The commercials say it all – there’s no place like this.
Ontario is a hot spot for inspiring getaways — for business and pleasure. Its mix of urban culture and pristine nature serve up memorable experiences whether you visit Toronto, Niagara Falls or Ottawa. Although all places offer world-class accommodations, facilities and adventure, they each have distinct qualities that individually make them unique and collectively make Ontario the great province it is.
Toronto serves up delegates an urban experience not to be forgotten. A world-class city, Toronto features spectacular scenery, culture and excitement — no matter what part of town delegates are visiting. During the day, some of the best shopping can be had at the Toronto Eaton Centre, a soaring three-block-long emporium in the heart of downtown Toronto that offers more than 300 shops and services. If you’re in the North York district, Yorkdale Shopping Centre is a one-floor, pedestrian-friendly mall. Hundreds of retail outlets, from upscale to budget-conscious, can be found there plus some great restaurants such as Milestones, Casey’s and the Pickle Barrel for a refreshing break from shopping.
When the weather is nice, nothing beats strolling in the Yorkville district. One of Toronto’s most celebrated neighborhoods, Yorkville boasts style and culture. It offers a unique blend of approximately 700 designer boutiques, fashionable restaurants, plush hotels and world-class galleries. And keep your eyes peeled for celebrities. Yorkville is often an A-list hangout for actors in the area.
And, of course, no city comes more alive at night than Toronto. When the sun goes down, the city heats up with live music, theatre and some of the world’s best dining experiences.
Delegates will surely be stirred by the great music found at the Canadian Opera Company. During the summer months, the Harbourfront Centre is ideal for catching the Toronto sunset while taking in a lively outdoor concert. For pub-loving delegates, live music can be found in some of Toronto’s hot spots such as the Horseshoe Tavern, the Rivoli and the El Mocambo.
Niagara Falls, a short one-hour drive from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, has attracted visitors for hundreds of years for its wondrous falls. These thundering, rainbow-hued waters are magnificent by day and sublime by night. But the area has so much more to offer delegates than just the falls. This is where some of Ontario’s pristine beauty comes into play, as the area is rich in vibrant vineyards and wineries and award-winning golf courses.
For nature-loving delegates, the nearby Niagara Escarpment is an amazing UNESCO World Biosphere Region because of its unique ecological and cultural significance. It’s a spectacular limestone ribbon of wilderness that winds its way for 725 km from Queenston to Tobermory, cutting through the heart of Southwestern Ontario. The escarpment is a magnificent outdoor haven with more than 100 parks and scores of conservation areas protecting its natural features and incredible variety of plants and wildlife.
Lastly, Ottawa, the nation’s capital, embodies all that is great about Canada — cultural diversity, beautiful scenery and a vibrant arts and business community. With its impressive national sites, monuments and symbols where visitors can experience the best of the nation, Ottawa is a unique and inspiring destination to visit.
Delegates will admire the pomp and pageantry of Parliament Hill. The grand neo-Gothic parliament buildings overlooking the Ottawa River are the symbol of a nation and a venue for national celebration.
And the nearby ByWard market is an historic meeting place that still draws farmers and their fresh produce, just as it did a century ago. However, today delegates will also find art galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, great restaurants, cafés and hopping nightspots.
Being a G8 capital and the country’s fourth-largest metropolitan area, Ottawa is also an ideal place to do business. Despite its burgeoning population, it remains an intimate, relaxed city — ensuring any meeting or event has a successful and enjoyable turnout. In addition to its positive qualities as a city, the simple location of Ottawa has its own benefits. Close to major centres including Outaouais, Montreal and Quebec City, the area is a convenient and easily accessible destination for any meeting — big or small.
For these reasons and more, it’s no surprise why more than 113 million people visit the province each year — for work and play. Ontario is Canada’s economic centre and home to nearly 40 percent of the nation’s population, making it the business and travel hub of the country.
Toronto
With a population of 4.7 million, Toronto is Canada’s largest city and North America’s fifth largest city after Mexico City, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, farther south than Minnesota and much of Michigan, Toronto is one of the most accessible cities in North America by road, air, rail and water. The city is only a one-hour drive away for approximately five million Canadians and within a 90-minute flight for 60 percent of the United States population.
