News Around Town - October / November 2022

Congratulations members

 
Congratulation Ash Wilby for his new position as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Ottawa Marriott Downtown.

Welcome members

 
Welcome to our supplier member Emile Mansour, Senior Sales Manager at the Metcalfe Hotel by Gray Collection.

State of the Industry

Pulse of the meeting planner: venue sourcing in 2022-2023

What’s Facing Your Peers, and What Does the Future Hold?

The top takeaways from Cvent’s report?

• Planners expect in-person meetings to return quickly
• Planners top challenge lies in negotiation
• Event budgets will increase this year
• Simple meetings require a simpler venue sourcing process
• Planners need to find new service providers to execute events

Throughout the rest of 2022 and into 2023, optimism is rampant. There’s a strong belief that more and more attendees will travel to events. There’s no denying the power of face-to-face experiences. The disruption the pandemic caused has made the industry more resilient and events continue to prove their value more than ever. While this is not “your mother’s meeting and event industry”, the future looks exciting.

Check out Cvent’sPlanner Sourcing Report 2022 for more detailed findings and data from the survey.

Business Events Key Messages

1.Canada is open for business. Team Canada is ready to welcome back business events and visitors to its diverse destinations — Canada’s borders are open, and we are prepared to respond to changes in an agile way.

2.Canada is a global leader across several industries, and home to visionary experts and cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future. When this intellectual capital is combined with our vibrant urban centres and unique natural landscapes, it provides a thriving ecosystem for business events that foster creativity, collaboration and ultimately, leave a lasting impact.

3.Canada’s rich diversity of incentive destinations offer unique, legendary experiences that will inspire and revitalize teams, reigniting their creativity and promoting collaboration to drive future business success.

Check out Destination Canada Key Messages for more detailed findings and data from the survey.

How to make your next event more sustainable?

Sustainability has evolved from a buzzword often considered an afterthought in an event, to a critical element that now impacts its success.

• Set sustainability goals (check out Explore Edmonton)
• Choose the right partners (check out Vancouver Convention Center)
• Go local and eliminate waste (check Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
• Measure Success

Sustainability measures are fundamental for today’s business events and will remain so in the future.

Industry News in General

Ottawa Summit

Recently, ourBusiness and Sports Events Ottawa hosted the most wonderful group of humans in Canada’s Capital for the first ever#OttawaSummit. Clients enjoyed a private concert by the amazing Amanda Rheaume, wine tasting and charcuterie board making with the one and onlyStephen Beckta, inspiration and joy from Mark Tewksbury and reacquainting themselves with Ottawa’s hotels, meeting space venues and culture.

Business and Sports Events Ottawa

Business and Sports Events Ottawa loves to surprise clients. It is time to meet awesome new people, reconnect with some old friends, and talk about the beautiful Ottawa. Stellar food and beverage curated by 1 Elgin restaurant, private concert by Amanda Rheaume on National Arts Centre 4^th Stage and education by Mark Tewksbury certainly did not disappoint. This city got some powerful energy and stories to tell!

New Restaurant Cocotte Bistro

Cocotte Bistro is the new French restaurant located inside the renovated Metcalfe Hotel by Gray Collection.

On September 14th, Cocotte Bistro's Chef Stephen La Salle and his team served farm to table-inspired bites at Harvest- A Feast of Fall, a multi-chef fall food and beverage experience supporting the Ottawa Community Food Partnership

For more info click: Cocotte Bistro - French Restaurant

Recent Industry Events

📅 November 15^th - 12:00pm to 1:15pm – Zoom

Virtual Round Tables                    
Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more information.

📅 November 1 – 5:30pm – 10:00pm – Infinity Convention Centre  

Prix Prestige Awards Gala

We will be #CelebratingOurStars at this year’s annual Prix Prestige Awards Gala! It’s time to buy your tickets for one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Location
Infinity Convention Centre
2901 Gibford Dr, Ottawa
Parking is complementary
A room block for accommodations has been booked at the Hampton Inn Ottawa Airport.

To register click: Prix Prestige Awards Gala (mpi.org)

Upcoming Industry Events

📅 June 12 to 15 – Riviera Maya

WEC Registration is on the horizon

WEC Mexican Caribbean will be a conference experience like no other. Incredible things happen when business and leisure mix, and an event program organically blends with its destination. That’s what you can expect at WEC Mexican Caribbean.

For more information click: WEC Mexican Caribbean (mpi.org)

 Article edited by Darlene Kelly-Stewart | LinkedIn at Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services