Puerto Rico

International travel doesn’t have to be difficult, and one of the easiest places to visit is the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which doesn’t require passports for entry for U.S. citizens. Attendees don’t have to navigate through customs, either, and the use of U.S. currency eliminates foreign exchange fees from the budget. The communication barrier is lifted with English and Spanish existing side-by-side as the official languages, and there are hundreds of non-stop flights to Puerto Rico’s three airports by major U.S. carriers including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and US Airways.

Puerto Rico Convention Center

The Caribbean island also has plenty of space for meetings: more than 1.2 million square feet of meeting space and the largest meeting facilities in the Caribbean. The new, 580,000-sq.-ft. Puerto Rico Convention Center, set in the heart of San Juan, opens the door for large association event business. The center’s impressive stats—28 meeting rooms, more than 152,000 square feet of exhibit space and a high-tech 39,500-sq.-ft. ballroom—nicely complement the capital city’s existing fleet of meeting properties and its abundance of attendee activities, from sightseeing in historic Old San Juan to the island’s bountiful shopping, fine dining, lively nightlife and gorgeous beaches.

With 14,000 total guest rooms, Puerto Rico is able to accommodate a wide range of group sizes. If you’re seeking a luxury option, look no further than atop a 300-foot cliff where the El Conquistador Resort is perched. Divided into five villages, the property offers everything from 24-hour butler service to a view of the new waterpark and private marina. Now a member of the Waldorf Astoria Collection, the resort has more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space and 984 guest rooms and suites.

Located between the El Yunque rainforest and the Atlantic Ocean, the Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort, sprawls out on 500 acres, accommodating two championship golf courses and a 7,000-sq.-ft. casino. The 672 guest rooms and suites are set in a Spanish hacienda style, and the 48,000 square feet of flexible meeting space can host large groups.

Puerto Rico’s natural beauty also provides a great incentive for teambuilding, creative group outings and extended attendee stays. El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s lush, remote rainforest, is a must-see group excursion, teeming with exotic plants and wildlife, and good trail for novice hikers. The island of Vieques, just off Puerto Rico’s eastern shore, offers planners a unique, accessible breakaway for pampering board members and VIPs.

Costa Rica

The Westin Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal

Located in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica extends barely 200 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, so a drive across the country takes a mere three hours. With 762 miles of coastline, Costa Rica features stunning beaches and a variety of aquatic ecosystems, making sport fishing and snorkeling among the top activities.

A passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter the country and a $26 departure fee is charged. English is widely spoken, though Spanish is the official language. Just a two-hour flight from Miami and five hours from Toronto, Costa Rica is also easily accessible to North American cities. Its two international airports host 22 international carriers representing 350 flights weekly. The country has more than 1,800 hotels in a variety of styles, from boutique to grand resort.

The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa is one of Costa Rica’s newest luxury resorts boasting the largest pool in Central America. The property is adjacent to a golf course and has oceanfront access. Its 310 guest rooms are styled in traditional Costa Rican decor. The property’s 7,223 square feet of meeting space can accommodate groups of up to 600. Another property, The Westin Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal, has 406 guest rooms and 2,131 square feet of meeting space. The resort’s close proximity to multiple national parks provides a plethora of activity options.

If you’re looking for an option more accessible to the city, the Real InterContinental Hotel and Club Tower Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose’s trendy Escazú area and adjacent to the luxurious multi-plaza shopping mall. The hotel’s 16,000-sq.-ft. spa is the largest in Central America. Its 372 guest rooms include 98 in a separate tower with a private lounge, perfect for housing VIP delegates. With 23,142 square feet of total meeting space, the InterContinental can accommodate groups of up to 800.

Vienna, Austria

For the sixth year in a row, the International Congress and Convention Association has ranked Vienna the top destination for international meetings, hosting more than 2,900 congresses and events in 2010. Also Europe’s leading destination for political, scientific and business conferences, the city offers state-of-the art conferencing technology. Vienna’s 26,336 hotel rooms range from luxury accommodations in a former palace to Austrian and U.S. hotel chains suitable for any budget.

Hotel Imperial

Meeting venue options in Vienna are plentiful with three convention centers, 88 conference hotels and 39 historical venues. World-renown for its first-rate musical and cultural attractions, Vienna is a haven for concert halls, museums and theaters that can act as your meeting’s venue or serve as entertainment for an evening function. While German is the official language, English is widely spoken. A passport is all that is required for U.S. citizens to enter the country.