The New York of the North, Toronto is known for its creativity and cultural diversity. Although the two official languages spoken are French and English – many other dialects can be heard. The extraordinary multiculturalism in the city results in world-class cuisine, entertainment and architecture.
“The synergy created by Toronto’s more than 100 cultures grants us a unique flair for the unexpected in art, theatre, architecture, music and everything in between,” says Michele Simpson, media relations manager for Tourism Toronto. “Whether visitors are looking for modern art, modern dance or modern rock, they’ll find it in this creative city.”
On any given day, Toronto teems with artistic expression, from world-class galleries and museums such as the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) to evenings with the National Ballet and the Canadian Opera Company, both freshly nestled into their new homes.
For drama-loving delegates, Toronto’s Theatre District is up to par with other famed theatrical areas such as London’s West End and New York’s Broadway. Hot this year on Toronto stages includes ‘Dirty Dancing’, ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ and ‘We Will Rock You’.
In addition to being known for its theatre, Toronto is also famous for its world-class festivals.
“Throughout the year there are three things that Toronto can’t get enough of: festivals, festivals, festivals,” says Simpson. “Spectacular celebrations of performing arts and moving pictures, culture and cuisine, art and architecture, revelry and repartee guarantee there is always something scintillating to inspire the senses.”
During the month of August, Toronto streets come alive with the scents and sounds of Caribana. Derived from Canada’s Bi-Centennial Celebrations, in addition to Canada’s embracement of its Caribbean community, Caribana, attracts more than one million tourists and spectators globally to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) each year. It has become one of the largest annual events held in Southern Ontario. This international festival features sizzling music, colorful costumes, hot cuisine and performances. The largest cultural festival of its kind in North America, Caribana explodes with pulsating rhythms and melodies soulful enough to make any delegate think they’ve landed in the heart of the Caribbean.
Known as the Hollywood of the North, The Toronto International Film Festival is a welcome celebration every September. It transforms the way people see the world — one film at a time. Some TIFF films that have made it big on the silver screen include ‘Juno’, ‘Eastern Promises’ and ‘Rendition’. It has also attracted A-list celebs such as Reese Witherspoon, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
So, after all the celeb-stalking, festival-partying, culture-soaking and theatre-going, Toronto is also a star performer when it comes to getting the job done.
“Recently, Toronto ranked first for convention bureau and overall convention city by top-rated North American meeting planners,” says Simpson. “The study also showed that meeting and convention planners cite Toronto’s well-suited hotels and easy accessibility around the city as key factors when considering the city for a meeting or convention.”
Apart from all of that, Toronto also accommodates environmentally conscious delegates with its green meetings — what some say is the future of a sustainable meetings and conventions industry.
“Toronto is able to connect planners with local meeting services and eco-friendly venues that can support their goal of having a more environmentally conscious meeting or event in Toronto,” says Simpson.
For a heightening experience, delegates can meet in the city’s most famous landmark, the CN Tower. The CN Tower dominates Toronto’s skyline and is the tallest freestanding structure in the world. Standing at 1,815 feet and five inches, it offers a perfect visual place mark for newcomers. It’s also a great place to host a meeting. The CN Tower’s 1,100 sq ft of fully flexible meeting rooms are equipped for audiovisual presentations. A variety of room layouts can accommodate up to 90 people for meetings, breakout sessions and working lunches. Delegates can feast pre- and post-meeting on decadent fare such as Truffle Scented Portobello Mushroom Steak or Parsley Crusted Ontario Waters Pickerel in the award-winning 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower.
For meeting planners who want to rock their delegates’ world, the Hard Rock Café serves as a relaxed, fun venue. With two locations in Toronto – – both in the heart of downtown Toronto, within walking distance of several hotels — the Hard Rock Café is the perfect venue to kick-start or wrap-up a meeting or small conference.
“We have one meeting space at our Yonge-Dundas location that can accommodate 100 people (theatre) or 60 people (classroom),” says Robert Barbieri, director of sales and marketing. “We also have a projector, built-in screen and audio system. In addition, we offer a full banquet menu that covers breakfast, breaks, lunch, reception and dinner.”
For fun and team-building activities, the Hard Rock Café will put programs together such as Rock The Stars, an event that uses music as the primary feature, to keep attendees engaged.
