OntarıoMeet in

For more information visit: www.ontariotravel.net

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation10 Dundas St. East, 9th FloorToronto, Ontario M7A 2A1

E-mail: meetinontario@ontario.ca

Front Cover: Sheraton on the Falls Hotel and Conference Centre – Niagara Falls, Ontario

Printed in Canada

© Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation accepts no liability for errors or omissions. The information and servicescontained in this publication are offered as a matter of interest and are believed to be correct and accurate at time of printing.

© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2005. Produced by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation(an agency of the Government of Ontario). E&OE 03-05-10M-1615-2005

OntarıoMeet in

CANADA

FOR EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESSTRY AN EXTRAORDINARY PLACE.ONTARIO.

MEETING & CONVENTION GUIDEwww.ontariotravel.net

RICH in diversity, Ontario is Canada’s international gateway.

Energetic cities. Action-packed resorts. Wilderness retreats. Charming inns.

Ontario has all the destination elements you need to draw attendance and make

your next meeting, convention or corporate retreat an extraordinary success.

Make memories last beyond the last session in Ontario’s four-season

playground. Wine-country tours. Shopping. Dining. Golf. Spas. Casinos.

Entertainment. Invigorating outdoor activities.

Welcome to Ontario.

FOREXTRAORDINARYSUCCESSTRYANEXTRAORDINARY PLACE.ONTARIO.

Otta

wa

www.ontariotravel.net 3

Bring on theWorld

4Intimate Gatherings

14Stay and Play

24

28

FOREXTRAORDINARYSUCCESSTRYANEXTRAORDINARY PLACE.ONTARIO.

RICH in diversity, Ontario is Canada’s international gateway.

Energetic cities. Action-packed resorts. Wilderness retreats. Charming inns.

Ontario has all the destination elements you need to draw attendance and make

your next meeting, convention or corporate retreat an extraordinary success.

Make memories last beyond the last session in Ontario’s four-season

playground. Wine-country tours. Shopping. Dining. Golf. Spas. Casinos.

Entertainment. Invigorating outdoor activities.

Welcome to Ontario.

W H A T ’ S I N S I D E

www.ontariotravel.net2

Meeting Essentials

Ignite the glow of an international spotlight when you convene in one of

Ontario’s globally recognized centres – ready to host the world. Bold,

bright, breathtaking: the urban energy of Toronto, the smart civility of

Ottawa, our nation’s capital, and the natural wonder of Niagara Falls.

TORONTOOTTAWANIAGARA FALLS

Bring on the

World

www.ontariotravel.net

TORONTOOTTAWANIAGARA FALLS

4 www.ontariotravel.net 5

Bring on the

World

Ignite the glow of an international spotlight when you convene in one of

Ontario’s globally recognized centres – ready to host the world. Bold,

bright, breathtaking: the urban energy of Toronto, the smart civility of

Ottawa, our nation’s capital, and the natural wonder of Niagara Falls.

Toro

nto

Urban ENERGY

TORONTO

GREAT EXPERIENCES IN TORONTO

• Charter a yacht or a traditional schooner on Lake Ontario.• Uncork a bottle in the world’s highest wine cellar, in the CN Tower.• Ride the original “red rocket”on an authentic, 1930s streetcar.• Host a casual picnic barbecue on the car-free Toronto Islands.• Recharge in a luxurious downtown day spa.

Charge-up your next event in

Toronto, a destination that deliv-

ers a world’s worth of culture,

entertainment and attractions.

Even as Canada’s largest city –

and fourth largest urban area in

North America – Toronto defies

big-city scale. An intimate grid of

lively downtown neighbourhoods

will encourage convention

participants to walk right in and

look forward to a new experience

at every turn.

The world has made itself at

home here, in one of the most

multicultural places on the

planet: you can find six China-

towns, the largest Italian

population of any city outside

Italy and the largest annual

Caribbean festival in North

America, to name a few

examples. On a typical streetcar

ride across town, you might hear

any number of 100 languages

popularly spoken, from Farsi to

Portuguese to Vietnamese.

Orient yourself by the silver

spire of the CN Tower to the

south, which anchors the theatre

and entertainment district and is

the skyline’s most striking visual

reference. Zoom up to the top

with your group to host an exclu-

sive private gala in the revolving

360 Restaurant. The view from

this spire, more than 1,000 feet

up, offers a visual geography

lesson of the city’s waterfront

footing on Lake Ontario. Across

the harbour, the car-free Toronto

Islands are a quick ferry ride

away – a haven of cottage

communities, parklands, wildlife,

paddling waterways and yacht

clubs.

If you like choice when

making site selections, Toronto

gives you the widest array of

meeting facilities available in

Canada, from major convention

centres to intimate, resort-like

meeting retreats.