Originally the 1893 residence of a Viennese prince, Hotel Imperial combines the regality of the 19th century with modern, state-of-the art facilities. Perfect for intimate groups, the hotel has 138 guest rooms and 1,453 square feet of meeting space. For slightly larger groups, Le Méridien Vienna offers 294 guest rooms and suites and 3,660 square feet of meeting space. Listed on Condé Naste Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards for the top 50 Northern European hotels, Le Meridien has guest rooms that are spacious and contemporary.

London, England

ExCeL London

Host of the 2012 Olympic Games next summer, London is a city with a vast infrastructure to accommodate everything from a large-scale meeting to an intimate gathering. The city boasts more than 100,000 total hotel rooms, more than 1,000 event venues and 214,403 square feet of meeting space in the ExCeL London exhibition and conference center alone. Easily accessible to all points of continental Europe and a seven-hour flight from the U.S. East Coast, London is a good choice for attendees coming from both the U.S. and European cities. London’s five international airports welcome visitors from 300 worldwide destinations. Planning a meeting in London does not have to be a budget buster. Take advantage of the city’s free attractions including 17 national museums and galleries, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and London’s famous street markets.

Re-opened in 2010 after a $146 million renovation, The Savoy hotel has been a British icon since 1889. Located on The Strand in London’s West End theatre district, The Savoy offers spectacular views of the River Thames and is considered the place to stay in London. The hotel’s 268 guest rooms and suites are decorated in art deco and Edwardian flair. The hotel has six private meeting rooms ideal for breakouts and three banquet rooms accommodating up to 800 people. Opened last year, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is London’s largest hotel with 1,021 guest rooms and suites. The hotel has 29,063 square feet of flexible meeting space including 30 meeting rooms and the Westminster Ballroom, accommodating 1,400 people theater-style. Located near London’s vibrant South Bank and directly opposite the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, the hotel is ideally located for a business event.

Singapore

Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore has a land area of just larger than 274 square miles, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Its sound business infrastructure and favorable economic climate provide for a thriving tourism industry, attracting groups from around
the world.

Once a humble fishing village, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state with a multicultural appeal. From art and music to a thriving nightlife, the destination offers an eclectic mix of entertainment and attractions to suit every group. English is the main language of instruction, making communication with hoteliers and other suppliers easy and efficient. The Singapore government is eager to attract international groups, offering grants depending on the size of the meeting and educational content.

Grand Hyatt Singapore

Located in the center of the city’s commercial and entertainment district, the Grand Hyatt Singapore is a five-star oasis at the start of the Orchard Road shopping district. The hotel offers 663 guest rooms and suites and more than 50,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. For larger meetings, the Fairmont Singapore has 769 guest rooms and suites and 70,000 square feet of meeting space. Guests of the Fairmont have access to the Willow Stream Spa, one of the largest spa facilities in Asia. The hotel’s 16 restaurants and bars provide a myriad of dining options. Centrally located amid three shopping malls and close to the financial district, the Pan Pacific Singapore has 778 guest rooms and suites, and more than 20 meeting and banquet facilities.

Hong Kong

Island Shangri-la Hong Kong

Situated on the southeastern cost of China, Hong Kong is a leading trading port, financial and services center in Asia. Its blend of Eastern and Western influences, diverse attractions and a stunning countryside contribute to its thriving tourism industry.

Hong Kong is a major transportation hub served by more than 80 airlines as well as cruise lines, ferries and trains from mainland China and other destinations. The city’s six distinct districts are alive with a variety of art and cultural heritage. From the hip SOHO district to the hustle and bustle of the Wanchai business district, Hong Kong provides a variety of eclectically infused environments.

Connected to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has magnificent views of Victoria Harbour and the Wanchai district. The hotel has 549 guest rooms and suites and 25 meeting rooms, the largest accommodating up to 950 people theater-style. If you’re looking for a luxury option, the Island Shangri-la Hong Kong has the largest hotel rooms in the city and impressive decor from 771 chandeliers to a 16-story silk painting. The hotel has a total of 565 guest rooms and suites, and eight meeting rooms, the largest accommodating 1,000 reception-style.

Taxes
Canada’s Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program offers reduced tax incentives for international groups that hold their meetings in the country. For rebate information, requirements and forms go to the Canada Review Agency website.

