Vancouver Event Planning Tips

It's January 2010 and Vancouver, Canada is preparing for the world's largest winter sporting event - the 2010 Games (we can't use the "O" word found in Olympic Peninsula). Event planning for "The Games" in Vancouver is a massive undertaking with estimates of:

• 135,000 spectators a day in the city
• 58,000 in nearby Whistler, and
• 60,000 per day at Vancouver celebration sites.

Can you imagine the organizational headaches that this head event planner faces?! By the way, his name is John Furlong and word has it that he's a bit tired these days.

Fortunately, we can help make make your Vancouver event planning a little easier by sharing some of Cantrav's 27 years of destination management experience in this city.

5 Tips for Planning a Successful Event in Vancouver

1. Tie Your Corporate Message to an Authentic Vancouver Attribute

Authenticity comes naturally when planning an event in Vancouver. It's unique combination of ocean, mountain, urban and cultural assets provides the depth necessary for creating messages that enhance value and results. Example - Potlatch events which has brought First Nation's peoples together for 100's of years: a Potlatch is an ancient gathering focused around sharing, celebration and relationship building.

2. Use the Season to Your Advantage

Vancouver has 4 distinct seasons with 3 distinct pricing levels! Is price your consideration? Activities? Visual impact? Know your goal and plan around it for increased success. Summer is traditionally more expensive and you can save a bundle in the off-season. Activities change significantly throughout the year and good planning will help maximize the current opportunities.

3. Select a Hotel to Match Your Group and Goals

Good news! All of Vancouver's downtown hotels provide quick, convenient access to the finest dining, shopping and entertainment venues in the city. A relatively compressed downtown core surrounded on 3 sides by water, allows you to focus more on considerations of:

• Waterfront vs. City Centre (only 4 blocks apart)
• Independent boutique vs. larger, brand names
• Meeting or convention space requirements
  
• Food service and facilities needs
  

4. Leverage Non-traditional Meeting and Function Venues

There are traditional venues and there are "WOW!" venues. Vancouver event planners have access to a wonderful assortment of alternative spaces that lend authenticity and value...without added production costs! Consider meetings or events in an interactive aquarium, an architecturally significant West Coast First Nations museum, at the top of Grouse Mountain or aboard a yacht in English Bay.

5. Include Other Destinations

Great options exist for incorporating other exciting and appealing destinations or travel experiences into your Vancouver event including:

• Whistler Resort
• The Canadian Rockies - Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper
• Victoria & Vancouver Island
• Alaska
• Cruise ships
• Rail excursions

6. BONUS TIP: Use an Experienced Destination Management Company

Nothing replaces in-depth local expertise to guarantee a successful event. 'Nuff said.

The Cantrav team is excited to welcome the world to Vancouver. We look forward to helping our clients achieve success in the programs that have been built around the 2010 Games, and wish you all the best of success in planning your next Vancouver event!

FREE DOWNLOAD: Sample Program Ideas for Vancouver and Whistler