“We differentiate ourselves from a typical meeting room with our music theme décor, windows throughout our two locations, fun and energetic staff and Rock n’ Roll inspired menus,” says Barbieri. “It will be an event they won’t soon forget.”
Another downtown hot spot for meetings is the St. Andrews Club & Conference Centre.
Located at 150 King St. W., St. Andrews’ space has been specifically designed to ensure success of meetings, team-building, receptions and dinners.
“Our team is on-hand to guide our clients through the planning process and on site to ensure the smooth running of functions,” says Amanda Miller, events sales and marketing manager.
St. Andrews has 20 beautiful, spacious rooms all with windows that view Toronto’s landmarks and downtown core. All rooms have screens, whiteboards (on conference side), wireless Internet access and audio-visual technology.
“St. Andrews is happy to make arrangements for planners for everything, including co-coordinating décor and delivery, supplying all audio-visual requirements with St. Andrews’ on-site audio-visual company to theme drinks and menus,” says Miller.
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is probably one of the most famous venues to host an event.
Situated in the heart of downtown, nestled between the CN Tower, Rogers Centre and the Air Canada Centre, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is known as Canada’s No. 1 convention and trade show facility. The centre offers more than 600,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space including 64 meeting rooms; a world-class 1,330-seat theatre; and two ballrooms — all within walking distance of more than 12,000 hotel rooms and tourist attractions.
“We also have an enviable reputation for food and service excellence,” says Christine Chiu, marketing manager. “Everyone works with a common goal in mind — to make your event successful and memorable.”
Despite the world-class facilities situated in downtown Toronto, great meeting venues can also be discovered outside of the city’s core.
The Novotel Toronto North York provides a wide range of possibilities from a small boardroom meeting of eight and team-building events for 40, to year-end galas of 250 delegates or an AGM of 300 people.
Located in Toronto’s uptown business district next to Mel Lastman Square, the Novotel Toronto North York is easily accessible from major highways with direct indoor access to Toronto’s extensive subway system.
All the guestrooms have been renovated with floor-to-ceiling windows, complimentary wireless Internet access, ergonomic headboards and self-programmable safes.
“Our guestroom accommodations are modern with simplicity and relaxation in mind,” says Elaine Wiltshire, sales manager.
The Novotel Toronto North York offers more than 6,000 sq. ft of meeting space — the largest room accommodating up to 300 delegates. The majority of the meeting rooms has natural light and are equipped with wireless Internet access.
For delegates who want to fly out as soon as the meeting is over, there is a myriad of options nearby Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
The International Centre, located on Airport Road just minutes from the airport, offers a brand new 42,000-sq. ft conference centre, 500,000 sq. ft of premier exhibit space, state-of-the-art technology and 15 multi-purpose breakout rooms to host 15 to 1,500 delegates.
“We have comprehensive supplier listings of all full-service convention services,” says Lee-Anne Leckie, corporate sales manager. “We also boast expansive, customizable catering options and advanced wireless networking, communications and audio-visual equipment.”
The Toronto Congress Centre, located on Dixon Road, hosts many of the largest and most prestigious meetings and expositions in the country.
“With its most recent expansion to one million sq. ft., Toronto Congress Centre has established itself as a mega-facility, ranking it among the top 10 largest convention facilities in North America and the continent’s top three privately-owned trade and meeting facilities,” says Cara Carey, vice-president, customer experience & corporate communications.
The Toronto Congress Centre has more than one million sq. ft of contiguous prime exhibit and multifunction space, 70 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, 20 covered and heated loading docks, 13 drive-up loading docks and 10 drive-in doors for direct access to the entire facilities. It also features an exquisite 10,000-sq. ft ballroom, fine upscale meeting room and pre-function décor and gourmet cuisine.
“Its unrivalled, extremely versatile layout and green design enables meeting/convention planners and show organizers to choose from a combination of exhibit halls, banquet facilities and meeting rooms, specifically designed to fulfill a variety of client requirements,” says Carey. “The Toronto Congress Centre will exceed any meeting planner’s expectations.”
For a blooming good meeting, venture a little outside of Toronto to the Hamilton/Burlington area to the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The Royal Botanical Garden has a total of six spacious meeting rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 10 to 80 people. Its two foyers, which can host 15 to 300 delegates, features spectacular architecture, making them a perfect place for a reception or trade show. The main auditorium is open canvasses with high ceilings, state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and an outdoor private courtyard.
