There’s a reason meeting and event planners are turning their attention to Ontario’s north. Many, in fact. With a wide range of venues, ample indoor and outdoor entertainment, and a rich culinary scene, the City of Greater Sudbury offers plenty of incentives for groups to meet closer to home.
“A lot of international, or even inter-provincial, event plans have been put on hold during 2020, but more and more organizations are recognizing that they can get that same event experiences without going too far,” says Kelly Bonnell, Major Events Development Officer.
Are you planning a meeting or conference? Organizing an office escape? Consider these five reasons to chart a course for Sudbury.
Unique venues
Sudbury is host to many unique meeting venues. They include Science North’s atmospheric Vale Cavern and underground Vale Chasm, the culture-rich Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre at Laurentian University, the amenity-packed The Northern Water Sports Centre, Laurentian University’s groundbreaking Vale Living with Lakes Centre, and the school’s equally memorable McEwen School of Architecture, to name a few.
All told, the City features over 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space with more on the way, and 1,700 rooms for guests, with new accommodations in development.
Year-round activities
Outdoor fun and adventure await in Northern Ontario. With Sudbury’s four-season outdoor adventures, Greater Sudbury continues to surprise and impress. Whether it’s biking and hiking at Kivi Park, fishing from over 330 lakes, a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Wagonwheel Ranch, or skating in open-air locations throughout the city during the winter, or paddling in the summer on Ramsey Lake in the middle of the city there are plenty of ways to enjoy Sudbury’s unique natural surroundings.
Prefer the indoors? Consider stoking your curiosity at Science North, going underground at Dynamic Earth, gaming at Gateway Casinos Sudbury, or settling in at one of the many downtown bars, restaurants, theatres, and entertainment venues.
A city for all tastes
Food and beverage are important factors for an event’s success. The region’s cultural diversity is reflected in hundreds of dining options – from Italian and Mediterranean cuisine to Thai, Mexican, Indian and more. The city of Greater Sudbury delivers with an eclectic mix of restaurants, cafes, and local discoveries. And for groups looking for a refresher, Sudbury is home to an assortment of breweries, including Stack Brewing, Spacecraft Brewery, Forty-Six North Brewing Co., and Optimist Brewery & Kitchen. Handcrafted spirits with a focus on local ingredients can be found at Crosscut Distillery.
An event planning network
Event organizers are never alone in Sudbury. The City is home to a network of regional experts, food and beverage partners, and other specialists who will help planners make the most out of their trip.
A central location
Greater Sudbury is closer than you think. The City of Greater Sudbury is only an hour flight or a four-hour scenic drive north of Toronto or less than 5 hours West of Ottawa, making it an ideal central meeting place for travellers throughout Ontario.
Safety above all
COVID-19 has added new challenges for event coordinators on its head, but when they are ready Sudbury is here to help host them safely.
Every venue and event space is held to the highest health and safety standards, and strict social distancing, crowd control measures, and cleaning protocols are enforced throughout the City. Visitor safety remains the top priority among all meeting and event partners.
Learn what Sudbury has to offer your next meeting or event. Visit Discover Sudbury or call Kelly Bonnell, Major Events Development Officer at 705-688-8515.