With their sheer capacity to

WHERE THE WORLD MEETS

Urban ENERGY

TORONTO

GREAT EXPERIENCES IN TORONTO

• Charter a yacht or a traditional schooner on Lake Ontario.• Uncork a bottle in the world’s highest wine cellar, in the CN Tower.• Ride the original “red rocket”on an authentic, 1930s streetcar.• Host a casual picnic barbecue on the car-free Toronto Islands.• Recharge in a luxurious downtown day spa.

“Toronto has always been a top contender for our events. The city’s rich cultural diversity, attractivelocation, great convention and hotel facilities, and exciting nightlife are key reasons. Toronto was a greathost city for ourWorldwide Partner Conference in July, 2004. From the welcome attendees received atimmigration to the warm hospitality at city hotels and venues, we have received a number of commentsabout the positive experiences people had.”

J EFF S INGSAASGENERAL MANAGER OF EVENTS

MICROSOFT CORPORATION

www.ontariotravel.net6 www.ontariotravel.net 7Toro

nto

TORONTO

To add a spark of excitement

to any meeting, take advantage

of the city’s treasure of off-site

function spaces, from the classic

elegance of the “castle” on the

hill at Casa Loma to the sporty

Hockey Hall of Fame.

Another hot new addition to

the scene is the artsy Distillery

Historic District, a Victorian-era

complex that was once the largest

distillery in the British Empire.

Newly restored and transformed

into a retail, entertainment and

arts centre, it preserves the indus-

trial ambiance of heritage

buildings more recently used as

film sets for movies like Chicago.

Host private parties in one of

more than 40 galleries and

venues woven around intimate

brick paths and courtyards,

including the Fermenting Cellar

and the Mill Street Brewery.

One of the city’s most elegant

gala spaces is The Carlu, a 1930s

architectural masterpiece on the

7th floor of a former flagship

department store on College

Street. Saved from the wrecking

ball, it has been restored to its

original magnificence, resplen-

dent with Art Moderne décor.

Your event’s guests will be trans-

ported back to this glamorous era

as they step into the Grand Foyer

reception hall that can accommo-

date up to 1,700 for cocktails or

700 for a sit-down banquet.

Toronto’s vibrant arts scene is

paying dividends to event

planners with a growing inven-

tory of unique halls and galleries

available for private functions.

Along with the construction of a

new 2,000-seat opera house,

major expansions and transfor-

mations are underway at the

Royal Ontario Museum and the

Art Gallery of Ontario.

Leave free time for delegates to

fill their shopping bags in a spree

at the Toronto Eaton Centre or

in the chic shops of Bloor-

Yorkville. Host an invitation-only

event in flagship retail stores such

as fashion icon Holt Renfrew or

Canadiana-inspired Roots. For

companions, arrange a trip to

nearby shopping centres includ-

ing Vaughan Mills, Toronto’s

newest shopping destination,

located in York Region.

Wind down a day of meetings

by shedding suit jackets for the

evening and point event partici-

pants toward dining districts on

trendy King Street West, in

College Street’s Little Italy or on

The Danforth, for flavours

inspired by the city’s diversity.

Like the most successful chefs

among the city’s 9,000 restau-

rants, Toronto aims to deliver

a delicious experience – and

leave your group with a taste

to come back.

suit groups from 40 to 40,000 at

a time, landmark meeting spaces

include the Metro Toronto

Convention Centre, with

460,000 square feet of exhibit

space and 66 meeting rooms, and

the National Trade Centre at

Exhibition Place, which spans

more than one million square

feet. Also on the Exhibition

grounds is Ricoh Coliseum,

Toronto’s newest sports and

entertainment centre. Built to

accommodate equestrian events

at the Royal Agricultural Winter

Fair, this amazing space morphs

into a 10,000-seat arena, a 4,300-

capacity stage-show venue, and

even becomes the world’s largest

indoor lake, filled with one

million gallons of water for the

Toronto International Boat Show.

Signature gathering spaces also

include the Air Canada Centre,

home to the NBA Raptors and

the NHL Maple Leafs. Treat your

group to VIP seats in private

gondola suites during games or

concerts. Or take centre ice and

book the rink for your group to

enjoy an exclusive “Hockey

Night in Canada” skating party.

Rent the sports field at Rogers

Centre to host a private carnival

for 5,000 under the retractable

roof.

Near Pearson International

Airport, in the City of Missis-

sauga, you’ll find the Toronto

Congress Centre and the Interna-

tional Centre, two large-scale,

multi-purpose meeting and

exhibition centres. Mississauga

is Canada’s sixth largest city,

boasting dozens of its own local

convention hotels and luxurious

meeting retreats. Nearby Oakville

and Burlington also offer a

premier selection of venues.

North of Toronto, in York

Region, Markham blends the

charms of country life with a

major hub for business, as home

to many corporate head-office

campuses. Plan a companion

program to lunch and shop along

the pretty main streets of

Unionville or Markham Village,

or hold your conference golf

tournament at the award-

winning Angus Glen Golf Club.

Golf-gripped Torontonians are

blessed with more than 130 golf

courses within 30 minutes of

downtown.

