2015 Readers Choice Awards
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EDUCATION IN BUSINESS EVENTS+TECHNOLOGY+PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT+DESTINATIONS+REWARDS+ 2015 READERS CHOICE AWAR DS + REDEFINING WORK-LIFE BALANCE + EVENT INNOVATION @ C2 MONTREAL + HOW-TO PICK A DESTINATION plus + FOOD MATTERS + HOW TO BUILD RAPPORT + CANADA UPDATE PM 40069240 2015 NOVEMBER.DECEMBER p01-03 CoverREV1.indd 1 15-11-24 2:05 PM TOP 5 FOOD IDEAS QUÉBEC FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT Without a doubt, the rise in foodies is greatly impacting how planners are CITY, designing upcoming events. Event participants are looking for more than just your run-of-the-mill buffet food. Québec City, a leading reference in business tourism has compiled a list of YOUR some of the most inspiring and tasteworthy ideas that are sure to delight even GASTRONOMY the most sophisticated taste buds and make your event the hit of the year. SUCCESS AT ITS FINEST Fairmont Château Frontenac is renowned for its gastronomical MAKES prowess, which combines the city’s unique heritage with the latest culinary trends. Featuring an eclectic array of HISTORY. restaurants, bistros, and bars, the hotel caters to refined palates looking to revel QuebecBusinessDestination.com in Québec’s take on nouveau cuisine. More information: fairmont.com/frontenac 1 Eat like a local Going way off the beaten path From locally sourced ingredients to locally Edible shot glasses? Sushi rolls made with crafted fare and drinks, event participants are Ramen noodles? Ice cubes that light up? Ethnic looking to truly experience a region’s culinary foods that go beyond the usual suspects? prowess—all while encouraging sustainability Participants crave both the new factor and the AWARD-WINNING in all of its forms. Farm-to-the-table concepts wow factor. And they both start with the food are still taking the event world up by storm. you serve. ACCESSIBILITY AND SERVICE Mash-ups Up close and personal with This is not your ordinary take on fusion the kitchen and producers Looking for the unexpected to tickle cuisine. Mash-ups feature two or more unlikely Many event planners are bringing chefs right both sophisticated and jaded palates? ingredients and combine them into an off-beat, out to the events—and participants “back in For any type of event, the Québec City yet delicious, treat. This is more than just the the kitchen.” Such highly immersive dining Convention Centre creates culinary cronut. From bacon on mille-feuilles to Krispy experiences enable participants to actually masterpieces that marry the latest food Kreme Sloppy Joe’s: the only limit is your (and view and talk to a chef in action. Event planners trends with sought-after regional your attendees’) thrill for adventure. are also organizing half-day trips to local farms flavors. Chef Gérard Michel and his and producers to discover a region’s culinary culinary brigade craft eco-friendly Dietary restrictions that are scene in an entirely new light. menus that cater to guests’ special needs, no longer “restrictive” food allergies and health issues. It’s With more and more people going organic, versatility at its best. gluten-free and vegetarian, event planners need More information: to factor in a variety of dietary “restrictions.” But rather than view these as constraints, event convention.qc.ca/en chefs are whipping up innovative concoctions For more information, please visit: that can be enjoyed by all participants—even QuebecBusinessDestination.com die-hard meat lovers! OTQ-111139327-MIT-DPS-Gastronomie_v2.indd 1 2015-10-27 10:02 p01-03 Cover4b.indd 2 15-11-19 6:17 AM TOP 5 FOOD IDEAS QUÉBEC FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT Without a doubt, the rise in foodies is greatly impacting how planners are CITY, designing upcoming events. Event participants are looking for more than just your run-of-the-mill buffet food. Québec City, a leading reference in business tourism has compiled a list of YOUR some of the most inspiring and tasteworthy ideas that are sure to delight even GASTRONOMY the most sophisticated taste buds and make your event the hit of the year. SUCCESS AT ITS FINEST Fairmont Château Frontenac is renowned for its gastronomical MAKES prowess, which combines the city’s unique heritage with the latest culinary trends. Featuring an eclectic array of HISTORY. restaurants, bistros, and bars, the hotel caters to refined palates looking to revel QuebecBusinessDestination.com in Québec’s take on nouveau cuisine. More information: fairmont.com/frontenac 1 Eat like a local Going way off the beaten path From locally sourced ingredients to locally Edible shot glasses? Sushi rolls made with crafted fare and drinks, event participants are Ramen noodles? Ice cubes that light up? Ethnic looking to truly experience a region’s culinary foods that go beyond the usual suspects? prowess—all while encouraging sustainability Participants