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Whistler is Canada’s premier four-season, mountain destination – where unparalleled experience meets innovative meeting and event solutions. Once your group arrives in Whistler, transportation logistics are a thing of the past thanks to Whistler’s pedestrian village. Planners will appreciate the added convenience of Whistler’s campus-like setting, with the Whistler Conference Centre, a plethora of restaurants, activities and off-site venues all just a short walk from your hotel room.

Whistler’s winters provide reliable snow for skiing and snowboarding while golf, mountain biking and hiking fill the warmer months. Festivals, spas, restaurants and bars combined with endless outdoor activities, make Whistler the ultimate place to energize and invigorate your group.

Leverage the power of a remarkable location for your next gathering and bring your team to an environment where fresh thinking comes naturally.

Whistler Value

Why choose Whistler to host your next convention, meeting or event?

• American Visitors Save Approximately 25% – 30%* – Your dollar goes further in Whistler with a favourable US exchange rate.
• 5% GST Rebate – Get up to 5% savings on meetings goods and services. Visit the Canada Revenue Agency website for details.
• Discounted Air Travel – Domestic and U.S. meetings receive special discounted rates on air travel.
• Canada’s Premier Sustainable Destination – Feel good about hosting your meeting in Whistler, thanks to our APEX/ASTM certification.
• Bountiful Amenities – Whistler can accommodate groups of all sizes, interests and budgets. Groups can choose from over 200 accommodation options, 170 eateries and an expansive itinerary of wilderness and team-building activities.

Green With Envy

As sustainability within the meetings and events industry continues to grow in importance, Whistler remains at the epi-centre of green initiatives. This is made especially apparent with Whistler achieving APEX/ASTM sustainability certification in four areas; the first Canadian destination to receive this prestigious designation.

*Exchange rates are subject to change.

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Churchill Experience Providers

Get to know Travel Manitoba’s Churchill experience providers. They are truly experts in their field and sure to make your group experience extraordinary!

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Legendary Experiences

In addition to once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, Manitoba also boasts some exclusive experiences that you can only find here, in the heart of Canada.

Photo Credit Emily Patrician

RAW:almond

RAW:almond is literally Canada’s coolest dining experience. As the north wind howls, ardent foodies don down-filled parkas, fur aviator caps and sub-zero boots to dine in a designer pop-up restaurant situated on a frozen river at Winnipeg’s most popular gathering place, The Forks. Each night, a new chef takes the helm of the make-shift kitchen, preparing a gourmet, multi-course surprise meal for 30 eager guests. The three-week food event has been a sell-out since it launched in 2013, and local entrepreneurs Mandel Hitzer and Joe Kalturnyk are now evolving their RAW: concept to tour locations throughout the province. In 2016, they launched RAW:churchill, a dining event within the walls of a 300-year-old fur trade fort, while last year they hosted RAW:Gimli on the frozen surface of Lake Winnipeg. Stay tuned for the next destination for this popular pop-up.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Mercedes-Benz AMG Driving Academy

Previously only offered in Sweden, Mercedes-Benz has brought its AMG Driving Performance Winter Sporting Academy to Gimli. Live your race car fantasy on the flat, open expanse of frozen Lake Winnipeg. The features of world-famous racetracks are recreated in milled ice, offering the perfect place for drivers to push Mercedes-AMG performance vehicles with studded tires to the max. Participants receive high quality training in three- or four-day programs, culminating with the AMG “Race of Champions”.

Photo Credit joelboily (left) & Travel Manitoba (right)

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Rising tall on an ancient meeting place where two rivers meet the in the heart of Winnipeg, this iconic building has changed Winnipeg’s skyline. From the Tower of Hope shining as a beacon, to the wings of windows that envelop the building like a cloud, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights makes a statement from a distance and has an event greater impact once you’ve ventured inside. Marvel at the glowing alabaster walkways that take you through the museum’s 11 galleries.

The interactive galleries highlight the struggles and triumphs of human rights stories, including Indigenous Perspectives, Turning Points for Humanity and Inspiring Change. Specialized tours offer a unique view, including the Indigenous-focused Mikinak-Keya Spirit Tour as well as the group tour, Exploring a Canadian Landmark, that features a creatively-prepared, farm fresh meal and an opportunity to discuss the museum’s impact with your guide.