Wherever you convene,

Toronto’s 38,000 centrally

located hotel rooms offer

delegates a tantalizing choice of

accommodations to suit every

taste and budget. More than 120

hotels range from international

brands to exclusive boutique

properties to elegant hotels

rooted in Toronto’s stately British

heritage.

www.ontariotravel.net8 www.ontariotravel.net 9

Orient yourselfby the silver

spire of the CNTower, whichanchors the

entertainmentdistrict and isthe skyline’smost striking

visual reference

Toronto’s 38,000centrally located

hotel roomsoffer delegates a

tantalizingchoice of

accommodationsto suit every

taste and budget

TORONTO

OTTAWA

GREAT EXPERIENCES AROUND OTTAWA• Meet in motion, aboard a vintage steam-engine train.• Tour pretty Merrickville village, an antique-shopper’s delight.• Visit the historic underground Diefenbunker cold war shelter museum.• Outfit your group for a skate along the world’s largest rink, the Rideau Canal.• Timemeetings around the Tulip Festival in May, orWinterlude in February.• Go white water rafting on the Ottawa River.

C A P I T A LreturnsC A P I T A Lreturns

OTTAWA

GREAT EXPERIENCES AROUND OTTAWA• Meet in motion, aboard a vintage steam-engine train.• Tour pretty Merrickville village, an antique-shopper’s delight.• Visit the historic underground Diefenbunker cold war shelter museum.• Outfit your group for a skate along the world’s largest rink, the Rideau Canal.• Timemeetings around the Tulip Festival in May, orWinterlude in February.• Go white water rafting on the Ottawa River.

where leaders gather

THE A RT OF CEREMONY

“Ottawa is always attractive for conference delegates. The facilities are excellent with a wide range ofhotel types and sizes. There are a lot of after-hours things to do and see.”

RON DEWARPRES IDENT

MEETING MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC .

Considered one of the world’s

most beautiful capital cities,

Ottawa boasts a hospitality

industry well-accustomed to

hosting international delegations

and diplomats – it’s home to some

1,000 associations and more than

100 embassies and trade missions.

But in addition to a flair for

occasion and ceremony, Ottawa is

as much appreciated by meeting

planners for its intimate scale,

riverside surroundings and

reputation as a green and active

city. It makes up part of Canada’s

Capital Region which has become

home to a colourful mosaic of

dynamic cultures from around

the world.

Meeting delegates can step out

of the 6,000-person capacity

Ottawa Convention Centre and

spill out into the streets around

ByWard Market, Canada’s oldest

farmers’ market, where dozens of

restaurants and clubs contribute

to a lively nightlife. With more

than 6,000 hotel rooms located

right in the city’s core, it’s easy to

let meeting participants loose for

an informal dine-around evening

and a chance to explore the sights

and shops by foot. Among the

dozens of museums and cultural

centres available for private events,

signature venues include the

function space at the National

Arts Centre, overlooking the

Rideau Canal and Parliament

Hill, and the granite- and glass-

domed Great Hall in the National

Gallery of Canada.

Host a dazzling gala dinner,

made by innovative chefs who

routinely create menus for visiting

royalty and heads of state. Witness

the Changing the Guard

ceremony on the lawns of Parlia-

ment Hill, a memorable tie to

British traditions, or meet a

scarlet-clad Mountie on the job.

Arrange a private visit to tour the

gothic-style Parliament Buildings

or host an exclusive reception

inside, when government isn’t in

session.

Get outdoors and explore the

open lands and forests in the

city’s greenbelt.

www.ontariotravel.net10 www.ontariotravel.net 11Otta

wa

Worldwonder

nature’s bounty

Draw on the Niagara region’s

diverse attractions to set the

rhythm of your event, from the

fast-paced entertainment of the

new billion-dollar Niagara

Fallsview Casino Resort and

Niagara Falls nightlife, to the

soothing sounds of a luxurious

spa or golf retreat in the heart of

wine country.

Right above the mist of the

thundering Falls, new and

sophisticated hotels have risen to

match the grandeur of a true

world wonder. Here, you’ll find

luxurious amenities, gracious

service and a view like no other

on earth. In full view of the Falls,

world-class meeting hotels in a

range of styles can easily

accommodate groups of 10 to

3,000 to convene year-round

within walking distance of

spectacular venues and bright-

light attractions of Clifton Hill.

Nearby, the historic town of

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a study in

charm and relaxation, with abun-

dant English gardens, Victorian-

era architecture, and elegant

landmark hotels and resorts

beyond compare.

Indulge in the bounty of one of

North America’s best grape-

growing regions to plan the most

memorable meals and receptions.

Local ingredients inspire a unique

wine country cuisine that plays on

delectable, homegrown flavours

prepared with a global spin.

Feast the eyes and the palate by

hosting a gala dinner within view

of the illuminated Falls at night.

Transport guests to dine outdoors

in the vineyard of one of more

than 60 wineries and enjoy an

exclusive winemaker’s tour of

vintage cellars.

