Meeting Community

Destination Vancouver: Outlook and Goals

2021/11/29

After thriving for decades, Vancouver’s tourism and hospitality industry has been predictably hit hard by the ongoing pandemic. According to the Vancouver Economic Commission, cruise and conference traffic is significant to the city, representing an estimated $2.2 billion in direct and indirect economic impact. Meanwhile, the meetings and conferences sector drives more than $1.6 billion in direct and indirect visitor spending. We ask Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver, about what is happening and projections for how…
Drapeau Heads WeCook Culinary Operations

2021/11/29

Gabriel Drapeau is leaving his role as executive chef at Joe Beef after being appointed head of culinary operations at WeCook. Drapeau will be to supporting the Montreal-based ready to eat brand’s national expansion starting with the opening of a production facility in Calgary. Drapeau will work hand-in-hand with WeCook executive chef Daniel Quintal and vice president of operations Fabrice Semi-Bi. “As we expand our meal-prep services across Canada, Gabriel’s skills will be a tremendous asset to our organization,” says WeCook CEO and co-founder…
OPUS Vancouver Reopens with New GM

2021/11/29

OPUS Vancouver has reopened in Yaletown with new general manager Sarah Vallely at the helm. “From the moment I walked through the front door, I fell in love with both the hotel and the brand,” says Vallely, who joined OPUS Vancouver in 2017 as director of sales following a decade working with Four Season Hotels & Resorts, and is now delighted to be assuming the role of general manager. Having grown up in the hotel business, she has followed…
Meetings Industry Optimistic About Recovery

2021/11/29

Meeting and event professionals say they are feeling more optimistic and well-equipped to plan high-quality meetings and events and adapt to any ongoing uncertainties, according to the 2022 Global Meetings and Events Forecast. The 11th annual report, produced by American Express Meetings & Events, a division of American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), found that two-thirds (67 per cent) of respondents believe in-person meeting levels will return to their pre-pandemic numbers within one to two years. In-person meetings and events…
Sheraton Centre Toronto Reveals New Club

2021/11/26

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel is welcoming guests again with the opening of its new Sheraton Club, marking the completion of the first phase of an extensive transformation following the first closure in its nearly 50-year history. The first phase of the reopening welcomes a new look, experience and service style – with spectacular floor-to-ceiling skyline views – at the hotel’s famous Sheraton Club on the 43rd floor. The Sheraton Club is a premium space with a welcoming, refined atmosphere…
MMBC integrates with US Travel Association

2021/11/26

The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) and the U.S. Travel Association have announced the full integration of the coalition under the U.S. Travel umbrella. By integrating with U.S. Travel, MMBC will benefit more directly from U.S. Travel’s robust public affairs resources and advocacy network while providing greater value to coalition members as the business travel and professional meetings and events industries rebuild from steep pandemic-related losses. “Since its founding, the Meetings Mean Business Coalition and the U.S. Travel Association have been…
Vancouver Island Named Top Destination

2021/11/25

Vancouver Island has been selected as one of the top 10 best regions to visit in 2022. The island was the only Canadian destination to make the annual list of top 10 by Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022, the globally recognized guidebook and travel publishing company. Lonely Planet’s number one region for 2022 is the Westfjords, Iceland; West Virginia, USA comes in second; and Xingshuabanna, China is third. Vancouver Island is number nine of 10. “We are honoured to receive such…
Mandatory PCR Test Hurting Travel Industry

2021/11/15

Businesses in Vancouver’s travel and tourism industry are bracing – yet again – for booking cancellations and delayed recovery this winter season. Vancouver welcomed more than 11 million overnight visitors in 2019, contributing $14 billion in total revenues to the Metro Vancouver economy and supporting over 104,000 full-time jobs. By comparison, revenues fell by 70 per cent in 2020. As the largest Canadian city located on the West Coast, Vancouver is Canada’s gateway to the Pacific and the Far East – a critical…
Club Med Quebec Opens in December

2021/11/15

Club Med Québec Charlevoix, the brand’s first all-inclusive Canadian resort, is opening on December 3, 2021. The 302-room resort is spread across more than 300 acres of preserved natural landscape with views of the St. Lawrence River. Located just 90 minutes from Québec City, the one-of-a-kind mountain experience will become the new go-to destination for international travellers all-year round. “We are thrilled to open bookings for Club Med Québec Charlevoix,” says Amélie Brouhard, vice-president, Club Med Canada and Mexico. “Canadians…
EIC Launches CMP Fellows Designation

2021/11/15

The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, has launched its new CMP Fellows Programme, one of a number of new initiatives designed to enhance the association’s highly regarded CMP programme both in terms of the depth of its offer, as well as its global reach. The CMP Fellows programme will recognize and reward CMPs and/or Emeritus who continue to make a significant investment towards the betterment of the events…

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