande Prairie T8V 3Y4 Sara Hoath ��������� p780‑832‑2436 f780‑532‑5441 eeventsmanager@pomeroyhotelgp.com wwww.pomeroyhotel.com/grande-prairie Pomeroy Inn & Suites Grande Prairie 11710 102 St, Grande Prairie T8V 7S7 �������������� p780‑831‑2999 f780‑513‑1146 egm@pomeroygrandeprairie.com wwww.pomeroygrandeprairie.com Sandman Hotel Grande Prairie 9805 100 St, Grande Prairie T8V 6X3 Nathan Morden �� p780‑513‑5555 f780‑513‑5131 egrandeprairiecatering@sandman.ca wwww.sandmanhotels.com Service Plus Inn & Suites Grande Prairie 10810 107 Ave, Grande Prairie T8V 7A9 �������������� p780‑538‑3900 f780‑532‑8558 egrandeprairie@spis.ca wwww.serviceplusinns.com Stanford Hotel Grande Prairie 11401 100th Ave, Grande Prairie T8V 5M6 ������������� p780‑539‑5678 f780‑538‑3913 ereservations@stanfordhospitality.com wwww.grandeprairiestanfordhotel.com

Evergreen Park PO Box 370, Grande Prairie T8V 3A5 Dan Gorman ������� p780‑357‑2849 f780‑539‑0373 edgorman@evergreenpark.ca wwww.evergreenpark.ca

Venues – Event or Meeting Facilities Crystal Centre 10017 99 Ave, Grande Prairie T8V 0R7 Michelle Mills ���� p780‑513‑5242 f780‑539‑9935 emmills@cityofgp.com wwww.crystalcentre.com

High Level Hotels and Motels Executive House Suites Hotel & Conference Centre 9815 101 St, High Level T0H 1Z0 �������������� p780‑926‑3311 f780‑926‑4745 ereservations@executivehousesuites.com wwww.executivehousesuites.com

Regional Convention Spaces Best Western Plus Mirage Hotel & Resort 9616 Highway 58, High Level T0H 1Z0 �������������� p780‑821‑1000 f780‑821‑8300 einfo@bestwesternhighlevel.com wwww.bestwesternhighlevel.com

Slave Lake Hotels and Motels Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Slave Lake 1551 Main St SE, Slave Lake T0P 2G0 �������������� p780‑849‑4819 f780‑849‑5045 efom@hieslavelake.com wwww.hieslavelake.com Super 8 Slave Lake 101 14 Ave SW, Slave Lake T0G 2A0 �������������� p780‑805‑3100 f780‑805‑3140 egm@super8slavelake.com wwww.super8slavelake.com

Go Beyond Meetings

Canada’s Mountain Meeting Destination www.tourismcanmore.com/meetings