Invigorate your group

outdoors with great team-build-

ing adventures, from conquering

the cliffs of the Niagara gorge,

hiking the Bruce Trail or rising

above it all to get a close-up view

of the Falls by helicopter. Golf on

your choice of some 40 challeng-

ing courses, including the new

John Daly-designed Thundering

Waters Golf Club, a mere 1,500

yards from the Falls.

NIAGARA FALLS

GREAT WAYS TO EXPERIENCE NIAGARA FALLS

• Step around a wall of water at Journey Behind the Falls.• Mix personalities and ingredients at a wine country cooking school.• Hire an Olympic cyclist to guide your team through the scenic countryside.• Race jetboats through the powerful Niagara River rapids.• Take part in themid-winter grape harvest to make Icewine.

“We like hosting corporate events in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake because of the convenience ofgetting there and because there are so many things to do outside the meetings – from golf to shoppingto anything outdoors. Everything doesn’t just happen in the meeting room; social and team-buildingtime can be just as important. [The meeting venues] know us and what we need and are always veryreactive and proactive.”

SHAR I R I FEMANAGER OF CREATIVE PROCESS AND FAC I L ITATION

R ICH PRODUCTS CORPORATION

ADVENTURES I N WINE CO U NTRY

www.ontariotravel.net12 www.ontariotravel.net 13

Worldwonder

Nia

gara

Falls

REGIONAL CITIESNORTHERN GEMSRESORTS AND INNS

Intimate

GatheringsHere’s where your group gets the keys to the city or the run of the resort

when you want an intimate meeting centre to call your own. Exclusive,

adventurous, exhilarating: Ontario’s charming urban centres, spirited

northern cities, and four-season, hideaway resorts and inns.

REGIONAL CITIESNORTHERN GEMSRESORTS AND INNS

www.ontariotravel.net14 www.ontariotravel.net 15

Intimate

Gatherings

Alto

n

Here’s where your group gets the keys to the city or the run of the resort

when you want an intimate meeting centre to call your own. Exclusive,

adventurous, exhilarating: Ontario’s charming urban centres, spirited

northern cities, and four-season, hideaway resorts and inns.

hometownExperience “urban” with an

intimate edge. Ontario’s smaller

city centres are perfect venues to

host meetings with hometown

appeal. These thriving cities will

hand you the keys and treat your

people as the most welcome

guests in town.

WINDSOR

Windsor is Canada’s southern-

most city, five minutes by bridge

or tunnel from Detroit. Enjoy

the view of the Motor City’s

skyscrapers from Windsor’s

green and peaceful riverfront

vantage point.

The city offers 3,500 guest

rooms, including 758 luxurious

guest rooms at Caesars Windsor

and 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible

meeting space. Groups up to

3,000 can use multiple hotels

and essentially call downtown

their own. Your participants will

enjoy their camaraderie between

events as they cross paths on

friendly city streets.

Treat guests to a gala event at

the sparkling new Art Gallery of

Windsor, one of the many venues

that take advantage of the

riverside view. Experience the

origins of a Canadian classic with

a private group tour and whiskey

nosing event in the Canadian

Club Distillery, founded here by

Hiram Walker in 1858.

Plan a countryside excursion

to a winery along the Lake Erie

North Shore wine route, where

award-winning vintages are

produced at the same geographic

latitude as that of Northern

California. Celebrate the seasons

and borrow a culinary theme

from the region’s lively annual

harvest festivals such as the

Tomato Festival in Leamington.

DISTINCTIVE D E STI N ATI O N Shometown

REGIONAL CITIES

GREAT EXPERIENCES AROUND REGIONAL CITIES• Host a traditional tea at Hamilton’s gracious Dundurn Castle estate.• FromWindsor, tour the wineries of the Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island.• Visit the brewery birthplace of Canada’s Labatt beer in London.• Plan a sunset cocktail cruise through the waterways of the 1000 Islands.

ADVANTAGE“I’ve hosted three conferences in London [for various associations]. The city is easy to access and there areno lack of activities and state-of-the-art facilities – as much variety as anywhere else you could go. For agroup of 500 or so, the biggest benefit is that you really are the main event. Not only did we have controlof the convention centre and the full attention of its staff, but by using the two adjacent hotels to hostthe majority of our delegates, we didn’t have to be spread out all over the city. There were fewer costsand great access for everyone. ”

KEN COUSINEAUEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CANADIAN GOLF SUPER INTENDENTS ASSOC IATION

King

ston

www.ontariotravel.net16 www.ontariotravel.net 17

REGIONAL CITIES

meeting space on the campus of

Queen’s University, including an

80-guestroom centre accredited

by the International Association

of Conference Centers.

