 |
|
|
|
With less than a month to go before it's time to wave the red and white, we gathered some ideas for eats and retreats that put a new spin on a few national classics.
|
|
 Sugar shack, to go. What’s more Canadian than pure maple taffy on pristine snow? You don’t need to trek to the sugar shack in the dead of winter to sweeten your events. This Canadian springtime tradition can be catered, indoors or out, by Toronto’s Ninutik in any type of venue. Elegantly presented and displayed as a unique dessert course, taffy is made on-site, available year round, and made from syrup sourced from family-owned sugar bushes in Ontario. |
|
 Glamping trip. As an upscale version of camping, roughing it need not mean giving up creature comforts or cuisine for corporate retreats. One of the earliest to stake its tent peg as a luxurious way for people to experience a remote Canadian outpost is Clayoquot Wilderness Resort near Tofino, B.C. Deluxe prospector-style tents form a luxury camp under a canopy of rainforest on the water's edge, as a natural for small incentive groups. An on-site chef serves up signature dishes such as Grilled Clayoquot Sound Oyster Chowder. In Ontario’s northern Temagami area, Misabi Adventure Company has started its own service combining more traditional tent-and-sleeping-bag camping with catering. Gourmet meals feature campfire cuisine of local and organic food cooked over an open fire and served with fine wine. |
|
 Poutine on wheels. The classic rural Quebec comfort food of fries, curds and gravy has become a matter of national unity. Just recently, Peter Oliver, of Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants, played host to the Leacock Debate: “Be it Resolved that Poutine Should be Declared the National Dish of Canada.” Chefs around the world have adapted the humble dish into refined versions with ingredients like elk ragout, duck breast and artisanal cheese. For special events, Ontario-based Smoke’s Poutinerie has been catering its 20-plus variations at corporate events such as golf tourneys and festivals, adding this mobile poutine unit last fall. Smoke founder Ryan Smolkin also hosted the World Poutine Eating Championship. |
|
Share your own favourite Canadian event or promotional product idea with Ignite! Email eSpark
Find more ideas and resources at ignitemag.ca
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
Whether you’re planning your next business meeting, conference, celebration or retreat, Blue Mountain is the perfect setting. Our picturesque natural landscape features 850 acres nestled between the shores of Georgian Bay and the enchanting Niagara Escarpment and our unique pedestrian Village creates a Resort experience unmatched anywhere in Ontario. Visit www.bluemountain.ca
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
CORPORATE GIFTS + REWARDS
Survey swag saves money for U.S. Census
As part of a campaign urging residents to take part in its once-a-decade census, the U.S. government doled out some 62.5 million promotional items, from mugs to T-shirts and pencils, at an estimated cost of a quarter per product or a nickel per person according to the Advertising Specialty Institute. In total, the U.S. Census Bureau spent a reported $22.7 million on Census-related promo gifts. While there’s been criticism over some products originating in China and Honduras, the bureau says it saves about $85 million in operational costs for every point increase in the national mail-in rate, which closed at 72% – the same as in 2000. |
|
INCENTIVES + MEETINGS
Montreal’s new room with a view
In a city with a bit of a reputation for making the most mileage out of every summer day, the Palais des Congrès de Montréal unveils its rooftop event space this month, wooing special event planners to take it outside to this 10,000-sq.-ft., flexible venue. It’s accessible from indoor banquet and meeting space and includes a tented area. See the brochure for the space on the Palais website. If Montreal is on your list of potential destinations for business events and meetings, take a virtual site inspection of what’s new through the pages of on site with ignitemag.ca 2010 Montreal Destination Guide for planners. |
|
CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
Survey: Ash travel fallout cost average firm $200,000
Trips cut short or cancelled in April due to air travel closures caused by an Icelandic volcano cost the average company US$197,000 in unexpected travel expenses, according to a survey of 234 corporate travel managers by the NBTA Foundation – the research arm of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA). On average, 160 travelers from each surveyed company got stranded, and nearly 5,600 corporate meetings were cancelled by those surveyed. NBTA hosted a “ Lessons Learned” webinar this week on travel managers’ handling of these travel disruptions. |
|
Share your event news, case studies or story ideas with us here at ignitemag.ca. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Plum spot with a Big Five, south of the border
Take your CMP or CMM designation to the Big Apple to apply for the role of Senior Planner, Global Conference Planning with RBC Capital Markets based in New York. The job is to oversee multiple conferences and events that develop client relationships and educate, from budget planning through to on-site execution. For full details, search by Position ID 120315 on the RBC Careers website. |
|
|
|
