Destination Guides

The Canadian Experience

How Canada offers the kind of life-changing destinations to transform your corporate and incentive programs

Canada has always been a place people sought out to reinvent themselves and experience something new. In Canada, one can easily combine the excitement and energy of some of the most desirable cities in the world with the serenity of natural experiences mere minutes away. Wellness is a trend in the meetings and incentive industries but it has always been a way of life there. With 75% of the world’s fresh water, places of immense beauty and quiet, and shoreline on three oceans, Canada brings Mother Nature to your guests’ door.

Experiential travel ranges from seeing Orca whales breach...to spotting polar bears...to flying upside down over Niagara Falls...to dogsledding across a snowy pine-scented expanse. Wellness and spa destinations abound, with the natural springs of Banff competing with woodland escapes. From fine dining to local specialties, the cuisine is signature Canadian. Think fresh-caught Arctic fish, Nova Scotia Lobster rolls, Saskatoon berry pie and so much more. Off‐the‐beaten‐track gems like Churchill, Fogo Island and Clayoquot show the breadth of experiences available just next door.

Many of these locales are still to be fully discovered by the world, making the experiences truly new and exceptional — the quintessential bucket-list destinations. All of this in a neighboring country where your budgetary dollar goes farther. Did you know that the Canadian dollar is 25-28% lower than the US dollar? That means substantial savings or additional bells and whistles for your event. And not to be overlooked, the inbound flights are quick and convenient.

Come along on a quick visit to these varied Canadian incentive destinations, each one unique.

Transformational Experiences

Churchill. Churchill, Manitoba is a place like no other. Dining on fresh‐caught arctic char while watching beluga whales, spotting polar bears, experiencing the history of the explorers who opened the north to the world, marveling at the magical aurora borealis (northern lights), kayaking, adventure hiking, bird‐watching...mother nature shows her best here in this northern outpost. Ideal for adventurous groups who have previously enjoyed wilderness and wildlife safaris, Churchill delivers a remarkable reward — your group can even sleep over with the polar bears on specially equipped mobile tundra campers.

Clayoquot. Wildly indulgent, this is an out-of-the-box incentive destination off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Ranked one of the best resorts in the world by Condé Nast Traveler in 2019, Clayoquot is unique in all of Canada. Picture your guests in a luxury tented safari camp in a protected biosphere where wildlife roam free in their natural habitats. Your corporate groups and incentive winners will enjoy the space and time to reconnect with nature, brainstorm big ideas and set strategies in refined luxury. Able to accommodate up to 70 guests for a corporate buy-out, Clayoquot offers groups unbridled adventure in the lap of luxury.

Fogo Island. Off the coast of Newfoundland is the epitome of a picture-perfect getaway. This small island (off an island), is home to the ultra-lux Fogo Island Inn — an ideal spot to sequester your team, plan new ventures, set strategies or celebrate team successes. Ideal for buy-outs for groups of up to 60, the sustainably run inn spotlights Newfoundland’s unique culture through curated experiences that include nature hikes through one of the “four corners of the world,” seasonal sightseeing cruises for whales and icebergs along Iceberg Alley, and in local “shed parties.” Acclaimed for their hyper-local culinary scene that embraces the land and the sea, the proprietors have thoughtfully infused their unique island culture into every aspect of the inn — right down to the “bergy bits” (iceberg ice) in your cocktails.

Sonora Resort. High-end luxury meets pristine wilderness. Only 45 minutes away from Vancouver by scenic helicopter lies Sonora Resort, a Relais & Château property where nature is paired with fully equipped modern meeting spaces. Offering adventures like guided eco-tours to whale watching, Sonora provides the setting to make your event or incentive travel unforgettable.

UNIQUE VENUES

Rocky Mountaineer. What a way to see the magnificent Rocky Mountains: from the glass‐domed cars of the iconic Rocky Mountaineer. This two‐day journey, between Vancouver and either Banff or Jasper, covers 1,400 of the most breath‐taking kilometers on the planet. Fine dining, first‐class service, spectacular hotels along the way and even open-air vestibules to get your guests closer to mother nature, means this journey is second to none. Your group will form a timeless bond in the confined but roomy atmosphere of the world-renowned train.