Passports
Passports are required for any air travel outside the U.S. and its territories. They’re no longer cheap (for adults, $135; for kids under 16, $105), can take up to two months to process, and first-timers must apply in person. For forms and information, go to travel.state.gov/passport.

Mobile Phones
The new iPhone 4S is a world phone. It can be bought from AT&T, Verizon and, for the first time, Sprint. Even if you get your iPhone 4S from Verizon, whose CDMA network is incompatible with the GSM networks used in most other countries, you’ll still be able to make calls overseas, either through Verizon or by inserting another carrier’s SIM card. Whatever mobile phone you use, you should call your wireless provider to make sure it is ready to make and receive calls in a foreign country. You can also check with your carrier for the exact rates in the countries where you’ll be traveling. Calls will be charged on a per-minute basis. For subscribers with U.S. cell phone service, domestic voice, text message or data plans do not apply when traveling in another country. SMS text messaging is typically the cheapest way to communicate with people in the country where you’re traveling and also with people back home in the U.S.

Attendee Info
Create your own international tip sheet for attendees and include with event information.

Online Resources
The State Department posts current travel warnings and alerts on its site at travel.state.gov, which also has passport information. While the customs process has become more streamlined there are still certain restrictions and requirements. For specific dos and don’ts, choose “Tips for Traveling Abroad” on the international travel page. Lonelyplanet.com is also a useful site for international travelers with Users can click on the world map for information on global destinations, including crime and practical concerns.

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From the Caribbean and Latin America to Europe and Asia, international destinations continue to be a growing consideration for meeting managers whose organizations have a global reach. According to the International Congress and Convention Association, the U.S. is the No. 1 country generating international meetings. And worldwide, there were 826 more international events in 2010 than the previous year. The ICCA attributes part of the increase to scientific and technological developments that require companies to discuss these complex changes face-to-face. While budgets remain tighter than ever, many international cities are pushing incentives to encourage planners to bring their meetings abroad.

When considering hotel and meeting venues in international destinations, it is important to craft a request for proposal that includes as much attendee demographic and historical information as possible, even if the meeting was not held in that country previously. It is also important to provide an estimated per person budget, keeping in mind that most international properties include breakfast with the room rate. Many countries also package the meeting requirements into a separate rate often referred to as the daily delegate rate (DDR). This rate would include the meeting space, coffee breaks, lunches in the restaurant, writing materials and basic audiovisual such as a projector and screen. If you are looking for a private lunch not in the hotel restaurant, this might incur a surcharge on top of the DDR. The hotel also will require international groups to pre-pay the cost of the meeting space in full. Transportation and tour companies require 90 to 100 percent pre-payment. Many international properties will charge a fee for payment by credit card. Inquire what the supplier’s policy is and request that the fees be waived.

Sanphet Prasat Palace, Thailand

Contract concessions typical in the United States, such as complimentary meeting space and a 24-hour hold on that space, are not the norm and should not be assumed. “In terms of Asia, the priorities and objectives of the hotels can be very different than in North America,” says Joan Orentlicher, CMP, assistant vice president, meetings, conference and travel for LOMA and LIMRA, both worldwide organizations in the insurance and financial services industry. “Hefty fees for meeting space are always a part of the contract, but you may get many inclusions.” She says that because Asians take great pride in the appearance of the meeting, these inclusions might be chair covers, high-end tablecloths and floral centerpieces. VIP waiting rooms and built-in translation booths are also standard inclusions. Orentlicher says it’s also difficult to negotiate a 24-hour hold on meeting space in Asian countries where local social events take high priority and are often associated with the country’s royalty or government officials.

It’s then important to allow more time for the contract negotiation process when dealing with foreign countries. Ping He, CMP, director, global sourcing and partner relations for Experient Inc., suggests building in more time to account for time zone and language differences as well as forming a relationship with the sales person. “Sales people are not as incentivized to close the deal as they are in the U.S.,” he says.

When writing the RFP and negotiating the contract, be careful not to use words that would be understood by American suppliers, but unclear to service providers abroad. For example, requesting a “light lunch” might have a different meaning in Latin America and even more so in Asia. It is better to provide the number of courses required and use basic descriptors such as a meat, poultry or fish entree, starch, vegetable and dessert. “Use simple English in your communication with non-English speaking countries,” he says. “We know what ‘How many rooms have been picked up?’ means in the states, but a manager of a small Italian hotel will not understand. Say instead, ‘How many rooms have been used or actualized?’ and you will get a quicker response.”

