Conference & Meetings World Supplement Edmonton | Page 10

Alternative Venues

STEPPING OFF THE BEATEN PATH IS A ROUTE TOWARDS INSPIRATION
Amiskwacîwâskahikan , also known as Edmonton , is located on Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Region IV , home to many nations including the Cree , Saulteaux , Blackfoot , Sioux , and Métis People . The city boasts the second largest Indigenous population in Canada , full of talented performers , artisans , musicians , and entrepreneurs .
Demand for indigenous tourism is rising , and culture belongs to the community and its people ; making sure this is protected is vital for future generations . Consequently , there is a drive to help event planners incorporate Indigenous elements into their events in a way that supports the represented communities .
Metis Crossing
Edmonton Business Events can help introduce event organisers to elders , knowledge keepers , as well as dance and drum groups . Additionally , opening ceremonies , grand entries , elder blessings , and more can be arranged .
Edmonton hosts two cultural sites that make for the perfect event venues . The multi-purpose Fort Edmonton Park recently benefitted from $ 160m in government investment , including the new Indigenous People ’ s Experience which has international recognition ; as tolerance , understanding , and diversity become increasingly top of mind , the Park – with a wide range of meeting options – is the perfect location .
Metis Crossing is just over an hour north , with its brand new cultural Interpretive Centre sitting in the heart of 550 acres of land . The meeting spaces offer a host of flexible options , with the added benefit of a boutique-style lodge hotel with 40 bedrooms ; dual bunk trappers ’ tents are also available for the hardier guests .
A wealth of knowledge
Many events are anchored in the downtown Arts District around Churchill Square , while on the south side of the river , the University District and Whyte Avenue contain theatres , concert halls , and various live music venues . The Francis Winspear Centre for Music is a performing arts centre that was opened in in 1997 and has been described as one of the most acoustically perfect concert halls in Canada . For the more academic events , check out the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium , which can cater to more than 2,500 delegates and sits in the grounds of the University of Alberta .
The ICE District is Canada ’ s largest mixed-use sports and entertainment district , a 25- acre mixed-use development project located in the heart of downtown Edmonton . ICE District is a transcendent , modern , urban destination and gathering space and ranks as the largest mixed-use sports and entertainment district in Canada .
The project was awarded Engineering News-Record ’ s 2020 Global Best Project Award in the Retail / Mixed-Use Development category . ICE District is home to a mix of premium office space , high-end residences , a luxury hotel , boutique shops and restaurants , all anchored by Rogers Place , a state-of-theart sports and entertainment facility that is home to the NHL ’ s Edmonton Oilers .
The existing Grand Villa Casino and luxury hotels like the 346 room JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District – which also offers a further 1,500sqm of meeting space – add flair to the area , making it the perfect site to host events and to entertain your delegates .
Muttart Conservatory
10 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD