Meetings & Conventions https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/ Gather Island Style Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:16:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-fish-32x32.png Meetings & Conventions https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/ 32 32 Health and Wellness: The Prince Edward Island Way! https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/health-and-wellness-the-prince-edward-island-way/ Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:16:15 +0000 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=20532 A floating agricultural destination, Canada’s Food Island, has always been synonymous with the intermeshing of creative entrepreneurship and remarkable wellness spaces.  Prince Edward Island is the perfect location to be aligned with reward or incentive travel getaways with health and wellness as a paramount objective. With a rural sensibility, beautiful landscapes and coastal vistas, guests […]

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A floating agricultural destination, Canada’s Food Island, has always been synonymous with the intermeshing of creative entrepreneurship and remarkable wellness spaces.  Prince Edward Island is the perfect location to be aligned with reward or incentive travel getaways with health and wellness as a paramount objective. With a rural sensibility, beautiful landscapes and coastal vistas, guests at Nature Space Resort will be able to step away from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives from near and far to slip away to PEI to restore, rejuvenate and relax.

Each yurt at Nature Space Resort comes equipped with a private hot tub

A round table discussion can’t yurt!

Owner/Operators Heather and Jarrod MacQuillan

Heather & Jarrod Gunn McQuillan, owner/operators of the self-proclaimed “Four-Season Glamping Resort,” founded Nature Space Resort in 2021, fulfilling their shared dream. Jarrod shares, “We were inspired to create an experience not just a place to stay. We wanted to be able to offer high-touch service where guests are treated like family and every detail is taken care of.”

The accommodations are unique, no stuffy by-the-numbers spaces here; accommodations are fashioned like the Mongolian circular dwellings known as yurts.

Heather explains, “There’s something special about circles and we have a lot of circles at Nature Space Resort. With no hard edges, all-natural construction materials including sheep fleece, horsehair, camel sinew, and tamarack all gorgeously hand painted; staying in a yurt is like rejuvenating within an art installation in real time.”

Each of the yurts on the property is themed based upon the animals which live on the property. The cozy nature of the yurt offers a retreat which is a welcome departure from the ordinary. The yurts are spaced so that you’re surrounded by nature and can disconnect from technology to reconnect with yourself, your loved ones, and your team.

The Snowshoe Hare Yurt

Restorative amenities nestled in “PEI’s Natural Capital”

St. Peter’s Harbour was the capital region of the province in the 1800’s- a bustling community of shipbuilding and fishing. Now it’s the heart of the islands most gorgeous natural scenery including north shore beaches, wildlife, and now boasts the inclusion of the Nature Space Resort.

What does your group have access to at the resort?

  • Each yurt is equipped with a wood burning stove and lots of firewood. And in the summer there’s air conditioning.
  • Each yurt has a deck with a private hot tub, campfire pit, and meeting goers will be kitted out with snowshoes in the winter.
  • On site guest also have access to a sauna, cold bucket/shower and cold plunge by the sauna for hot/cold therapy experiences.
  • Kayaks or paddle boards (available for rent) including nature tours, culinary kayak experiences and kayak & yoga experiences.
  • The yoga yurt is open yearlong and offers wellness and personal growth sessions.
  • We have a commercial kitchen and can provide food options to groups. We also work with many chefs and caterers to broaden food offerings depending on group preferences.
The perfect location for a yoga/wellness teambuilding retreat

“Come be a part of nature, not apart from it!”

Heather and Jarrod build sustainability into their operation by honouring the ecosystem in which they inhabit. “We are certified with GreenStep highlighting our commitment to sustainable and eco-responsible principles,” Jarrod notes. Furthermore, “to achieve this certification we had to demonstrate responsible environmental practices including reduction/elimination of single use plastis, working with guests to re-use towels and linens to conserve water during their stay, and recycling practices onsite. We are also highly conscious of our ecological footprint and try to develop the resort while preserving and protecting the surrounding eco system.”

A new future is created when we make each
meeting an opportunity

Regular flights are available on Air Canada, Westjet, Flair, and Porter, with Charlottetown just two hours from Toronto.
Find out more here.

Visit Meetings & Conventions PEI’s website to find out how to transform your next meeting, conference, or incentive travel program into a lasting experience.

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A Life-saving Medical Treatment from an Unexpected Source: Exploring Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic Beef Products https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/atlantic-beef-products-medical-treatment/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 14:31:39 +0000 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=20401 Atlantic Beef Products Inc., located in Albany PEI, was founded in 2003 by Maritime beef producers who needed a local plant to ship their cattle to for processing when the Moncton, New Brunswick plant shuttered in 2002. “Our plant is unique in Canada as we are owned by the Atlantic Beef Producers Cooperative Ltd., that […]

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Atlantic Beef Products Inc., located in Albany PEI, was founded in 2003 by Maritime beef producers who needed a local plant to ship their cattle to for processing when the Moncton, New Brunswick plant shuttered in 2002.

“Our plant is unique in Canada as we are owned by the Atlantic Beef Producers Cooperative Ltd., that is owned by beef producers from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia,” explains ABPI president, Russ Mallard. “We are the only beef plant cooperative in Canada, and we provide an invaluable essential service to beef and dairy producers in the region, that might not otherwise be available if beef producers had not stepped up to invest back in the early 2000’s.”

Carson Smith and family are the seventh generation to raise cattle on their farm in the heartland of PEI.

Atlantic Beef Products — a dynamic operation meeting more than carnivore cravings

The BLES® instrument utilized in the process

In addition to producing some of the best quality and highly sought-after steaks in the nation, the Atlantic Beef Plant is also involved in the biosciences industry through the association with BLES Biochemicals Inc., a privately owned Canadian-controlled pharmaceutical company. BLES® is a pulmonary surfactant for use in the treatment of premature infants suffering from Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome.  It treats lung distress by reducing surface tension in the lungs to allow for proper breathing patterns when a child is born without the necessary endogenous surfactant.

