| VANCOUVER - CITY OF SUMMER FESTIVALS |
 |
Experiencing a local festival gives meeting delegates a truly authentic taste of a destination. Vancouver offers an exciting line-up of summer festivals with events happening almost every week from May through September. Visitors can experience everything from waterfront performances of Shakespeare to jazz, folk music and fireworks, and many of these events cater specially to corporate groups.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
May 29 - September 27
Tickets are on sale now for Bard on the Beach's upcoming productions of Twelfth Night, King Lear, The Tempest and Titus Andronicus. The plays are staged in open-ended tents in Vanier Park set against a backdrop of ocean, mountains and sky. Groups can be accommodated for pre-show receptions in a private function space. Tickets start at $18 for matinees with performances Tuesday through Sunday and groups of 15 or more save $3 per ticket (some restrictions apply). Special events include "Bard-B-Q and Fireworks" (a play and BBQ followed by Celebration of Light fireworks - July 23, 26 and 30, August 2), "Celebrating Red & White" (a play plus a wine tasting - August 16), "Opera and Arias" (Vancouver Opera Orchestra and UBC Opera Ensemble featuring a performance of Don Giovanni - August 25 and September 1 and 8), and "Chatterbox Tuesdays" (a pre-show primer and a post-performance Q&A - June 17 through August 26).
www.bardonthebeach.org
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 20 - 29
For 10 toe-tappin' days in June, the TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival brings some of music's edge-pushers, mainstayers and international ambassadors to indoor and outdoor venues around the city. In addition to the free, public events, this year's ticketed events include Herbie Hancock, along with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Pink Martini, Cowboy Junkies and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Wynton Marsalis. Consider taking clients to dinner at a top Vancouver restaurant followed by an unforgettable evening of jazz.
www.coastaljazz.ca
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
July 18 - 20
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival characterizes the laid back attitude and style of the West Coast. Now in its 31st year, the festival brings some of the finest folk and roots musicians from around the world to Jericho Beach - a stunning outdoor venue complete with sunsets, food vendors and an art market. Tickets are on sale now, with the full performance schedule to be released in June. Full weekend passes are also available so your meeting delegates can come and go as they please.
www.thefestival.bc.ca
Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition
July 23, 26 and 30, August 2
Vancouver's most popular free event is the HSBC Celebration of Light - Vancouver's annual international fireworks competition that draws crowds of more than 1.5 million people over the four-night celebration. This year's competition pits pyro-technicians from Canada, the US and China in a battle for the most brilliant display of fireworks choreographed to music. Best viewing locations are at English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, Vanier Park, Jericho Beach and West Vancouver. Many corporate groups rent out waterfront hotels, restaurants or boats to enjoy prime viewing and a stylish ambience. All performances begin at 10pm with a free music simulcast on 101.1 FM.
www.celebration-of-light.com
|
|
 |
| VCEC EXPANSION WILL BE GREENEST CONVENTION CENTRE EVER |
 |
Achieve your green meeting goals at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The VCEC has made environmental sustainability a priority for over 20 years and is raising the bar once again with their major expansion program. The expansion will triple current capacity of the facility, and make the VCEC the greenest convention centre in the world. Set to open in early 2009, the VCEC expansion is aiming for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental design) Gold standard through the following new and existing environmental initiatives:
- A six-acre (2.4 hectare) living roof will provide a habitat for plants and shore birds
- A seawater heating and cooling system will reduce the need for air conditioning
- Natural lighting and ventilation, and an advanced energy management system, will save electricity
- On-site waste water treatment will protect the surrounding marine habitat
- The VCEC will maintain its commitment to using Green Seal-certified cleaning products, recycling, sourcing local and organic food, and using quality flatware, china, glassware and linens instead of "throw-away" goods.