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Angling Marvels in Manitoba

It’s no wonder why thousands of anglers choose Manitoba as their preferred fishing destination. In a province that’s home to over 100,000 lakes, numerous rivers and creeks and 30 different fish species, angling opportunities are as convenient as they are endless. Whether you’re casting for giant pike, fly fishing for huge brown trout or ice fishing for massive greenback walleye, Manitoba is host to a multitude of exceptional fisheries with real chances for that fish of a lifetime. This is fishing at its finest!

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Fly In Fishing

Fly out to the middle of nowhere and you’ll discover some of the finest wilderness fishing experiences imaginable. Arrive by chartered aircraft to an all-inclusive lodge, complete with first class accommodations and amenities, the finest service, gourmet meals, and professional guides. Or take an iconic float plane ride to a secluded outpost camp, offering all the comforts and essentials to enjoy your very own private fishing adventure.

Whether you choose exclusive solitude or a full service destination, Manitoba offers the very best in fly-in fishing options. Encounter long-standing operators and renowned waters that have earned legendary reputations over generations. World class fishing for trophy northern pike, walleye, lake trout, arctic grayling and brook trout is here to explore. It’s an ultimate angling experience in the wildest of places.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Drive-To Fishing

With thousands of miles of roads throughout our province, Manitoba grants easy and convenient access to some of the finest multi species fisheries within North America. With various drive-to destinations offering do-it-yourself or guided trips, multiple accommodation and service options and phenomenal seasonal angling opportunities, it’s no secret to why Manitoba is a preferred choice. Rent a boat or cabin on one of many productive walleye waters, hire a local guide for a classic channel catfish excursion or haul your own rig to a multitude of trophy northern pike and lake trout fisheries.

Regardless of the direction you travel or your length of stay, our drive-to options let you choose your own angling adventure. Countless lakes and rivers with dozens of sought after species are here for you to enjoy.

Fly Fishing

From the famous fly-in rivers of our northern frontier to the celebrated stocked lakes of our southern plains, Manitoba offers the devoted fly fisher an excess of both traditional and novelty fly fishing experiences. Sea-run brook trout on remote Hudson Bay tributaries, northern pike on sprawling sub-arctic waterbodies and rainbow and brown trout on diverse prairie stillwaters, are all signature “on the fly” encounters which are often unique to select areas of our various provincial regions.

Home to multiple national fly fishing championships, endorsed fly fishing lodges, seasoned fly fishing guides and a growing fly fishing culture, Manitoba has established roots in the fly fishing world and has gained a prominent status as a premier fly fishing destination.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Ice Fishing

Manitoba is no stranger to the growing “ice fishing revolution”, nor to the world class ice fisheries that annually entice thousands of fanatical ice anglers. Our cold winters are a gateway to unreal ice fishing opportunities, offering favourable access to numerous lakes and rivers and a wide variety of trophy species. Yellow perch, northern pike, lake trout, greenback walleye, rainbow trout and black crappie are popular choices for our loyal ice anglers, as are the remote back country and easily accessible fisheries that Manitoba offers in abundance.

December through April, our hard water world presents options for everyone. From an easy, do-it-yourself family trip to a local trout lake to a full service guided adventure on the remote limits of our inland oceans, Manitoba presents an open door to epic ice fishing experiences.

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Wilderness Retreats

Photo Credit George Fischer Photography

Manitoba is a diverse place, with golden plains, broad tundra and lush forests that offer incredible opportunities for outdoor adventure within close reach of the city of Winnipeg. Here, you’ll find the experiences – from amazing wildlife viewing to dramatic heritage sites and out-of-this-world fishing – plus the accommodations and amenities to meet your needs.

Photo Credit George Fischer Photography

Interlake

With Lake Winnipeg to the east and Lake Manitoba to the west, it’s no surprise that Manitoba’s Interlake region is a place rich in both natural wonders and cultural traditions.

Photo Credit Max Muench

Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park is a collection of islands on Lake Winnipeg. A causeway provides easy access to the park and its array of landscapes: lush forests, rugged shorelines, scenic beaches and bountiful marshes. Hike or bike the park’s trails and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. At the top of the wildlife viewing tower, see if you can spy a moose. Along the dikes in the Grassy Narrows Marsh, count the species of waterfowl and other birds you spot. Stay at a full service resort, featuring a restaurant, lounge and spa. The resort is also right next to one of Manitoba’s finest golf courses along the shore of Lake Winnipeg. Enjoy a sunset stroll along the shores to the iconic lighthouse or take the self-guided trail through the historic Hecla Village.