Fairmont chateau lak louise 33 — Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Banff and Lake Louise. Banff and Lake Louise: their very names inspire visions of towering peaks overlooking beautiful valleys with postcard‐worthy views everywhere one turns. At Lake Louise, brainstorming sessions spark up just about anywhere: skating past an ice castle, on sleigh rides across a lakeside trail, over a blazing bonfire at the Brewster Dance Barns. Consider the five-star lux accommodations, a mountain of active adventures and restorative spaces, state-of-the-art venues — including the Banff Gondola at the summit of Sulphur Mountain and the Banff Centre for the Arts & Creativity — and you soon understand why Banff is a classic destination for meetings and incentives.

Niagara Falls. Home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Niagara Falls is a place to inspire wonder. From world‐class vineyards to top-notch entertainment to delectable dining overlooking awe-inspiring views, everything about Niagara will engage your group. This prime destination is just 90 minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport (Canada's largest airport) or 45 minutes from Buffalo Niagara International.

Quebec revised — Quebec's Fairmont Chateau Frontenac

Québec City. Québec City, filled with European charm and history, is a city of spectacular sights. Built on a cliff high over the St. Lawrence River, this 400‐year‐old city — no less than the birthplace of French civilization in North America! — is also home to a vibrant nightlife and the finest French cuisine. Tack on its intriguing history (must-see is the Plains of Abraham/Battle of Québec), a winter-only ice hotel, festivals throughout the summer and excursions to nearby Montmorency Falls, and you have a magical destination for lucky attendees or incentive winners.

Whistler. You think Whistler is all about the winter activities? Sure, you can come here and compete on the tracks and mountains which hosted the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, but Whistler is all about summer games, too. Home to lux brands such as Fairmont and Four Seasons, Whistler has been voted Canada’s #1 golf destination by Golf Digest and is ranked 20th in the world. Fine dining abounds in gourmet restaurants where you can sabre your champagne before sipping or at private lakeside, mountaintop events where the view competes with the menu and entertainment. Off-site venues such as the Lil'wat Cultural Centre or the Audain Art Museum offer uniquely Canadian immersive experiences for private group functions.

Emerging Destinations

Delta Hotels Kelowna — Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort

Kelowna. Nestled amidst the beautiful Monashee Mountains along the shores of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna sits within an hour flight of three major urban centers, and produces some of the best wines on the planet...think Napa North. Part urban, part agricultural, surrounded by mountains, lakes, 19 golf courses and with two ski resorts within an hour of downtown — Kelowna is the ultimate hybrid meeting destination where delegates can play before, after or in between their meetings.

St. John’s. This most-easterly Canadian capital is among its friendliest: after all, it's the people in Newfoundland who inspired the hit musical "Come From Away!" St. John’s will engage your group with beautiful vistas of icebergs in June, colorfully painted houses along a twisting seaside, and unique Newfoundland hospitality, colorful characters and natural storytellers that make conference-goers feel at home.

Tremblant Resort. Recognized as the #1 ski resort in Eastern North America for 19 years running, Tremblant boasts four seasons of indoor and outdoor activities, from Ziptrek Ecotours to dog‐sledding. And it's less than two hours from either Montréal or Ottawa. French Canadian cuisine and culture make Tremblant a unique experience. Think: snowshoeing to a private mountainside cabin for candlelight Fondue complete with a cabane au sucre (cooling maple syrup over beds of ice or snow to create maple candy) or ride the gondola to a mountaintop dinner. Charter private pontoon cruises, golf, hike or unwind at the spa...it's all available in this European-style pedestrian village.

For more information on the profound experiences your group can have in Canada, visit www.businesseventscanada.ca

How much do you know about Canada?

Which of these regions produce Icewine?

A. Ontario

B. British Columbia

C. Québec

D. Nova Scotia

E. All of the above.

(Answer: E! While most Icewine is produced in Ontario, each of these regions produces Icewine.)