Meetings + Incentive Travel Mar.Apr 2012

natural EVOLUTION

EDUCATION IN BUSINESS EVENTS+TECHNOLOGY+PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT+DESTINATIONS+REWARDS+

PLANNERS ARE

ADVANCING PM 40069240

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����� ������ ��� best �� ������ – ��� ��� �� ���� ������� ������� ���.

Experience a dynamic setting in the heart of downtown Calgary. Connect with the cosmopolitan flair of Vancouver. Meet amidst the European culture and style of Montreal. Hold a dynamic conference close to Toronto’s business and financial district. Bringing people together at Hyatt Hotels in Canada has never been more unforgettable – or rewarding. Now you’ll receive a �% rebate, free Internet access for your guests and triple Hyatt Gold Passport® Bonus Points for qualifying meetings. Plus, you can always count on inspiring spaces and talented meeting advisors to ensure your event will be perfect.

To take advantage of this exclusive offer, book and hold your meeting by December ��, ����. Call ��� �� GREAT (��� ��� ����) and reference Offer Code CANADA or visit hyattmeetings.com/canada.

Hyatt Regency Calgary

Hyatt Regency Montreal

Hyatt Regency Toronto

Hyatt Regency Vancouver

Park Hyatt Toronto

Offer is valid for new events booked and held by 12/31/2012 at participating Hyatt hotels in Canada. Offer not valid in conjunction with previously booked or held meetings or events and may not be combined with other promotional offers. Meeting or incentive is subject to availability of function space and guest rooms at time of booking. Planner must request offer code CANADA at time of booking. Additional terms and conditions apply. Visit hyattmeetings.com/canada for complete terms and conditions. ©2012 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

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PHOTOS Getty Images, Garrison McArthur Photographers, Twelve Apostles Hotel, Ecuador Tourism, iStockphoto

Enjoy the Rewards of Meeting at Hyatts in Canada.

AS I SEE IT features 20

19

ENTERING A NEW ERA Planning meetings has evolved from mandated task to highly coveted career choice.

BY CHRISTINE OTSUKA

27

MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS Leadership requires that hard choices be made. A how-to guide.

BY TERRI BREINING

28

WORK IT! No matter how happy you are in your career, there’s always room for improvement. Tips ’n’ ideas.

BY HAILEY EISEN

32

38

GOING SOLO Industry veterans share their experiences of launching startups.

66

BY DON DOULOFF

columns 12

MOTIVATING FACTORS Satisfying Needs

BY TERRY MANION

PHOTOS Getty Images, Garrison McArthur Photographers, Twelve Apostles Hotel, Ecuador Tourism, iStockphoto

14

PERSPECTIVES Should We Be Governed?

AS TOLD TO CHRISTINE OTSUKA

15

64 DEPARTMENTS 6 5 7 10 17 18 68 71 74

What’s New On MeetingsCanada.com Contributors My Two Cents Agenda Power Points Association Voice Pro Picks Snapped!

Trending

35 destinations 64

GALAPAGOS

Judgement Day

BY ADAM PLETSCH

16

66

THE PROVOCATEUR Why Do We Exist?

BY SUSAN RADOJEVIC

35

At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, groups bond over nature’s wonders.

BY BARB & RON KROLL

HARD WIRED

GOOD FOR YOU I Can’t Eat That!

BY CHRISTINE OTSUKA

38

CUISCENE

This beautiful South African city delivers on all counts.

An Eventful Evolution: Oliver & Bonacini Events launches its latest venue, the Arcadian spaces, in downtown Toronto.

BY GERALDINE GATEHOUSE

BY DON DOULOFF

CAPE TOWN

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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We asked everyone this month: What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to you While travelling?

Volume 41, Number 2 march.april 2012

“Visiting a juke joint in Memphis, Tenn.

One wild night!”

Publisher 416.510.5226

so n Ja chilcot t SChilcott@MeetingsCanada.com

editorial D o n D o u lo ff

Managing Editor 416.442.5600 x3254

“Spotting a childhood friend amongst thousands while travelling alone outside Buckingham Palace, in London, getting kicked off public lawn chairs in the park (you must pay to sit) and happening upon a random outdoor concert at Trafalgar Square. Divine.”

Assistant Editor 416.442.5600 x3255

chr ist in e ots u Ka COtsuka@MeetingsCanada.com

“Getting mistaken for someone else at a high-end restaurant in Vegas and getting free food. We ’fessed up and laughed about it with the waiter. And we still didn’t have to pay!”

art Ke ls e y b r e Me r

Art Director 416.442.5600 x3257

“Through a scheduling mix-up, I spent the night completely alone in a 350-year-old Irish castle in the northwest of Ireland. (A haunting experience, for sure!).”

DDouloff@MeetingsCanada.com

KBremer@MeetingsCanada.com

sales co r i-a n n ca n u e l

Account Manager 416.510.6819 Account Manager, International 416.510.5144 Sales + Marketing Associate 416.442.5600 x3123

CCanuel@MeetingsCanada.com

a la n n a McQ ua iD AMcquaid@MeetingsCanada.com

Me lissa scot t MScott@MeetingsCanada.com

iNceNtiVeworks General Manager r o b in Pa is le y

“Bumping into people from my small hometown while at the Frankfurt airport. It was so out of context.”

416.510.5141

“Kevin Costner teaching me to fly-fish in Aspen, Col.”

RPaisley@MeetingsCanada.com

“Almost drowning in the East China Sea (against the tide) trying to rescue a fellow traveller (who didn’t know how to swim) from drowning.”

editorial coNtributors terri breininG, iyna bort ca ru so, ha ile y e is e n , G e ra lD in e G at e ho u s e , ba r b + r on Kroll, terry Manion, a Da M P le tsch, r o b e rt l. Q u iG le y, s u sa n ra D oJe V i c 2012 editorial adVisory board V i to cu ralli, steVe D eMPsey, ricc a r D o G a lioto, Joa n n e Ke at in G , Ke lly MacD o n a lD, r ose M ary n accarato, c MP, c MM, c laire sMit h, Je n n ife r st rat h, a le xa n D r e t e ss ie r , he iD i We l K e r

big magaziNes lp alex PaPano u

Vice-President of Canadian Publishing President of Business Information Group

bruc e c reiGhto n

productioN + oNliNe + circulatioN cat hy li

Market Production Associate 416.510.5150

IT Business Support Manager 416.510.6898 Circulation Manager 416.442.5600 x3543

CLi@bizinfogroup.ca

lau ra Mo ffatt LMoffatt@bizinfogroup.ca

b e ata o lech n oW i c z BOlechnowicz@bizinfogroup.ca

Meetings + Incentive Travel (M+IT) magazine receives unsolicited features and materials (including letters to the editor) from time to time. M+IT, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, re-publish, distribute, store and archive such submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. Mail Preferences: Occasionally we make our subscriber list available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Phone: 1-800-668-2374, Fax: 416-442-2191, E-Mail: privacyofficer@businessinformationgroup.ca, subscriPtion Price: Canada $76.00 per year, Outside Canada $106.00 US per year, Single Copy Canada $13.00. Meetings + Incentive Travel is published 6 times per year except for occasional combined, expanded or premium issues, which count as two subscription issues. Meetings + Incentive Travel is indexed in the Canadian Business Index and is available online in the Canadian Business & Current Affairs Database. Contents Copyright BIG Magazines LP, a division of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd. Canada Post — Canadian publications Mail Sales Product Agreement 40069240 ISSN No. 1915-1125. 80 Valleybrook Drive, North York, ON M3B 2S9. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

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contributors

12

16

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66

t erry M anion Motivating Factors: Satisfying Needs

susan raD oJe V ic The Provocateur: Why Do We Exist?

ha ile y e is e n

G e ra lD in e Gate h o u se

Work It!

Cape Town Destination Piece

“Baggage handlers in a Caribbean country were all wearing the beach-shirt giveaway of our group when we arrived in advance of the group! Fortunately, we had plenty of extras.”

“Being mistaken for someone else and getting passionately kissed by a stranger while waiting for a taxi in front of Hotel de Paris, in Monte Carlo. Come to think of it, he was a very good kisser (smile)!”

“Back in my single, backpacking days, I met a guy while travelling in Spain and we planned an impromptu trip to Istanbul for four days. It was amazing and spontaneous!”

“Having climbed up a mountain in Gulmarg, Kashmir, I had no way of descending it, other than to slide all the way down on a small metal tray. (This was before it became a popular ski area.)”

Contact Terry at: tmanion@meridican.com

Contact Susan at: susan. radojevic@theperegrineagency.ca

Contact Hailey at: haileyeisen.com

Contact Geraldine at: geraldine-g@cox.net

your trusted m+it oNliNe resource Just got better!

We’ve completely redesigned our website, so it’s easier and faster for you to use!

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what's new on

INCENTIVEWORKS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Download a PDF of our Market Report stats

Attendee registration is now open for Canada’s meetings and events show, IncentiveWorks, held August 21-22, 2012 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Trade-show registration is free for anyone who plans events. + meetingscanada.com/incentiveworks

+ bit.ly/marketreportstats

FAIRMONT GRAND HOTEL KYIV

“Nothing is easy as a mother, but that doesn’t mean that mothers can’t do this job and do it really well.”

ALISON SILCOFF, OWNER, ALISON SILCOFF EVENTS INC.

+ bit.ly/fairmontky

From Sandy Biback’s UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM

“To all you accidental planners out there, I salute you and suggest you keep on telling people what you do is important and has cause and effect; makes money; develops communities; creates jobs and makes great use of so many professions, from hospitality to decor designers to audiovisual professionals.”

Listen in on the conversation or better yet, join in! Follow us on Twitter for the latest breaking industry news and updates @MeetingsCanada 6

+ bit.ly/worklif

CRITIC’S NOTEBOOK: RESTAURANT VIEWS + REVIEWS + bit.ly/sandybiback

View and share event photos, ask for advice from other planners and suppliers or react to industry headlines on our Facebook page (facebook.com/MeetingsCanada)

+ bit.ly/restreviews

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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AS I SEE IT

THE SNOWBALL EFFECT

COMING NEXT ISSUE

Our Corporate Social Responsibility issue, which will outline the many and creative ways in which the meetings industry gives back to the community and to the environment.

STAY IN THE KNOW Sign up for our newsletters, delivered right to your inbox.

Weekly The top five must-read stories of the week, plus industry blogs and important dates.

Monthly In case you missed it, we recap the most-read industry news of the month.

PHOTO DONNA SANTOS

meetingscanada.com/newsletters

In my editorial in the Jan/Feb issue of M+IT, I suggested that one of the ways in which the meetings and events industry can propel itself to the next level is through a commitment to education.

And here’s the good news: it’s apparent that commitment is strongly in evidence.

In fact, if there was ever a yardstick measuring how far our industry has progressed, this is it. Education has never played as important a role as it has now.

Education takes many forms. It can be formal, post-secondary; it can be more informal (continuous-learning lectures at colleges and universities); it can be conference-driven attendance at education sessions, keynotes, roundtables, interactive workshops and the like; it can be company sponsored courses; it can be reading industry magazines or enlisting a more-experienced colleague as a mentor.

At the CanSPEP annual conference I attended in late February, I saw vivid proof, yet again, of planners’—veteran, third-party players’—ravenous desire to better themselves through education.

The need for ongoing education never diminishes, and even highly experienced planners realize that. Hence, the fierce desire to add another educational ‘feather in their cap’ by earning Certified Meeting Management and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) accreditation (for instance, the latest crop of planners who’d attained CMP

designation included 25 Canadians, from Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Alberta).

Which is a good thing, since a bettereducated planner community elevates the level of professionalism across the board and, ultimately, produces better events.

Plus, things tend to snowball from there, in a good way. A more educated planning community raises the bar on the quality of events it produces, which raises the expectations of the community at large, which engenders demand for a better-educated constituency, which inspires—requires— planners to deepen their education.

But don’t take my word for it. Read the eye-opening Salary Report article, by M+IT assistant editor Christine Otsuka, on page 20, to get the full story.

We’ve resurrected our M+IT Editorial Advisory Board, as a way to garner viewpoints on key industry issues and solicit feedback on our magazine, to drive our ongoing evolution. It’s a stellar group! To see the lineup, check out our masthead, on page 4.

D ON D OU LOF F, MANAGING EDITOR DDOULOFF@MEETINGSCANADA.COM

M+IT EDITORIAL MANDATE Meetings industry and travel publications are often offered free FAM trips, accommodations and gifts.

M+IT magazine only accepts those that will be featured in the magazine or online through editorial content. Destinations are chosen through reader surveys and market research.

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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IN BUSINE EDUCATION

LETTERS Congratulations Sonja and your team on the fresh redesign of M+IT. The new layout is clean, the images are captivating and the content focused on industry specifics.

I especially enjoy the new Perspectives column, as there is always more than one point view in our industry.

Joanne Keating Program Manager, Industry Relations Meridican Just got the new mag and just love the new look and feel of it. I will WANT to read it now (or at least scan through) as soon as I get it. Great balance of articles and pictures! It’s really exciting!!!!

Jennifer Campbell, CMP, CMM Meeting & Conference Services Director BDO Canada LLP

NOLOG Y+PRO

FESSIO NAL

DEVELO PMENT

+DESTI NATION

S+REWARDS+

DOES PROFESSIONALISM? BREED CAUTION

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I just picked up the new issue out of my mail slot. The first word that comes to mind is WOW! I love it. Congratulations to the whole team!

Nicola Kastner, CMP CMM Director Incentive Services Pareto I really like your new look! Very fresh, clean and inviting. Well done!

Ellen Boddington, CMP President Stellar Conference & Event Management Inc. It looks awesome and I am so proud to be associated with the new M+IT! Tom Price Vice-President Marketing Skyline Hotels & Resorts

PHOTO PINPOINT NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Last issue, we unveiled the all-new Meetings + Incentive Travel magazine.

We love the new look and feel. And we’re thrilled our readers do too!

SS EVENT S+TECH

L To R: Jeniffer Bissett, Bonnie Howell, Debbie Miller, Mark Crawford, Julie Holmen. ©2011 Toronto Convention and Visitors Association.

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AS I SEE IT PICTURED AT LEFT: Ellen Boddington, CMP, Stellar Conference & Event Management; Gale Gingrich, CAAP, CMP, The Gingrich Group; Alanna McQuaid, M+IT; Roni Feldman, DMCP, CMP, Roni Feldman & Associates.

PHOTO PINPOINT NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Yahoo!! You guys are ROCKSTARS!! Congratulations on the re-launch of M+IT magazine—well done! I’m honoured to have had the opportunity to participate in it. Very impressed.

My best wishes to your continued success and innovation.

Yes—you’ve proven again that old dogs can learn new tricks.

Vittoria Wikston, CMP Director, Business Development Niagara Falls Tourism I love the new look! Great flow. I never seem to have time to read anything from cover-to-cover but the eye-catching headlines make it easy to pick it up and put it down. Great job!

Gale Gingrich, CAAP, CMP President The Gingrich Group Inc. Really like the new look! Clean, modern and fun. Good job!

Les Selby, CMP CMM Manager, Strategic Development / Meetings & Events AIMIA

FROM TWITTER Just got the new @meetingscanada mag and it’s looking neat! Good job guys, what a revamp!