After the meeting is adjourned, delegates can take group tours of the more than 2,700 acres of breathtaking gardens, where experienced guides provide a glimpse of the world’s largest lilac collection, more than 100,000 spring bulbs, 250,000 iris blooms, 3,000 exotic rose bushes and a Mediterranean Garden under glass.
“We invite corporate clients to step outside of the box and host an event in a ‘green atmosphere,” says Pamela Bowen, corporate and group tour co-ordinator. “The gardens are sure to offer a unique experience and our professional staff will make sure your meeting or event is one to remember.”
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is often a go-to destination for anything from honeymoons and weekend getaways to family vacations and spa escapes. Its mix of fun activities, cultural experiences and romantic settings makes it the ideal spot for everyone to visit. Although it may not be known as an economic hub, Niagara Falls is also emerging as a popular meeting destination for its world-class accommodations and facilities.
“Niagara is the new and upcoming convention destination,” says Joyce Morocco, director of sales for meetings, conventions and incentive travel for Niagara Falls Tourism. “Niagara is a destination where delegates bring their families because there is so much to do and see for all ages.”
Obviously the main attraction of Niagara Falls is the Falls itself. A natural phenomenon second in size only to Victoria Falls in Africa, Niagara Falls sees between four and six millions cubic feet of water go over its crest every minute. The Falls are 188 feet high, with the deepest section of the Niagara River just at their base going down 170 feet. The rim of Horseshoe Falls measures 2,200 feet across — about the same height of Yosemite’s famous Cathedral Spires.
And you don’t have to be like 63-year-old Annie Taylor, the first woman to load herself (and her cat) into a barrel and descend over the Falls in 1901 — to enjoy this national attraction. (And yes, she survived, by the way.)
To get beneath the Falls, delegates can take a Maid of the Mist Boat Tour and experience the excitement of water rushing all around them as they explore the roar of the Falls. North America’s oldest tourist attraction, this historical ride is a half-hour thrill of a lifetime. The Maid of the Mist tour takes visitors on a boat ride to the foot of Niagara Falls for a wet and wild view of the 13-storey falls from below. A completely different sensation, Journey Behind the Falls sounds like thunder as you descend to tunnels that travel to Observation Decks literally behind the Falls. In winter, it is a sight to behold, as the mist freezes into beautiful formations.
Adventure-seeking delegates will love Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. The company can accommodate groups from 10 to 150 — all on the water at the same time! The one-hour trip on the water is a great addition to a day in the region. For years, corporate groups meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake have gone jet boating as an “end of the day” activity.
Groups who want a bird’s-eye view of the Falls can charter a Niagara Helicopter and take flight on an awe-inspiring adventure.
Beginning with the Sir Adam Beck Generating plant and the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture, the tour follows the Niagara River from the Whirlpool area (look for the Spanish Aero Car crossing the gorge), over the Whirlpool Rapids and the Rainbow Bridge. The green grass and floral beauty of Queen Victoria Park stretches below as the helicopter passes by the American Falls and the Skylon Tower. Just when it looks as if you may reach the Minolta Tower, the helicopter begins to change direction as it follows the curve of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
Delegates who don’t like flying can still catch a bird’s-eye view of the on the Skywheel, the Falls’ newest attraction. This 53-metre tall ferris wheel features heated and air-conditioned pods so delegates can get a picture-perfect view all year-round.
For delegates who’d rather indulge in the area’s other big attraction — the award-winning wines — there are festivals and tours to do just that.
The climate in the Niagara Region is cool, similar to Oregon and Washington State, but it is protected by the Niagara Escarpment, providing ideal growing conditions for the finest premium vitis vinifera grapes — the same varietals that create great wines, including ice wine.
“Niagara Region winemakers have been awarded international recognition and awards for their superb wines,” says Anna Pierce, executive director of Niagara Falls Tourism. “Niagara has the perfect climate for growing grapes and we celebrate the harvest with the Niagara Wine Festival.”
The annual eight-day festival features more than 30 participating wineries and includes tours, tastings and special events. This year the 13th Annual Niagara New Vintage Festival takes place in mid-June. But if your meeting doesn’t fall during that week, don’t worry. There are plenty of wine-tasting opportunities year-round.
