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Coming Spring 2016
The Sky’s the Limit Zip Lining in Niagara

Ziplines & Aerial Adventure Courses

Two high-adrenaline attractions are being added to Niagara’s diverse portfolio of eco-adventure tours this Spring 2016. The world class Zip Line experience and Aerial Adventure Courses will captivate both the young and young at heart when visiting Niagara’s entertainment district.

 
Brought to life by Niagara Adventure Excursions Inc. (NAE) and the Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), both attractions promise a hybrid adventure and educational experience for groups wishing to explore and learn about the Niagara Parks in hands-on fashion; both featuring guided historical tours, an education on the surrounding eco-systems and a new and thrilling visual perspective of Niagara Falls.

 
The four side-by-side high-speed zip lines will descend 2,200 hundred feet from the NPC’s Grand View Marketplace on the Niagara Parkway into the Niagara Gorge below at the decommissioned Ontario Power Generating Plant, looking up to the Horseshoe Falls above.

 
“The zip line is right front and centre to Niagara Falls,” said Lindsay DiCosimo, Marketing Manager for NAE.   “the zipline will offer breathtaking views of the Falls and an opportunity to experience it like never before.”
The first of its kind in Niagara, the Aerial Adventure course is set to open on the north side of the Whirlpool at Thompson Point along the picturesque Niagara Parkway. This recreational activity is said to improve physical skills and strengthen mental courage; all while providing awe-inspiring vistas of the Niagara gorge.

 
“It is going to feature a little bit of everything; wobbly bridges, mini zip lines, rope swings, cargo nets,” said DiCosimo. “The obstacles that are hanging from the trees will increase in difficulty as you go through the course. So everyone starts off at the same level and as you go through, things get a little more challenging. You’re facing your fears and overcoming your self-perceived inhibitions as you build your confidence as you get through the course.”

 
DiCosimo says this unique attraction is ideal for corporate team building because it strengthens and builds trust amongst groups while encouraging team work and mutual support.

 
“You’re in a group setting, you are doing challenges that you might not think you can overcome but with group encouragement and by working together you can figure out the best way to approach the different challenges,” said DiCosimo.

 
“Some people are very shy in office settings but may excel outside of the office so by getting outside and completing a course like this people can shine in a different light,” said DiCosimo. “You can play off of different people’s strengths and bond as a group.”

 
Guides are also in place every step of the way to lend support and encouragement to anyone who is struggling and wishes to bypass an obstacle. They will also provide historical anecdotes as you enjoy the attractions, with a focus on the surrounding landmarks including: the formation of the Falls, the previously active power generators, wildlife and plant life in the area and the early explorers who settled in the region. For more information, visit http://wildplay.com/niagara/

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Seeing is Believing—Join our FAM 2016 Program

What’s the BEST way to experience a natural wonder? First hand — naturally!  Niagara Falls — a naturally inspired destination for all your meeting & convention needs. Such a powerful backdrop can only inspire and produce powerful events.  Come see for yourself. On behalf of Niagara Falls Tourism and its Regional Partners we invite you to experience Niagara Falls.  How do you get here & what about returning home? No worries — Niagara Falls Tourism will coordinate your pick-up & departure working with our airline and ground transportation partners. Your job is just to say “YES — I’ll be there”, and Niagara Falls Tourism will do the rest.   Book today — Space is limited!  Qualified applicants will be considered.

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National Music Centre

Calgary will host the 2016 Juno Awards in April to coincide with the scheduled opening of the NMC.

Anticipation is growing for next year’s debut of Calgary’s lyrical new National Music Centre (NMC). The museum is the centerpiece of the revitalization of the city’s East Village area, with condominiums, restored heritage buildings, restaurants, cafes and retail space slated for the neighbourhood.

NMC’s new 160,000-sq.-ft. facility will have five floors of exhibition space that tell the story of music in Canada, a 300-seat performance venue. The restoration of famed blues club the King Edward Hotel, that hosted the likes of Pinetop Perkins, John Hammond and B.B. King will become a live musical venue once again.