Since 2017, pulmonary surfactant extraction has been integrated into the processing line, making the operational procedure a fascinating perspective to take in first-hand for experts in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

More than meets the eye

According to Mallard, Beef and meat processing methods in general are not all that well known by the public. “I think our visitors leave our plant after a tour, with a much better appreciation of the complexities of running a modern meat processing operation, these meetings of purpose deepen the knowledge of how much effort is made to ensure food safety for consumers, and how much care we take of the cattle prior to their processing. We also make a concentrated effort to utilize as much of the beef carcass as possible”. 

By augmenting speaker series with PEI’s biosciences experts, or enriching programming with localized technical tours, business event organizers in both the agribusiness and life sciences industry can attract delegates, increase revenues, and inspire future generations. 

Atlantic Beef Products Inc. president, Russ Mallard

Susan Freeman, Executive Director of Meetings and Conventions PEI enthusiastically asserts that, “delegates who attend life sciences events and conferences on PEI can experience interactive, hands-on tours of cutting-edge production facilities and laboratories, where they can witness the development of new bioscience products and expand their minds beyond what they thought was possible”.

A new future is created when we make each meeting an opportunity

Regular flights are available on Air Canada, Westjet, Flair, and Porter, with Charlottetown just two hours from Toronto. Find out more here.

Visit Meetings & Conventions PEI’s website to find out how to transform your next meeting, conference, or incentive travel program into a lasting experience.

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Beyond buzzwords: Prince Edward Island Aquaculture in Action https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/beyond-buzzwords-prince-edward-island-aquaculture-in-action/ Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:47:20 +0000 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=20271 Prince Edward Island is known for its stunning landscapes and pristine waters that conveys the Island’s singular symbiosis between the shellfish industry and the island’s unique ecosystem. The Raspberry Point Oyster brand first started selling oysters under the Malpeque oyster name in the 1900s at the Paris world fair. At the fair, the PEI Malpeque oyster was deemed the best in […]

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Prince Edward Island is known for its stunning landscapes and pristine waters that conveys the Island’s singular symbiosis between the shellfish industry and the island’s unique ecosystem.

The Raspberry Point Oyster brand first started selling oysters under the Malpeque oyster name in the 1900s at the Paris world fair. At the fair, the PEI Malpeque oyster was deemed the best in the world. This name became famous and used widely throughout PEI. This led to the company to brand itself under the Raspberry Point brand along with 7 other brands from 4 different farms.

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A Legend in the Island Oyster Legacy

James Power originally joined the company with the COW’s branch and oversaw making ice cream in the 1990s During the ice cream years, James worked weekends and part-time until eventually transferred to help grow oysters. James has been a part of the company since we first started growing oysters in the early 1990’s. Today he is Raspberry Point’s General Manager and known across the country for his work in the industry over the past 30+ years and his expertise in oysters.

When James was asked about how in-person visits to the aquafarm can both enrich and provide meaningful context in programming for visiting delegates, Power asserts, “Seeing aquaculture in person is an amazing turning point to create connections that cement a relationship with the oyster and the farm it came from. To be able to see the hard work that goes into growing oysters and meeting all the people that make it possible is something that you will never forget and creates lasting bonds.”

Cultivation Promotes Aquacultural Sustainability

Oysters are filter feeders, meaning they improve water quality by removing excess nutrients and sediment from the surrounding ecosystem. By consuming phytoplankton, they help maintain a healthy balance in the aquatic environment. James says that “oyster cultivation, is one of the most sustainable methods of aquafarming. Additionally, we are creating more efforts as a company to reduce our plastic footprint, including working towards switching our power from fossil fuels to solar energy. In this way, participants get a holistic opportunity to learn about the entire process of oyster harvesting, from cultivation to harvest. Incentive winners can engage in hands-on activities like shucking oysters, which can be an educational and rewarding experience.

By emphasizing the sustainability impact of the PEI oyster industry, meeting planners and incentive winners can be attracted to the destination, knowing that their visit supports a sustainable industry and promotes the well-being of the environment and local communities.

You must be wondering, how does oyster connoisseur, James Power encourage you to try oysters? “To showcase an oyster, I always encourage you to first eat the oyster without any toppings This way you can truly taste the waters the oyster has come from and taste the unique flavor they bring. After doing this, I encourage you to try and customize your oyster any way you like!”

Regular flights are available on Air Canada, Westjet, Flair, and Porter, with Charlottetown just two hours from Toronto.
Find out more here.

Visit Meetings & Conventions PEI’s website to find out how to transform your next meeting, conference, or incentive travel program into a lasting experience.

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Prince Edward Island among Canada’s Top 10 Most Sustainable Destinations in 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Index  https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/prince-edward-island-among-canadas-top-10-sustainable-destinations-in-2023-global-destination-sustainability-index/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 18:26:31 +0000 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=20191 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Oct 10, 2023- Charlottetown, P.E.I. — Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) has joined 100 destinations worldwide in an international sustainability benchmarking and improvement program, the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index).  The announced results rank P.E.I. at #79 globally and #10 among the 20 Canadian destinations participating,  This extensive, year-long program evaluated Prince Edward […]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Oct 10, 2023- Charlottetown, P.E.I. — Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) has joined 100 destinations worldwide in an international sustainability benchmarking and improvement program, the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index). 

The announced results rank P.E.I. at #79 globally and #10 among the 20 Canadian destinations participating, 

This extensive, year-long program evaluated Prince Edward Island on nearly 70 criteria aligned with the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), segmented into four main areas: environmental, social, supplier engagement and destination management. 