Host a welcome reception in

the magnificent City Hall,

a 160-year-old, neo-classical

architectural gem. Spend an

evening in the 1860s at Fort

Henry, where soldier servants will

greet your guests in the Officers’

Mess to enjoy the dining tradi-

tions of the British military. Hold

the ultimate break-out sessions

afloat around the 1000 Islands

on a flotilla of houseboats

chartered for your group.

LONDON

Look at a map of Ontario and

it looks like all roads lead to

London, located at the crossroads

of rail and highway links

connecting Michigan, Toronto

and the Niagara Peninsula.

But, even with its place as one of

Ontario’s major hub cities, London

earns the nickname “The Forest

City,” thanks to a striking

abundance of greenery around

stately Victorian architecture and

a contemporary city core.

Home to the University of

Western Ontario and the presti-

gious Richard Ivey School of

Business, the city of London is

also a major centre for health

sciences and financial services,

making it a popular spot for

medical and professional

meetings. Event facilities can

comfortably host a multi-day

conference of 2,000 or more.

These include the London

Convention Centre and the

2,800-seat Budweiser Gardens

entertainment complex, where

hot-ticket concerts and events

enliven the downtown nightlife.

Just over 2,900 hotel rooms

include accommodations at four

major downtown properties

either connected to, or within a

five-minute walk from the

convention centre.

Meet at one of several estate

retreats minutes from the city

core, such as the Georgian manor

of the Spencer Conference

Centre, certified by the Interna-

tional Association of Conference

Centers and set on 30 acres of

landscaped parkland. Plan a

tournament at one of more than

20 golf courses, such as the

popular Forest City National

Golf Club and the new FireRock

course. Plan a backstage visit to

the nearby Stratford Festival,

North America’s largest classical

repertory theatre.

Witness a spectacular parade or

take in first-class entertainment.

HAMILTON

Discover Hamilton at the heart

of Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe,

mid-way between Niagara Falls

and Toronto. Panoramic views of

the city’s downtown, as well as

Lake Ontario, can be seen

from the lush parks atop the

Niagara Escarpment. The west

harbourfront and wetlands now

thrive as parkland and a nature

sanctuary. A 900-mile trail

system entices people to walk,

hike, cycle, ride horseback or

cross-country ski through forest

canopies, around dozens of

waterfalls and into the renowned

Bruce Trail – designated as a

United Nations World Biosphere

Reserve.

Downtown, three major hotels

and three dedicated facilities

cater to conventions, trade shows

and sport events. The Hamilton

Convention Centre, The Ronald

V. Joyce Centre for the Perform-

ing Arts at Hamilton Place and

the 17,000-seat Copps Coliseum

have all been host to regional and

international events.

Beyond the meeting room,

a wide number of attractions

includes the spectacular expan-

sion of the Art Gallery of

Hamilton, clad in gold steel in

reference to the industry that

built the city’s wealth.

During free time, enjoy the

lively street life of the Hess

Village restaurant district or

around the artsy shops of Locke

Street. Surprise delegates with an

open-air meeting at the Royal

Botanical Gardens. Treat top

dogs to a reception at the

Canadian Warplane Heritage

Museum where they can experi-

ence the thrill of an open cockpit

ride in a 1940s biplane.

KINGSTON

Conference participants will feel

right at home in resort-like

Kingston, a historic waterfront

city on Lake Ontario. It’s often

chosen by regional meeting

planners as a convenient mid-way

point between Montreal, Ottawa

and Toronto.

With four hotels in the heart

of this attractive, small-scaled

city, groups of up to 400 can

comfortably gather in one place

for a meeting, and take time out

to walk to local attractions, from

the unique shops of Princess

Street to a traditional outdoor

farmers’ market. Known for

distinctive bed and breakfast

accommodations, several local

proprietors have specialized to

cater to small meetings and

executive retreats. There’s also

www.ontariotravel.net18 www.ontariotravel.net 19

In Kingston,hold the ultimate

break-outsessions afloataround the

1000 Islands ona flotilla ofhouseboats

chartered foryour group

Home to theprestigious

Richard IveySchool of

Business, the cityof London isalso a major

centre for healthsciences and

financial services

REGIONAL CITIES

NORTHERN GEMS

g a i n s o m elatıtude

GREAT NORTHERN EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR GROUP• Cast a line for some of the best sport fishing in North America.• Feast on a traditional Musher’s Banquet after a day of dog sledding.• Walk across Canada’s longest foot suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon, near Thunder Bay.• Meet in a vintage railcar in Sault Ste.Marie to traverse the Agawa Canyon.• Lunch on freshly caught fish and bannock prepared over an open fire by an Aboriginal guide.

g a i n s o m elatıtude

NORTHERN GEMS fresh ideas

S P I R IT OF THE N O RTH

“Travel here has a certain serenity to it: more of a voyage, rather than just another trip away from home.For event organizers, you get a small town feeling, but with all the amenities you want. You can concen-trate on the business at hand in the city, then step away to a whole different kind of experience –a different perspective.”