Understanding the culture and business protocol is very important when planning international meetings. “There are many international protocol books available and the local hotel staff is usually more than willing to help navigate through the differences,” Orentlicher says. “Never assume anything is the same as you experience in North America.”

Paulette Hopkins, president of the Hopkins Alliance, suggests contacting the destination’s tourist board and working with a local destination management company to help navigate cultural disparities. “Research the country’s holidays and bank holidays,” Hopkins says. “Unlike America, other countries honor their holidays and most businesses are closed.” She points to an example where the word “weekend” does not always mean a Saturday and Sunday for Muslim countries. “For most Muslim countries, ‘weekend’ means Friday and Saturday as Friday is a Muslim holy day,” she says.

While planning your budget, be aware that hotel room rates, meals and services will include a value-added tax or VAT, which could be as much as 15 to 20 percent. Because visitors or non-residents of the country do not technically owe the tax, groups can request a refund to reclaim all or part of the charges. It is important to request that the VAT amount be separated so you can keep track of the charges and file for a refund. “I recommend working with a VAT reclaim services company,” she says. “It can be a complex process and take up to a year to reclaim.”

Click on the image to read "Border Crossing" for information about Canadian meetings

Airport entry fees and visa requirements are also budget considerations. Argentina, for example, charges a $140 entry fee, which is valid for up to 10 years and multiple visits. A passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries and if your attendees include young adults, it is important to verify that they have this essential travel document. The U.S. State Department strongly advises American citizens to register their travel abroad with the Department of State. Registration makes it possible to contact the traveler in the event of a family emergency back in the U.S. or to alert of a crisis in the visiting country. Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the country, but short-term policies can be purchased for travel abroad.

When considering a hotel, venue or mode of transportation for your group, remember that the Americans with Disabilities Act is a North American requirement. Historic hotels, which are often smaller in European destinations, may not contain elevators or be accessible to attendees with special needs. International shipping requirements also vary from country to country. To avoid delay of your shipment in customs, it is best to use a broker based in that country who is familiar with the guidelines and has influence to move your materials if necessary.

“Running international meetings requires a different skill set,” Orentlicher says. “But once you dive in, you will become a global specialist in no time.”

TIPS | Read additional information about passports, mobile phones, fees and more here.

Of course, he goes on to mention other reasons why our northern neighbor is an ideal destination for meetings. It’s one of the U.S.’s largest trading partners, he says, and it shares common heritage with the states, especially when it comes to law. “There are lots of professional opportunities for our members to network and potentially work together with Canadian lawyers in the future,” Balogh says. That alone might suffice for heading north for a meeting, but Balogh admits to one other motivating factor: “It’s really nice there.”

FOREIGN YET FAMILIAR

Toronto

While Balogh’s comments may come as no surprise to some stateside planners, for a great many others the idea of taking a meeting to Canada still seems, well, foreign. And that’s a shame, given what it can offer groups.

“We spend a lot of time talking with planners about why they might want to take their meeting to Canada,” says David Whitaker, president and CEO of Tourism Toronto. Besides the value and curiosity factors, Whitaker and his team have found a number of other reasons why U.S. associations might consider it. “Their mission may no longer have [geographic] borders and may now include a global context,” he says. “If you’re interested in a global agenda and content then why not be interested in a place that’s as comfortable, convenient and appealing as Canada?”

That said, Canada does present the chance to meet someplace truly international but with most of the comforts of home. Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, British Columbia, offer attendees a healthy dose of familiarity (in fact, all have repeatedly served as American locations in films and TV) along with a sense of being somewhere quite different. Each comes with built-in and distinctly international cultural, educational and business networks, as witnessed in everything from restaurants and museums to the plethora of ethnic neighborhood and festivals.

The best example of that unique foreign/familiar combo can be found in the charming provincial capitals of Victoria, British Columbia, and Quebec City, Quebec, where—given those cities’ art, architecture, cuisine and language (in Quebec’s case, it’s Quebecois, a variation of French)—attendees might be forgiven for thinking that they’d landed in either Westminster, London or the Normandy Coast. And yes, even in the most Old World cafes and shops of Quebec, English is commonly heard.