Meetings & Conventions Prince Edward Island has led the province’s participation in the program, collaborating with the City of Charlottetown, Discover Charlottetown, and several other local island tourism partners to map out sustainability benchmarks for the province in these key criteria. 

“We would like to thank our partners that participated in this very important benchmarking initiative with the team at Meetings and Conventions PEI,” says Susan Freeman, Executive Director of Meetings & Conventions PEI. 

This is Meetings and Conventions PEI’s first year in the program, participating in conjunction with Destination Canada Business Events and their Business Event Sustainability Plan, a first-of-its-kind national program aiming to position Canadian destinations as global changemakers, accelerating progress to the industry’s 2050 net zero targets. 

“We’ve always known that the City of Charlottetown and provincial tourism partners on P.E.I. have been implementing innovative sustainability practices into their operations” explains Freeman. “Participating in the GDS-Index has given us the opportunity to come together in the destination and marks a new beginning in our journey to making Prince Edward Island a truly sustainable destination to host business events and conferences. We look forward to continuing to work together with industry partners to ensure we keep growing our practices towards net zero targets.” 

As a starting point, the indexing process in 2023 focused primarily on the city of Charlottetown, but plans are in place to extend this indexing further across the island in the future. 

Key highlights from the results include: 

  • Prince Edward Island scored highest in the category of social sustainability at 70%, demonstrating a strong commitment to creating a a socially sustainable and inclusive destination where residents can thrive and enjoy a high quality of life. 
  • In the category of environmental sustainability, P.E.I. scored 56% with key factors including efforts to include renewable energy generation, robust waste management practices, water conservation measures, promotion of active transportation, implementation of environmental policies and regulations, preservation of green spaces and biodiversity, and climate change adaptation strategies. 

View the full 2023 GDS-Index results at www.gds.earth/2023-results/ 

About Meetings & Conventions PEI 

Meetings & Conventions Prince Edward Island is a non-profit organization with a mission to generate demand for business events across the province of Prince Edward Island. They act as a complimentary resource for planning conventions, conferences, and business events and help connect meeting and business event planners with a wide variety of Island businesses within their membership. 

For more information about hosting sustainable events on P.E.I., please visit: www.meetingsandconventionspei.com/sustainability-guide/ 

For more information contact: 

Sean White 
Marketing & Communications Manager
Meetings and Conventions PEI
swhite@peimc.com (902)-393-0444 

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On Prince Edward Island, farm to fork is more than marketing, it’s a way of life https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/terry-nabuurs-agribusiness/ Thu, 11 May 2023 18:53:54 +0000 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=19124 The post On Prince Edward Island, farm to fork is more than marketing, it’s a way of life appeared first on Meetings & Conventions.

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A floating agricultural destination, Canada’s Food Island has always been synonymous with the intermeshing of creative entrepreneurship and superlative agricultural and aquacultural production.  One of the keys to this synergy is the ease of mobility around the Island. With only 225 km/140 miles from tip to tip of the province, it is possible to experience the rural beauty by touring the farms where the ingredients are being grown and then venture to an independent restaurant where the harvest is being served throughout the year.

A commitment to blueberries through

intergenerational engagement

Terry Nabuurs is a dynamic thought leader in the tourism, culinary and hospitality sector, while additionally part of a multi-generational farming family. “Food has been a major theme in my life. I guess I’ve only realized how truly engrained it has been as I’ve gotten older. Our grandparents on both sides of the family were farmers.”

Some of Terry’s fondest childhood memories are of hand-raking blueberries on his parent’s farm. In 2014, Terry purchased his own blueberry farm, and shortly after, opened a food truck with the goal of selling his crop as a value-added product. This type of innovative value-added approach develops opportunities for regional growth and beyond. Nabuurs shares, “We started selling smoothies using my blueberries as well as the strawberries from my aunt and uncle at Nabuurs Gardens. We actively try to value-add and diversify by creating different fruit-based products for sale.”

Smoothies made with local berries ripened in the sunshine of the sea-salt kissed summer is one of the best ways to start any day-long meeting session or tour of the Island that is cradled by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sustainability is delicious

Sustainability is essential to the future our global agricultural and hospitality industries. Nabuurs understands these realities through lived family history, and entrepreneurial endeavours. “I believe that sustainability is largely about making the conscious decision to reject an extractionist mentality. On the hospitality side of things, we are currently writing a Net-Zero business plan. We want to do everything we can to retrofit and electrify the businesses to be at the forefront in the transition to renewables.”

Terry Nabuurs, Red Seal chef and owner of The Wheelhouse restaurant in Georgetown, PEI.

Terry Nabuurs, Red Seal chef and owner of The Wheelhouse restaurant in Georgetown, PEI.

At Terry’s Georgetown restaurant, The Wheelhouse, you can literally eat the fruit of his labours right off the menu. Terry describes his guests as a blend of locals and experience-seeking visitors. The menu is inspired by iconic PEI ingredients. The Wheelhouse focuses on fresh seafood like lobster and halibut, and the best that the land produces such as potatoes, dairy, beef, and superlative produce.

When it comes to showcasing island products, the most authentic methods are also the simplest. As Terry describes it, “we harvest some of the best shellfish in the world here on the Island. Sometimes you just need to melt some butter, hit it with some acid, and let it sing.” The only way to improve on that flavour is to be seated at the Wheelhouse patio breathing in that singular ocean air.

Whether you need to impress your Board of Directors or reward your top-performing employees, the Wheelhouse offers one of Prince Edward Island’s best offsite dining options. With space for 60 dining and 125 for a standup reception, this seaside restaurant is ready to show business event visitors just how incredible fresh food really tastes. 

A new future is created when we make each

meeting an opportunity

Regular flights are available on Air Canada, Westjet, Flair, and Porter, with Charlottetown just two hours from Toronto.
Find out more here.

Visit Meetings & Conventions PEI’s website to find out how to transform your next meeting, conference, or incentive travel program into a lasting experience.

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6 Earth Day Initiatives that Prove PEI is an Eco-friendly Meeting Destination https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/6-earth-day-initiatives-that-prove-pei-is-an-eco-friendly-meeting-destination/ Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:40:43 +0000 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=17506 The post 6 Earth Day Initiatives that Prove PEI is an Eco-friendly Meeting Destination appeared first on Meetings & Conventions.

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Happy Earth Day from Prince Edward Island!

Earth Day, April 22nd, is a day to celebrate our accomplishments in sustainability and environmental protection and help encourage further action to help protect our planet.

Environmental sustainability is a necessary priority for a destination like PEI. As an island destination, we are acutely aware of our connection to the land, air and ocean, and the delicate ecosystems that live side-by-side with us. Mi’kmaw, the Indigenous peoples of PEI, know the island as ‘Epekwitk’, meaning “lying in the water” or “cradled in the waves”.

Last year we were proud to have PEI nominated in the top 10 of Canada’s most sustainable meeting destinations at The Sustainable Event Forum’s “Earth Day for Event People” and we are proud to continue to lead the way in this regard. Here are six Earth Day 2022 events and announcements on PEI that we think are worth celebrating:

1. Everyday Islanders can now be Climate Trackers with a new Community Initiative

On Wednesday April 20th 2022, the City of Charlottetown, in partnership with the UPEI School of Climate and Adaptation and the Town of Stratford, announced a brand new citizen-science-based sustainability initiative with exciting potential for our community here on Prince Edward Island.

Community members are invited to register to become Climate Trackers and note their observations related to seasonal changes, weather, plants and wildlife, flooding and more around their home or local neighbourhood on an online web application developed by the UPEI School of Climate and Adaptation. The purpose of this initiative is to collect local climate data so we can better understand the local impacts of climate change. This data will be used to inform local climate science and municipal government climate change adaptation projects.

In addition to this new community project, the UPEI School of Climate and Adaptation also have recently opened the brand-new Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation facility in St. Peters, PEI.

2. Summerside Active Living organizes Waterfront Cleanup of the City by the Sea

This Earth Day, the community in Summerside is getting actively involved in cleaning up their important and gorgeous waterfront after a messy winter. On April 22nd the Active Living Staff will be down at the Summerside Waterfront (Green’s Shore) handing out gloves and garbage bags for volunteers to walk the board walk and pick up any garbage they see.

And as an extra perk, a local favourite, Sunny’s Dairy Bar, will be giving each participant a free ice cream cone after their time slot. Yum!

The City by the Sea has been shining bright in many environmental initiatives for several years now, including a project underway to build a 21-megawatt ground solar farm in Summerside that is expected to be complete in fall of this year.

3. Charlottetown Airport reaching new heights in reducing their carbon footprint

A majority of conference and meeting attendees arrive on our island through air travel, and we are extremely proud to announce that our partners at the Charlottetown Airport Authority have achieved Level 2-Reduction Certification in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACA).

Their team has worked tirelessly over the last several years to reduce carbon emissions from sources like electricity, furnace oil and gasoline by implementing projects and initiatives like the Carbon Management Plan which outlines their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, including carbon reduction targets.

Congratulations to the Charlottetown Airport on their ongoing effort to reduce their carbon footprint!

4. Delegates this Summer can Cruise the Charlottetown Harbour on North America’s Largest Solar-powered Boat

One of our Meetings & Conventions PEI members are making waves this summer with the launch of solar dinner cruise boat that is rebuilt from a 55-year-old Heritage Vessel from the famous 1967 Montreal Expo!

Ride Solar is a private sector solution to an ongoing government commitment to help reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 as per PEI’s Provincial Energy Strategy 1016/17.

They are a tour and transit system where the batteries of the electric vehicles on both land and water are powered by solar panels. In addition to the launch of their solar dinner cruise/harbour tour boat on June 1st 2022, they also offer a green and active tour option through downtown Charlottetown on their licensed Solar Pedal Bus. Learn more at www.ridesolar.com.

5. Canada’s First Community with Wind-Powered Wastewater Treatment is holding an Earth Week Guided Walk

The Town of Kensington hosted an Earth Week Guided Group Walk on Thursday April 21st to explore and share the environmental assets in their town. Attendees of the walk learned about the local Watershed Group, Green Power Sources, and the beautiful natural trails and green spaces in the area.

 

Kensington is notable for being the first community in Canada with a wind-powered wastewater utility and the turbine— constructed in 2009— was the first municipally-owned turbine in the province.

In fact, wind power produces about 25% of our province’s electricity, primarily coming from the eight wind farms across the province. The first commercial wind farm in the Maritimes was installed in North Cape, PEI in 2001 by the government-owned PEI Energy Corporation.

6. Prince Edward Island has been plastic-bag-free for nearly 3 years!

That’s right! As of July 2019, the Government of PEI became the first province in Canada to ban the use of all single-use plastic bags.

Business event and conference attendees from off-island are often surprised to find out that it is highly encouraged to bring your own re-usable bag going out shopping for some of our incredible local products in between meetings. Some delegates may even recognize these “I Love PEI” canvas tote bags. These bags are handmade here on PEI and offer a great option for a reusable, local and sustainable option for delegate gift bags.

For more local sustainability initiatives and programs, see the City of Charlottetown’s “Sustainable Living Guide” here

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Meeting Inspire Q3 2020 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/meeting-inspire-q3-2020/ Fri, 31 Jul 2020 18:22:14 +0000 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=15303 The post Meeting Inspire Q3 2020 appeared first on Meetings & Conventions.