Another great destination for bird watching and other wildlife viewing in the Interlake is Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, just a short drive north of Winnipeg. There are over 300 species of birds recorded at the marsh, along with 30 species of mammals, plus fish, amphibians, reptiles and all kinds of invertebrates. Bring your binoculars or join an interpreter on a guided hike, paddle or wade through the marsh, admiring some of last remaining patches of tall grass prairie in Manitoba.

Just as abundant as wildlife in the Interlake are the region’s cultural treasures. Head to Gimli, the heart of New Iceland, for Islendingadaurinn or the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba. But you don’t need to visit during the festival to get a sense of the town’s Icelandic roots, present in its Viking Park and the New Iceland Heritage Museum.

Photo Credit Wildhouse Media

Riding Mountain National Park/Clear Lake Country

Start your adventure in Riding Mountain National Park. The park, including its townsite Wasagaming, and the surrounding areas have been given the moniker Clear Lake Country after the park’s largest and most visited lake. Clear Lake is often called the hub of Riding Mountain National Park. The Anishinabe of the area have called these lands home for generations. Today, Clear Lake is a year round location for visitors from Manitoba, Canada and around the world.

Photo Credit Parks Canada

The park’s lakes and trails bring wildness enthusiasts together with lake life lovers who enjoy the cottage-chic vibe of the shops and restaurants of the Wasagaming townsite. From Wasagaming, you can walk the Lake Shore trail around most of Clear Lake, while stumbling upon secluded public docks that make the best spot to catch a sunset. Starting in Wasagaming, the Riding Mountain Parkway goes right through the park almost reaching neighbouring town of Dauphin. The Parkway is lined with more than a dozen trails and lakeside picnic spots. It’s also the best place to catch a glimpse of a bull moose or mother bear with her cubs.

Photo Credit Parks Canada

Your stay in Clear Lake Country can range from glamping, cozy cabins, boutique hotel to a full service resort and conference centre complete with a spa.

Photo Credit @pauleppic

Whiteshell

The eastern side of the province is dominated by rocky outcrops and forest-ringed lakes and is home to Whiteshell Provincial Park. The Whiteshell has thousands of kilometres of trails ranging from rugged multi-day treks, to easy hikes to see waterfalls. In the winter, the park is a top snowmobiling destination, with hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Embark on a paddling adventure – try Caddy Lake where you can paddle through tunnels blasted through the rock when the railway was built. Then make your way to Lily Pond. This spot is a treat for senses – breathe in the fragrance and delight at the bursts of happy yellow and white water lilies. The bedrock cliffs that rise dramatically over this pond were formed by ancient glaciers scooping away the soft rock.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

The park’s Bannock Point Petroforms are an important Indigenous site known as the place where the Creator sits. The petroforms are stones laid out on the bedrock in the shapes of turtles, snakes, geometric designs and a Thunderbird. It is believed these shapes were made centuries ago by Indigenous people as a means for teaching and healing. This sacred place is still used by Indigenous people today for ceremonial purposes.

Photo Credit Dan Harper

Stay at a year-round resort located on one of the park’s main 13 lakes, including options like an eco-cabin located on a secluded lake. Go on a horseback riding adventure to the site of a famous UFO sighting or ski down Falcon Ridge slopes to a charming vintage ski chalet.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Gangler’s Eco Adventures

Manitoba’s north is wilderness at its purest. Out here roam bears, moose, caribou, wolves, eagles and all manner of impressive wildlife. Here also stands Gangler’s Eco Lodge. Located close to the northern edge of Manitoba’s border with Nunavut, this fly-in lodge stands on Lake Egenolf. Private cabins are complemented by a beautiful wooden lodge, where you’ll spend numerous hours reliving the day’s adventures and digging into an array of gourmet food. The main geological attraction here are the eskers, huge sand bars were left behind 8,000 years ago when 4 km-thick glaciers receded. Cross the eskers by RTV, foot or fat bike.

This area, once a regular route for the first people of Canada, is veritably strewn with artifacts like arrowheads, tools and remnants of the past. Items are recorded, marked by location and then returned to their place for the next adventurers to discover.