EASY ACCESS, PLENTIFUL SPACE

Attendees also will discover that Canada’s cities are as accessible as many of their American counterparts. Air service between the countries is competitive in terms of price and frequency, with many direct and non-stop flights from major carriers. And depending on the destination, travel times can be quick—Quebec, Toronto and Montreal, for example, lie within a two-hour flight of most Northeast and Midwest cities.

Once in town, attendees should find Canada’s meeting spots decidedly user-friendly. “You can walk from end to end of our downtown in about 20 minutes,” says Erin Lee, business development for meetings and conventions at Meetings and Conventions Calgary. Alberta’s largest city also features a light rail transit system (free in the downtown core) and 10 miles worth of climate-controlled passageways for cooler weather. Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, are equipped with their own systems of enclosed, weather-proofed walkways and passages, in some cases with tie-ins to local mass transit stations.

In Canada, planners also can count on the quality and quantity of meeting and exhibit space that they’ve become accustomed to in the states. From British Columbia to Halifax, the list of major centers runs long and deep, with many of the major Canadian cities also providing additional venues and facilities designed to accommodate industry-specific (e.g., agriculture, technology, automotive) trade shows and exhibitions.

FOUR SEASON FUN

Attendees love to toss around the term “added value” and Canada, fortunately, comes with plenty. For starters, consider Canada’s seemingly endless natural beauty and outdoor recreation, much of which is a short trip from downtown meeting spots. In the west, Vancouver provides an easy jumping-off point for group adventures on Vancouver Island (think sailing, kayaking, hiking and deep sea fishing) and is a two-hour drive or train ride south of Whistler, British Columbia’s premier mountain meetings resort town.

Ottawa, Ontario

In Alberta, planners can hold meetings in Calgary and Edmonton, then send attendees out for terrific teambuilding and group recreation in the Rocky Mountains around Jasper, Canmore and Banff, a combined resort town and national park where human visitors stroll side-by-side with elk and deer. Summers here bring golf, rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking, while winters are truly a wonderland, with dogsledding, snowshoe hiking, and downhill and cross-country skiing.

The winding, cobblestone streets of Quebec’s walled-in Old City and the nearby historic Plains of Abraham battlefield are ideal for group day trips or free-time exploration. A local and tourist favorite winter sight in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada’s elegant and historic capital city, is the graceful stream of ice skaters gliding along the landmark Rideau Canal. Prince Edward Island is home to spectacular beaches, the world’s best mussels and one of youth literature’s best-known and favorite characters, Anne of Green Gables. Tremblant, just outside of Montreal, is a year-round, all-encompassing resort where indoor activities like shopping and dining hold their own against outside fun on the slopes.

For a memorable teambuilding experience, it’s hard to beat what Canada offers at its former Olympic sites. Groups can visit and experience first-hand gold-medal thrills, revel in memorable moments, and even hold a luncheon or private reception at the country’s former Olympic venues in Vancouver, Whistler, Calgary and Montreal.

> Return to “International Understanding” feature article

By Patricia Bates

Before the 2010 Winter Olympics get underway in British Columbia a year from this February, let the games begin for meeting planners interested in going to Vancouver and Whistler.

Team-building exercises in the snow and ice can make champions of even the most amateur athlete in your group. No one has to qualify for anything as demanding as the luge to receive a medal or as flawless as a Lutz to get a perfect 10 from the judges.

For inspiration, special appearances by one of 3,300 Canadian Olympians can also be booked through Olympic Voice during your conference in British Columbia. Under the program by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), they can bring home the gold when it comes to motivating your attendees.

VANCOUVER
Whether beginner, intermediate or advanced, Snow School is where your group can train for your own Olympics at Grouse Mountain. There’s no sitting around a roaring fire with a cast on pretending they can’t ski anymore. This is where everyone can get the bunny slope basics.

Snow School is also where adults can learn to snowboard, and they even get a report card afterward. At the Peak Chalet of Vancouver, they can compare grades (and maybe flips and turns) at a private party later on Grouse Mountain.

For would-be leaders who like to put their foot down, the Snowshoe Adventure Challenge is a good alternative. Walking around Grouse Mountain can give them a sense of direction, especially when they are using their Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) coordinates along with a trail map and instructions.

Victory can be claimed after orienteering through the Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park, where they earn points at each marker. Those who get to the finish line first can have a Snowshoe Fondue with cheese and chocolate at a reception at the Peak Chalet.