In fact, delegates wanting to entice their palettes or relax after a day of meetings can check out the region’s award-winning wineries anytime. The wineries, ranging from large elaborate winemaking facilities to small family-run estate operations, all offer unique vintages.
Some popular wineries in the region include the Peller Estates Winery, Inniskillin Wines and Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery. If you don’t know where to start, Niagara Grape and Wine Tours creates custom tour packages for meeting delegates, which can include a one-day picnic lunch tour or even a group overnight wine tour package with major accommodations in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Wine Bench.
For delegates who’d rather hit the links, the Niagara Region has more than 80 golf courses. “Whether it’s the John Daly course or our historic Whirlpool Golf Course, there is something for every level of golfer,” says Morocco.
The Niagara Falls Golf Course is one of the region’s premier golf courses. Open year-round, the 6,200-yard course offers a variety of hole designs, rolling landscape, wooded areas and numerous bunkers and ponds that add both visual appeal, and challenge. There’s a bed and breakfast on-site so groups can stay while they play. The golf course serves up lunch and dinner specials, golf events and accommodations to fit any group request.
For work-wise delegates, Niagara Falls also serves up a bevy of world-class meeting accommodations.
The Americana Conference Resort & Spa is located on historic Lundy’s Lane in an area that offers an abundance of entertainment, dining and shopping. Just a short drive from the Fallsview District and the Falls, it can be easily accessed from both the Queen Elizabeth Highway and Highway 406.
The Americana, which is comprised of 15 function rooms, boasts more than 20,000 sq. ft of event space. The Grande Ballroom offers a total of 10,660 sq. ft., which can accommodate up to 1,000 people theatre-style or 850 delegates for a banquet. The room itself can be divided into a number of different configurations to accommodate plenary meeting, meal functions and breakout space.
“The Americana is an excellent fit for meeting planners requiring modern, functional meeting space and large bright pre-function areas,” says Pat Laskey, corporate sales manager. “Delegates love the simplicity of the conference centre located on one level for breakout and meal functions. In addition to the five-star meeting facilities, guests can relax and enjoy our on-site spa — Senses — or they can play in our Tropical Waterpark — Waves.”
The hotel also works closely with partners in the region to help clients organize off-site events such as sightseeing, golf, dinner theatre, winery tours and team-building events.
Another venue close to the Falls is the Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel and Spa. Located just 100 yards from the brink of Niagara Falls, the Marriot is also minutes away from another attraction — the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Corporate meeting planners can arrange a variety of events with the Marriott’s 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space.
“They can host a conference, reception or dinner for 20 to 200 delegates,” says Rosetta Snell, sales manager.
The hotel features a variety of meeting facilities to meet any need. Its Executive Boardroom will comfortably accommodate up to 16 people This newly renovated one-of-a-kind boardroom has leather-back chairs, an in-room LCD projector, AV screen, plasma TV and a personal lap top connection for each chair.
The Marriott’s Niagara and Canadiana Room can accommodate up to 40 people and comes complete with an in-room AV screen, LCD projector, high-speed and wireless Internet, beautiful mahogany décor and floor-to-ceiling windows with a spectacular view of Niagara Falls.
Salon ABC has the ability to be one large room or three separate rooms. Salon ABC also has in-room AV screens, a stage and a panoramic view of Niagara Falls. Outside Salon ABC is a spacious foyer, which can host a reception, break station or registration area.
“We have the finest facility, the ideal location and the most variety of on-site amenities,” says Snell. “We know the most important aspect of your event is first-class service and the personal service you receive from our event managers will guarantee a successful event.”
The Sheraton Fallsview Hotel & Conference Centre is another popular meeting destination. With more than 32,000 sq. ft of meeting space, the facility is one of the premier properties in Niagara Falls with a long-standing reputation for its highly skilled staff.
“Professionalism is above all else,” says Karen Catton, marketing manager. “We have experienced co-ordinators who are detail-oriented and a host of friendly staff to assist delegates in every way possible.”
The Sheraton Fallsview Hotel & Conference Centre offers a number of boardrooms and meeting rooms to accommodate 10 to 1,400 delegates. Space includes a tiered auditorium, an 8,400-sq. ft. Grand Ballroom with stage and adjoining 2,700-sq. ft foyer, ideal for receptions. It also offers a quaint reception/dining area with a private terrace overlooking the Falls.