For more information on the VCEC's commitment to the environment and the assistance offered by their client services team, visit their new "What does green really mean?" micro-site.
www.vcec.ca
|
|
| CRUISE INTO VANCOUVER |
 |
Vancouver's 2008 cruise season begins on Wednesday, April 2 when Celebrity Cruise's Mercury arrives at Canada Place. The Vancouver-to-Alaska Cruise is one of the world's most popular cruises and is serviced by a number of top cruise lines, including Holland America, Princess and Cruise West. Vancouver is also increasingly popular for pre- and post- cruise experiences. During the 2007 cruise season, the Port of Vancouver welcomed 33 ships and 273 calls at the two cruise ship terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier. Berlitz, the London based travel publisher, recognized Vancouver as the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America (2005). And according to a 2006 Vancouver Cruise Passenger Study conducted by the Pacific Rim Cruise Association (PRCA), passengers rated their Vancouver cruise terminal experience 4.5 out of a possible 5.0, giving the highest accolades to smooth and efficient baggage handling, security processing and Canada Customs procedures.
www.portvancouver.com
|
|
| VANCOUVER TEAM-BUILDING ADVENTURES |
 |
Boost staff morale and instill a sense of togetherness with an injection of fresh air, fun, good food and adrenaline in Vancouver this year. The following are three unforgettable new adventures that are perfect for meeting and incentive groups.
- Thrill with Canadian Outback Adventures Heli-Rafting
Show your meeting delegates the beauty of British Columbia from both air and river on a Canadian Outback Adventures Heli-Rafting excursion. Tours begins with a breathtaking helicopter ride over volcanoes and waterfalls followed by a thrilling whitewater rafting experience in Whistler. Great food, knowledgeable guides and tremendous scenery make this single-day rafting getaway the experience of a lifetime. Tours are available April through September and last six hours. Round trip transportation from Vancouver and Whistler is available. Prices from $954 per person. Special support and commissions available for meeting planners and tour operators.
www.canadianoutback.com
- Wow with an Ecomarine Rainforest Kayak Tour
Vancouver's venerable kayak company, Ecomarine, now offers a Rainforest Tour leaving from their English Bay Bathhouse location in downtown Vancouver. No experience is necessary for the scenic paddle which takes participants along the shorelines of beautiful Stanley Park, with the North Shore Mountains in the background. Kayaks are beached at Stanley Park for a leisurely walk through the majestic rainforest to learn about British Columbia's natural heritage and native legends. Trip duration is four hours and the cost is $80 per person (tax excluded). Dates and prices are negotiable for large groups. Sunset tours and full moon tours also available.
www.ecomarine.com
- Impress with an Edible British Columbia Audi Escape Weekend
Culinary concierge service Edible British Columbia is proud to partner with Audi Canada to offer new culinary weekend escapes to Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley wine region. Participants on these fun-filled weekends see the best of the province's food and wine scene behind the wheel of a brand new Audi! Private chef dinners, winery and food tours, and lots of opportunities to relax and enjoy the scenery, make this a perfect getaway for groups. Available year-round and priced at $1,249 per person. Commissions available for meeting planners.
www.edible-britishcolumbia.com
|
|
| PERFECT PATIOS |
 |
Vancouver's mild climate and stunning scenery has resulted in an abundance of fabulous restaurant patios. The following restaurants offer indoor and outdoor spaces that can be reserved for group dinners and cocktail parties.
- Nu Restaurant + Lounge's waterfront location offers intimate views of False Creek, Granville Island and the Burrard Street Bridge. Sections of their wrap-around patio and bar can be reserved for cozy group cocktail parties. High glass railings and heat lamps keep little-black-dress-wearing guests protected from the breeze.
www.whatisnu.com
- Nestled among the yachts in Coal Harbour, sleek and sexy Lift Bar Grill + View offers full and partial restaurant buyouts, which include access to their rooftop patio and outdoor fireplace in fine weather.
www.liftbarandgrill.com
- Conveniently located across the street from the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, the stunning Metro Restaurant features sophisticated West Coast cuisine from Chef Brian Fowke, a sleek interior, and a sunny patio with mountain views.
www.metrodining.ca
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