The lakes in this area teem with fish, known for its constant action for walleye, trout and pike. After a morning spent on the water, it’s time for a quintessential Manitoba shore lunch. Your fishing guide will prepare your catch, along with a set of tasty sides prepared over an open flame.

The last piece of the adventure includes a float plane ride, a further 100 km north, past the tree line. In the fall, this is where the caribou come, awaiting the shutter clicks of eager photographers angling for that perfect shot.

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Incredible Churchill

Along Manitoba’s northern coast is a place where ecosystems collide, where history runs deep and where the experiences are unlike any other in the world. Churchill is located 1,100 km from Manitoba’s capital city and gateway to the north, Winnipeg. This coastal community is currently only accessible by plane – a truly remote and exotic destination.

The summers in Churchill are characterized by blooming wildflowers that blanket the tundra and by the incredible wildlife encounters waiting for you.

There are 60,000 beluga whales in the western Hudson Bay, and upwards of 3,000 of these come to the Churchill River estuary to feed and calve in July and August. Excursions with Frontiers North Adventures include boat tours completed with hydrophones that allow you to listen to the sounds that earned beluga whales the nickname “canary of the sea”. Other options include kayak, standup paddleboard and snorkelling adventures among the pods of curious and friendly beluga whales.

Photo Credit Lazy Bear Expeditions

Be prepared for another incredible wildlife encounter. There is a reason this place is known as the polar bear capital of the world. Churchill is one of the few human settlements where polar bears can be observed in the wild, and often very close. In summer, bears can be seen cooling off in the water, lounging along the rocky coast or frolicking on the tundra against a backdrop of colourful wildflowers. See them from a boat tour with Lazy Bear Expeditions, which also offers a variety of beluga whale packages as well.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Or venture across the tundra on an open-aired Rhino or on foot, as a highly trained guide takes you on a heart-pounding journey that starts from a Churchill Wild luxury eco-lodge. Explore the landscape watching for hundreds of species of birds that nest or migrate through here, as well as other wildlife including Arctic and red fox, Arctic hare or even a moose, wolf or caribou. Plus don’t forget the opportunity to see polar bears roaming the land and beluga whales in Hudson Bay tributaries.

Churchill lies directly in the path of the polar bear’s natural migration route. During October and November, the bears head towards the Hudson Bay coast waiting for the ice to freeze, granting them access to their winter hunting grounds, stocked with seals.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Climb aboard a specially designed Arctic Crawler that will take you along the Hudson Bay coast for prime viewing of polar bears. Watch for other wildlife, like Arctic fox, Arctic hare and camouflaged ptarmigan. Come back from a day on the tundra to your home base at the Lazy Bear Lodge. You’ll get modern amenities in log cabin-style rooms at this eco-friendly northern lodge and café.

Photo Credit Frontiers North

Embark on an expert-guided adventure through the Churchill Wildlife Management Area with Frontiers North Adventures. Or stay out on the tundra in the exclusive Tundra Lodge – a railcar-inspired hotel located in the middle of polar bear territory that links several of the company’s iconic Tundra Buggies together.

Photo Credit Jad Davenport

Walk with polar bears during an Arctic safari, a life-changing experience with Churchill Wild. Enjoy world-class service, accommodations and cuisine from the only fly-in polar bear eco-lodges on the planet.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Manitoba’s skies come alive as the northern lights dance to a soundtrack of wonderment. In Churchill, the aurora borealis takes centre stage. As one of the top three places in the world to view the northern lights, the skies above Churchill shimmer with colour over 300 nights of the year. While the lights may be visible at any time of the year, viewing is best between January and March when the nights are long and the skies are typically clear.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

There are several ways to experience the northern lights in Churchill, including a custom-made viewing structure with 360-degree views, heated Plexiglass “bubbles” or a learning vacation where you join working scientists to learn about the aurora and astronomy of winter skies.

Photo Credit Jacqueline Young

Watch the northern lights from the comfort of the Aurora Lounge, set on the edge of the boreal forest with Frontiers North Adventures. Get comfy inside the lounge, or go up to the rooftop observation deck to set up your tripod and camera for completely unobstructed views. And you can also feast under the lights of the aurora borealis with select departure dates at an exclusive pop-up restaurant located inside the Fort Prince of Wales National Historic Site. RAW:churchill sets up for a limited run during March as some of Canada’s best chefs create an unforgettable meal served in a structure with a transparent roof to make the most of the view.

