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We scoured the country coast-to-coast to serve up places with holiday panache.
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Fairmont Algonquin, St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, N. B.
During Christmastime at the elegant Fairmont Algonquin, the resort and charming town of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea partner for A Season of Light and Wonder, a six-week celebration of “song and sup” with a slew of yuletide activities like the candlelight parade. For festive food, think local Bay of Fundy chowder or maple and whisky salmon. With 19,000 sq.ft. of meeting space, the Fairmont Algonquin is a pretty nice package. |
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The Briars Resort, Jackson’s Point, Ont.
“We’ve always been in the business of bringing people together,” says Hugh Sibbald, whose family founded The Briars, a resort nestled on Lake Simcoe, in the 1870s. Groups can join a Gala Dinner Dance or a traditional carol sing, try out snow golf or jump on a sleigh ride. The Briars, a one-hour drive from Toronto, has private lodges, lakeside cottages, 11 function rooms and a Great Hall that seats 160. |
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Hôtel de Glace, Quebec City, Que.
There’s no cooler place to convene than Hôtel de Glace. Open Jan. 6 to March 25 and just 10 minutes from downtown, the crystalline palace, carved out of 15,000 tons of snow and 500 tons of ice, is the perfect backdrop for groups to clink cocktails in tailor-made ice goblets. For a “gloves on” experience, guests can ride the 53-foot long ice slide or partake in a sculpting workshop. Full conference facilities are available at Four Points by Sheraton, a shuttle-ride away. |
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The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff, Alta.
Situated 750 feet above Banff, the luxurious Rimrock Resort is literally carved into the side of the Rocky Mountains. “We have 18,000 sq.ft. of function space with panoramic vistas of the rugged snowy peaks to inspire,” says Jim Leavens, Director of Sales. Post meeting, take your group night skating on the terrace rink illuminated by Christmas trees, hire a team of dogs for a sled ride, go skiing at nearby Mt. Norquay, or soak in Banff’s famous outdoor hot springs. |
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Temple Gardens Mineral Spa Resort, Moose Jaw, Sask.
Winter doldrums, low productivity, seasonal absenteeism—the hard, cold by-products of Canadian winters. “Our guarantee is that delegates will leave feeling reenergized, more focused and less stressed than when they arrived,” says sales manager Cheryl Chase. With an indoor/outdoor rooftop pool and spa fed by geo-thermal mineral waters, Temple Gardens rejuvenates the body down to its cellular core. Meeting space for up to 220 and 179 guestrooms ensure your entire office can recharge. |
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One King West Hotel & Residences, Toronto, Ont.
Infuse some old-world glamour into your holiday events at this architecturally inspiring hotel, ideally located in downtown Toronto. The former head office of the Toronto Dominion Bank, the event spaces at One King West are reason enough to celebrate—consider the elegant 3,500-sq.-ft. Grand Banking Hall with two-storey gold-leaf coffered ceilings, Corinthian columns, and floor-to-ceiling cathedral windows that are just as spectacular as the delectable holiday menu. |
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Ignite Business Event Expo
When: June 12-13, 2012
Where: Direct Energy Centre, Toronto
Why go: Hosted buyer and exhibitor registration is now open for this new world-class conference and tradeshow. Planner attendance registration opens early 2012.
What’s in it for you: Experience top rate, high-profile marquee speakers, interactive information sessions that will inspire and enlighten, and multiple business-to-business exchange and networking opportunities.
More industry events at Ignitemag.ca
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INCENTIVES + MEETINGS
For the greener good
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) helped the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reach a record waste diversion rate at the recent Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. With an event of this size—spanning three days with over 23,000 attendees and 1,700 exhibit booths—the environmental impact can be significant. But through a collaborative effort of the MTCC team, waste management contractor Turtle Island Recycling and the USGBC, an unprecedented 95% waste diversion rate was achieved, surpassing MTCC’s average diversion rate of 86% and USGBC’s goal of 90%. |
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CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
Duty of care over there
Global medical and security assistance company, International SOS, has released the results of a global benchmark study on how organizations care for employees travelling abroad. From the more than 700 respondents from 628 organizations surveyed, almost 95% of companies sent employees to high-risk locations for business purposes—political upheaval, terrorism and pandemics being among the top risks. One-third of respondents were not aware if their organizations had legal requirements for duty of care provisions—this is cause for concern as they can be held criminally responsible for harm to employees travelling to high-risk locations. But despite the legal implications, most companies perceived duty of care as an ethical concern. For a complete summary of the study, go to the company website. |
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Corporate Gifts + Rewards
An engaging idea
Results from a 2012 Best Employers study by global human resources consulting and outsourcing firm, Aon Hewitt, revealed an average employee engagement score of 78% for the winning organizations, compared to just 58% for other participants. The study represented 261 Canadian employers, the best 50 of whom were selected based on survey responses from over 112,000 employees. The study also revealed that the most engaged employees were those with less than one year of service (75%) and this number drops significantly from the second to fifth year. This also occurs with the 50 Best Employers, but engagement was higher in the first year with a moderate decline from the second to fifth years, demonstrating that a continued focus on engagement is necessary for employee retention. |
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Share your event news, case studies or story ideas with us here at ignitemag.ca.
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Raiser’s edge
The Alzheimer Society of British Columbia needs your energy, experience and outstanding customer service skills to fill the role of Special Events Officer where you’ll be coordinating and implementing existing signature events, and develop new fundraising opportunities. If you have related fundraising experience and communication is your forté, this may be the job for you. Go to their website for more information. |
Set your designs on Drake
Toronto’s Drake Hotel is looking for a Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, to establish targets and develop innovative strategies as they undertake the process of growing their portfolio through acquisition and increased brand recognition. Your strong design, writing and web development skills, together with your proven leadership skills and creative mind will place you in the running for this position. For more details and to apply for this challenging role, go to their website. |
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