BRUNO D’ANGELOOWNER , AD-VENTURE GROUP

MARKETING AND ADVERTIS ING AGENCY

Energize your team’s spirit of

adventure in Ontario’s north.

Gather in and around cities that

grew from the outposts of

Canada’s first explorers.

From the near north, around

Algonquin Provincial Park, and

up along the north shores of

Lake Huron and Lake Superior,

this is land reserved for groups

who crave to clear old thoughts

and start fresh with new discov-

ery. Look out your meeting room

at landscapes that inspired the art

of Canada’s Group of Seven. Take

a coffee break in a pine-scented

forest clearing. Hear the wisdom

of an Aboriginal guide whose

culture is closer to the land than

any other.

You’ll find meeting places that

range from fully equipped

business hotels to secluded

wilderness retreats.

As a gateway city to the north,

near Algonquin Park, North Bay

enjoys a spectacular setting on

Lake Nipissing. Rent ice fishing

bungalows in winter to create

your own sportsman’s retreat. Or

saddle-up in spring for a group

horseback riding lesson on

pristine trails.

Travel to the world’s richest

copper- and nickel-mining centre

of Sudbury, northern Ontario’s

largest metropolitan area, on

picturesque Ramsey Lake. Go

“under” to tour mining tunnels

or host a gala reception deep

inside a rock cavern.

On the north shore of the

Saint Mary’s River, at the heart of

the Great Lakes, Sault Ste. Marie

has the amenities of city hotels or

private, spa-like retreats. Host a

reception at the Canadian

Bushplane Heritage Centre,

where guests can try a flight

simulator.

In Thunder Bay, stage a

voyageurs’ feast at Fort William

Historical Park, a recreated fur

trading post that recalls the

meetings of Scottish fur traders,

French Canadian voyageurs and

Ojibway. Meet in Sleeping Giant

Provincial Park, where delegates

can step out of the conference

centre and into a canoe.

www.ontariotravel.net20 www.ontariotravel.net 21

Nipigon

Eag

leC

anyo

nGREAT NORTHERN EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR GROUP• Cast a line for some of the best sport fishing in North America.• Feast on a traditional Musher’s Banquet after a day of dog sledding.• Walk across Canada’s longest foot suspension bridge at Eagle Canyon, near Thunder Bay.• Meet in a vintage railcar in Sault Ste.Marie to traverse the Agawa Canyon.• Lunch on freshly caught fish and bannock prepared over an open fire by an Aboriginal guide.

RESORTS AND INNS

renewableretreats

town and country

Match your meeting to a refresh-

ing setting guaranteed to draw

participants together: a private

lakeside retreat; quaint country

inn; rustic lodge; vibrant golf and

ski centre; luxurious spa; or

tranquil oasis right at the fringe

of the city.

Ontario’s resorts include inter-

nationally accredited conference

centres with facilities for 1,000 or

more, intimate century-old

country inns and activity-packed

venues tailored to golfers, skiers,

nature lovers and meetings of all

sizes. Even here, in the wilderness

of nature’s head office, you’ll find

all the up-to-date services and

amenities to make meetings run

smoothly and inspire fresh

thoughts.

Along the way to your

destination, Ontario’s true

natural beauty reveals itself

within an easy drive of major

centres and border cities. Travel

past the vineyards and orchard

blossoms of Niagara. Take a route

that winds around the rugged

rock and pines of the Canadian

Shield. Steer toward beaches and

busy ports of call on the Great

Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Head into four-season action

around the bustling Blue

Mountain Village, Ontario’s

fastest-growing resort destination,

or at classic lakeside conference

resorts in picturesque Muskoka.

Journey along rolling farmland,

white pine forests and majestic

stands of sugar maples in the

Kawartha Lakes region.

Take time and plan team-

building activities to stir the soul.

Map stars and galaxies seen

through a professional observa-

tory. Call to a wolf pack in a pine

forest and hear their howls in

response. Savour fine cuisine

made with ingredients harvested

right outside the kitchen door.

Take a moonlit river cruise.

Explore the shops and attractions

in Ontario’s historic towns and

villages where your group will

feel right at home.

Preview a sampling of meeting

venues online using these

planning resources:

Resorts of Ontario

www.resortsofontario.com and

Ontario’s Finest Inns

www.ontariosfinestinns.com

RESORTS AND INNS

GREAT THINGS TO DO AT ONTARIO’S RESORTS AND INNS• Trek across treetops 65 feet above the forest floor in a canopy tour.• Outfit your team for a classic ice hockeymatch on a frozen lake.• Indulge in a relaxing hot stonemassage or signature spa treatment.• Challenge your group on lush fairways designed by renowned course architects.• Enjoy a trail ride on horseback, by snowmobile or by hay wagon.• Wind down the day around a crackling bonfire by the lake.

“It’s all about the atmosphere: I wish more people would experience Ontario’s resorts – and the chance toget out and stretch your wings after a meeting.We’ve hosted corporate events in the past whereteam-building activities were a big part of the program. And every place we go, there’s something to do,from golf to ropes courses. Meetings today can be stressful; a resort setting can be a real morale-booster.”

