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special section Innovative Centers and Unique Venues Ottawa
Convene in Canada’s capital
Located at the junction of three rivers, Otta- wa was for thousands of years a place where Canada’s Aboriginal peoples gathered to trade and celebrate. Today Ottawa — Can- ada’s capital — is one of the country’s most popular meeting destinations. Ottawa’s position as Canada’s capital
goes a long way toward explaining the city’s appeal. The region of more than one million people is animated by a plethora of festivals and celebrations that happen throughout the year, as well as plenty of must-see national sites and cultural attractions. That, along with Ottawa’s abundance of natural beauty and outdoor recreation, and its easy cosmopoli- tan rhythm, lively culinary scene, and eclectic neighborhoods, makes the destination espe- cially attractive to meeting attendees. Ottawa is also a center for research and education across a wide range of fields, pro-
viding expertise that meeting planners can call upon for speakers and programming. The ease of getting to and around the city is also a big plus for meetings. The centrally located city is just an hour-and-a-half flight from New York City and Washington, D.C., and two hours from Chicago. The state-of- the-art Ottawa International Airport, ranked No. 1 in the world for customer service by Airports Council International, includes U.S. Customs preclearance facilities and daily service to many major Canadian, U.S., and international destinations. Drive time from the airport to Ottawa’s walkable downtown is just 15 minutes. Since opening last year, the Ottawa Con-
vention Centre has already earned glowing reviews from the events it has hosted. The center is just a few steps away from every- thing that makes downtown Ottawa such a
desirable destination — attractions, monu- ments, dining, shopping, and more than 6,000 hotel rooms. Whether it’s one of the world’s foremost hotel brands or a local bou- tique property, all of Ottawa’s accommoda- tion options are staffed with highly skilled teams experienced with hosting groups. Likewise, Ottawa’s multitude of grand pub- lic spaces, such as the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Civiliza- tion, and the Canadian War Museum, all pro- vide unique off-site venues for memorable events that surround attendees with regional art, culture, and history.
For more information: Ottawa Tourism — (800) 363-4465; ottawatourism.ca
Spectacular views The Ottawa Convention Centre opened in April 2011 with close to 200,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space overlooking the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The facility is also connected to the 180-store Rideau Centre and the 495-room Westin Ottawa.
94 PCMA CONVENE JULY 2012