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MEETING INSPIRE Q3 2020            

 M&C PEI eNews September 2020

Over the last few months, the waves of uncertainty in the Business Events industry have been at times so large they have overcome us and other times we think we are able to paddle through them. When the team can help our industry partners with information they are looking for or help them with a little promotion we are quick to jump into action. Or send a meeting planner a little PEI Pick-Me-Up package to their home address to let them know we are thinking of them. We are celebrating the small wins right now.

We will face more waves and more challenges in the coming months but the team at Meetings & Conventions PEI are collaborating with our partners to persevere. Business events are a key factor in helping our economies rebound and our team on PEI has our life preserver ready to help in any way we can.

Working harder than ever! 

Meetings & Conventions PEI has been busy behind the scenes developing a new strategic plan and new marketing and communications plan to focus our activities for the rest of 2020 and beyond. Our focus has been on pivoting to face and embrace the new ways of doing business and how we can best support our members going forward. Here are some of the initiatives we have been part of:

Activate Our Island: Coming together to support local businesses and tourism operators through a targeted marketing campaign that was executed on-island and now off-island within the Atlantic Bubble. https://activateourisland.ca/

Stay & Savour through Food Island Partnership, an industry-led organization tasked with growing the food industry through food company and food cluster development on Prince Edward Island. https://canadasfoodisland.ca

M&CPEI was successful in helping Tourism PEI and SCORE! Sport Charlottetown with the bid for the 2020 Canadian Premiere League (CPL) Soccer’s Island Games, which has brought all 8 CPL teams along with Media, Officials, and Executives to Charlottetown for the 28-game season. https://canpl.ca/theislandgames/

To support our membership in profiling their businesses to the 270 CPL guests staying at the Delta Prince Edward, MCPEI developed a web app so players can easily shop from their room. https://mcpei.opennow.ca

PLANNER, LOCAL CHAMPION & MEMBER SURVEYS

We surveyed over 400 National Meeting Planners across Canada and 117 Local Champions to see whether they are still planning meetings and events. This is what we learned:

  • 78% of National Meeting Planners say that PEI is an option for their meetings
  • Majority of National Meeting Planners anticipate the need for more virtual platforms, virtual site visits and virtual fam tours to facilitate their planning
  • 94% of Local Champions surveyed are considering PEI venues for any off-site meetings taking place within the next 18 months
  • For these on-island meetings, 93% of Local Champions would require a meeting room; 68% would require accommodations; 61% would require meeting services such as AV, photography, entertainment, etc.

Our Meetings & Conventions PEI membership survey was created to evaluate whether member venues are ready to host meetings and events. This is what we learned:

  • 76% are ready to host a group or function
  • 82% believe M&CPEI can best support members through promotion; 59% through information and ideas
  • 77% are interested in learning more about taking part in World Travel & Tourism Council’s “Safe Travels” program

You may review some of the highlights of each by clicking on the respective survey link.

CLIENT/PLANNER RELATIONS

Off-Island Planner Outreach

Throughout the past months we have continued to look for ways to stand out among the many planners who will soon turn their minds to selecting a destination for their next event. Toward that our team sent more than 100 “PEI Pick-Me-Ups” to off-Island meeting planners. A little treat to keep them thinking of PEI as a location for their next event that included:

 

Hi Treena

Thank you for the amazing package from PEI – what a nice gift! The cow slippers were immediately stolen by my daughter – she said S/M was her size (my feet are larger) – she rubs it in by saying that she feels like she’s walking on clouds 🙂

The treats were delicious and were eaten quickly. We were supposed to be in PEI in July – so it reminded us of all we missed!
Thanks for sharing! I guess the COWS ice cream would’ve melted!

Stay safe, Elizabeth

Hi Treena,

I wanted to let your know that your PEI pick me up package couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Last Thursday I was having a more than challenging day working from home, and then your package arrived! What a lovely surprise gift at my door. It immediately turned my day around, and definitely made me smile. 😊

I am certainly saddened that I won’t be visiting the Island this year, but understand that safety must come first for all of us. Your package included a great variety of items from local vendors. In my view, you really can’t ever promote the Island enough!

It also reminded me of  BEAUTIFUL P.E.I. and how I spent so many summers on as a child visiting my grandparents. P.E.I holds a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to visit again.

Many, many, thanks. 
Sheryl (honorary Islander at Heart)

Hosting a Hybrid Conference on PEI

Allan Campbell, Director at ACADA – Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association hosted a virtual/hybrid meeting in August at the Quality Inn Charlottetown. With a small 10 person delegation from the Atlantic Bubble and attendees from across Canada, he told us how he put on a very engaging hybrid event with some help from Meetings & Conventions Prince Edward Island.

WHAT’S NEW WITH OUR MEMBERS

Many of our members have been finding creative ways to send a little PEI love to those who couldn’t visit this spring and summer.

Here are some of our members who are offering products that can be delivered or shipped:


 

 

 

 

 

Maritime Marzipan Fritz Chocolates

Anne of Green Gables Chocolates Cows

MEMBER OUTREACH:

Guidelines for Organized Gatherings

To help our members and clients navigate the new changes to organized gatherings we put together an information document. You can download it here or view it below.

PACE and CANCELLATION IMPACT

The impact of COVID-19 on the meetings & events sector has been considerable. Cancelled events resulted in a loss of $72-million in revenue to our province. Meetings & Conventions PEI had set a target of nearly $47-million in meetings for 2020/2021, our revised target now sits at $14.5-million.

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SPRING has SPRUNG! 