crave both the new factor and the AWARD-WINNING in all of its forms. Farm-to-the-table concepts wow factor. And they both start with the food are still taking the event world up by storm. you serve. ACCESSIBILITY AND SERVICE Mash-ups Up close and personal with This is not your ordinary take on fusion the kitchen and producers Looking for the unexpected to tickle cuisine. Mash-ups feature two or more unlikely Many event planners are bringing chefs right both sophisticated and jaded palates? ingredients and combine them into an off-beat, out to the events—and participants “back in For any type of event, the Québec City yet delicious, treat. This is more than just the the kitchen.” Such highly immersive dining Convention Centre creates culinary cronut. From bacon on mille-feuilles to Krispy experiences enable participants to actually masterpieces that marry the latest food Kreme Sloppy Joe’s: the only limit is your (and view and talk to a chef in action. Event planners trends with sought-after regional your attendees’) thrill for adventure. are also organizing half-day trips to local farms flavors. Chef Gérard Michel and his and producers to discover a region’s culinary culinary brigade craft eco-friendly Dietary restrictions that are scene in an entirely new light. menus that cater to guests’ special needs, no longer “restrictive” food allergies and health issues. It’s With more and more people going organic, versatility at its best. gluten-free and vegetarian, event planners need More information: to factor in a variety of dietary “restrictions.” But rather than view these as constraints, event convention.qc.ca/en chefs are whipping up innovative concoctions For more information, please visit: that can be enjoyed by all participants—even QuebecBusinessDestination.com die-hard meat lovers! Come and see us at IncentiveWorks Booth #1313 OTQ-111139327-MIT-DPS-Gastronomie_v2.indd 1 2015-10-27 10:02 p01-03 Cover4b.indd 3 15-11-19 6:17 AM +CONTENTS special section meet, eat, drink 38 FOOD MATTERS 51 GIFTS & GEAR How f&b contributes to event success Fabulous presents for foodies BY LORI SMITH 52 BEST BITES 42 CUISCENE CROSS-COUNTRY Planners share their most (recent) A taste of the food scenes in Kelowna, memorable meals Calgary, Niagara and Halifax BY DON DOULOFF plus 13 LEADERSHIP 50 ON THE MENU The time has come for the industry Today’s top meeting food trends to take action and end food waste BY SANDRA WOOD, CMP 38 27 57 4 MEETINGSCANADA.COM p04-05 Contents.indd 4 15-11-19 2:29 PM +CONTENTS features departments 27 2015 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 6 What’s New on The votes have been counted! MeetingsCanada.com Our readers pick their favourite 1 0 Agenda venues, caterers and more. BY CHRISTINE OTSUKA 11 Editor’s Comment 6 1 Wrap-Ups: IMEX America columns 6 4 Snapped 17 HOW-TO Building rapport is essential to business—and event—success BY MARK A. VICKERS 20 TWENTYSOMETHING Meet Kristine Koonts, CMP, 20 producer, BRANDLIVE Group AS TOLD TO CHRISTINE OTSUKA 23 GOOD FOR YOU Why Rover is taking over: the positive impact of pets BY CHRISTINE OTSUKA 57 CANADA UPDATE A round-up of new venues, meeting spaces, group activities and more BY LORI SMITH 51 4457 28 MEETINGSCANADA.COM 5 p04-05 Contents.indd 5 15-11-19 2:29 PM what's new on One Contact, One Contract, Unlimited Possibilities NEWS HOTELS AMEX BULLISH ON MEETINGS 2016 is going to be a good year for the meetings Sheraton on the Falls Boardroom Falls Avenue Resort Sheraton on the Falls Guestroom industry, according Falls Avenue Resort delivers what you need! conference space while the Crowne Plaza Adventure City Arcade are all located on to the American Located directly across the street from the features 15,000 square feet of dedicated the Resort. No transportation needed! Express Meetings & spectacular Niagara Falls, this 20-acre resort meeting space. Planners can choose from FOUR SEASONS combines state-of-the-art meeting venues over 35 flexible, function rooms as well as EAT SEOUL OPENS Events 2016 Global and first-rate hotels with incredible dining a host of unique venues such as the new Groups staying at Falls Avenue Resort have and entertainment options. Whether you’re Niagara Brewing Company’s Falls-side patio— the chance to embark on amazing culinary Meetings Forecast. planning a meeting, conference, awards a total of more than 140,000+ square feet journeys at three Fallsview restaurants. gala or incentive travel program you’ll deal of usable event space. Windows by Jamie Kennedy Fresh Grill & DESTINATIONS GOOD WORKS with one contact, who will guide you through Wine Bar is a four-Diamond, farm-to-table all the Resort and Niagara offers; help you CONNECT experience. The renowned Rainbow Room QUOTABLE create a one-of-a-kind event that will make The resort knows how important quality by Massimo Capra offers authentic Italian even the most discerning clients happy and connectivity is to planners and attendees.