Roberto Faria @betofaria Very vogue for a meeting planning resource!

Leanne Calderwood @lcalderwood Interesting article called ‘Do Titles Matter?’

Good work! RT @MeetingsCanada The new REFRESHED issue of M+IT magazine is out!

Kristina Mullen @KristinaMullen Congrats @MeetingsCanada nice look & feel of the magazine.

Cover very cool! Looking forward to reading it. #mpitoronto Susan Radojevic @SusanRadojevic IS THERE A SECTION YOU LOVE?

E-mail cotsuka@meetingscanada.com or Tweet at us @meetingscanada

Innovation · Technology · Creativity Few step up to the challenge, but Toronto offers the perfect breeding ground for all this and more!

Not only is Toronto the 3rd largest technology hub in North America but host of the 2012 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in July 2012.

Join us in the conversation to bring you to the next level in technology.

Follow us on facebook, twitter and download our app...

Or call Julie at Tourism Toronto at 1 800 499 2514 or visit us online at www.seetorontonow.com

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wrap-ups

2012 TOURISM IN NUNAVUT CONFERENCE Dettrick Hala and Casey Scott Tologanak, the drum dancers from Kuglutuk entertained conference attendees during the Nunavut Conference gala.

Casey Scott Tologanak, the drum dancers from Kugluktuk, who also performed at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. At the closing night Country Food Celebration, guests were entertained by the Simeonie Keenainak and Band; amazed by the local clothing in a magnificent fashion show; and indulged in local fare, including frozen beluga whale and caribou, polar bear roast, caribou stew and muskox burgers.

It was an amazing experience and we were delighted to be asked to speak on behalf of the MICE industry. I really enjoyed the distinctiveness Nunavut has to offer, and for anyone that asks —yes, I tried the polar bear and of course, participated in the square dancing! —SON JA CHI LCOTT

CANSPEP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Award Winners. L to R: Front row: Heidi Wilker, CMP; Jessie Eden; Yvonne Dewar, CMP; Alysone Will, CMP. Back row: Cass Bayley, CMP, CMM; Anne-Marie de Lavison; Ingrid Norrish; Gary Johnson; Heather Reid; Claire Fitzpatrick, CMP.

Just under 120 people (about 45 independent planners and the balance suppliers) attended the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners (CanSPEP) Annual Conference, held Feb. 23-25, at the Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview, in Niagara Falls, Ont. Themed “Spotlight On…”, this was CanSPEP’s 15th Annual Conference, and offered some first-rate education sessions. By far, the most lively general session took place on Feb. 24, in a discussion focusing on ethics and best practices for planners and suppliers.

Panelists included Gale Gingrich, CAAP, CMP, the Gingrich Group; 10

PHOTO NUNAVUT TOURISM

Nunavut Tourism hosted the inaugural 2012 Tourism in Nunavut Conference, in Iqaluit, March 19-23, at the Frobisher Inn. Of the 162 people in attendance, 75 per cent were locals and the remainder were Canadian and international speakers and attendees from the tourism industry.

The conference was put together to support tourism growth in Nunavut by educating attendees on tourism as a whole. Speakers included yours truly (speaking on behalf of the MICE industry); Michelle McKenzie, president and CEO of Canadian Tourism Office, who spoke about inbound tourism to Canada; Anne Mette Christiansen, director, Branding Greenland, Greenland Tourism, who enlightened attendees on the evolution of tourism and success stories from Greenland; and David Goldstein, president and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada, who stressed the tourism challenges we face in Canada (specifically air fees).

The Nunavut Conference gala, held March 21, included a keynote by Peter Taptuna, minister of economic development and transportation, and the unique sounds of Dettrick Hala and

wrap-ups

Ellen Boddington, CMP, Stellar Conference & Event Management; Lisa-Marie Upton, CMP, Americana Conference Resort and Spa; and Denise Wiese, Tourism Toronto. During a spirited, interactive, 75-minute session, panelists and audience members raised a number of important points on a perennially sticky issue.

Friday afternoon, a two-hour supplier showcase and lunch, held at Fallsview Casino Resort, provided excellent networking opportunities and a fine buffet-style meal.

Without a doubt, the most unusual presentation was Spicy New Meeting Ideas. Utilizing Pecha Kucha, a format drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of chit-chat, the session involved slide-driven, six-minute presentations on the latest meeting ideas. Presenters included Jeremy Tyrrell, Caesars Windsor; Sandy Biback, CMP, CMM, Imagination+ Meeting Planners Inc.; Rose Timmerman-Gitzi, RTG Special Events; and Roni Feldman, DMCP, CMP, Roni Feldman & Associates.

Friday evening, the action shifted to Elements on the Falls, for a gala celebration of the conference’s 15th anniversary. A New Orleans-themed dress code (plenty of colourful ball masks in evidence) and buffet dinner provided the backdrop to the presentation of the association’s membership awards (see above photo).

Doing its part for the community, the conference raised $1,800, and collected donated items that filled two bellman’s carts, for Bethlehem Housing and Support Services, which supports the personal growth of individuals and families in the Niagara Region.

—D ON D OU LOF F

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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event spotlight Keep on top of professional development and networking opportunities in the business events community.

PHOTO NUNAVUT TOURISM

april Sustainable Meetings Conference Explore the latest green meeting strategies at the annual GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference, located at the Hilton Bonaventure, in Montreal. The core design of the conference embeds the framework of the APEX/ASTM sustainable meeting standards in an interactive environment. Enjoy customized mobile application technology, experiential learning tracks, case study integration and virtual access elements. sustainablemeetingsconference.com

may MPI Manitoba Chapter Meeting Architecture Workshop Join Terri Breining, CMP, as she walks participants through each step of the Meeting Architecture Process (MAP) at the Holiday Inn Winnipeg South, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The result of this participatory workshop will be a workbook with the beginnings of the MAP process in place for each attendee’s current meeting. mpimanitoba.ca CAEM National Roundtable Webinar Event Learn about the finer points of anti-spam legislation, occupational health and safety and attendance drive during CAEM’s first national roundtable event. All members can access this free event from the comfort of their home or work computer. caem.ca

AS I SEE IT ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY EVENTS: APRIL + 24 An Evening with Rebecca Grinnals, President, Engagement Concepts, ISES, Arcadian Loft, Toronto.

MAY + 2 Lunch and Learn Series - How to Run a Successful Board Meeting, MPI Ottawa Chapter, AMCES, Kanata. + 9 Prix Prestige Awards Gala, MPI Ottawa Chapter, Ottawa Marriott. + 15 Pricing Strategies and Your Business, CanSPEP. + 16 Professional Development Luncheon, MPI Greater Edmonton Chapter, Edmonton Event Centre. + 16 May Chapter Meeting, Site Canada, Toronto.

FOR MORE INDUSTRY EVENTS, VISIT MEETINGSCANADA.COM

CAEM - Canadian Association of Exposition Management, CanSPEP - Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners, GMIC - Green Meetings Industry Council, ISES - International Special Events Society of Canada, MPI - Meeting Professionals International. Site - Society of Incentive and Travel Executives.

*Some restrictions apply. 2000 SCENE points will be awarded with each fully-paid $500 auditorium rental.

Events must be hosted between April 1 – June 30, 2012. ® Cineplex Entertainment LP or used under license.

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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H

How incentive travel ties into Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

SATISFYING NEEDS

BY TERRY MANION Incentive travel is a motivator that businesses can use to drive their employees, sales force, dealers, brokers, etc., to greater heights. What could be better than a tool that takes advantage of, and satisfies, our needs as humans?

When our teachers spoke of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, I doubt that incentive travel was a related topic.

But maybe it should have been.

In the early 1950s, Abraham Maslow published his findings, after two decades of psychological research.

He identified five levels of needs (often shown in pyramid form), with the most basic need (physical) on the bottom. Maslow’s widely accepted contention was that people cannot be motivated to move on to the next level of needs until each of these is met, in order.

The first two needs, physical and security, deal with the need to survive, the need for water, air, shelter, etc. These two are often categorized as the basic needs. After all, without survival, the rest really do not matter much now, do they?

Assuming that most people (participating in an incentive-travel campaign) have satisfied the first two basic needs, let’s move on and see how the three highest needs in Maslow’s pyramid are stimulated and satisfied by our industry.

SOCIAL This is our need for love, affection and belonging. We want to feel part of something.

Well-structured incentive plans, with the reward of membership to something special, play to our human desire to belong. Let’s consider the names of many of the incentive programs we see in the marketplace: President’s Club; Circle of Excellence; Achievers Club; Chairman’s Council—each of these suggests a membership of some kind, a need to qualify. Since we were 12

kids, we wanted to be included, we wanted to belong to something important, something cool.

Consider, also, the feelings of love and affection that come your way from your travel companion who is experiencing a trip of a lifetime because you achieved club status!

ESTEEM This is the need to feel personal worth, social recognition, feelings of accomplishment and prestige.

Esteem needs are “social needs on steroids!” As shown above, we are never quite satisfied just to belong—we want to belong to the best. Our need for status recognition doesn’t stop there. We all know people in our circles driven continually to raise their performance. They want to be the best of those who belong to the best!

Incentive plans can take advantage of this trait and create tiered programs that not only recognize and reward those who belong to “the club,” but increase the magnitude of the award for those who reach even higher levels of performance.

This tiered style of incentive plan can keep the motivation high throughout the length of the contest and maximize results.

SELF-ACTUALIZATION The highest and most complex of our needs is our requirement (once all other needs are met) to become self aware. One characteristic of someone who has reached this level is that they enjoy solving real-world problems and are often concerned with helping other people improve their own lives.

Until recently, incentive travel programs did not meet this need very often, if at all. However, with the introduction of corporate social responsibility elements into the onsite experience of incentive programs, our need for self-actualization is also realized.

Whether you are building a school, contributing materials for a literacy initiative or building beehives, you are contributing your time and expertise for the betterment of others. The feeling of satisfaction that comes with these acts is priceless.

An incentive plan’s success is often measured by its ability to change behaviours. I believe, however, that if Maslow were alive, he’d argue that we aren’t changing behaviour, we are enabling human instincts to take their natural course...and he’d be proud of us!

—Terry Manion is vice-president of Meridican Incentive Consultants, based in Markham, Ont.

PAID VAYCAY

41

%

of employees think paid vacation is more motivational than incentive travel.

JOINT STUDY BY SITE + INCENTIVE MARKETING ASSOC.’S INCENTIVE TRAVEL COUNCIL

CSR

44

%

of planners enhance their meetings/events with community service.

INCENTIVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION SURVEY

PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT

55

%

of employees think recognition programs affect their job performance.

2008 MARITZ POLL

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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Hilton Garden Inn Kutahya, Turkey

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SHOULD WE BE GOVERNED?

AS TOLD TO CHRISTINE OTSUKA

Should there be a governing body and minimum standards for business event planners, in much the same way there is for doctors and lawyers? And what would be the pros and cons?

corporate

independent

NATALIE WILSON, CMP

Manager, Corporate Events RBC Global Asset Management If a governing body were to be created for the meetings and events industry, I feel it would be beneficial for all meeting professionals to be members, as there are occasions when suppliers also play the role of planner for their clients. It is imperative we all understand the projects we undertake, the stakeholders we work with and the compliance issues and regulations for the other industries we support, such as pharmaceutical or financial.

A governing body for meeting professionals would need greater consideration, as many industries we support and interconnect with already have their respective governing bodies, with which planners need to be compliant.

Whether or not a governing body is the right direction for our industry, I strongly believe all meeting professionals have the opportunity and duty to educate themselves on industry standards, ethics and language. With the CMP and CMM certifications, meetings and events can continue to establish credibility as one of the fastest growing and important industries in today’s marketplace.

The Final Verdict 14

association

MINA CICCONI

MARIE-LOUISE DOYLE

Event Planner The Planning House Event Services I believe that establishing a governing body for business event planners is a good thing for this industry.

Hiring an event planner can be a bit of a leap of faith. Having a governing body in place to oversee the industry would help make this less of a gamble for prospective clients, by making it easier for them to identify professional practitioners who have the knowledge, skills and experience they seek.

Professional affiliation would ideally offer networking opportunities, partnership prospects, access to new clients, professional certification and training, and participation in industry events at a reasonable cost, to ensure planners have equal access to opportunities across the spectrum.

Finally, if ever there comes a time for event planners to speak publicly or address a topic in the media and/or political sphere, the governing body would speak on behalf of the group—with one united voice, speaking one comprehensive message.

The trick would be to find a happy medium, where minimum standards become the starting point, and not the end goal, for both the governing body and its members.

While the planners agree minimum standards are necessary, they don’t agree on the extent to which we should be governed. Certifications and designations currently allow for some quality assurance and association membership provides some governance. But education and membership is voluntary. If we truly want our community

Manager, Conferences Meetings and Events Transportation Association of Canada As an MPI member, I am expected to follow MPI bylaws, principles and policies.

In effect, MPI provides standards and a governing body to administer those bylaws and practices. But only members need govern themselves according to these principles. Event planners are not required to be members to be licensed planners. As members, we must subscribe to these standards or risk losing our membership, but not our right to practice event planning.

I believe there should be a governing body and minimum standards for business event planners as exemplified by MPI, however, not to the extent of the legal or medical practices, whose standards are descriptive and legally binding. These doctrines are based on legal precedent that can hold, at times, criminal and fiscal repercussions.

Event planners simply don’t work in lifethreatening or life-altering capacities as a normal part of their business day.

However, getting everyone “on the same page” to ensure that professionalism and ethical behavior in the meetings industry is being implemented is a great way to move forward.

to benefit from these minimum standards, they should be applied industry-wide. While some may equate the presence of a regulatory body with our arrival onto the professional, defined landscape, it’s not the only avenue to take.

HAVE AN OPINION?

E-mail cotsuka@meetingscanada.com

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Mobile apps, social media and judging an event’s true success.

JUDGEMENT DAY

BY ADAM PLETSCH Mobile technology is having a profound effect on the lives of consumers, especially young people, by providing better and quicker access to information, news and entertainment—not to mention instantaneous communication with friends and family. Still, for those who decide they’ll eschew the latest tools and toys while at home, the sky has yet to come crashing down.

It’s different for those in the workplace, including meeting planners, who ignore the onslaught of new gadgets and technology platforms at their collective peril.

More and more meeting attendees are demanding, even expecting, that the technology they use in their daily lives be fully integrated into—or in fact, shape—their event experiences.

Mobile application developers have been the greatest drivers of social media applications, according to Bassel Annab, president and CEO of Exposoft Solutions.

A few years ago, every event planner had to have an event tweeter (to share brief commentary and announcements— tweets—about a given event live on Twitter) and have a presence on Facebook. It was “not really clear what [these applications] were used for, except to announce speakers and dinner menus,” says Annab.

DRIVER’S SEAT So, in an attempt to bring meaning to the social media, new mobile apps were designed that would put attendees in the driver’s seat. Tools let them comment on events through social media applications, allowing them to interact with show management, speakers, exhibitors and each other.

The challenge was, and still is today, that it requires an enormous amount of money and effort to sustain the technology framework required to offer this kind of web access at an event.