When the meeting is over, delegates can unwind and relax at the Sheraton Fallsview indoor swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool and fitness centre. The on-site, award-winning steakhouse, A Cut Above, serves up tasty fare while delegates enjoy amazing views of the Falls.
Another nearby meeting destination is the Doubletree Resort Lodge & Spa. It is located in the heart of the Fallsview Tourist district, just two short blocks from the brink of the Falls.
The Doubletree Resort offers 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and banquet space and eight event rooms, including the Grand Hall Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 250 people.
“In choosing the Doubletree Resort as their host hotel, meeting delegates will appreciate the relaxed, resort atmosphere, the abundance of natural light and the outdoor spaces,” says Robert Orsini, vice-president of sales and marketing.
“Delegates can expect responsive on-site banquet and conference service managers and personalized service levels, which can only be offered by a hotel of our size. With a group of as little as 100, they can get the feel of the hotel being their very own, with all eyes and ears to serve them almost exclusively.”
Outside of Niagara Falls, the Vintage Hotels, located in scenic Niagara-on-the-Lake also offer great meeting facilities. The Vintage Hotels includes three hotels: Prince of Wales, Queen’s Landing and Pillar and Post. All combined, the properties offer more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space, with rooms ranging from 300 to 4,700 square feet, and 374 guest rooms. Complimentary shuttle service is available between the hotels.
After work hours, delegates can enjoy the inns’ on-site amenities such as spas, indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, fitness centres and hot tubs and saunas.
“We are smaller properties with great attention to detail and every staff member ensures a meeting’s success,” says Colin Sines, director of marketing. “Our mission statement, ‘Exceptional individuals deliver exceptional experiences’ really says it all.”
In addition to serving up fine meeting spaces, Vintage Hotels will also organize off-site activities for delegates pre- and post-meeting, whether it’s to a winery, the Falls or simply guiding guests to exceptional biking and hiking trails nearby.
The White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa is another fabulous meeting destination located in the heart of wine country in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
White Oaks is accredited by the IACC (International Association of Conference Centres) and is dedicated to providing optimal learning environments for any group. It offers delegates eight-hour ergonomic meeting room chairs, naturally lit spaces, non-reflective work surfaces, state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and dedicated certified meeting professionals on staff to assist with any meeting.
White Oaks has 22 meeting rooms, a 140-seat amphitheatre, garden studios with their own walkouts, large breakout studios and plenary rooms.
It also specializes in planning group events. On-site, groups can participate in programs from the Learning Institute, which range from wine-tasting seminars, cooking and nutritional seminars to team-building events where they are running around in the forest surrounding White Oaks or building a boat and racing it across the facility’s pool.
After a day of meetings or team-building fun, delegates can indulge in the Spa at White Oaks.
“Many delegates choose the Spa at White Oak,” says Vittoria Wikston, vice-president of sales and marketing. “Who can blame them? The relaxation room is bliss, the reading room is tranquil and you really cannot exit the Whisper Zone without being completely relaxed.”
For evening entertainment, the on-site restaurant, The Bench Bar and Grill, serves up delicious fare and live music.
“Everything is at your fingertips here under one roof,” says Wikston. “Our conference team ensures that all needs, large or small are met. Delegates should expect that while they’re at their company meeting at White Oaks, they will, nonetheless, be pampered, well-fed and treated as though the success of our business depends on that individual group alone.”
Ottawa
Ottawa is one of the most accessible cities to get to from anywhere in the country as it is served by excellent road, rail and air transportation systems.
For driving delegates, Ottawa is located just an hour’s drive north of the Canada/U.S. border on the banks of the Ottawa River. It is mirrored by the city of Gatineau across the river in the province of Quebec.
For jet-setting delegates, Ottawa is served by a newly expanded $310-million airport, which features 656,000 square feet of space and 15 gates, providing easy access for air travelers.
And once meeting delegates arrive they won’t be disappointed by what they see.
The nation’s capital is home to popular attractions such as Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s famous Musical Ride and hundreds of international embassies and high commissions.
According to the 2006 Census, an estimated 812,129 people call Ottawa home, which results in a city rich with culture.
National museums and attractions abound including the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum and the National Gallery of Canada.