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Why Manitoba
At the centre of the continent and in the heart of Canada is the province of Manitoba. Here, you can make friends with the majestic polar bear, take in the vibrant culture of capital city Winnipeg, paddle alongside curious beluga whales and dive into the adventures that come with our four distinct seasons.

Photo Credit Blaine Harrington

Polar bears are at the top of the must-see list: see them up close as they await the fall freezing of Hudson Bay or see them in their natural summer habitat on the tundra surrounding the town of Churchill. Unique tundra vehicles are designed to move easily over the terrain, while summer boat tours and even walking safaris, complete with armed bear monitors, get you in the perfect position to watch and photograph these majestic bears.

Photo Credit Renato Granieri

In the summer, Hudson Bay and the warmer waters of the Churchill River Estuary welcome another magnificent creature, the beluga whale. In July and August, as many as 3,000 beluga whales are found in the area. Boats equipped with hydrophones let you hear the whales’ clicks and chirps. You can also have a wildlife encounter like no other on a kayak, snorkelling or stand-up paddleboard excursion. Be amazed by these curious whales as they swim alongside you – a welcoming party you will never forget.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

Manitoba is home to some of the best sport fishing in North America. From massive northern pike, huge walleye, furious lake trout to giant channel catfish – these trophy fish are photographed for bragging rights and then released back into the wild, sustaining populations and ecosystems.

In Manitoba the opportunities for outdoor adventure are endless. Hikers, cyclists and skiers can choose from hundreds of kilometres of trails winding their way through Manitoba’s provincial and national parks. Watch the resident bison herd and stay at boutique hotel or glamping structure in Riding Mountain National Park. Make your way to the top of a magnificent waterfall at the northern Pisew Falls Provincial Park. Leave tracks in the sand at one of Manitoba’s natural oddities, the ancient dunes of the Spirit Sands in Spruce Woods Provincial Park to the west. Trek across the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield in Whiteshell Provincial Park to the east.

Photo Credit Travel Manitoba

For thousands of years, people have been gathering where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet: this is Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital city. In heart of the city is the new Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Take a journey from darkness to light – a journey told through the stories of inspiring people and echoed by the awesome architecture of the building itself.

Learn about Manitoba’s northern ecosystems at Assiniboine Park Zoo’s Journey to Churchill exhibit where you can watch polar bears swim above you in the underwater viewing tunnel. And be sure to visit Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District, where heritage buildings come to life, housing hip boutiques and some of the best restaurants in a city known for its culinary chops.

Photo Credit Tanner Grywinski

Experience Manitoba’s lively festivals and fairs that celebrate the cultures, music, flavours and history of this diverse province. Head north to cheer dogsledders on a quest for glory or to marvel at the skills of modern day trappers. Discover the joie de vivre of the voyageurs and soak up the spirit of Manitoba’s proud multiculturalism. Feel the beat of an Indigenous powwow or dance under the open skies at a top music festival. In every corner of the province you’ll find a festival or fair bursting with the energy of our people, eager to share our passions and proud heritage.

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WE LOVE TURING HEADS

We prefer not to call them bragging rights, but we’ll certainly take credit where the credit is due. Here are our top five newsworthy mentions that are making Edmontonian’s across the city feel all warm and fuzzy!

• For the first time, Edmonton has found itself on a list ranking the best cities in the world. Edmonton came in at No. 60 on the World’s Best Cities 2018 list, which is compiled by global consulting firm Resonance Consultancy.
• Edmonton ranks number eight on Cvent’s annual list of the Top 10 Meeting Destinations in Canada for 2018. You can view our press release here.
• Edmonton continues to make a name for itself in the international food scene. Three of Air Canada’s Top 10 new restaurants, as ranked in EnRoute Magazine, are in Edmonton. That’s not all, OpenTable named 13 Edmonton restaurants among Canada’s best hidden gems.
• Edmonton ranks third in Airbnb’s top trending destinations in 2018 just behind Gangneung Korea, location of the 2018 winter games, and the seaside resort of Bournemouth in the U.K.
• Edmonton is one of the 50 best places to travel in 2018, according to digital and print magazine Travel + Leisure. It was one of only two Canadian cities to make the cut, Toronto being the other.

EDMONTON’S ICE DISTRICT LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN.