Indeed, the biggest problem facing planners is the frenetic pace at which technology accelerates. Add to this the ease with which new technology is developed and deployed. New mobile hardware platforms can appear on the market as often as every three months. And while the proliferation of the operating systems used on these smart phones and tablets is beginning to slow, there is still a battle for dominance.

Meanwhile, new applications for these devices pop up daily.

This host of options represents an impediment, rather than a boon, to the planner, who needs the latest and greatest to remain an industry leader. The fact that events are organized so far in advance exacerbates

the problem, multiplying the risks of choosing the wrong technology or platform.

As Annab explains, the two key elements driving meetings today—gaining more education through experts and colleagues, and lead generation and the scouting of new suppliers—are becoming less important as the “text generation” grows. More and more meetings and conversations happen on social networks and/or through mobile apps.

Meetings are becoming places to exchange LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter account information, as the lead/supply network becomes driven through a group experience.

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE Education at meetings is becoming far more interactive. The audience can access presenters by texting them or using mobile apps on their phones. Annab says presenters or meeting planners can use the same communication tools to do real-time surveys and polling. This lets planners capture hundreds of data points about their meetings via session scanning, Global Positioning System tracking and measuring lead traffic.

But Richard Smith, national director branch operations Canada, PSAV Presentation Services, warns planners that technology alone cannot save a meeting or event.

“There are events that capture people’s emotions, but what people find memorable is the content,” he notes.

Of course, content dictates which technologies are used. But, Smith says, if planners come up with a better way of presenting content, they’ll naturally incorporate more advanced technology. In turn, this will increase budgets and, “in my perfect world, create a better experience for the attendee and make them want to keep coming back.”

And shouldn’t event success be the measure to judge the worthiness of any event technology?

—Adam Pletsch is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor.

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The meetings and events community has a tendency to develop tunnel vision.

WHY DO WE EXIST?

BY SUSAN RADOJEVIC Every doctor knows if you want to find the solution to what ails a patient, you have to identify the problem. The meetings and events community would make a terrible doctor, because it often has a tendency to develop tunnel vision, resulting in its failure to see the root of the problem. Allow me to explain…

The community is playing in two sandboxes. In sandbox one, the community is circling the wagons, helping classic professional planners deliver efficient travel and hospitality meeting and event inputs for their organizations. It’s also offering lead-generation support to providers of travel and hospitality products and services. The challenge with this is, the community places disproportionate importance on meeting and event inputs and efficiency, mis-classifying them as cost centres instead of the investment they are. Being chronically contained in this classification enforces CEOs’ common misperception that meetings and events are an outgrowth of the travel and hospitality industry. And planners are agents of travel in the corporate travel department, reporting to procurement. As evidenced by the Great Recession, when organizations randomly cancelled meetings and events and planners, in droves, lost their jobs.

What strategic value do meeting and event designations provide to CEOs?

Then there is the performance-improvement sandbox. For several years, community associations have significantly invested in research, economic impact studies and white papers with these objectives in mind: + Proving the business value of meetings and events + Trying to evolve meetings and events to performanceimprovement status All good! However, the problem with the research is that it is egocentric. The data is, more often than not, centred on the economic contribution of travel and hospitality elements of meetings and events. While the research is impressive, the data is irrelevant to CEOs, who are searching for business solutions to deal effectively with economic uncertainty and complexity. According to Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why, ‘People don’t buy what you do. People buy why you do it.’

Subsequently, the community believes proving the business value of meetings and events, to CEOs, rests on planners’ shoulders; and planners must learn to think, speak and act strategically.

At first blush, this presents a practical solution. That said, there are flaws to this approach.

First, it’s a tall order for classic planners to fill! And here’s why.

Planners don’t have the ear of the CEO. Planners are not hardwired to think strategy. And finally, strategic thinking is not something that can be learned overnight.

To obtain the skills and knowledge to understand organizational strategy involves more than investing ‘10-12 hours of pre-course work’ and taking a ‘five-and-a-half-day programme’ to obtain a CMM designation. Richard Rumelt, a management professor at the University of California and author of Good Strategy/Bad Strategy, says, ‘strategy is elusive. It is not a synonym for future success. It is not to be confused with ambition, determination, inspirational leadership or innovation.’

—Susan Radojevic is president of The Peregrine Agency and host of Corner Office, in Toronto. Twitter: @susanradojevic

While these options are compelling, they are not sustainable, because the root of the problem has not been identified. And that is the meetings and event community has not clearly defined why it exists. And the proof is in the community. In 2011, M+IT conducted a survey and asked, ‘what can the meetings community do, to make our industry better?’ Answers ranged from “improve overall industry processes” to “think creatively” to “communicate industry value.”

Here’s the thing. In order to define value,

the community needs to, first, decide what its purpose is. To help like-minded folks make human connections is not a purpose.

That’s what the community does.

Without the answer to this fundamental question, the community will continue to flounder and, as Rumelt also says, ‘when you cannot define the challenge, you cannot evaluate a strategy or improve it.’

So why do you think the meetings and event community exists?

To post your comments, visit MeetingsCanada.com.

DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this column are intended to foster debate and discussion on how to revolutionize the meetings and events community. They don’t reflect the views of M+IT magazine and we welcome your feedback.

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Top 3 Challenges to Tracking Travellers Globally 1. COMPLIANCE To ensure a company is receiving the best travel data, a clear policy needs to be developed to dictate how travel should be booked.

One of the most effective ways to drive compliance is to link the payment/ reimbursement for travel expenses to compliance.

2. UNPLANNED CHANGES TO TRAVEL ITINERARY Last-minute meetings, travel delays and other circumstances inevitably cause last-minute changes. Manual entry of travel plans should be a last resort, but will be required if you want to capture “all data.”

3. COMMUNICATION In a crisis, the ability to communicate effectively with travellers can be challenging. For example, during the Egyptian crisis, many companies had an employee’s mobile phone number on-hand, but not a home number.

Hence, communicating with these travellers was difficult during these early days of the crisis.

Preparing to send employees to far off and unfamiliar lands for a meeting or event?

KEEPING TRAVELLERS SAFE

BY ROBERT L. QUIGLEY, M.D., D.PHIL All companies have a duty of care—a moral and legal obligation to protect their employees from risks and threats. When employees travel internationally, fulfilling this sometimes unknown obligation can be complex. Meeting planners—as well as those who

make decisions to send employees to these events— play a critical role in safeguarding travellers and other VIPs. Here are 10 best practices for keeping attendees healthy, safe and secure when planning and executing a gathering in an unfamiliar environment.

❑ INCREASE AWARENESS Communicate with internal stakeholders and employees to ensure all parties understand the company’s duty-of-care obligations and each employee’s responsibility to act in a safe and prudent manner (duty of loyalty).

❑ ASSESS RISK PRIOR TO EVERY TRIP Engage your company’s security team or security assistance partner to conduct a thorough review of potential threats in and around the meeting or event location. Consider identifying employees with health risks prior to travel and have a protocol for both employee and employer to accommodate or travel.

❑ PLAN WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS Reach out to security, human resources and legal teams within your organization to map out each group’s role in the duty-of-care process. Using a “known risk” scenario, conduct a planning session in which protocol, responsibilities and desired actions are discussed. ❑ EXPAND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Examine existing guidelines and consider adding additional policies or procedures that specifically address risks associated with the meeting or event at hand. ❑ TRACK TRAVELLING EMPLOYEES AT ALL TIMES Many companies today use travel agency data or input travel itinerary information into an online tracking solution, so they can track, monitor, and evaluate employee travel plans via e-mail or text message. Savvy companies embed this solution with their medical and security assistance provider, so the company can prepare and react with 24/7 support. ❑ COMMUNICATE, EDUCATE AND TRAIN Clearly express expectations, guidelines and resources to all participating employees. Let them know what assistance is available to them in case of an emergency. This can be done during preevent communications, such as brochures, e-mail or web-based training.

❑ IMPLEMENT AN EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM Understand your company’s process for contacting employees and their families following an emergency, to ensure their safety. Be sure to have an emergency medical response plan in place to manage a trauma or illness at the event location. ❑ IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT CONTROLS Work hand-in-hand with human resources, finance and legal departments to exercise controls that reinforce duty of care, such as requiring employees to complete a security briefing before booking travel. ❑ PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE A crisis management plan only works if everyone involved knows their roles. Do a hands-on drill at least once a year and be sure to debrief after the run, to look for areas that can be improved. ❑ CONDUCT DUE DILIGENCE Make sure that duty-of-care practices are standard operating procedure for all vendors, subcontractors and partners.

—Robert L. Quigley, M.D., D.Phil is professor of surgery and regional medical director, Americas region, International SOS MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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MPI Foundation Canada to launch new study.

CANADIAN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY 3.0

BY IYNA BORT CARUSO Plans are underway for a new year-long study measuring the impact of meetings activity on Canada’s economy, initiated by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Foundation Canada. The Canadian Economic Impact Study 3.0 (or CEIS 3.0), will be a continuation of reporting first published in the benchmark Canadian Economic Impact Study released in 2008 and updated in 2009. Considered a pioneer study, it was the first to quantify the multi-billion-dollar contribution of meetings activity on the Canadian economy and to detail the meetings sector industries using World Tourism Organization guidelines.

The goal of CEIS 3.0 is to quantify the value delivered by the business events industry to their communities and economy, both on a national and provincial level, in an effort to have the meeting sector recognized

as a distinct and credible economic activity within the Canadian economy, according to Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM, project chairwoman. CEIS 3.0 will springboard off the original CEIS report by transforming its national focus into a regional one that can aid meetings-related business decisions at the provincial and local destination levels.

MEETINGS ACTIVITY “Meetings activity benefits not just the meetings sector,” says Plaskett. “Tourism industries, accommodation, transportation and hospitality services all directly benefit, in terms of revenues and employment. Our objective is to provide context and understanding of how local activity impacts the broader national picture.”

The methodology will be based on a combination of the original survey, research and economic modelling. Data will include measurements of revenues and expenditures from both the demand-side and supply-side of the meetings industry. Delegates, exhibitors, speakers, meeting organizers and venue managers will be among the constituencies polled.

The research phase is slated to begin mid-year. The study will involve five phases + 1. Measurement of supply-side meetings revenue, expenditures and volume; + 2. Measurement of demand-side spending on meetings and events; + 3. Use of economical modelling to extrapolate the direct economic impact, nationally and provincially, with an option for local impact modelling; + 4. Analysis of the industry’s estimated indirect and induced economic impact, both nationally and at the local level; + 5. Presentation of recommendations regarding the use of the research strategic communication objectives for MPI Foundation, and a call to action for the entire meetings sector.

The project is scheduled for completion next year, with preliminary results to be released for National Meetings Industry Day, in April, 2013.

PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE CEIS 3.0 will be produced under the direction of a project advisory committee comprised of industry leaders and experts. Committee chair Plaskett is past chairwoman of the MPI Foundation and a member of M+IT’s Hall of Fame. CEIS 3.0 will be funded by MPI Foundation, which was established to sponsor research and education on behalf of MPI, the global 23,000-plus member meetings and events association. Funding for the study is being led by the title sponsors, the Canadian Tourism Commission and IHG Canada. Additional support is being provided by Travel Alberta, Tourism Montreal, Coast Hotels & Resorts, and Vancouver Hotel Association, Tourism & Convention Centre. Discussions involving further industry support are underway.

The original CEIS report and the 2009 update, which covered 2007-2008, established the significant economic contributions of the meetings and events industry, and demonstrated its importance in delivering educational programs and environmentally sustainable practices.

In the last study, MPI Foundation reported meetings activity created the equivalent of more than 550,000 full-time jobs, generated more than $32-billion per year in direct contribution to the GDP, over $71-billion in industry output and, for all levels of government, more than $14-billion in tax revenues. The new study will use the same methodology and extend it to include separate reporting for provinces and selected municipalities.

—Iyna Bort Caruso is senior writer, Lucido+Koulian+Schmitt, based in New York

ASSOCIATION VOICE To keep M+IT’s readers informed on the wider meetings industry, we provide a forum for associations to furnish updates on their current activities. In all cases, the text is supplied or written by the featured association.

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M+IT’s 2012 Salary RepoRt

BUILDING A

BetteR ear-over-year, the numbers don’t change all that much. A cursory glance at the figures from M+IT's third annual salary survey show that planners’ salaries have stagnated across the board, but all still manage to make a decent living; in an industry dominated by women, men typically make one-third more than their female counterparts; and experience and age typically lead to higher pay. No big surprises there.

So this year, we decided to take it one step further. You'll notice our 2012 salary report is a departure from years past. We’ve fashioned a collection of stories aimed at showing you how the industry has changed and how you can elevate your career, your professionalism, and subsequently, your industry.

In this special package, you’ll find tips on everything from attire to networking, take away three tools

Salary.indd 19

PLANNER

for making tough decisions a little easier, hear advice on how to 'make it' on your own if you decide to venture into indie planner territory, and see the beginnings of a new era for business event planners, where education is highly valued and the role of the planner is increasingly sought-after.

While education and experience differ depending on whether you’re part of the old school or new school of planners, one thing's for sure: all of the business event planners we spoke to have learned from other people—professors who are industry professionals and mentors who took them under their wing when they first started out.

In this people business, we learn from those around us—so why not share what we’ve come to know?

Why not help each other become better planners?

—CHR I STI N E OTSU KA

4/3/12 2:29:34 PM

by ChrISTINE oTSuka

Event planning is much more than a professional responsibility; it’s a highly sought-after career choice.

M

eeting and event planning takes a certain type of person.

While it’s incredibly rewarding to see an event come to life, it can also be incredibly stressful. Meeting planners are crisis managers, contract negotiators, problem solvers, perfectionists and, more often than not, miracle workers. They toil long hours, experience moderate to high levels of stress (see Fig. 2 + 3). And the pay? Well, see for yourself (pg. 21).

Yet, despite all this, meeting and event planning has become an increasingly desirable career.

INCrEaSED INTErEST Today, there are more people actively seeking a position in event planning than there were even a few years ago. According to Workopolis research, the number of people searching for eventstype jobs has increased by 42 per cent in the last four years, with event-manager experiencing the largest boost (an increase of 78 per cent since 2008) and event-coordinator jobs running a close second (an increase of 52 per cent since 2008).

And when it comes to full-blown event-planning positions, companies are hiring. “There are more positions for event planners these days,” says Sylvia Densmore, program coordinator for the event management program at Algonquin College, in Ottawa. “It’s not something that’s just tacked onto administrative assistant roles anymore.”

An increased interest in the profession can be seen not only in the number of active job seekers and postings, but with the more than 15 event-management programs across the country, compared to 20 years ago, when these programs were few and far between.

And each one is flooded with applications every year. Shelley Merlo, BPE, CFEE, professor and coordinator of the event management program in hospitality, tourism and administration division at Niagara College receives approximately 200 applications for a 35-spot graduate certificate program. Densmore has increased the intake for Algonquin’s event management program from 35 spots to 90, due to increased interest.