Susan Freeman, Executive Director

 

M&C PEI eNews April 2020

We are starting to see the signs of spring on PEI, warmer temperatures, the ice and snow disappearing from our beaches and you get that feeling of excitement for a new season to begin.  We normally would see so much activity from our partners at Meeting and Conventions PEI with everyone starting to hire summer staff and open the windows and doors of seasonal operations in anticipation of welcoming visitors to PEI for yet another banner year. The 2020 season is now looking a little different from what was expected this year.  In spite of all the hard work our team and our partners put into booking conferences on PEI over the next few months those conferences are now postponed.  Our partners are now in a situation we have not ever faced before.

Many of the Meeting and Convention groups that were scheduled for the next four months have moved booking dates.  The great news is that a large percentage of these conferences have booked for future years and will experience our wonderful Island hospitality in 2021, 2022 and 2023. They cannot join us on PEI for their expected dates in 2020 but this does not mean they are not coming to PEI at all.  We have been speaking to many of our partners and meeting planners and they will bring their conference delegates to PEI on future dates. 

They are looking forward to delegates experiencing the special feeling of what we have to offer delegates from their arrival on PEI to their departure and the fantastic adventures, food and fun they have arranged while they are here.

The team at Meetings and Conventions PEI are continuing to reach out to meeting planners that we know have potential business for us on PEI, this has not changed. We know what we have to offer on PEI is unique and authentic.   Our tourism industry community on PEI is vibrant and we all work together in good times and in difficult times. We know working together makes us strong and it will make us stronger during our time of recovery.

Our marketing and sales committee and our product and professional development committee are working with the team on new initiatives we can launch for our meeting planners and partners over the next couple of months.

The team at Meetings and Conventions PEI is here to work with our partners and our clients, as we look to recover and rebound our industry in the coming months. We are essential to the visitor economy of PEI and the recovery of our sector on PEI.

We will meet again and celebrate our Island hospitality and strong industry on PEI.

MY NEW NORMAL

Nicole Soucy, Membership Manager

 

Truth be told, I’m a person who loves routine so at first this pandemic caused me much stress.  I had to learn to create a “new normal” and know that I was doing my part by staying home.  I decided not to let fear take over. Instead, I charted my new daily life…. It starts by enjoying my morning coffee with my dog Rocky on my lap and chatting with my husband.  Then the long commute to my office, lol!! (less than 10 steps) which is my spare room, where I start my work day. 

My day consists of updating our CRM database (the stuff you say you will always do but you don’t-no excuse now) and my favorite thing is the wellness check in calls I make to our members. I’m fortunate to be able to listen, and share what our members are doing during these uncertain times.  Many have quickly adjusted to a “new normal” whether that’s food deliveries, online shops, or even retooling their manufacturing to create new products (like hand sanitizer). I’m amazed daily at the resilience of our members and how people are working together.

Of course, let’s not forget watching the daily 1:30 pm live stream with Dr. Morrison. I watch it daily with my quarantine buddy Rocky.  PEI Strong!!

We will meet again and until then, stay safe and healthy.

THE DINING ROOM…MY NEW OFFICE

Treena MacLeod, Business Development Manager

How my life has changed since working from home?

Well I do my video calls from the living room and work in the dining room on my files and computer. Spend a lot of time on webinars and video calls. Reaching out to clients and working on new prospects for future meeting business.

I am surprised that the time seems to go by quite quickly. 

The cats love when I work from the living room because I am their patio door person to go in and out all day long. I almost always break up my day with a baking or cooking mental health reset; today is bacon corn chowder and fluffy white biscuits. Be well everyone!

MY LIFE in PJ’S

Mary-Helen McLeese,
Marketing Manager

I can’t believe it’s been over a month since we started working from home.
The type of work hasn’t changed much but the atmosphere at my desk is certainly different. I sit down with a coffee, in my PJs in the AM and work beside my partner (who works from home too).
We are very aware when the other is having a morning meeting. It’s when the pants go on, and the hairbrush makes an appearance. The desk is abuzz with the chimes and dings from our iPhones as our staff chat groups talk back and forth about work and life in this weird world of COVID19.

I am a textbook extroverted introvert and therefore find the days of seclusion easier than most. I enjoy being able to focus intently on something (like updates to our website) for hours, but then I need a break and a chat with my deskmate… or one of my cats. Daily walks are very important and make me feel better about eating the entire contents of one’s fridge (*Bridget Jones reference). I am thankful to still be working, and look forward to that time in the near future that the meetings industry gets back to some normality. 

2020 CANADIAN SPORT HOSTING INDEX

CHARLOTTETOWN 1st | SUMMERSIDE 3rd!

For the third straight year, Charlottetown maintained its ranking as the top city in Canada with populations under 50,000 for hosting sports events. Charlottetown has also once again ranked sixth overall in the country, topped only by major metropolitan centres Montreal, Quebec City, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa. 

Summerside ranked 3rd in cities in Canada with populations under 50,000 for hosting sports events and 22nd out of 122 cities for national events! 

“The Canadian Sport Hosting Index ranks cities hosting national sports championships and international sports events in Canada through a data-driven assessment” said Rick Traer, CEO, Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance. “Our goal, in developing this tool for our members, is to enable host cities to better understand the impact they are delivering through their sport hosting strategies.”

Based on the input provided, each host city receives a score and ranking within its respective CSTA membership category on an annual basis. There were 122 cities that participated, with 561 national championships and 429 international events included in the compilation of the Canadian Sport Hosting Index.

CSH Index: Population under 50,000

  1. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
  2. Collingwood, Ontario
  3. Summerside, Prince Edward Island

CREATIVE MEMBERS. UNIQUE OFFERS

Some of our members have creatively changed some offers to adjust to demand including brewers and distillers creating hand sanitizers, virtual meeting help and even a Local Goods Guide showcasing businesses who are still offering services, food and merchandise. (expand each for more information)

Hand Sanitizer Makers

Since hand sanitizer is becoming scarce on the Island a couple of our members answered the call for help. Deep Roots Distillery and Upstreet Craft Brewing began producing hand sanitizer.