If your participants don’t know a double-axel from a triple-toe loop, they can still go on the outdoor 3,000-square-foot Ice Skating Pond at Grouse Mountain. As the only rink of its kind on the West Coast, they will glide along at their own speed high above Vancouver.

The less active can be chauffeured around in a Sno-Limo through the forests at Grouse Mountain. They will ride in gravity-powered, multi-passenger vehicles around hills with titles like The Cut, Buckhorn and Heaven’s Sake at up to 4,100 feet above sea level. Afterward, they can be off to drinks and dinner at the nearby observatory.

Grab the Olympic “rings” on Sea Quest Scavenger Hunts in the coves and inlets around Vancouver. Teams have to sail boats over a 12-square mile radius in Howe Sound using only a list of questions, a navigational map and a cell phone. Through Sewell’s Marina, the three-person crews and their skippers have to decide which route to take as they look for answers about nature over their two-and-a-half hours on the ocean. Weather-permitting—even in February—the groups from eight to 180 members can go on the Sea Quest in covered vessels.

On these fact-finding expeditions, the innovative get bonus points for being creative. After the scores are tallied, they are given ribbons, hats or other awards. Then, it’s on to the galley for a meal at the Boathouse Restaurant in Horseshoe Bay or Doc Morgan’s Inn at Snug Cove on Bowen Island.

A Salmon Fishing Derby may not be among the trials for the 2010 Winter Olympics, but it is definitely competitive in Vancouver. All year around, anglers can hook a King salmon in the Straights of Georgia around Howe Sound.

With the plunging temperatures, the Chinook like to nibble on herring and anchovies along the Chinook Squamish River. Sewell’s Marina will equip three to five persons on a charter with the tackle, along with the bait to reel in up to the 25-pounders in a weigh-off on the shore.

WHISTLER
You can feel the adrenaline rush of the slalom without taking to the Olympic course on a Ziptrek Winter Twilight Tour through the Old Growth Rainforest in Whistler. In a harness, each individual flies through the darkness on a wire past 4,000 glowing lights on Blackcomb Mountain.

The participants wear headlamps on the trail of canopied bridges and boardwalks to reach the sheltered decks. Then, they get propel themselves from 200 to 1,000 feet along the five Ziptrek lines more than 150 feet above the valley floor. In the elements, Ziptrek can also outfit everyone in rain gear to gloves.

To warm up, take the Zip ‘n Chili Dinner Tour where the steaming hot soup will be ready for your guests later at an A-frame cabin near Fitsimmons Creek. By the fireside, they can have cocoa and cookies on Blackcomb Mountain.

VICTORIA
Like hang time on a ski jump, every second counts during the Urban Olympics at The Poets Cove Resort & Spa in Pender Cove near Victoria. Each person has to be at the top of their game to win on Pender Island.

These feats are organized for groups of eight to 40 through the Poets Cove Activities Centre. As one of their partners, Canadian Outback Adventures can also design the themes around Survivor, The Amazing Race, CSI, The Apprentice or Power of One.

OTHER B.C. ADVENTURES
Never mind that snow tubing or dog sledding has yet to be approved for the Olympics. You can still be a contender for it at The Hills Snow Park at the Hills Health Ranch at 108 Mile Ranch, which is about five hours north of Vancouver.

This Nordic ski facility has 150 km of trails for all levels, along with up to 1,000 vertical feet of elevations in the Cariboo region of the Province. If your group wants to have its own marathon, they could do so in the wilderness. For the aches and pains afterward, they can also soothe them at the indoor pool, spa or hot tubs.

The Snow Coach leaves weekly for Hills Health Ranch, which has more than 25,000 acres for cross-country to downhill. It also has two outdoor rinks, along with one of the largest groomed skating track systems in Canada. And, trails abound for snowmobilers.

At your meeting, have some pageantry at your closing ceremonies. After a horse-drawn sleigh ride, attendees can toast marshmallows around a bonfire in the 32-foot tepee. Or, they can raise a glass to each other in one of three lounges on the grounds.

TOURISM CONTACTS:

Tourism British Columbia
BestCities.Net (Tourism Vancouver’s convention bureau alliance with eight partners on five continents)
Tourism Vancouver
Tourism Whistler
Tourism Victoria

Photo: Ziplining at Fitzsimmons Creek, Whistler. Tourism BC/Toshi Kawano