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And it’s not only the number of colleges and universities offering event-management programs that has grown. “One of the trends that I’ve noticed is that many of the event programs, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, have focused on a particular aspect of the event industry,” says John MacBride, a professor in the event management - event and exhibit design graduate program at Seneca. There are now event components in arts, tourism and business programs, as well as event management programs that specialize in sporting events, conferences, meetings, marketing, decor and virtually every aspect of the events industry imaginable.

While most association membership numbers have stagnated around the country, student membership has grown. “Where we’ve seen a huge increase is in our student membership, which is why I can honestly tell you that I know there is an increase in interest in the industry, because currently we have over 100 students who are members of MPI B.C. Chapter,” says Melissa Moskal, president of MPI B.C. Chapter and an instructor at the Art Institute of Vancouver.

Out of 338 members, almost one-third of MPI B.C. Chapter’s membership is students.

“There’s a shift occurring right now,” says Moskal of the events industry. “There are courses available that never existed when I became a meeting planner 22 years ago.”

a NEW aGE In the past, it was typical to see event planners born out of experience. Most people discovered the profession accidentally, like Moskal. The MPI B.C. Chapter president studied radio and television broadcasting before becoming a graphic designer in the early stages of her career. While working at a communications company in Vancouver, the self-professed “born organizer” was asked to coordinate a meeting by one of her clients—and the rest is history.

The same is true of Brenda Carter. Today, Carter is a corporate planner with KPMG and immediate past-president of MPI Toronto Chapter. But when she first started out, event planning wasn’t her

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natural EVoluTIoN end goal. “I fell into (event planning), much like most of the people in my age bracket did.” Carter began her career in an administrative role as a sales coordinator, later discovering that organizing events was where she added the most value. She didn’t go to school for event management, because in those days, there were no programs and a formal education wasn’t needed.

Instead, planners learned on-the-job, or in the case of Catherine Paull, CMP, of Catherine Paull Meeting Management, through mentorship. “I had no idea that this industry even existed. I really ‘fell’ into it when I was ready for a change,” she says. “A senior planner took me under her wing and mentored me for those first few years—it was a really thorough education.”

But today, these stories are less common. We’ve entered a new age for event planners. While ‘falling into it’ still happens, it’s less likely as a new planner you’ll be able to continue a career in event planning based solely on experience. Education is not only available, it’s a requirement for today’s meeting planner.

“Employers don’t want someone who just fell into it,” says Densmore. “They want someone who’s educated.”

GETTING EDuCaTED Mariella Irivarren is educated. After completing a communications and marketing degree in the U.S., and volunteering on numerous not-for-profit events, Irivarren decided she needed a post-grad event-management degree to help her land a job as an event planner. So she enrolled at George Brown College, in Toronto. “When I told people I was going to school for events and was excited about it, people told me you didn’t need to go to school for events… In the past, it was considered more of a hobby or a job than a career for a lot of people,” says Irivarren, who recently joined the team at Decor With Grandeur. “But the education factor in the events industry is becoming really important. People are starting to understand that this is a serious profession and therefore, people are putting the emphasis on actually studying for it and getting the education, as opposed to just relying on experience.”

Beyond getting into the event-planning job market, staying in it now requires formal education. “We’re seeing more mature students in our program who have come back to get that formal education (in combination with their industry experience) because of the demands of the jobs out there now,” says Densmore.

Shannon Refcio has worked at Bayer CropScience in Guelph, Ont., for nearly five years. While her role began as mostly administrative, she now handles all the meetings for Eastern Canada. She admits she had limited experience with planning meetings when she was hired, and recognizes that if she wants to get into meeting planning full-time, she may require additional education.

“I feel a lot of people believe you can become a professional meeting planner after planning a couple of meetings. And I don’t necessarily agree with that,” says Refcio. “I’ve looked at the education required and there are some really great programs out there offering specific skills and training you often don’t gain on the job.”

It’s because employers are increasingly requiring event-management education that part-time programs like the conventions and meetings management program at Algonquin College were created.

Densmore explains, “There are a number of people in positions (like administrative assistants) with full-time jobs who are now being put

fIg 1 . hOW MUCh DO PlANNERS EARN?

AvERAgE BY gENDER Female

$63,486

Male

$81,022

AvERAgE BY SECTOR Association/Non-Profit/Government

$63,814

Corporate

$66,038

Third Party

$69,802

AvERAgE BY AgE Age 30 and Younger

$46,039

Age 31 to 50

$67,331

Age 50 and Over

$70,530

AvERAgE BY ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIp Non-Association Member

$59,658

Association Member

$73,443

AvERAgE BY LOCATION Atlantic Provinces

$59,015

Quebec

$64,010

Western Provinces

$64,312

Ontario

$67,635

AvERAgE BY EXpERIENCE Less than 5 Years

$49,771

6-10 Years

$62,743

11-15 Years

$69,927

16-20 Years

$69,412

Over 20 Years

$78,454

SOURCE: MEETINGS + INCENTIVE TRAVEl 2012 MARKET SURVEY

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natural EVoluTIoN in a position that in order to get that raise or move up internally, they need to go back to school and get those event basics.”

Employers are placing a higher emphasis on education because of the risks involved in running an event—liability, insurance issues, contract negotiations. So even for those who are ‘falling into’ event planning these days, education will likely be needed to continue on that career path.

fIg 2. STRESS lEVEl LOW/VERY LOW HIgH/VERY HIgH

25%

lESS FrINGE, MorE MaINSTrEaM The prevalence of event-management programs has put a spotlight on event planning in the eyes of the public. Most programs require that students plan and execute an event—usually a fundraiser—that includes community involvement and is promoted to the public.

Print, online and broadcast ads are often created to promote the event, and subsequently the program, says Densmore.

In addition, pop culture has done much to highlight the roles of event planners through television shows and blockbuster movies, such as Jennifer lopez in The Wedding Planner. “Whether we agree with these depictions or not,” says MacBride, “it has helped the public understand that planning events, whether they are weddings, special events, meetings or conferences, is a career.”

But beyond the mainstream media, we can thank our associations and collective community. “The industry has done a great job of promoting itself as a profession, because for years they had to struggle with this idea that anyone can organize an event,” continues MacBride. “There’s a very specific skill set that’s required and knowledge that is needed. The industry has set standards and promotes event management as a credible and viable profession.”

So event planning has come out of the shadows, so to speak.

“It’s being recognized,” says Bettyanne Sherrer, CMP, principal, ProPlan Conference Planners and event planner for the MPI Foundation.

“You’re seeing high-school guidance counselors finally realizing it is a profession, and recommending future study to students. I think back to high school and I was on every committee: the prom committee, the marketing committee, etc., but the skill set and interest wasn’t recognized as a profession. I think that’s one of the biggest changes we’re seeing now.”

10%

65% MODERATE

fIg 3. WORK hOURS LESS THAN 40 HOURS/WEEK

25% 5%

70%

61+ HOURS/WEEK

41–60 HOURS/WEEK

ProPEllING ThE INDuSTry ForWarD The increased emphasis on education helps remove some of the stigma around event planners. It chips away at the idea that anyone can do it and that event planning is a hobby rather than an occupation. Requiring a formal education helps people see this as a career—as something you can get a degree in.

And the more educated event professionals there are, the more respect a career in event management demands from the public.

“When I started out, I learned by what worked and what didn’t,” says Carter. “Now these students are going to school, working with professionals in the industry who are often the professors, and a lot of those students are taking the opportunity to do internships, so they’re working with some great companies and gaining some practical knowledge from what they’ve learned in school.

“That can only elevate our industry,” says Carter. “It can only make us better.”

—Christine Otsuka is Assistant Editor of Meetings + Incentive Travel

f I g 4 . S A l A R Y S AT I S FAC T I O N NOT VERY SATISfIED

23% 56% SOMEWHAT SATISfIED

5%

VERY UNSATISfIED

16% VERY SATISfIED

SOURCE: MEETINGS + INCENTIVE TRAVEl 2012 MARKET SURVEY

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RALLY THE

TROOP TROOPS STRATEGIC LOCATION

023-026.QUEBEC.indd 1

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quebecregion.com/business

Québec ciTy is The sTraTegic choice For your business meeTings.

The Québec City area boasts an outstanding tourism infrastructure. Served by an international airport just 15 minutes from downtown, it’s home to an award-winning convention centre, a newly expanded exhibition centre, and prestigious, meeting-friendly hotels—everything you need to accommodate hundreds of people in a safe and enchanting environment.

With its well-designed highway network, everything is close at hand, including parks and greenspaces offering a wealth of outdoor activities just minutes from town. Proud of its Old World charm, Québec’s capital welcomes visitors in English and French.

Régis FleuRy Account Executive regis.fleury@quebecregion.com 418-641-6654 ext. 5424

NaNcy DacRes Account Executive nancy.dacres@quebecregion.com 418-641-6654 ext. 5427

th

Québec city, where every business event is a triumph!

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The hilTon Québec is a aaa Four-DiamonD hoTel known For iTs unparalleleD worlD-class service, FaciliTies, anD unrivalleD locaTion.

On Québec’s Parliament Hill, the Hilton Québec stands guard over the heritage and charm of Canada’s oldest city. Located steps away from all major tourist attractions, the hotel is central to all historical destinations, restaurants, and festivals. Directly connected to the Québec City Convention Centre via an underground tunnel, the Hilton Québec provides access to an additional 232,000 square feet of convention space.

Recently renovated, the Hilton Québec welcomes you in a sophisticated and contemporary decor. Meeting rooms and banquet halls have ample natural lighting and can accommodate anything from large-scale events to small gatherings. Meeting planners will find a variety of options available at the Hilton Québec.

The hotel offers 571 contemporary guest rooms decorated in rich warm tones.

Each room features a floor-to-ceiling window showcasing a splendid view of Old Québec, the majestic St. Lawrence River, or the Laurentian Mountains. The executive lounge on the 23rd floor features numerous amenities and the most breathtaking view in North America. It provides the perfect place to relax, entertain, and do business.

The hotel is about a 20 minute-drive from the airport, and 5 minutes from the train or bus stations.

Property Services: Allegro Restaurant & Bar, Restaurant Le 23, executive lounge, business centre, Precor Health Club (open 24/7), indoor parking and outdoor heated swimming pool.

For more information, contact our representatives: Catherine Renaud Corporate Sales Manager 418-648-6486 catherine.renaud@hilton.com

Isabelle Godin Senior Sales Manager 418-648-6489 isabelle.godin@hilton.com

hiltonquebec.com

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your nexT evenT was a success aT The Québec ciTy convenTion cenTre. THIS IS OuR PLEDgE TO yOu. THE RESuLT? have been to many convention centers and I have to say the Québec City “ IConvention Centre is the most beautiful and state of the art. It seems to be built with meeting planners in mind, as well as building a great atmosphere for attendees.

Cris Tydingco, Manager Events, ACCPAC International Inc.

”

HeRe IS wHat ouR ClIentS Can exPeCt fRom ouR team and ouR faCIlItIeS • An experienced team that provides step-by-step assistance, solutions and innovation • An eco-friendly event program, LEED-EB certified building, and award-winning water and energy management • A central location in downtown Québec City amid memorable attractions, restaurants, and nightlife • 3,000 hotel rooms within walking distance tHe ConventIon CentRe at a GlanCe • A total capacity of up to 7,500 attendees

• 35,000 sq. ft. available for meetings

• 232,000 sq. ft. of usable space

• A 75,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall

• 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space

• A 34,500 sq. ft. column-free convention hall

• 62,600 sq. ft. of pre-meeting space

• A 25,000 sq. ft. multipurpose room

to learn more, contact lynn Chiasson, Sales Manager 1-888-679-4000, ext. 4039 lchiasson@convention.qc.ca

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natural EVOLUTION

making

TOUGH DECISIONS Somebody has to do it.

BY TERRI BREINING, CMP, CMM Throughout my leadership journey, I’ve experienced many opportunities to make tough decisions. What makes them difficult is the fact that there are at least two reasonable choices. When it’s an obvious choice, it isn’t a tough decision.

To make those decisions a bit more straightforward, I’ve identified and used some simple tools that I’ve come to count on:

LOGIC TEST First, I ask myself, “Does the action I’m considering seem logical?” Sometimes, when ideas are rattling around in my head unsupervised, I can justify some pretty wacky responses. But when I look at the logic of my choices, and more importantly, where they might lead, I’m able to gain some clarity.

SPORTSMANSHIP TEST Next, I ask myself, “Do the possible actions pass the test of sportsmanship?”

If someone else took action like this and it impacted me, would I consider it unfair? I’m not suggesting that every decision I make is one that will gain everyone’s approval— that’s a fantasy. But one of the values I hold is that I want to treat people with respect and with a sense of fairness. I need to make sure that this value comes to life and isn’t just an empty phrase.

If these tools don’t get me to the right choice, I review questionable decisions with people I trust. I’ve been very fortunate to have had several mentors in my life. Some mentors are in the meeting industry and some are completely separate from the work I do, but in all cases, these are people I trust, people who live the kind of life I want to enjoy, personally and professionally. Often what happens is that in the middle of explaining my dilemma to my mentor, my decision becomes very clear to me—often before they say anything!

But the act of sharing out loud with someone I can count on somehow enables me to see things more clearly. If, after all that, I still don’t have clarity, and I’m pretty sure that my actions won’t hurt someone, I make the decision. Sometimes the results are startlingly

HEADLINES TEST Finally, I imagine the headlines that might appear if I were to take a certain action that I’m considering. Could I stand the public scrutiny; would I feel a need to explain, or over-explain to those that might not understand? If my actions would require too much explanation and too much justification, perhaps it’s not such a good idea.

wonderful. Sometimes not so much. But when I’ve realized that I’ve made a bad decision, I always have the opportunity to make it right.

And I’ve found that the bad decisions I’ve made haven’t been fatal.

Possibly embarrassing, sometimes expensive, perhaps foolish—but not fatal. I’m just not that important.

Part of leadership is making decisions—often tough decisions. So make sure you are clear about your values, use whatever tools help you navigate the decision-making process and jump in. You’ll have to make some bad decisions in order to learn some lessons and earn your leadership stripes, so you might as well start today.

—Terri Breining, CMP, CMM, is a principal with Breining Group, LLC. MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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work it!

How to give your career a boost in three simple steps.

BY haILEY EIsEN

N

o matter how happy you are with your career, there is always room for improvement. These tips and techniques, provided by some leading industry experts, will help you boost your performance and your image, and set you on a path for even greater success. Whether it’s building up your networks, powering up your wardrobe, or climbing the corporate ladder—there’s no better time to “work it” than at work.

role PLaY!

No matter what position you hold, if you’re looking to make a move into a more senior role, Warren Coughlin, a Torontobased business coach with ActionCOACH, advises that you keep three things in mind: skills, attitude, and value. “People often think they should get a promotion before they start doing the work,” he says. “Look for opportunities to provide value first, take on more responsibilities, and stretch yourself.” Those who make themselves invaluable to the organization will get noticed and rewarded.

Next, focus on your skills. “If you’re serious about advancing your career, take the initiative to develop your skills and knowledge.” Meet with people in positions you want to hold and find out what skills they bring to the table. Read books, take courses, and work this learning into your job.

Finally, fine-tune your attitude. “I always tell clients, ‘Your business will grow to the extent you do,’” Coughlin says.

