With its magnificent snow-capped peaks, crystal clear waters and an abundance of picture-perfect vistas, Banff is not only an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, it is also one of Canada’s top incentive destinations and increasingly popular with meeting planners from across the country.
“The scenery provides a memorable backdrop for every type of program – whether a corporate sales meeting, an annual association conference, or an incentive trip,” says Mary Morrison, manager of travel media relations for Banff Lake Louise Tourism. “With meeting space that can easily facilitate the requirements of groups of over 1,000, planners can be confident in knowing that it will be easy to accomplish the ‘business’ of meetings, while the stunning scenery and activities that are located at your door step provide motivation, inspiration, and experiences for their attendees that they will not soon forget.”
A natural choice
As part of the Banff National Park region – and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Banff/Lake Louise is a truly unique destination that combines luxurious hotel properties, vast expanses of flexible meeting space and scores of professional amenities with the protected natural environment of a national park. Add in a plentiful assortment of gourmet restaurants, cafes, galleries, nightclubs and retail shops – not to mention dozens of outdoor adventure opportunities – and meeting delegates will have a hard time squeezing it all in.
“Nothing is more Canadian than Banff National Park,” says Morrison. “Soaring mountain peaks, turquoise waters, wild life, with an authentic and adventurous spirit. We are what Canadians treasure most – and what the world looks to experience while in Canada. There is always a spectacular view, providing attendees with the sense of knowing that they are somewhere truly special and unique in the world.”
Top of the list
Just 90 minutes drive west from Calgary International Airport, Banff gives meeting planners plenty to think about when looking at the region as an event destination. With over 25 professional meeting and convention properties available for groups of up to 2,000 people, Banff also plays host to dozens of first-rate lodging options. Iconic properties such as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel help propel this picturesque region to the top of many meeting planners’ lists.
Beyond top-rated facilities including five-star resorts and state-of-the-art meeting rooms, delegates can enjoy western BBQ’s, tranquil ski lodges, art gallery visits and restaurant experiences with renowned chefs. And for the environmentally minded delegate, they’ll be impressed with Banff’s renowned reputation as a green meetings destination, with more than 50 per cent of hotels exceeding minimum guidelines for linen reuse, recycling, and energy efficiency, high-performance green hotels with lighting, heating and cooling systems that reduce environmental footprints and the Town of Banff leading the way as Canada’s first municipality to operate hybrid buses on its public transportation route.
