Northstar's Global Incentive Summit in Pictures

Canada's first major incentive travel event since the onset of the pandemic brought together planners and suppliers in beautiful Banff.

Northstar Meetings GIS 2021
A highlight of the three-day event was an afternoon at Lake Louise. Photo Credit: Ketara Gadahn for Studio Alani

Northstar Meetings Group hosted its Global Incentive Summit, dedicated to incentive travel buyers and suppliers, Oct. 18-20 in stunning Banff, Canada. The event, the first major incentive travel gathering in the country since the Covid pandemic hit, brought together 110 incentive buyers and suppliers at the gorgeous Rimrock Resort Hotel.

Stringent health and safety measures were implemented and enforced for this gathering. Attendees were required to be fully vaccinated and present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event. Masks were required to be worn at all times while indoors, except for when people were either presenting or eating or drinking.

Both the Rimrock and Banff Lake Louise Tourism served as generous host partners for this event. Other valued partners were Destination Canada, Mountain View BBQ, ProColombia, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Rare Indigo, Encore, Pursuit, Delta Airlines, Air Canada, Maui Jim, PC/Nametag and Aventri.

Please view, download and share photos from the event's photo gallery, providing credit to photographer Ketara Gadahn/Studio Alani. (Please tag @studioalaniphoto on Instagram or Facebook, and Ketara Gadahn on LinkedIn.)

Northstar Meetings Group has a number of upcoming in-person events on the calendar for 2021 and 2022. Planners and suppliers can register their interest in attending upcoming meetings at any time.

Day One


Spectacular views surround the Rimrock Resort Hotel.


The Rimrock Resort Hotel, perched on Banff's Sulphur Mountain, was the host property for the Global Incentive Summit. The stunning hotel has 343 guest rooms and seven meeting rooms.


The opening reception at the Rimrock Resort Hotel transformed the ballroom into a rustic Canadian Rockies chalet.


Three types of house-cured salmon were among the scrumptious eats attendees dined on during the first Global Incentive Summit evening event.


Jessica Ladd of Maritz Global Events (left) and Meredith Marder, MLM Event Management (right), enjoy cocktails during the opening reception.

Day Two


Wildlife photographer and author John E. Marriott regaled the group with tales of patience and determination behind his spectacular, award-winning images of local grizzlies the Boss and Split Lip, as well as a majestic timber wolf named Delinda.


SkyBistro was the elevated lunch spot for Day 2, where Tina Yogya of Sofinnova (left), Betty Gonzalo of Maritz (middle) and Lisa Dreier of Creative Group (right), took in the spectacular view. Lunch, the gondola ride to the restaurant and afternoon activities including the tour on the OpenTop were sponsored by Pursuit.


Brenda Holder, chair of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, imparted her knowledge of plants and natural cures during her afternoon Medicine Walk.


The amazing Calgary Fiddlers, all under the age of 18, kicked off the Western-themed evening gathering at the Mountain View BBQ.

Day Three


SITE Canada president Pearleen Mofford shared the findings of the organization's fall study of corporate incentive professionals, The Changing Face of Incentive Travel.


Maria Jose Aguirre Albas of the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All-Inclusive met with Angela Abbate of CWT Meetings & Events during the Day 3 one-on-one appointment sessions.


Before exploring the glorious nature trails in and around the area, the group enjoyed a delicious lunch with a view at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.


That color is real! The aquamarine hue of Lake Louise comes from the glaciers that surround it. Attendees strolled the length of the water, while others hiked to the nearby Johnston Canyon.


The grand Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel hosted the sumptuous farewell feast, replete with a seven-course meal and entertainment provided by dueling pianists.

Interested in other Northstar events? Register now.