That means committing to personal development, identifying what’s holding you back (fears, limiting beliefs, etc.) and working on these. As a starting point, Coughlin recommends books like T. Harve Eker’s Secrets of the Millionaire Mind and, especially, The Compound Effect, by Darren Hardy.

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natural EVOLUTION

MaKE YOUr NETwOrKs Glass of wine in hand, you set out to tackle a room of potential connections; but how do you ensure success? “Forget about traditional thinking; you’re not there to collect business cards and land clients,” advises Coughlin. “Instead, look at networking as an opportunity to build relationships.” Act as a person of value. Ask yourself: what can I give? “Open your Rolodex and start connecting people,” he advises. Smart referrals can help others and position you to receive recommendations in return.

Use networking as an opportunity to obtain role models and potential mentors, advises Dorothy Lazovik, president of Authentic Leader’s Edge. “Seek out people who have achieved

count

what you want,” she says. “Then reach out to them.” Most people are more accessible than you think, and are eager to offer guidance. She shares a story told by a keynote speaker at a recent event. “He was a pro football player who, after suffering an injury, took up acting. He wanted to be the best so decided he needed to learn from the best. He asked around and the name that kept coming up: Al Pacino. He called Al Pacino.” Inside Pacino’s home, the aspiring actor said: “I’m so grateful you took the time to meet with me and share what you have learned. You must have people calling you all the time.” To which Pacino replied: “No, actually, you’re the first.”

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natural EVOLUTION BASIC DRESS

day

PEARLS

dress THE PART

Success doesn’t just come from within.

“A great outfit can help you portray an air of confidence and professionalism,” says Claudia Mio, a wardrobe stylist and founder of Go Wear You Want. But what does a great outfit look like? According to Mio, clothes should fit well, blazer sleeves hemmed to the appropriate length, buttons sewn in place, and shoes not scuffed. Nails and cuticles should be well kept with a coat of neutral polish and hair should be in a current, stylish look. “It’s these little things that contribute to the impression you make,” she says. “If you can’t look after yourself, how can a client trust you to look after the details of their event?”

It’s not always easy to choose an outfit that will work in the office and at an upscale evening event. But a few key pieces can make the transition seamless. Start with a silhouette sheath dress in navy or grey-blue, Mio advises. Pair with nude or brown shoes with a small heel. For the office, choose a blazer that’s patterned (think: pin-striped, checked or floral). Accessorize with a pair of pearl studs.

For evening, swap the blazer with a soft knit cardigan or let the sleeveless dress stand on its own. Use accessories to add glam, advises Mio. Don a metallic clutch, a pair of bold earrings with touch of sparkle, a cocktail ring and a pair of radiant (yet practical) heels. Finally, take time to amp up your makeup with a coat of eye shadow, mascara and lipstick.

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PATTERNED BLAZER

night

COCKTAIL RING

BOLD EARRINGS

RADIANT HEELS

METALLIC CLUTCH

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Industry veterans share their stories of launching their startups.

as TOLd TO dON dOULOFF

Why did you “go solo”? Which company did you leave, to start your own venture, and when?

JONaThaN BUchwaLd President/CEO, PRIME Strategies, Vancouver

Going solo was a result of two things: An entrepreneurial drive that needed to be satisfied, and a recessionary market limited my career growth options.

Company Launched: October, 1991.

I left Carlson Marketing in September, 1991

YVONNE dEwar, cMP Principal, Elastic Communications & Events, Mississauga, Ont. Company Launched: October, 2005.

KIrsTEN sTraNd, Bsc, cMM, cITE CEO, Invenia Incentives, Vancouver Company Launched: October, 2010.

hEIdI wILKEr, cMP Event Planner/Owner, Blessed Events, Brampton, Ont. Company Launched: December, 1999.

FraNcINE sOcKET

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I wanted control of my own destiny.

I worked for the Mosaic Group for 15 years. When that company closed, I joined a small ad agency to start a conference and events department and that company went under in fall, 2005.

I felt there was a specific niche for our company. We provide site selection, as well as strategic meeting and event consultation services globally.

Since the early 80s, I have been a co-owner of a number of meeting and event management companies and ventures.

It was a ‘calling’…a feeling that I should be doing something different, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

I worked for the Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre, in Mississauga, Ont. I left at the end of November, 1999.

Principal, Francine Socket & Associates Event Architects, Toronto

There was a nagging voice inside of me that made me do it. If I didn’t, I would always wonder if I should-have or could-have.

I am passionate about my work and I have a very strong work ethic, so my thinking was, “Why wouldn’t it work?”

Company Launched: January, 2009.

I left CTV in October, 2008.

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For planners, the itch to strike out on their own can be powerful—being captain of their own ship is a strong motivator. Yet taking the plunge can be scary, especially when leaving the relative security of a corporate gig (particularly in an uncertain economy). Five industry veterans share their experiences.

natural EVOLUTION

What are your company’s unique competitive advantages?

What sets your company apart?

We offer full planning services under one roof, but with a boutique, ‘high touch’ customer service approach.

Linking the strategic business objectives of the host/client with the needs/attention of the participants.

The things you take for granted at a larger company—budgeting, sourcing, comparing, purchasing, installing (computers, back-up system, software, telephone system, bookkeeping, website development, etc.), all while trying to find business and write proposals to pay the bills!

[We] offer consistency throughout a program—the person who writes the proposal develops the program and budget, travels onsite and works on the final reconciliation.

[Our company] is well balanced with management staff. The Gen Y’s embrace the latest technology and have the stamina to travel and work long days without missing a beat and our senior management offers the knowledge and experience from years of planning.

Researching and developing a distinct, core business model is what I believe to be the biggest challenge.

So many market segments are over-saturated and it is important to determine the distinctive excellence that will set your firm apart.

In addition to our core services, we also develop useful online tools. This includes meetingapps.com, the first portal to find apps for the meeting and travel industries.

we purposely work with fewer clients, rather than being driven to continuously increase our business volume.

Marketing my services to a segment (the religious market) that is not familiar with the benefits of contracting event-planning services.

As an independent event planner, I am the company, so my education and background in the hospitality industry are an asset.

Blessed Events is one of the few (if not the only) event-planning companies in Canada that specializes in the religious market.

I launched in tandem with the big recession. It seemed that events were the first thing companies were cutting from their budgets.

Our experience and our ‘no matter what it takes, we get it done with a smile’ attitude. I have long-standing excellent relationships with vendors and a very strong network. I also have a reputation for being honest, fair and professional.

What were your biggest challenges as a startup?

I knew that I could help organizations with their programs and planning, but I had no credibility or established trust to manage fiveto seven-figure budgets.

My career started in television production, which created an excellent foundation for technical knowledge and a thorough understanding of how many moving parts can make one outstanding show or event.

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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Seriously sensitive to food.

common food allergies

I CAN’T EAT THAT!

+ Eggs + Milk

BY CHRISTINE OTSUKA

+ Peanuts

GOOD FOR YOU

I discovered that, while not allergic, I’m highly sensitive to gluten, eggs, dairy, spelt, whey and peanuts.

“SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS” I didn’t always fill out the “special dietary needs” field on my event registration form. Until a couple of years ago, I happily ate anything that was put in front of me.

But after several months of unexplained digestive upset, and even more trips to a doctor and a naturopath,

SENSITIVITIES VS. ALLERGIES So what does being sensitive to food mean? Food sensitivities and food allergies are often confused. A true food allergy causes an immune system reaction that affects numerous organs in the body and, in some cases, even a tiny amount of the offending food can cause an immediate, severe or life-threatening reaction. In contrast, food intolerance/sensitivity symptoms are generally less serious and are limited to digestive problems.

People who suffer from food intolerances usually lack the enzyme used to break down the offending food.

Think lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance, for example (see sidebar below).

Before the results of my tests came back, I admit I didn’t know much about food sensitivities. The more I talk about it, the more I realize how prevalent they are.

I work on a team of eight people, five of whom have dietary restrictions, and I’m constantly amazed at the number of people I meet at industry functions who suffer similar intolerances.

If you find yourself at my table at an industry event, you’ll learn quickly that I have dietary restrictions.

You’ll see my “special meal” card on the table. You’ll watch me talk privately with the server, who will bring me several different versions of the same plate.

Depending on how seriously you take that “you can’t eat until everyone is served” point of etiquette, you’ll probably wait patiently for me to receive my “special meal,” as it will most definitely be the last meal served.

At this point, I’ll feel inclined to tell you about my “problem,” and I’ll insist you eat right away, as it sometimes takes a venue six or seven tries to get it right.

If you have dietary restrictions, you know precisely what I’m talking about.

Common Food Intolerances

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE Is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and some dairy products.

FRUCTOSE INTOLERANCE Is the inability to digest fructose, a fruit sugar that naturally occurs in the body. Man-made fructose is used as a sweetener in many foods.

+ Fish (ie. cod, bass, flounder) + Shellfish (ie. crab, shrimp, lobster) + Sesame + Soy + Tree nuts (ie. almonds, cashews, walnuts) + Wheat + Sulphites

GLUTEN INTOLERANCE Is the inability to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye. Gluten hides in sauces, gravy, salad dressings and a wide range of other foods, as wheat flour is commonly used as a thickening or dusting agent.

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GOOD FOR YOUR GROUP

WHY PLANNERS SHOULD CARE There’s an old saying in the events business: People talk about the food. Everything else can be great, but if the food stinks, attendees are left with a sour taste in their mouth about the event—literally and figuratively.

Never mind dry chicken skewers or done-to-death crab cakes. For attendees with dietary restrictions, food can make or break their event experience. Think about

WHAT PLANNERS CAN DO While the responsibility of delivering food, as required, falls on the supplier or venue—planners can do their part to ensure the attendee gets what they require. + Be picky. Choose your supplier based on their knowledge of food sensitivities and allergies. Suppliers who make their own sauces inhouse will have a better understanding of what’s in each product. + Don’t assume. Not all chefs know where gluten hides. I’ve been served barley by a 20-year veteran executive chef of a major hotel chain who assured me my meal was gluten-free (barley contains gluten). + Ask questions. Find out how the supplier typically handles food allergies. Do they have a dedicated service team or chef who handles all of these meals? Could that be arranged for your event? + Follow up with attendees. Don’t assume if an attendee has a bad experience, they’ll tell you about it. Ask and provide feedback to the supplier, so problems can be identified and corrected.

it this way: If someone has to talk to several different waiters and the chef, and send back their meal several times, they’re not listening to the presentation. Instead, all they’re thinking about is how useless it was to fill out the “special dietary needs” portion of the event registration page, if no one was going to ensure they received the proper meal. If they suffer from digestive duress after an improper meal, or go into anaphylactic shock, forget networking or attending the remaining education sessions. They’re high-tailing it out of there and with luck, not in the back of an ambulance. That attendee is left with a bad overall event experience and a story that will no doubt be shared with others.

THE RULE Over the past year, I’ve come to notice that being served the wrong meal at an event isn’t the exception. It’s the rule. Most venues get it wrong, and it’s something I don’t think enough planners know about.

It’s surprising, considering the high number of attendees with dietary restrictions. Shaun Goswell, executive chef at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, in Niagara Falls, Ont., says he sees at least 15 per cent of attendees at conferences with some kind of dietary restriction—the most common being dairy, gluten, seafood and vegan.

NOT ALL BAD Now, I must say, I have had some positive experiences.

And when I do, I always ask the event planner how they ensured attendees who listed dietary restrictions on their registration ended up with the right meal. And inevitably it comes back to their choice in supplier. So planners, when you’re screening your supplier or venue—don’t forget to ask a few crucial questions to ensure the health, safety and happiness of your attendees.

—Christine Otsuka is Assistant Editor of Meetings + Incentive Travel

Gluten-free Menu FIRST—BEET SOUP + Local Beets, Maple, Thyme, Crème Fraîche. “All soups are thickened with vegetables (as opposed to flour) to ensure gluten-free.”

SECOND—SPINACH SALAD + Sleger’s Farm Baby Spinach, Quinoa, Woolwich Dairies Goat Cheese, Roasted

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Menu and chef’s notes by Shaun Goswell, executive chef, Scotiabank Convention Centre.

Pepper, Spiced Walnuts and Smoked Balsamic.

“We use other grains for health purposes. They are acceptable for both glutenfree and vegetarians.”

THIRD—ONTARIO FRESH WATER WHITE FISH + Sweet Potato & Thyme Puree, Pickled Beet, Celery

Salad, Warm Brown Butter Lemon Vinaigrette.

“I like to use the natural starches from vegetables instead of using your typical rice or potato, as well as the addition of a warm vinaigrette, to ensure it is gluten-free, as well, more healthy than a heavy sauce.

All dressings and sauces are made fresh in-house to ensure control on allergies.”

FOURTH—WARM CHOCOLATE CHERRY CAKE + “This cake base is flourless and we are using local cherries, which we preserve, to ensure we can use them throughout the year.”

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

4/3/12 1:17:39 PM

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PHOTO Garrison McArthur Photographers

Michael Bonacini + Peter Oliver 38

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An

Oliver AND Bonacini Events launches its elegant �rcadian spaces in downtown Toronto

Eventful Evolution

BY DON DOULOFF

PHOTO Garrison McArthur Photographers

uccess, it is said, occurs when opportunity meets preparation.

For Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants’ (O&B) evolution into largescale events, the ‘preparation’ part of the equation evolved over a 15-year period, during which the company established its reputation for top-quality dining.

Beginning with the launch of O&B’s first restaurant, New York-style bistro Jump, in 1993, in downtown Toronto, the company has developed an impressive portfolio of high-end restaurants (Canoe, Biff ’s Bistro, Luma, Auberge du Pommier) and mid-priced eateries (five Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill locations; O&B Canteen, in Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox; and Bannock, a Canadian-themed restaurant opened last August, in a streetlevel space in the Simpson Tower, in downtown Toronto, in conjunction with Hudson’s Bay Co.).

Hand-in-hand with the growth of its restaurant operation, O&B gained extensive experience on the meetings and events side, via the many groups it hosted in the private rooms offered at its restaurants. O&B even closes some of its restaurants to the general public, on weekends, to free them up for events (Canoe, for instance, is closed Saturday and Sunday; Luma and Jump, on Sunday).

NATURAL FIT Thus, when the opportunity came to manage the Toronto Board of Trade’s meeting and event space, in the downtown-core First Canadian Place office building, it was a natural fit.

“Taking over an event-specific space was not a big stretch,” says O&B co-founder Peter Oliver, adding that “events was always on the radar.”

So in September, 2008, O&B became the exclusive service provider to the Toronto Board of Trade space—and Oliver & Bonacini Events was launched.

And what a space it is, more than 30,000 sq. ft. spread out among 13 rooms, including a 5,525-sq.-ft. ballroom seating 320 in banquet rounds.

Two years later, in fall, 2010, O&B Events assumed management of Malaparte, the 2,860-sq.-ft. event space in the TIFF Bell

Lightbox, in Toronto’s Entertainment District.

Malaparte, which hosted the closing party for M+IT’s IncentiveWorks’ 20th Anniversary trade show and conference last August, can host 200 for a reception—400 if the adjoining outdoor terrace is included. “Malaparte has exceeded our expectations,” says Oliver.