Deep Roots Distillery started selling their Hand Sanitizer in March in 4oz bottles. They are being sold at various locations including Princess Auto in Charlottetown, North Rustico Home Hardware, Buy-Rite Charlottetown, Bob’s Pharmacy Tignish, and Tignish Home Hardware. For large orders or businesses please email deeprootsdistillery@hotmail.com.

 

Upstreet’s first run of Do Gooder Hand Sanitizer will be available very soon. $1 from every bottle sold in their retail locations and online store will be used to provide hand sanitizer to those non-profit and community organizations who need it most. It will be available in 330ml glass bottles online and in their retail locations starting next week.

Virtual Meeting Services

Ashton Rodenhiser, founder of Mind’s Eye Creative believes that visuals are a powerful tool that can be used to facilitate team learning, communication, and engagement, inspiring people to produce their best work. Ashton can provide digital graphic recording through video conference programs (like zoom).

 

MRSB Group has prepared a short summary of governance and compliance considerations to help not-for-profit organizations that are taking board meetings or and AGM online.  https://www.mrsbgroup.com/covid-19-support

Local Goods Guide

Discover Charlottetown – Offering a “Local Goods Guide” where you can find many local businesses who will do Delivery, Curbside pickup or Shipping. https://www.discovercharlottetown.com/local-goods-guide/

 

NATIONAL TAKE OUT DAY

Over the past several weeks, it’s been a challenging time for the foodservice industry as most restaurants have been forced to close their doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. Now Canadians everywhere are encouraged to show their support for restaurants by ordering takeout from their favourite local restaurants every Wednesday, starting April 15th, which has been billed as #NationalTakeoutDay and continues until restaurants welcome us back! Do your part to support this amazing industry.

These members are making efforts to keep their customers fed and happy by offering take-out and delivery options:

STILL DOING BUSINESS

Even more Meetings & Conventions PEI members who are still selling virtually:

VIRTUAL EVENTS

We might not be meeting face to face right now, but many events are still being put on.

PEI Stay-At-Home Online Gala

Stay-at-home-galaThe first-ever PEI Stay-At-Home Online Gala
April 24th from 6:00-9:00pm.

Social distancing at its finest, the first-of-its-kind event will host all the familiar elements: dinner (take-out, delivered or home-made by you), performances by musicians and entertainers, and special guest appearances from some well-known Island athletes and personalities.

The Tiny Island Concert Series

Tiny Island Music FestivalMusic PEI is producing The Tiny Island Concert Series .
Weekly artists are announced.

The concerts are free to watch, while donations are now being accepted to the Music PEI Crisis Relief Fund for PEI music industry professionals and artists. Those funds will be distributed to PEI artists not performing and industry professionals in need.

Meetings Today

Hear from thought leaders in the industry on how they have learned and shifted their tactics during COVID-19 in the Meetings, Hospitality and Tourism Spaces. Meetings Today have lists of live and on-demand webinars. 

CanSPEP Lemonade Stand

A one stop resource for online meetings and workshops with industry professionals. From community calls to a “find your blessings” weekly call.

NEW MEMBERS

CANADA’S SMARTEST KITCHEN

Canada’s Smartest Kitchen’s proprietary SMART Process for innovative food and beverage product development supports startups and multinationals alike. Our team combines expertise in food science, culinary arts, and market insight to provide creative solutions to your food business challenges. Offering state of the art boardroom facilities in downtown Charlottetown, in addition to demonstration and research & development kitchens and sensory lab, our customizable event space can be utilized for your business meetings or roving feast receptions. “We Know Food” and want to share Tastes of PEI and the hospitality of the Island with you.

OH HEY PEI STATIONERY AND ART BOUTIQUE

When you catch your dad, mid selfie, using the phrase, ‘oh hey’ to make himself smile, the saying becomes a great family memory and a store by his two daughters.
Local artisans and photography inspired and created locally. The perfect stop for gifts!

Stationery, Photography, Art and Small Gifts Boutique created by sisters, Rachel Peters and Kim Roach, located at Founders Food Hall & Market

COVID19 RESOURCES

The Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI) has provided a great clearly-outlined document with lots of information for PEI residents, including business owners and operators.

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M&CPEI Meeting Inspire – Q1 2020 https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/mcpei-meeting-inspire-q1-2020/ Thu, 30 Jan 2020 20:20:33 +0000 http://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=12788 The post M&CPEI Meeting Inspire – Q1 2020 appeared first on Meetings & Conventions.

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February 2020

OTTAWA in JANUARY

2020 started off at a race pace! Treena and Margaret headed to Ottawa for a handful of the industries’ premier events. Destination Direct a hosted buyers program, Tête à Tête a Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) meeting industry showcase, Meeting Planners International (MPI) Annual Charity Auction Dinner and educational sessions put on by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).  

DESTINATION DIRECT CANADA

DDC took place from January 27 to 28, 2020 where destination marketing organizations – DMO’s (like Meetings & Conventions PEI) from across Canada meet with conference planners. Treena and Margaret had a full roster of one on one appointments for an intense two days that has historically brought successful meeting business to Prince Edward Island. Destination Direct Canada offers participants an action-packed agenda focused on fostering dialogue between fellow Hosted Buyers and DMO representatives. It’s about education and creating mutually-beneficial relationships so that association meetings and conferences can thrive.      

 TÊTE-À-TÊTE

Meetings & Conventions PEI and our members took advantage of something that is increasingly hard to find: a true community. Tête-à-Tête facilitates face-to-face connections that nurture business. All association and not-for-profit executive directors and employees, meeting and event planners, and government procurers attend at NO COST. Connect with long-time colleagues and forge new relationships all in one place. Tête-à-Tête is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year and I’d venture to say we have been going for almost that long as well.