2017-2018 has been a monumental year for Edmonton’s new Rogers Place in Edmonton ICE District. ICE District is Canada’s largest mixed-use entertainment district (all phases completed by 2020). The $5.5 billion, 25-acre development area includes; hotels, office towers, a wide range of shops, restaurants, nightclubs, a casino, theatres and more.

Not only did the inaugural year include an unforgettable Canada 150 celebration, awarding of Green Key Level five status, hosting of the PBR Global Cup and hundreds of transitions from on-ice events to epic on-stage events, it was also the first time in 11 years that the Oilers made the playoffs!

ROGERS PLACE

• Home to the Edmonton Oilers
• 18,500 seat capacity
• State of the art arena
• Group ticket options
• Various off-site rental spaces

JW MARRIOTT EDMONTON ICE DISTRICT

1. Opening 2019
2. 356-room luxury hotel
3. 25,000 square feet of meeting space
4. 10,000 square foot ballroom
5. Connected to Rogers Place

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EDMONTON’S ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ECOSYSTEM

Edmonton is known as one of Canada’s youngest and fastest growing major cities. It’s also increasingly known for its ingenuity. The last couple of years saw a significant growth in artificial intelligence, health innovation and technological entrepreneurship in Edmonton. When the Canadian government announced the recipients for the $125 million-dollar post-secondary AI funding, some might have been surprised to see Edmonton’s Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute alongside schools in Toronto and Montreal. But Edmonton — and the University of Alberta in particular — has been a centre for world-class artificial intelligence research longer than outsiders might realize. AI companies—start-up, scale-ups and experts alike—are drawn to Edmonton for the world class research institutions, entrepreneurial culture, and dedication to science and technology, making it the perfect destination for AI focused meeting and conventions.

All of these things are amplified through Edmonton’s continued growth and investment in the ‘innovation corridor’, a series of hot spots that run from NAIT to the University of Alberta, through the downtown core – a channel where innovation, entrepreneurship, the arts, creativity and vibrant urban life intersect.

The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII) at the University of Alberta, part of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, works to enhance understanding and innovation in a number of subfields of machine intelligence. AMII researchers hail from the University of Alberta’s Department of Computing Science, the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and the School of Public Health; and it is this robust ecosystem of research that is helping AMII to make ground breaking discoveries in numerous areas. This work is just part of a staggering range of AI projects in the city including health tech projects in prosthetics, location of brain tumours, self-driving cars and even wildfire prediction tools.

Lately, it’s Richard Sutton who is catching people’s attention on the U of A campus. He’s a pioneer in a branch of artificial intelligence research known as reinforcement learning—which some say is complementary to the deep learning research, receiving the bulk of the attention in recent years. Jonathan Schaeffer, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the U of A, and his team have their hands in a staggering range of AI projects, including the development of self-driving cars that can navigate winter roads, image processing to better pinpoint the location of brain tumours, and fMRI analysis that helps psychiatrists become more effective in diagnoses of patients.

Edmonton has the start-up culture, entrepreneurial mindset, and comparatively low cost compared to other large cities. So, you can see why a lot of established tech companies are choosing Edmonton to set up base, companies like BioWare, and now Edmonton is the new home of DeepMind’s first international lab. Owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, DeepMind works with the University of Alberta and is one of many examples of Edmonton’s flourishing startup culture. Another is the Edmonton Research Park, which, apart from housing more than 55 companies in a diversity of fields, offers dedicated space and ample resources to help cultivate early-stage companies and research initiatives.

The real magic of AI are the new capabilities that it’s enabling every year; things that will have a transformative effect on today’s world. The 30th Canadian Conference on Artificial Intelligence took place in Edmonton last May in collaboration with the Canadian Graphics Interface and the Computer and Robot Vision conferences. Conferences like this, surrounded with a bolstering and exciting AI industry like Edmonton’s, helps to showcase Canada’s ingenuity and global leadership in intelligent systems. This ecosystem of research and innovation can help initiate collaboration not only between visiting groups, but also with local associations, educational institutions, and influencers.

Edmonton Tourism’s Meeting and Conventions team can help connect groups to Edmonton’s intellectual capital and industry leaders through the DMO’s influencer program, which connects groups with ambassadors who can help them tap into local industry networks. Talk to our Business Development Managers today to get connected.

Read more about Edmonton’s AI in Convene magazine

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