The third piece of the O&B Events portfolio debuted in May, 2011, when the company became the exclusive restaurant and foodservice provider to Windermere House resort, on Lake Rosseau, in Ontario’s Muskoka cottage country.

But the big news is the launch of the Arcadian, a brand-new, full-scale event complex on the eighth floor of the Simpson Tower, in downtown Toronto.

Encompassing the Arcadian Court (hosting its first event April 23) and Arcadian Loft (first event: March 9), the combined space covers 29,000 sq. ft. and accommodates 1,500, reception-style.

Certainly, the O&B team is devoting considerable time, money ($5-million) and thought to renovating the iconic Arcadian Court space, opened in 1929, when Art Deco prevailed.

ART DECO “Our goal is to rebuild it, respecting the era in which it was built, with a nod to Art Deco,” says O&B co-founder Michael Bonacini, who oversees the company’s construction projects. “When finished, the bones have to be in place, but still renovated in a tender, respectful way.”

The space is impressive. For instance, Arcadian Court’s 7,924-sq.-ft. mezzanine—ideal for pre-dinner cocktails—overlooks the 8,086-sq.-ft. ballroom and allows a 360-degree stroll around its upper perimeter.

Across the main foyer from the Arcadian Court sits the Arcadian Loft. Configured from reclaimed space that had never been used for events, the Loft provides options of a single, 6,773-sq.-ft. room or five smaller, subdivided rooms.

Heightening the bright, airy feeling are vaulted ceilings, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing views of Toronto’s Old and New City Halls. Elegantly neutral colours—grey, taupe and lightMEETINGSCANADA.COM

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Event space is

in a constant state of change.

It has to be so chameleon-like,

Classy, Stylish,

Spectacular.

—MicHael BOnacini

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Guacamole station in action at 2011 IncentiveWorks closing party, Malaparte event space; Toronto Board of Trade event, in full swing; Auberge du Pommier space; 2011 IncentiveWorks closing party, Malaparte.

40

PHOTOS Donna Santos, Garrison McArthur Photographers, 5ive15ifteen Photographers, Troy Zimmerman

in that it needs to change, but it’s got to look

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP rendering of Arcadian

PHOTOS Donna Santos, Garrison McArthur Photographers, 5ive15ifteen Photographers, Troy Zimmerman

court space; Peter oliver and Michael Bonacini; tempting plates from the o&B kitchens; two views of the new Arcadian Loft space.

ArcAdiAn courT hAs More ThAn 55 evenTS BOOked

We’re in the Eatertainment business.

We have to constantly think of ways to pull out the stops.

—MicHael BOnacini

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We want to know more about

the Execution of Events & understand the Psychology and

take events to

�nother �evel.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP view from the terrace at Malaparte event space, in downtown Toronto; Michael Bonacini and Peter oliver; an expertly plated appetizer from the o&B team.

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o&B hAs over 1,000 eMPLoyees

PHOTOS Donna Santos, Garrison McArthur Photographers, Troy Zimmerman

—PeTer Oliver

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metal finishes; accents of exposed brick and natural stone—reign.

The event possibilities of the two rooms are evident. A group of 400 could start with cocktails in the Arcadian Loft or the Arcadian Court gallery, then move to the Court for a sit-down meal. A 2,593-sq.-ft. pre-function area serves both spaces.

Key to the Arcadian rooms’ redesign was the input solicited by Andrew Oliver, managing partner, Rooster Capital Corp. and the one overseeing O&B Events. Drawing on the collective expertise of the operations, sales and events teams, he gave them final say on everything—design, function, food, even the customized staff uniforms.

“This gives ownership and responsibility [for the room’s design and success] to the team,” says Andrew Oliver, who, in addition to overseeing O&B Events, is Peter’s son.

built the Perfect Set of Menus.

MISSION STATEMENT “At O&B, we have a unique culture committed to excellent food for excellence’s sake,” says Peter Oliver, adding that “events are, by far, the fastest-growing part of our business. Our events business is growing so rapidly because we have a team that thinks the same way about the guest experience. When someone comes to one of our events, each individual employee of ours has to be in on the guest experience and contributing to it. It’s part of our mission statement that we give people such a good experience that they will rave about it to someone else.”

On the experience side, Nicole Karmali, operations manager, events, says O&B reproduces its restaurant-quality service at events through attention to detail and rigorous staff training and development, whose key message reinforces that “serving a table of two is the same as serving a table of eight.” Through its eventsdedicated service team of 65 to 70, O&B, says Karmali, creates a guest-to-staff ratio of 14:1, the same as that of a private dining space. Directing the events business is a seven-person management team. “If planners sense we are committed to taking care of them, they won’t go anywhere else,” notes Peter Oliver.

That strong client commitment includes its event-planning studio. Launched in February, on the ninth floor of the Simpson Tower, the studio provides one-stop shopping in its three sales rooms, where planners can convene with one of O&B Events’ 20 meeting coordinators and get together in-person (or teleconference) with O&B’s preferred suppliers and view/sample their products.

All of this is in line with what Peter Oliver calls O&B’s “culture of continuous improvement. In events, you’re only as good as the last meal served.” He adds that “we understand the customer experience and what the mission for each event is. The bigger you get with events, the better you can be. I’m so proud of our events team. They are on fire!” As Bonacini notes, “one great success spurs our team to the next success.”

Including the Arcadian space, the company has 16 venues available for events. Beyond the Arcadian launch, what’s next for O&B Events?

“We can take the experience into Toronto’s suburbs and have O&B event locations around the city and not just downtown,” says Peter Oliver.

Moreover, Hudson’s Bay, he says, is interested in adding O&Bmanaged event spaces and restaurants to its department stores in Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa.

But the company’s plans are most succinctly summed up on its list of 14 ‘Organizational Priorities in 2012 for Long Term Success.’

Number seven on that list? “Event Power.”

—MicHael BOnacini

—Don Douloff is Managing Editor of Meetings + Incentive Travel.

UP-TO-THE-MINUTE On top of that, the Arcadian spaces boast up-to-the-minute audiovisual, sound and lighting. Indeed, seemingly all aspects of the venue—from customized carpeting and light fixtures, to the freight elevators that make transporting equipment, food, etc., a relative breeze, to the high-tech kitchen—are engineered for successful events.

Ah, yes, the kitchen. Central to O&B’s success on the events side is the ability to replicate the calibre of food, served at its restaurants, at large-scale events.

For that, Jamie Meireles, corporate events chef, credits “using the freshest possible ingredients; paying attention to the small details; and living and breathing the O&B culture in the kitchen, every day.”

One kitchen crew handles the Toronto Board of Trade, Malaparte and off-premises catering and another looks after Arcadian and Simpson Tower catering. The cook brigade varies from 10 to 25 in each location, depending on the time of year.

Bonacini, who has a hand in menu development, credits the events’ high level of food to improved restaurant technologies, such as cook-and-hold storage boxes (which keep prepared food at a consistent temperature) and sous-vide immersion circulators (which, he says, “can cook 200 duck breasts to a perfect level of doneness”).

Covering between 5,000 and 6,000 sq. ft, the Arcadian kitchen is as “state-of-the-art as possible,” says Bonacini, and features new stoves and ovens, including a Cinelli bread-baking oven. In fact, the kitchen houses a 2,000-sq.-ft. bakery that makes the breads and viennoiseries (croissants, puff-pastry turnovers, brioche, etc.) for all of O&B’s restaurants and event venues.

PHOTOS Donna Santos, Garrison McArthur Photographers, Troy Zimmerman

in 2011, o&B Produced over 7,000 evenTs

We’re constantly

Tweaking our event Menus.

We can Never say we’ve

MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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The IncentiveWorks Hosted Buyer Program brings qualiďŹ ed buyers from across Canada and the USA to participate in IncentiveWorks.

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QUALIFICATIONS + Recommend, purchase, and/or approve meetings/events + Live/work outside of the Greater Toronto area + Intent to purchase any of the following in the next twelve months: + Meeting facilities with accommodation (hotel) + Group travel (air, rail, coach) + Meeting services + Confirm your 2012 annual spend

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aLBeRta

WESTERN HOSPITALITY ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROVINCE IN THE

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We set the Bar high for Destinations.

About 4,800 feet high.

World renowned Banff and Lake Louise offers an unparalleled level of first-class accommodation and amenities that will leave your attendees feeling inspired. Book your next meeting today.

Scan the QR code to watch the enticing video WHY YOU SHOULD “MEET UP”

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a meeting

Room with a View

Banff Lake Louise awes and inspires anff and Lake Louise are not like other meeting destinations. While they do offer more than 25 professional meeting and convention properties accommodating groups of 10 to 2,000, the view from these properties is unlike anything meeting-goers will have ever experienced. Whether they’re walking out of their hotel, shopping downtown, soaking in a mineral spring pool, or meeting inside a state-of-the-art boardroom, they’ll know they’re somewhere special.

UNESCO SITE Banff National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been nominated time and again as a “must-see” destination. The town of Banff boasts modern amenities and small-town charm, where art galleries, restaurants and hotels are all nestled in the peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Nearby Lake Louise, with its sparkling blue waters (ideal for summer paddling and winter skating), offers world-class hotels, postcard-perfect lodges and stunning vistas that will wow even the most seasoned groups.

And best of all, participants won’t need any convincing. The breathtaking views, exhilarating outdoor activities (golf, skiing, hiking, canoeing, fly fishing, etc.), regional cuisine, and spectacular European spas all sell themselves.

Accommodations, including The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, The Chateau Lake Louise, and the Rimrock Resort Hotel, provide an unparalleled taste of

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luxury. The renowned Banff Centre offers arts programming, leadership development and exceptional meeting facilities, all with the mandate of inspiring creativity.

OFF-SITE VENUES

mountain air that provides a transformative experience to those coming from urban centres. The scenery alone will amplify any meeting and inspire creativity and productivity. •

Off-site venues provide unique options for team-building, award dinners and networking events. For a truly western experience, Brewster’s MountView Barbecue is a corporate event and reception facility catering to groups of 50 or more, with an open bonfire pit, buffet-style meal and musical performances. For a magical winter experience, groups can rent out Mt. Norquay for the evening, providing guests with the opportunity to ski, tube, snowshoe or watch a snowboarding performance, followed by a cozy après-ski party in the lodge.

A meeting planner’s dream, Banff Lake Louise offers the retreat-like nature of a remote destination, with the ease of access of any large city. Serviced by Calgary International Airport, with direct flights from all major cities in Canada, Banff is only a 90-minute, scenic drive away. A variety of affordable land transportation options are available to accommodate groups’ needs.

Banff Lake Louise offers a healthy dose of nature, coupled with fresh,

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The Fairmont Banff Springs

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Unforgettable meetings in three iconic settings.

The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge offer ideal meeting locations in the beautiful Canadian Rockies, with access through Calgary and Edmonton International Airports.

Our dedicated Sales & Catering team is here to bring your meeting or special event to life. Big or small, we guarantee a unique, successful and memorable event.

1 866 662-6060 fairmontmeetings.com

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modeRn comFoRts ReFined LuxuRy BReathtaking Landscapes The Fairmont Banff Springs

Fairmont hotels & Resorts: alberta’s Rocky mountain hosts ulfilling the 19th century dream of former Canadian Pacific Railway vice-president Cornelius Van Horne, Fairmont’s collection of Rocky Mountain resorts combines refined luxury and modern comforts with the pristine surroundings of one of Canada’s most breathtaking landscapes.

ThE FaIrmONT BaNFF SprINgS

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

In the heart of Banff National Park, the Fairmont Banff Springs stands as a symbol of Canadian hospitality. For more than a century, the property’s blend of opulence and serenity has set the standard of Rocky Mountain majesty. The resort offers 768 guestrooms, featuring breathtaking views, including 72 Fairmont Gold accommodations.

For meetings and conference planners, the Fairmont Banff Springs offers more than 72,000 sq. ft. of versatile function and exhibit space. The property’s Van Horne Ballroom can accommodate state-of-the-art presentations for up to 1,000 delegates or gala dinners in the turn-of-the-century elegance of the Cascade Ballroom.

The Fairmont Banff Springs also offers 27-holes of championship golf, as well as the pampering treatments of the Willow Stream Spa.

ThE FaIrmONT ChaTEaU LakE LOUISE

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

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Just 45 minutes west of Banff, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise graces the shores of its namesake and offers the unparalleled serenity of a wilderness experience. While just a two-and-a-halfhour drive from Calgary International Airport, the 554-room property, which

includes 43 Fairmont Gold rooms and suites, will whisk you worlds away, with its historic grandeur.

The property boasts 36,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art meeting space, featuring leading-edge technology and spectacular settings. With the guidance of an experienced conference services team, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an ideal destination for conferences, retreats and incentive programs.

Guests can immerse themselves in Lake Louise’s untouched, tranquil surroundings with guided hiking, canoe trips, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The property also boasts a warm and inviting spa, as well as a Four Diamond restaurant, the Fairview Dining Room.

ThE FaIrmONT JaSpEr park LOdgE A drive along the scenic Icefields Parkway will lead you to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, encompassing 700 acres along the emerald-green shores of Lac Beauvert and home to Canada’s #1 Resort Golf Course. The Lodge has 446 guestrooms, all offering lake or mountain views, including nine luxury Signature Cabins ranging in size from one to eight bedrooms.

With 26,520 sq. ft. of meeting space across 17 rooms, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge can accommodate up to 1,000 delegates for a variety of functions.

The Beauvert Shopping promenade offers exclusive names like Open Country and Jasper Hawes and is home to the relaxing ambience of the 10,000-sq.-ft. Fairmont Spa. The promenade also showcases the art of Mountain Galleries and a variety of fine-dining and casual restaurants boasting some of the region’s finest cuisine. •

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the

uniVeRsityoF a Village within a city caLgaRy he University of Calgary provides stateof-the-art event spaces in a picturesque setting only minutes from downtown.

Here are the top reasons to choose University of Calgary for your next event:

aCadEmIC INSpIraTION The scenic campus creates a vibrant and nostalgic space where participants can engage in meetings and seminars, while at the same time, reliving university days.

LUSh grEEN SpaCE The 200 hectares of lush, manicured gardens and quiet courtyards provide a number of

unique, group-friendly options for breakouts, refreshments and networking receptions.

mEmOraBLE TEam-BUILdINg ExpErIENCES Excursions are limited only by your imagination.

Groups have access to sporting equipment (snowshoes, skates, canoes, etc.) plus a 40-ft. indoor climbing wall and Olympic Oval rink.

mOdErN ON-SITE aCCOmmOdaTIONS With 81 eurostyle rooms and 15 bedroom suites, Hotel Alma is a modern, full-service hotel in the heart of the campus. •

Meetings & Special Events

Make your Meeting or event one to reMeMber Creative solutions Energetic drive Attention to detail

www.ucalgary.ca/mse Alberta.indd 50

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Central Alberta’s First FourStar Accommodations & Convention Centre

sheRaton

Red deeR

hoteL

aving completed a $12-million renovation, the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel is taking Central Alberta hospitality to a new level. Combining the signature comforts of Sheraton with spacious, well-appointed event and meeting spaces, this is the ideal meeting place between Calgary and Edmonton.

