In the market for incentives in the land of maple leaf
CATIE OWEN GOT THE TRUE QUÉBÉCOIS EXPERIENCE AT THE WINTER EDITION OF INCENTIVE CANADA 2023
W hether you ’ re thinking about its unique style of French or a decadent plate of poutine , Québec has many reasons behind its international fame . Snow-covered stone houses and winding alleys reminiscent of a small European town hide bountiful itineraries for MICE events .
But , for delegates attending February ’ s Incentive Canada 2023 – Winter Edition , Québec City ’ s MICE adventures were only the tip of the iceberg .
Catching up with Canada Run biannually by Destination Canada , both the winter and summer editions of the exclusive event have both networking and incentive aspects . A crucial opportunity to connect at the event is at the Incentive Canada Marketplace . It ’ s also the best place to get the latest in Canadian MICE news .
Towns like coastal Whistler , that are known as skiing hubs , have been attracting MICE visitors through investing in their infrastructure . The town spent the pandemic period
Above : Groups can get their fill of maple syrup at a sugar shack experience PHOTO : DESTINATION CANADA renovating the 16-room Conference Centre and adds its pedestrianised structure to its allure .
Known for its turquoise glacial lakes , it would follow that a place of spectacular natural beauty like Banff , Alberta , would invest heavily in sustainability efforts . Banff ’ s unique concept , the Community Impact Program ( CIP ), provides delegates with a pre-paid card to spend in Banff ’ s local businesses , hotels , restaurants , and so on . Having covered the cost of creating the card , Banff and Lake Louise Tourism ( BLLT ) donates 3 % of each individual card to either a local foundation or a charity of the client ’ s choice .
Charlevoix municipality ’ s sustainable investments have also focused on giving back to the community . ‘ Eating local ’ is a crucial focus , which promotes Charlevoix ’ s family businesses , restaurants , and incentives ( such as its ‘ flavour trail ’) – all of which reduces the region ’ s environmental impact . Locally made treats that tend to attract delegates include gin , fresh honey , and wine .
Meanwhile , Rockies-based Kananaskis is making strides in both cultural and environmental sustainability . Kananaskis ’ land acknowledgment ( formal recognition of traditional land originally occupied by Indigenous peoples ) combines both by including a ‘ Pledge to the Peaks ’ for visitors , asking that they :
• Respect the local culture ,
• Leave no trace , including leaving rocks , plants , and artifacts in place ,
• Watch wildlife at a distance and travel mindfully .
As with several Canadian destinations , Indigenous peoples are brought into Kananaskis ’ tourism industry through
Above : Chantal Sturk-Nadeau , executive director , business events , Destination Canada
incentives , such as Indigenous-led experiences like medicine walks and soapstone carving . Prince Edward Island is another stand-out destination also investing in its Indigenous peoples , offering authentic experiences run by the Mi ’ kmaq .
These focuses on environmental and cultural sustainability are clearly at the very heart of Destination Canada ’ s ethos . At the Marketplace Jennifer Attersall , director of incentive travel , told CMW that destinations want to immerse MICE visitors in authentically Canadian experiences while respectfully enjoying the scenery around them . It ’ s an ethos which has paid off ; feedback from organisers has been overwhelmingly positive , she says .
Meet Québec City As the oldest city in North America , and the only fortified city north of Mexico , Québec is particularly proud of its historic district . However , like Whistler and Mont-Tremblant , Québec reports a great increase of interest in its modern summertime activities , such as hiking and biking . The city is surrounded by green parkland and trails which have been attracting more and more outdoorsy visitors – especially adventurous incentive groups .
Incentive Canada ’ s very own adventurers had some wintery fun of their own , having narrowly missed the cold snap which plunged parts of Canada into temperatures below -40 ° C .
One group experienced the chill of ice climbing on Montmorency Falls . A fully fledged waterfall in the warmer months , the ice wall is one of Québec ’ s most climbed routes in the winter , as it is only five minutes from the city . Also nearby is the St Lawrence River , where blocks of ice float down the tidal waters . For some of the group , watching wasn ’ t enough . A popular winter sport in Québec is ice canoeing , which provides the ultimate opportunity for delegates to bond through teamwork .
Icy sports aren ’ t only on offer in
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