JACK LAROQUEMARKET MANAGERSUPER IOR PROPANE

MEET IN N AT U R E ’ S HEAD O F F I C Erenewableretreats

www.ontariotravel.net22 www.ontariotravel.net 23Por

tC

arlin

g

Create excitement at either end of your event and draw attendance with

the lure of pre- and post-conference travel for participants to indulge in

Ontario’s leisurely side. Golf, spas, shopping, local cuisine, arts and

culture, wilderness adventure, boating, fishing and more: your delegates

will find every reason to stay and play.

PRE AND POST ACTIVITIES

Stay and Play

www.ontariotravel.net24 www.ontariotravel.net 25

Create excitement at either end of your event and draw attendance with

the lure of pre- and post-conference travel for participants to indulge in

Ontario’s leisurely side. Golf, spas, shopping, local cuisine, arts and

culture, wilderness adventure, boating, fishing and more: your delegates

will find every reason to stay and play.

Hun

tsvi

lle

Stay and Play

PRE AND POST ACTIVITIES

purePRE AND POST ACTIVITIES

• Relax and re-energize by

restoring body and soul at a

luxurious spa destination.

• Borrow a ready-made theme

and time meetings to take

advantage of Ontario’s

non-stop schedule of some

3,000 major events and

fun-filled local festivals.

• Satisfy a taste for outdoor

adventure through some of

the most awesome wilderness

experiences in North America.

Ontario has more than 330

provincial parks, six national

parks and hundreds of conser-

vation areas – many located

right inside and around our

major cities.

• Even the most novice adven-

turers can hike or cycle, climb

rocky cliffs, ride a horse or

drive an all-terrain vehicle

through rugged landscapes.

For the more fearless, raft

down raging rivers or dive

to shipwrecks.

• Warm to the spirit of winter

on snowmobile trails, ski

slopes, dog-sledding expedi-

tions and natural ice rinks.

• Get out on the water. Ontario

is a prime terrain for fishing,

kayaking, sailing and cruising,

thanks to 400,000 lakes, rivers

and streams. You’ll find

more canoe routes here than

anywhere else in the world,

through pristine wilderness

and historic waterways.

• Discover the prestige of a

bygone colonial era with a tour

of beautifully maintained

historic towns and heritage

family estates. Experience a

living history lesson at the

fortresses, battlegrounds and

pioneer communities of this

province’s storied past.

Send delegates on a preview tour

of more great things to see and

do in Ontario by visiting

www.ontariotravel.net

Urban. Adventurous. Relaxing.

Inspiring. Whatever thrills the

members of your audience, it’s

right here for the taking when

they can choose to stay and play

in Ontario.

A bike tour through the

luscious emerald rows of a

vineyard. The stylish pursuit of a

perfect-fit designer find. A peace-

ful canoe trip on a lake fringed by

wild rice. A show-stopping

performance that brings the

crowd to its feet.

Most meeting delegates enjoy

every opportunity to combine

work with fun. Ontario’s tourism

industry partners will help you

provide them with information on

all the attractions, activities,

sightseeing tours, dining out and

events that will lure people to

attend your “can’t miss” gathering.

Keep travel companions busy

and entertained with easy-to-plan

activities and programs that will

leave lasting memories. Add value

and anticipation to your main

event by scheduling free time or

by planning customized pre- and

post-conference tours for your

delegates:

• Exciting, energetic cities entice

with great attractions, enter-

tainment, dining and

shopping. From headlining

theatre and concert perfor-

mances to the halls of

innovative galleries and

museums, Ontario fulfills every

passion for the arts.

• Dive into the action of a pro

sports match, glittering casino,

thoroughbred racetrack or Indy

car event.

• Shop for unique gift items,

home décor, designer fashion

or locally made crafts, in impec-

cable retail centres, off-beat retail

districts and country markets.

• Enlighten taste buds under the

guidance of one of Ontario’s

top chefs at a fine cooking

school. Explore the flavours

of wine country in any one of

the province’s four distinctive

wine-growing regions, where

creative kitchens and cellars

are open year-round.

• Challenge participants to a

round of golf on one of

Ontario’s 650 golf courses,

including some of the world’s

most scenic rounds on the

Muskoka Golf Trail and at the

brink of Niagara Falls.