Whether you’re planning an elegant banquet or a trade show with massive tractors and machinery, the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel fits the bill. With 55,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, Sheraton Red Deer Hotel boasts an award-winning culinary team, the latest in audiovisual technology, and professional planners onsite to ensure the ultimate in service.

Guestrooms include stunning Jacuzzi suites, multi-level Vice Presidential and Presidential suites, one-bedroom suites— ensuring guests will be comfortable and well rested. Sheraton Club Level rooms provide guests with access to an inviting Club Lounge with complimentary breakfast and hors d’oeuvres and an ideal place to meet after a conference or event to network and brainstorm.

Sheraton Red Deer Hotel is home to Barbero’s Restaurant, the top of the city’s fine dining scene, and the Garden Terrace Lounge, perfect for after-hours drinks. With a heated outdoor pool and 24-hour state-of-the-art Sheraton Fitness centre powered by Core Performance, with sauna and steambath, guests can enjoy downtime in style. •

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Feeding the

Through Innovation

Through Experience

Through Communication

We are committed to bringing a world of energy and ideas together.

Meet with energy! calgary-convention.com 1.800.822.2697 | T 403.261.8500 | sales@calgary-convention.com

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caLgaRyteLus

conVention western hospitality at its Finest

centRe

or more than three decades, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) has been hosting meetings that give birth to new businesses; gala events that raise money and support for important causes; and conferences and tradeshows that welcome delegates from around the globe. In true western style, the CTCC’s helpful staff, incredible cuisine, advanced technology and personalized service all contribute to ensuring your event goes off without a hitch. Let Calgary inspire your guests with urban sophistication and make the CTCC the hub of your next meeting or event.

CONFErENCES & mEETINgS Full-service conferences span from expansive to intimate, with flexible spaces to ensure a custom fit for your event.

Whether you have » Every year, more than 1-mila guest list of four lion people visit the Greatest or 4,000, exhibOutdoor Show on Earth — the ition halls, meeting rooms and abunCalgary Stampede. dant pre-function » In a 2006 survey, The Econospace can be mist magazine ranked Calgary combined to meet as the second-best city in the your every need. world for business travellers.

Bright and airy, » There is no provincial sales tax meeting spaces are inviting and in Alberta. inspiring. Service is

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» » » » » » »

122,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space 47,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space 20,000-sq.-ft. ballroom 36 meeting rooms 1 multi-purpose hall 5 pre-function areas Full-service business centre

at the forefront of every CTCC experience, which is why 75 per cent of guests return for a second event.

gaLaS & gLam CTCC combines a glamorous venue with imaginative decor and gourmet menus to create an incredible event. The floor-to-ceiling, 29-ft. windows in the North Building provide stunning views of Calgary sunsets — a magical way to kick off your event. The South Building boasts the recently renovated Macleod Hall, featuring 20-ft. ceilings and pre-function space.

ExpErIENCE CaLgary In the heart of the city, the CTCC has indoor connections to 1,100 rooms in three four-star hotels — allowing delegates the opportunity to enjoy luxury accommodations, with easy access to the next day’s events. Surrounded by fantastic shopping, delicious restaurants and world-class entertainment, guests will love Calgary’s cosmopolitan flair and small-town charm. •

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More.

More white hats. More planning support.

More sunny skies. More exibility. More energy.

More direct ights. More meeting-friendly.

More attendees.

Find out how Calgary offers you more.

Toll-free 1 877 710 6338 www.meetingscalgary.com

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Let meetings & conventions calgary deliver your next event in style

elcome to Calgary, where stunning mountains and rolling prairies come together to provide an enchanting, scenic landscape for your corporate meeting or convention. Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is home to a wide range of event venues and accommodations. Here are the top five reasons to choose Calgary for your next event: Calgary has a diverse and unique range of venues from a high-tech convention centre, to rustic ranches, full-service exhibition halls, university campuses and everything in between.

Calgary has a captivating social scene with an assortment of activities, restaurants, adventures and events. Visit the opera, go horseback riding into the sunset, attend an NHL game, or feed the elephants at the Calgary zoo. With renowned dining, delectable spas, and superb shopping, the city literally has something for everyone.

Calgary is within an hour’s drive of the Rocky Mountains, which means breathtaking views can be enjoyed from just about anywhere in Calgary’s downtown. Plus, visitors can take daytrips to spectacular mountain parks and charming mountainside villages and resorts.

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Calgary offers accommodations for all budgets, from world-class resorts, to chic boutique hotels, to budgetfriendly lodging—the city boasts 11,000-plus hotel rooms.

Calgary is a major urban centre that is safe, clean and friendly. Not only was it named the cleanest city in the world (in an environmental examination of 215 cities), but also the 25th safest on a global scale. Your guests can explore, unwind and enjoy the city, while feeling welcome and secure.

Planning an event in this city has never been easier! Meetings & Conventions Calgary (MCC) is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know about Calgary as a meeting destination. With a team of experts to bring your every need and desire to life, MCC will help you choose the perfect venue and hotels and support you throughout the planning process.

MCC works with the City of Calgary, Calgary Hotel Association, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, The Calgary Stampede and more, to provide direct access to the information, venues, planning support and services that will make your meeting or convention an event to remember.

It’s no wonder four-million people visit Calgary annually: where stunning views meet friendly faces, and urban amenities meet pristine parklands, Calgary delivers on its promise. •

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r u o Y Plan

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orporating c in r e id s n o c t function, x e n r om the r u f o e y s g o o in h n C n . la s t p When onton even m d E ic t s a t of many n e fa n e o s r e o h , t o f e o d o e on n Finals R ia d a n a C , y d Edmonton In as to offer. h n o t n o m d E festivals that Festival City We’re deservedly known as Canada’s Festival City for the variety, quality, and number of festivals and events per capita held here every year.

West Edmonton Mall Galaxyland, the world’s largest indoor amusement park, is just one of many fantastic things to do at Canada’s most famous shopping centre.

www.edmontondestinationhotels.com Or Call Toll-Free: 1 (877) 213-8368

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edmonton

uncoVeRed

three distinct districts— one Fabulous city dmonton, Alta., is a thriving urban centre divided into three unique districts, each offering an array of accommodations, attractions and amenities. When planning a meeting, conference or retreat, consider the features of Edmonton’s Downtown, West End and Southside.

ThE dOwNTOwN COrE Downtown’s vibe is sophisticated and urban, featuring a collection of 17 hotels (3,000 rooms), a variety of upscale eateries and chic boutiques. This district puts guests front-and-centre to enjoy the city’s year-round festivals, theatre performances, concerts and fine arts exhibitions.

With a calendar full of special events and world-renowned festivals, Edmonton is the ideal destination for a memorable and unique meeting or conference. When planning your next event, consider incorporating one of these six, not-to-miss Edmonton happenings.

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Meeting space is abundant, with nearly 146,000 sq. ft. in total. Here you’ll find some of the most prestigious and state-ofthe-art facilities the city has to offer, including the Shaw Conference Centre, the EXPO Centre at Northlands and the Edmonton Exposition and Conference Centre.

Downtown Edmonton is also home to the city’s most coveted venue for special events, The Art Gallery of Alberta. An $88-million architectural gem, the AGA includes 85,000 sq. ft. of space, including an education centre, restaurant, 150-seat theatre and exhibition space.

ThE wEST ENd Edmonton’s West End boasts one of the city’s most diverse portfolios of business and leisure attractions and branded hotel accommodations. With a collection of 18 hotels, there’s something for everyone, from the budget-minded to the

INTErNaTIONaL STrEET pErFOrmErS FESTIVaL From July 6 to 15, Edmonton’s streets come to life with hilarious and awe-inspiring performances by acrobats, musicians, clowns, magicians and more, all curated by artistic producer Shelley Switzer.

Incorporate these performers into your event or gala with Edmonton’s Festival City in a Box program or allow guests free time to wander the streets and take in the sights and sounds that make this festival so famous.

ThE EdmONTON INdy From July 20 to 22, thousands of auto racing fans will descend upon Edmonton to soak up the speed of this celebrated event. Take in a race or two as part of your conference, and incorporate the Indy theme to make your event actionpacked and memorable.

EdmONTON hErITagE FESTIVaL From August 4 to 6, the Servus Heritage Festival is a three-day showcase of

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ThE SOUThSIdE Edmonton’s Southside is marked by an eclectic blend of history, culture and recreation, from trendy sidewalk bistros, to the historic facades of Old Strathcona, to the culture and history of Fort Edmonton Park.

This district is home to 16 hotels, ranging from historic inns, to trendy boutique properties, to full-service conference hotels offering more than 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The streets of Old Strathcona combine rich 19th century history with the trendiness of a 21st century neighbourhood, celebrated for its live music and theatre performances as well as fashion boutiques, spas, cafes and fine-dining establishments.

Finally, the South Edmonton Common is a shopping enthusiast’s paradise, with 320 acres of open-air retail space, making it the largest in North America. •

luxury-seeking. Collectively, there are more than 3,000 rooms and 135,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, making this a leading neighbourhood for conferences, tradeshows, meetings and conventions.

Two dinner theatres provide evening entertainment for groups of various sizes.

One of the theatres, Jubilations, stages three-act musical performances that are funny and interactive, while the Mayfield Dinner Theater brings to stage Broadway-style performances in a fine-dining atmosphere.

This neighbourhood is also where you’ll find the worldrenowned West Edmonton Mall, incorporating shopping, dining and world-class entertainment in one spectacular venue. With more than 800 stores, 100 restaurants and cafes, a waterpark and amusement park, no trip to Edmonton is complete without a visit to this incredible mall complex.

Canada’s multicultural heritage, featuring 63 pavilions representing more than 85 cultures from around the globe. Sample culinary delicacies, see creative performances and shop for crafts, artwork, clothing and jewelry. Incorporate Heritagethemed events into your meeting or convention and inspire and educate your delegates with Edmonton’s global flair.

EdmONTON INTErNaTIONaL FrINgE FESTIVaL From August 16 to 26, Edmonton hosts

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North America’s largest fringe festival.

More than 1,500 performers from Edmonton and around the globe take to the stage to entertain and inspire audiences.

STar warS IdENTITIES aT ThE TELUS wOrLd OF SCIENCE-EdmONTON Opening October 27, this special exhibition is a must-see for any Star Wars fan.

See Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, and all the unforgettable characters of Star Wars like never before!

Visitors learn the components of human identity in this character-driven adventure into what makes us who we are.

CaNadIaN FINaLS rOdEO From November 7 to 11, Edmonton will channel its authentic western roots and welcome Canadian rodeo champions in a variety of competitions, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping and saddle bronc riding. Guests will enjoy live musical performances, great western fare and a true cowboy experience.

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edmonton

weLcomes you home

discover the city where culture and nature meet true hospitality estled into the curves of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta and one of Canada’s cultural capitals. Here are five reasons why Edmonton should be top-of-mind when planning your next event: EdmONTON SErVES Up mEETINgS IN STyLE A variety of modern, state-of-the-art conference and exhibit facilities make Edmonton the ideal choice for an event of any size. The Shaw Conference Centre offers stunning meeting spaces overlooking the spectacular River Valley and can accommodate groups of 6 to 6,000, while the 522,000-sq.-ft. Edmonton Exposition and Conference Centre (Western Canada’s largest meeting facility) integrates high-tech features with flexible, adaptable, indoor spaces.

EdmONTON = FESTIVaL CITy Edmonton is home to more than 30 festivals year-round, including celebrations of music, performing arts, dance, sports and film.

Highlights include the internationally renowned Folk, Fringe and Street Performers Festivals.

With the Festival City in a Box program, you can weave festival entertainment into your next event.

Give your attendees a taste of the city’s creativity, warmth and energy as street performers work the room during a cocktail reception or aerial dancers wow guests at a closing night gala. The options are endless.

wildlife sanctuary for large animals; or unwind in the city’s botanic gardens.

CONNECTEd TO ThE wOrLd Having recently undergone a $1-billion expansion, the Edmonton International Airport offers numerous daily direct flights between North America’s major cities.

ThE EdmONTON adVaNTagE With no provincial sales tax, Alberta is the most cost-effective province in Canada.

You will save anywhere from 6 per cent to 9 per cent off the price of any event. And that’s not all; the Edmonton Advantage offers funding for special events and complimentary services for clients and third parties.

Edmonton takes hospitality and service to the next level, considering every guest a part of the family. Edmonton is more than just the aweinspiring West Edmonton Mall (a must see!) or the world-renowned Edmonton Indy (a must for speed lovers!). Edmonton is a world-class destination, eager to Welcome You Home! •

EdmONTON BOaSTS ExpaNSIVE parkLaNd Edmonton’s River Valley is North America’s largest urban park and is made up of 22 major parks and 150 km. of trails for walking, biking, picnicking, Segwaying, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more. Take your group canoeing on the North Saskatchewan River; visit Elk Island National Park, Canada’s first federal

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reMInDer: It’s not the extra hoUrs at the offIce yoU’ll treasUre

Let us help you to create a memorable Alberta experience.

Contact: Jennifer Holly, Business Development Director, Travel Alberta, E: Jennifer.Holly@TravelAlberta.com, T: 613-836-7069 Alberta.indd 62

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION +52° 4’ 20.34” N -116° 37’ 39.69” W travelalberta.com/meetings

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GalápaGos 64

Structured team-building activities aren’t necessary when meeting participants bond over nature’s wonders.

facilities in hotels, convention centres and other venues.

For Galápagos cruise groups, it’s convenient to arrange pre- or post-cruise meetings in hotels, such as the fivestar Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil and Swissôtel Quito, where participants stay before flying to the islands.

A national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galápagos is home to some of the world’s most unusual creatures. Where else can you see penguins on the equator and birds with blue feet? Charles Darwin’s 1835 visit to the Galápagos inspired his book, On the Origin of Species.

The archipelago of 13 major, six minor and 100 rocky islets is located 1,000 km west of Ecuador. To get there, groups fly to Guayaquil (GYE) or Quito (UIO), Ecuador, where they overnight before flying to San Cristóbal (SCY) or Baltra (GPS) in the Galápagos.

Nearly 90 ships operate in the Galápagos. The largest carry 90 to 100 passengers. Mid-size ships carry 32 to 48 passengers, while yachts hold 16 to 32.

The largest ships, such as M/V Galapagos Explorer II, offer a conference room, pool, Jacuzzis and some balcony accommodations. Small meeting groups (less than 20) can charter yachts like the new M/Y Galapagos Grand Odyssey, which holds 16 passengers. Although dining rooms and lounges double as meeting space, delegates have the ship to themselves.

Most ships cruise at night, so passengers arrive at new destinations each morning. Morning and afternoon excursions leave little time for long meetings onboard.

Both Guayaquil and Quito have excellent meeting

NATIONAL PARK Since 97 per cent of Galápagos is national park, only five islands have settlements. Santa Cruz Island has the largest population. Meeting facilities are minimal in its small four- to five-star hotels, which arrange Santa Cruz tours and boat excursions to nearby islands. Located in the highlands, Royal Palm Hotel has accommodations for 40, a gourmet restaurant, a library/conference room, AV equipment, WiFi and an art gallery/conference room (capacity 60).