NMC’s collection includes over 2,000 rare musical instruments, artifacts, sound equipment and Canadian music memorabilia, as well as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Collection. Special tours of the Rolling Stones mobile studio will be offered for aficionados.

The visitor experience is modeled after that of a music festival. The design of the facility will allow for music to be heard throughout the building. Interstitial or empty spaces will allow the sounds of music to flow through the five-storey structure and encourage visitors to explore.

The overall concept for the building design is that of a musical instrument; the exterior will be reminiscent of music cases, while interior flow will be inspired by rhythm and acoustics. The inspiration for the building was drawn from Canada’s iconic landscapes—from the cadence of waves to the lullaby of lakeshores, from the silence of the Prairies to the echo of the Arctic, and the energy and diversity of Canada’s urban spaces.

Illuminasia Fantasia

September 17-November 1, 2015

The night sky will glow with intricate Chinese lanterns in animal and mythical Chinese symbol shapes at the Illuminasia Lantern & Garden Festival at the Calgary Zoo in fall of 2015. The lanterns will be designed and prepared in China, then assembled on-site by a Chinese team, assisted by local trades people. Incorporated with the lantern displays will be highlights of Pan-Asian gardening techniques, authentic Oriental programming and entertainment.

Beakerhead Festival

September 16 – 20, 2015

Creativity thrives when the worlds of art, science and technology collide at Calgary’s innovative Beakerhead Festival, now in its third year. The Beakerhead Creative Society advances the understanding of science and engineering through the lens of art and culture.

During the weeklong festivities in 2014, over 70 events were staged citywide, Audiences were thrilled with the night extravaganza of El Pulpo Mecanico—the flame-throwing octopus—to eating the Periodic Table. Local restaurants and bars came up with their own versions of “Engineered Eats” inspired by Beakerhead, so that everyone in the city had a chance to  “eat and drink in” on the experience.

The hands-on activities encourage everyone to understanding that science and engineering are a part of everyday life. Engineers are encouraged to show their creative sides and artists are encouraged to get technical. A huge part of the program is fostering this creative collaboration in children, with youthful ambassadors promoting the festival in individual schools.

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arrivals in style

Private aviation terminals serve incentive travel groups and VIPs who prefer to travel—or meet—under the radar

Where do pro athletes, rock stars and film legends touch down in Toronto? Chances are, at one of the private aviation terminals offering a discreet, VIP welcome mat.

A short few kilometres away from its passenger terminals, Pearson International Airport has a private side that includes several private fixed-based operators, or FBOs, that discreetly take care of high-flying clientele and their aircraft.

Non-descript hangars around the airfields of west Toronto conceal executive lounges, media rooms and VIP amenities, not to mention personalized customs check in.

Downtown too, almost in the shadow of the CN Tower, Porter Airlines operates its own private Porter FBO Terminal next to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The small hangar serves private flights and business travellers, plus Porter’s charter service that will fly a group anywhere inside a 2-1/2-hour flight range.

“We see celebrities, royals and sports teams: yes, of course. But also business people – it can cost less for a corporate charter than to send ten executives first class, and it’s a much more enjoyable experience,” says Christine Condotta, customer service manager for Landmark Aviation, the Pearson-based FBO used by Delta Airlines and Air Miami, official charters for the NBA, MLB and NHL.

Over 20 years working at the FBO located just off Derry Road, Condotta has met countless billionaire business execs, film actors arriving for TIFF and major league superstars; you can guess, but she’s not naming names.

Landmark has also worked with business clients and event organizers who like the cachet of an exclusive location where vast airplane hangars and lounges are available for private events when they’re not in use.

“We’ve had a dinner for 400 for a film company. Car companies use our ramp space for test drive events. We’ve hosted meetings and conferences, and the Canadian Business Aviation Association’s annual trade show,” she says, to name a few.