PRE AND POST ACTIVITIES

PLEASUREONTARIO AT TR AC TI O N S

pure

www.ontariotravel.net26 www.ontariotravel.net 27

Find moregreat things todo in Ontario

online atwww.

ontariotravel.net

MEETING ESSENTIALS

www.ontariotravel.net28 www.ontariotravel.net 29

VISITORS TO CANADA

Visitors to Canada must clear Canada Customs border security upon entry. American visitors will beasked to verify their citizenship with a valid passport. For specific information on travel documentsrequired to visit Canada from countries other than the U.S., please refer to www.cbsa.gc.ca andwww.cic.gc.ca

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

If your organization is based outside of Canada and your event will be attended by internationalparticipants, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) offers a single-service window for planners.As the focal point for border coordination services on behalf of the Canadian government, CBSAcan provide you with support and guidance as you plan your entry into Canada for your sportingcompetition, political summit, global congregation, convention, meeting, trade show or exhibition.Information including details of the International Events & Convention Services Program (IECSP)can be found online at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/ie-ei/menu-eng.html

TAXES & REBATES

Ontario has a 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that is applied to most purchases of goods andservices. The HST replaces the previous PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and GST (Goods and Service Tax).

For more details consult Canada Revenue Agency's website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/visitors

TAX REBATES FOR PLANNERS

Non-resident visitors to Canada may qualify for the new Foreign Convention and Tour IncentiveProgram (FCTIP). Non HST-registered businesses coming to Canada for a convention and/or as anexhibitor may qualify for a rebate as well. For more information consult Canada Revenue Agency’swebsite at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/visitors

CURRENCY

Both the Canadian and U.S. dollar are widely accepted in stores, restaurants and hotels in majorcentres. Currency exchange is advisable to obtain the best rate, and is readily available at airports andbanks. You’ll also find a convenient network of ATMs. For current exchange rates, access the onlinecurrency converter at www.ontariotravel.net

FOUR-SEASON CLIMATE

Ontario’s southernmost point lies at the same latitude as Northern California and Rome, while ournorth is parallel to southern Sweden – this means temperatures can vary widely depending on whenand where you travel. Most typically, Ontario’s weather is like that of the northern U.S. Find currentand seasonal weather information online at www.ontariotravel.net

OUR POPULATION

With more than 13 million residents, Ontario is Canada’s economic centre and home to nearly 40% ofthe nation’s population. The cultural life and spirit of the province is enriched with a diverse mix ofethnic and linguistic groups. Our capital, Toronto, is Canada’s largest and most multicultural city.

Visit www.ontariotravel.net for more information on travelto Ontario

MEETING ESSENTIALS

www.ontariotravel.net30

Victoria

Vancouver

Y

Edmonton

Calgary Saskatoon

Regina

Winnipeg

Montréal

Fredericton Halifax

Charlottetown

St. John’s

Québec City

GETTING HERE

Located at the heart of North America, around the edge of theGreat Lakes, Ontario is the business and travel hub of Canada, easilyaccessible by air, road or rail.

AIR: Toronto and Ottawa are Ontario’s primary air travel gateways,serviced by major international carriers. Direct flights from majorcentres in Canada and the U.S. also provide frequent service toLondon, Hamilton, Windsor, Sudbury and Thunder Bay and there areseveral regional airports throughout Ontario serviced by domestic andcommuter airlines.

ROAD: Ontario is conveniently accessible with 14 border entrylocations into Canada. Approximately 40% of North America’s popula-tion is within a day’s drive of southern Ontario and our extensivenetwork of well maintained roads and highways make getting to yourdestination easier and safer.

RAIL: VIA Rail Canada provides frequent passenger service inToronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Niagara Falls, southwestern Ontario andnorthern Ontario. VIA Rail’s Chartered car services program providesplanners with an opportunity to charter exclusive use of train cars formeetings and group travel. The Ontario Northland Rail Service leavesToronto to serve our northern destinations, including the Polar BearExpress to the edge of the Arctic. AMTRAK provides service toNiagara Falls, Hamilton and Toronto from many U.S. cities andregions.

FLIGHT TIMESToronto Ottawa

Atlanta 2 hrs 20 min 2 hrs 30 minBoston 1 hr 30 min 1 hr 20 minChicago 1 hr 30 min 1 hr 50 minDallas 3 hrs 25 min 5 hrs 30 min*Denver 3 hrs 5 hrs 15 min*Detroit 40 min 1 hr 35 minLos Angeles 5 hrs 20 min 7 hrs 35 min*Miami 3 hrs 5 hrs*Minneapolis 2 hrs 10 min 5 hrs*New York 1 hr 30 min 1 hr 25 minPhiladelphia 1 hr 30 min 1 hr 30 minSan Francisco 5 hrs 20 min 7 hrs 30 min *Seattle 5 hrs 7 hrs *Washington, DC 1 hr 30 min 1 hr 30 min

Calgary 4 hrs 4 hrs 15 minVancouver 5 hrs 10 min 5 hrs 30 minHalifax 2 hrs 1 hr 50 min

London, UK 7 hrs 7 hrs 35 minFrankfurt 7 hrs 15 min 10 hrs*Paris 7 hrs 25 min 10 hrs 30 min** indicates connecting flight

Hamilton

Windsor

Thunder Bay

Sudbury

Timmins

Sault Ste. MarieNorth Bay

Kingston

London

Flight times listed are approximate and are to be used only as a guide when travelling toOntario. Flight times shown are for direct, non-stop flights, except where indicated.