Running year-round, Galápagos cruises range from four to 15 days. Galápagos National Park strictly controls access to 70 land and 75 marine sites. New park rules require that ships visit popular sites a maximum of once every 14 days.

A park-certified naturalist guide must accompany groups of no more than 16 people. A maximum of five groups of 16 can visit a site at one time. Ecoventura’s three 20-passenger ships (M/Y Eric, Flamingo I and Letty) feature only 10 passengers per guide.

Guides enforce park rules, which include no food, alcohol or smoking on the islands; keeping at least two metres from wildlife and not touching them if they come closer. They also provide evening briefings about daily hikes, snorkelling trips and kayaking (on select ships).

PHOtOS Ecuador Ministry of Tourism, Royal Palm Hotel

BY BARB & RON KROLL

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Puerto Ayora is the largest town in Galápagos

Marine life abounds

Lonesome George, a very rare creature Royal Palm Hotel Villa

UNIQUE ACTIVITIES Each island offers unique activities. Fernandina has so many marine iguanas that you have to be careful not to step on them. On Santa Cruz, you can photograph wild giant tortoises up to 230 kilos in size.

Española is the world’s only waved albatross nesting site. Genovesa has red-footed boobies. Participants invariably bond while sharing close encounters with blue-footed booby chicks, cavorting sea lions and red-throated frigatebirds.

Galápagos is accessible to people of average fitness levels. They must be able to get in and out of rubber boats used for shore excursions. Hiking can be on sandy or rocky paths, but the pace is slow, because naturalists stop frequently to talk about flora and fauna.

Environmentally friendly operators help safeguard the pristine environment. Ecoventura’s ships, for example, are Smart Voyagercertified. M/Y Eric was the first Galápagos hybrid-energy vessel.

Galápagos meetings are always memorable. No participant leaves the islands without being touched by their unique wildlife.

Nearly 90 ships operate in the area

PHOtOS Ecuador Ministry of Tourism, Royal Palm Hotel

—Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website, KrollTravel.com

tip

Visit the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association website (igtoa.org) to find the best cruise for your meeting from the 50 cruise companies operating.

fast facts Ecuador.Travel Copa Airlines flies from Toronto to Guayaquil and Quito four times weekly via Panama City

USD

No inoculations required

Spanish. English is used on cruise ships.

See Lonesome George, the last-surviving giant tortoise of his sub-species

Galápagos National Park fee—$100 USD Cool/dry season: July to December

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Backsberg Estate

Cape Point

This beautiful South African city is an extraordinary destination, delivering a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for discerning groups.

South African Tourism’s tagline is “leave ordinary behind” and this continent allows groups to do just that.

Cape Town, for instance, is a beautiful, appealing incentive destination that offers groups a unique travel experience. World-class conference facilities, five-star accommodations, high-quality group-friendly restaurants and a host of diverse activities combine to ensure high levels of attendee satisfaction.

Situated on the southwestern tip of Africa, Cape Town is synonymous with Table Mountain, one of the provisional New 7 Wonders of Nature. Instantly recognizable by its flat-top profile, Table Mountain stands sentinel over the bustling Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront.

Reached by cable car, one of only three in the world, the summit offers spectacular views. A private terrace area outside the mountain-top restaurant offers a pictureperfect group venue.

The waterfront includes five-star luxury hotels, a choice of excellent restaurants, bar and cafes. There are plenty of shops, several covered markets and the expansive V&A Shopping Centre, which provides direct access to the Table Bay Hotel’s main foyer.

This area is set in the historic heart of Cape Town’s working harbour. At night, visitors and residents alike throng the cobblestoned walkways, enjoying the sights and sounds, and watching impromptu, colourful performances by local musicians and dancers. A giant illuminated Ferris wheel, built originally for the 2010 World Cup, adds a festive air.

The Table Bay Hotel, a five-star luxury property, boasts a prime location and 329 well-appointed rooms, each of which has views of the bay or Table Mountain. The Atlantic Grill offers dinner and an impressive breakfast buffet; the Union Bar & Conservatory and The Lounge provide meals, snacks and high tea throughout the day. An urban waterfront resort, the luxurious One&Only Cape Town combines contemporary chic with South African style, and offers 131 rooms and suites. Other amenities 66

include a tranquil spa, a 5,000-bottle, tri-level wine loft and two restaurants, one featuring the cuisine of Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, the other of local celebrity chef Reuben Riffel.

Fifteen minutes from the waterfront by road—and a world away—is the five-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, with 70 rooms and suites. From the waterfront, the hotel is, alternatively, a six- to eight-minute helicopter ride—a thrilling way to see the coastline and mountains, and a memorable way to arrive. Being greeted on the helipad by formally attired bell staff is an unforgettable experience. With its location, spa and heated infinity pool, the Twelve Apostles offers groups the total package. Moreover, well-chosen artwork adds to the feeling of comfortable luxury.

About 45 minutes from Cape Town, in the scenic Cape Winelands, the internationally-acclaimed Backsberg Estate has been producing quality wines for over 70 years.

It is the first wine producer in South Africa to gain carbon-neutral status and also help workers achieve home ownership. For groups, the educational and interactive team wine-blending event is fun and competitive, and can include snacks or lunch.

Within 90 minutes of Cape Town, at the Cape Peninsula, a high-speed powerboat excursion takes guests to Dulker Island, home to a large colony of Cape fur seals; heading over scenic Chapman’s Peak leads to Cape Point, the southwesternmost landmark tip of Africa. On the way back, the Black Marlin Restaurant is a casual and popular lunch spot, with stunning views and a delicious fresh fish menu. Boulders Beach and the Penguin Colony are next.

Two breeding pairs arrived in 1982, and today, 3,000 of these charming and entertaining creatures make their home here.

Cape Town delivers a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for discerning groups.

—Geraldine Gatehouse is a writer and planner based in Vista, Calif.

PHOTOS Backsberg Estate, One&Only Cape Town, Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, South African Tourism

BY GERALDINE GATEHOUSE

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CAPE TOWN

Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

One&Only Cape Town

fast facts

South African Standard Time, 6 hours ahead of EDT

SouthAfrica.net

High 27°C, Low 7°C

Cape Town International Convention Centre

South African Rand

Cape Town International Airport, CPT

Hepatitis A and B

18.5 hours from Toronto

3.5-million

Some of the official languages: Afrikaans, English, IsiNdebele, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Siswati, Setswana The Grand Daddy Hotel has a rooftop Airstream trailer park A network of tunnels runs below the city

tip

For group gifts, Inge Schubert’s local photographs are a good choice.

Schubert is a self-taught freelance photographer from Cape Town, who has travelled extensively throughout southern Africa. She specializes in African landscapes, wildlife and architecture.

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cool gifts

1. Sentiment Necklaces feature a selection of inspirational thoughts and spirit-raising mantras. Made from lead-free pewter and coated in either gold or silver. $7-$14. foxyoriginals.com 2. Barista-standard and non-toxic, KeepCup fits under most espresso machines.

Lightweight, easy to carry, splashproof and dishwasher safe. Fits into most car cup holders. $12 USD. keepcup.com 3. When a paperclip is attached, or removed, colourful Magnetic Birdie chirps a happy song. Reinsert plastic tab, in back, to make it chirpless. $16 USD. seejanework.com 4. PopsyCakes are gourmet cake pops, covered in Italian chocolate, embedded on a pretzel stick. Five flavours, including red velvet rush. $4 USD. popsycakes.com 5. Mobile Foodie Survival Kit is a pocketsize set of 13 organic herbs and spices for gastronomes-on-the-go. $26 USD. plantbrooklyn.com 6. Classically styled, Pewter Stamp Holder is handmade by artisans. Works on a desktop, counter or inside a drawer. $35 USD. seejanework.com 7. Susy Jack Pencil Cups are made from stainless steel and covered with 100-percent post-consumer, recycled paper in contemporary, playful styles. $10 USD. seejanework.com 8. BuzzBrush cleans deep in the crevices of computer keyboards, removing lint, dust and food particles. Also cleans any LCD computer screen. As low as $1.99 USD. buzzbrush.com 9. Desk-ready ‘Whenever’ Sticky Note Set includes six pads, in four sizes, each featuring 100 pages. Includes paperboard tray. $14 USD. seejanework.com 68

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travel gear

AS I SEE IT

1. Weighing 28 ounces, Sport Seat holds up to 300 pounds. 21 inches tall, assembled; 34 inches tall, folded as a cane. $32.50 USD. magellans. com 2. Pocket-size and lightweight, SteriPen Traveler uses ultraviolet light to purify water in seconds, with the push of a button. Automatic timer. $59.85 USD. magellans.com 3. Schlep Luggage Tag includes card with elastic string and inside address panel. Packaged in a soft vinyl pouch with contents backer. Set of six, $14 USD. bobsyouruncle.com 4. Worn on the hands and feet, Yoga Paws allow for poses without slipping. Made with yoga towel liner that absorbs seven times its weight in moisture. $36.95 USD/set. yogapaws.com 5. Lightweight packing folder keeps clothes wrinkle-free and neatly stacked. Holds six to eight folded shirts and seals securely with adjustable cinch straps. $20.85 USD. magellans.com 6. Attaching to any luggage handle, Easy-2-Pick is a wireless keychain remote receiver that alerts travellers when their luggage arrives on the carousel. $20-$25. capitalpromos.com 7. Hypoallergenic travel pillow’s memory foam core conforms to curves and contours of head, neck and shoulders to relieve pressure and provide comfortable sleep. $75-$90. twocrazyladies.com 8. Travel Moments Tranquil Alarm Clock features eight sound programs designed to encourage deeper states of sleep. $130-$180. twocrazyladies.com MEETINGSCANADA.COM

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hot ideas

The National Football League’s official hospitality source, NFL on Location offers groups exclusive access to league events, including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, draft and the International Series Game. nflonlocation.com

Print photo-quality pictures on-site, directly from a docked iPhone or iPod touch. Printer is controlled from an iPhone via a free downloadable app.

Quantity dictates price. hammacher.com

Video Tattoo customizes attendee badges with a lightweight 3- or 7-inch screen displaying graphics, text, photos, PowerPoint presentations and broadcast-quality video. $45 USD or less (rented badges); $165 USD or less (purchased). videotattooinc.com Handyman’s Soap is made by artisans at the Palam Rural Centre, in India, which provides its workers medical assistance and adequate housing and water. $6. tenthousandvillages.ca

New York-based Cigar Dolls provides on-site stogie rollers for meetings and events in major U.S. centres and, in the warmer summer months, Canadian cities. cigardolls.com 70

‘Adopt’ a guide-dog puppy by paying part of its annual veterinary expenses. Donations bring a certificate, personalized with the recipient’s name, announcing the symbolic adoption. $100. dogguides.com

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AS I SEE IT

MPI Toronto Awards Gala

CanSPEP Conference LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Kristi Contini, Strategic Site Selection; Jason Cullen, Strategic Site Selection; Alanna McQuaid, M+IT; Sean Landis, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. 2. Nikki Sayers, Ontario Bar Association; Kayley O’Brien, Scotiabank Convention Centre. 3. Jean-Pierre Cartier, emc2 event management Inc.; Shannon Refcio, Bayer Crop Science. 4. Paola O. Silk, International Centre; Christine Otsuka, M+IT. 5.

Candace Schierling, Tourism Saskatoon; Tracy Pugh, Tourism Saskatoon; Cori-Ann Canuel, M+IT. 6. Don Douloff, M+IT; Carol Ford, CanSPEP. 7. Vittoria Wikston, CMP; Paula Racher, Niagara Falls Tourism Visitors & Convention Bureau. 8. Rose Timmerman Gitzi, RTG Special Events.

9. Jeremy Tyrrell, Caesars Windsor; Alanna McQuaid, M+IT; Barry Webb, Tourism London. 10. Donna Filion, Elmwood Spa; Denise Wiese, Tourism Toronto. 11. Meredith Hand, The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites.

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SITE AGM PHOTO The Image Commission

MPI Foundation Meeting

Quebec Day

CAEM Awards Gala LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Helene Moberg, Destination Halifax; Jim Zareski, Fox Harb’r Golf Resort & Spa; Nalina Williams, Platinum Hospitality Group Inc. 2. Bettyanne Sherrer, CMP, Pro Plan Conference Planners; Ron Guitar, CMP, MPI Foundation Canada. 3. Robert Phillips, Naylor Inc; Yvonne Dewar, Elastic Communications. 4. Aminata Diop, Auberge Saint-Antoine; Christine Otsuka, M+IT. 5. Laurence Aflalo, Novotel Montreal Centre; Emi Otsuka, Novotel Montreal Aeroport. 6. Vlad Haltigin, PDM(i); David Jewell, Helms Briscoe. 7. Jennifer Holland, MTCC, Jennifer Campbell, Town Media; Eleni Papakonstantinou, MTCC. 8. Michael Lecour, GES; Gilles Brouchard, GES; John Houghton, MTCC. 9.

Nicole Sampson, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada; Nate Bright, Diversified Business Communications Canada.

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AS I SEE IT

SITE AGM PHOTO The Image Commission

PCMA Canada East Chapter Education Program

Site AGM

MPI Ottawa Charity Dinner

LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Melanie Fong, The Delta Chelsea Downtown Toronto Hotel; Catherine Dawson, Tourism Toronto; Meghan Bowness, Tourism Toronto; Rob Livingstone, MTCC; Brock Dale, Porter Airlines. 2. Robin Paisley, M+IT; Clayton Caporal, AV Canada; Sandra Eagle, Ignite magazine; Jennifer Glynn, Meeting Encore; Joe Orrechio, Road Ahead Meetings and Events. 3. Cori-Ann Canuel, M+IT; Blair Miller, Hotel du Lac; Grace Conidi, White Oaks Conference Resort.

Boss. Colleague. Partner. Friend.

Give them the recognition they deserve.

Nominate your peers for a 2012 M+IT Hall of Fame Award today.

Visit meetingscanada.com/halloffame for a full list of categories and nomination form.

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Disappearing Tubs

More and more new-build properties—certain Marriott brands, for instance, and W Hotels (pictured is the W South Beach)— are reducing the number of bathtubs in their guestrooms, to accommodate business travellers, who prefer showers.

PHOTO W Hotels

With showers as luxe as the one pictured here, who can blame them?

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toronto ®

279 yonge street 1+416-362-3636 • hardrock.com

facebook.com/hardrock • twitter.com/hardrock ©2011 Hard Rock International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved.

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WE DON’T ROLL UP THE SIDEWALKS AT 5 O’CLOCK If you’ve visited Ottawa lately, you know the Capital’s not the sleepy little town it’s sometimes made out to be. We’ve got a great culinary scene, the ByWard Market’s pubs, clubs and patios, and the spectacular Casino du Lac-Leamy. Not to mention a lively music scene, theatre, dance and fantastic festivals.

Add all of that to Ottawa’s national sites, great museums, natural beauty and outdoor recreation, and you’ve got a destination with undeniable delegate appeal.

WE DO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR DELEGATES

Ottawa Convention Centre

Canadian Museum of Civilization

RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest

1-800-363-4465

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Rideau Canal •

WWW.OTTAWATOURISM.CA/MEETINGS

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