Members who attend with us were: Delta Prince Edward Logo    Great George Hotel    

 

Meeting Planners International (MPI) Annual Charity Auction Dinner

One of the most anticipated nights of the year for networking, socializing and fundraising was on January 30, 2020. The Annual MPI Ottawa Charity Auction & Dinner 2020.  Treena attended this year and included a TASTE of PEI gift box as an auction item. The prize package highlighted our members Prince Edward Island Preserve Co. and Cows    

PCMA

Treena attended “Generational Change and its Impact on Event and Hospitality Professionals”. David Coletto delivered an interactive presentation featuring original research and insights about generational change and its impact on the conference and hospitality industry and consumer behavior.  

COMING SOON

More industry events are going on in the first and second quarter of 2020. We have a very busy schedule for the next few months. From International shows to Maritime receptions you’ll see Business Development Managers on the road selling Prince Edward Island as THE coastal meeting destination in Canada.

8th Annual Global Pharmaceutical and Medical Meetings Summit

Each year, this summit convenes senior meeting management professionals from the life sciences, medical, and health care industries for empowering ROI-driven conversations, peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, shared best practices, and networking. The Summit remains committed to a 1:1 ratio of meeting management professionals to solution providers.

Touted as the most productive meeting management industry event. Where pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and health care senior meeting professionals convene to innovate, educate, and network. Susan is attending in partnership with Business Events Canada (BEC). The team at Business Events Canada assists planners in bringing corporate, association and incentive events to Canada.

The Event – April 2-4

Cultivation, Collaboration, and Elevation. Margaret will be attending this 3rd annual conference. Challenging the “typical” conference format, The Event’s goal is to do things differently.  For the third year, three MPI Chapters (MPI Toronto, MPI Montreal/Quebec, MPI Ottawa) have joined together to offer their members an opportunity to attain cutting edge innovative business and meeting industry education.  

Atlantic Roadshow

April 21-24, 2020 – 3 Nights 4 Days Roadtrippin’ with Team Meetings & Conventions PEI! Regional meetings are important to our members all across PEI.  Meetings & Conventions PEI are excited to announce our third annual Atlantic Provinces Member Roadtrip! These events will give you the opportunity to showcase products and services first hand to local meeting planners in Saint John, Moncton, and Halifax. We are targeting local planners in THREE cities who have influence to invite an organization to choose PEI as a meeting destination.   You just need to jump on the BUS and come along with us!

Sponsored by:

Members who have confirmed so far: The Great George DP Murphy Hotels Loyalist Country Inn Rodds Hotels & Resorts

NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS

Both West Jet and Swoop have announced direct flight to Prince Edward Island. A new direct service between Calgary and Charlottetown will ensure your western delegates get to your PEI conference even sooner. This non-stop 4.5 hour flight connects Prince Edward Island to Western Canada. Beginning in June Swoop, Canada’s ultra-low-fare airline announced a direct flight between Hamilton, and Charlottetown. With 3 direct flights from Hamilton weekly you can travel between the 2 cities in approximately two hours.  

MEMBERSHIP

Our members are our partners and the key to our success and we thank you for all that you do to help showcase Prince Edward Island as a must-visit destination for meetings and conventions. 2019 has been another impactful year for Prince Edward Island in the Meetings & Conventions market with our continued growth in the number of meetings (+12%) hosted on PEI with an economic impact of $ 23 million. We know that when we all work together promoting and developing PEI as a destination for group travel, we are stronger. 2020 at this time is pacing ahead of 2019 in the number of booked conventions. We are working hard with our partners to capture more qualified meeting planners to Gather Island Style in 2020 and beyond!
Your Meetings & Conventions PEI membership expires on March 31, 2020, and we sincerely hope that you will join us for another outstanding year of great programs and professional development. An invoice for your membership dues will be emailed to you in the next week.
This year we have an extra incentive for you to renew your membership. 1st prize: If you pay your membership by Friday, February 28th, you will be entered into a draw for a FREE full-size booth at our Supplier Showcase in the Fall (valued at $450). 2nd prize –pay by Friday, March 20th and enter to win a free ad in the M&CPEI newsletter (valued at $ 200)

We have a new private FACEBOOK GROUP just for members! You can request to join it here:

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to serving you for another year.

TAKE A BOW

A number of our member organizations were recognized over the past few months for their accomplishments.

[one-half-first]

 2020 marks the 40th Anniversary of Sign Craft being in business.   “We are quite excited and proud to be able to say we have been in business for the last 40 years.  We could not have accomplished this without our valued customers, staff, and vendors.  We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our clients for their support over the last 40 years.  We look forward to continue working with you in 2020 and beyond.” Mike Savidant, General Manager[/one-half-first]

[one-half]The Charlottetown Airport Authority is pleased to share that they achieved another year of record passenger movement at the airport. Last year, a record 383,183 passengers travelled through the Charlottetown Airport, representing a 3.4% gain over 2018. The growth is being attributed to Air Canada and WestJet’s increased seat capacity during the peak summer months of July and August as well as an additional daily flight to Ottawa that ran from June to September. See full article “Another Year of Growth”[/one-half]

    

2019 YEAR-END PACE


Member Events

Creating Successful and Authentic Events

Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM Holland College Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Top Floor

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New Flights Announced for Charlottetown Airport https://meetingsandconventionspei.com/new_flights_announced/ Tue, 28 Jan 2020 16:02:53 +0000 http://meetingsandconventionspei.com/?p=12777 The post New Flights Announced for Charlottetown Airport appeared first on Meetings & Conventions.

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