 |
Meetings & Events
Corporate Travel Management
Incentives & Rewards |
|
|
 |
|
Planners are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in event space to pique the interest and curiousity of guests. Check these venues out if you're looking for something new and different.
|
|
Heritage Gem
The Aperture Room is on the third floor of Toronto's Thornton-Smith Building located on Yonge Street, just below Elm Street. The warm brick interior walls and hardwood flooring is softened by showroom windows and three large skylights. A chalkboard graffiti wall and a custom-designed bar add to the charm. Capacity is 120 for seated dinners and 180 for receptions. Oliver & Bonacini is the exclusive in-house caterer. |
|
 |
A Dash of Flair
Located in downtown Hamilton, The Spice Factory features two meeting rooms, a fully licensed patio and two event spaces. Newly renovated, the venue's meeting space—the Sage and Cilantro Rooms—feature exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and natural light. The Black Pepper Room is an arts and performance space, perfect for music events, fashion shows, screenings and presentations. The room has a large stage, a sound system and a full-service bar. |
|
 |
Western Reno
In keeping with the revitalization theme, Oliver & Bonacini is on track to open new event space in the Hudson's Bay Company flagship store on Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary. As a local landmark, the iconic HBC building dominates the pedestrian walkway close to the business district. The Hudson Loft and Hudson Flat will occupy the sixth floor and will hold 480 for a seated event or 800 for a standing reception. The space should be ready in late August 2015. |
|
 |
Sneak Peek
The first look at the Universal EventSpace was held today, in anticipation of its August 2015 opening. The sleek, sophisticated event space will feature a versatile 85,000-sq.-ft. facility located conveniently at Highway 7 and 27 in Vaughan, Ont. The $32 million building will feature six different rooms, an outdoor patio and eco-friendly design elements. |
|
|
|
|
Editor's Choice
|
 |
|
Travel Well
|
|
|
|
| 
|
Save the date
Green Meeting Industry Conference
When: June 17 - 19, 2015
Where: The Westin Peachtree - Atlanta, Georgia
Why go: Meet with stakeholders from all facets of the meeting industry—planners, suppliers and service providers—to learn the latest in best practices in sustainability for event planning and execution.
What's in it for you: This conference functions as a "living lab" for sustainability in practice. Experience the creative setup to facilitate collaboration and work with the conference experts to find sustainable solutions for your own event.
More industry events at Ignitemag.ca
|
|
|
Good to know
|
|
MEETINGS + EVENTS
Group Benefits
When Ottawa planner Samantha Mabey needed space to hold her investment research conference for 60 guests, the team at Experience Old Montreal helped her fashion a three-day program that kept the group within walking distance of the hotel, featuring multiple events at their properties in Old Montreal. Mabey says that her program included rooms at Hôtel Nelligan, a sommelier-led wine tasting at Verses Restaurant, a dinner at the Vieux Port Steakhouse (just two blocks away), and a nightcap at Modavie with a live jazz band. "What was so great about the whole thing is that our internal personnel like to be in Old Montreal, our external clients loved the city, and all of these events were on one master bill."
|
|
CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
WiFi Worldwide
A recent rankings report from Hotel WiFi Test says European hotels have consistently better Wi-Fi quality than their US counterparts, and even better, it's usually free. The top brands for connectivity worldwide were Nordic Choice, Radisson Blu, Renaissance, Mercure, Ibis, Scandia Hotels and InterContinental. In the US, Wi-Fi quality is poorer, and only two of the top five chains offered free Wi-Fi to guests. The top chains were Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Westin, Hyatt, Sheraton Hotels and Best Western. For the purposes of the report, adequate Wi-Fi must provide an expected download speed of at leat 3 Mbps and an upload speed of 500 kbps. The free Wi-Fi percentage was calculated as a ratio of hotels that offer free in-room Wi-Fi, not hotels that offer free Wi-Fi only in public areas.
|
|
INCENTIVES + REWARDS
Quiet Reflection
Incentive group programs considering South Africa as a destination might be interested to know that Nelson Mandela's former private retreat, The Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation, has reopened as a private villa. Set among the 10,000 hectares of the Shambala Private Game Reserve, the villa exudes understated luxury, rich in African cultural detail and art. The residence offered Mandela the opportunity to work uninterrupted in peace and solitude, and allowed him to hold key discussions with political and business leaders. The residence can be rented for up to 12 people sharing six double rooms, has the use of a private chef, game drives and bush walks led by an experienced guide, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
|
| Share your event news, case studies or story ideas with us here at ignitemag.ca. |
|
|
|
|
Job code: Opportunities in the world of work |
Alberta Bound
Travel Alberta is looking for a manager, marketplaces and events, to plan, coordinate and execute public relations events and trade shows. In this position, you will report to the director, industry events and engagement. You will hire and supervise contractors, manage logistical needs for events and liaise with the host destination and Alberta Tourism suppliers on attending shows. You will have certification in event planning, communications or a related field and have at least three years of event management experience. |
Community Events
A French-speaking community event coordinator position is available with Autism Ontario. You will coordinate social and professional events for the organization, working with parents, staff and volunteers to increase services to francophone families and children with autism spectrum disorder. You will coordinate venues, activities and accommodations, develop marketing materials and organize volunteer support. You will have a certificate or diploma in event or hospitality management and a minimum of two years of experience in coordinating events. Bilingualism is a must. Most of the work will be done from the Ottawa chapter location, although travel around the region is required. |
Event Education
Canada's think tank, the Fraser Institute, is looking for a manager of events for the educational outreach program for high schools and universities. Along with an interest in Canadian and international current affairs, you will also have a bachelor's degree, event planning certificate or equivalent work experience. You will act as project manager for an annual plan of educational programs in collaboration with a supervisor. You will plan and coordinate all aspects of event execution including logistics, speakers and volunteers. |
|
|
|
|