Green Apple Café

Authentic experiences.  Transparent information.  What matters to you?  In the last couple of years we have seen a shift in what matters to our clients and our guests. When I first started in the industry, we still had a telex number, and the focus was “education and networking”. When travel became tighter, we heard that videoconferencing would be the new wave.  While this is an option, as human beings, we are experience seekers, and we want to talk face to face with others, and build relationships with people, so fortunately meetings and events continued to flourish. Through the late 1990’s it was all flash and excitement, a fun time to be on the technology and entertainment side of the event planning business!

In the early part of this century, a global concern with the environment was all around us, and it was all about “green” meetings, which always mattered to us and is now simply the way we do things across all aspects internally and with our events.  During the boom times, the focus shifted to corporate social responsibility, as organizations continued to give back, but also began to publicize how they were giving back, and to build CSR programming into their events.

With the advent of the internet, how organization delivered messages internally and externally has shifted exponentially, with blogs from senior executives becoming nearly a norm, for example.  With social networking, including blogging, live journals, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter-ing, the world has gone from six degrees of separation to almost none, with information accessible with the click of a mouse on any subject imaginable, from anywhere in the world, from anyone who chooses to share it.

What does this mean when you are planning an event?  To us it means beginning with what happens in the workplace to create the need for a meeting or incentive reward trip – how does your organization measure value? When you come to us looking to take care of your guests and enhance your meeting and event experience, we are going to find ways to be your best partner to do this.  We want you to talk to us, tell us your needs and your challenges, and together we will create the best solutions for you. We understand the changing optics of perception, and ultimately we want to create events and environments that will inspire your guests and deliver memorable experiences, but that can also stand up to the scrutiny of our current times.

We know that people still need to meet and share knowledge, that travel rewards still remain a top motivator, and that building relationships within your organization, with clients and prospective clients face-to-face, has a validity and value that can’t be fully measured.  We feel fortunate that Western Canada is known for its ability to deliver natural, authentic, high-quality experiences in a setting that is unmatched, and that we get to share it with so many!

We had the most exciting week in Vancouver last week as the 1.2 million square foot expansion of the Vancouver Convention Centre’s West Building came to fruition.  After the historic Expo 86, what had been Canada House became our first true Convention Centre, and it has successfully hosted thousands of events and millions and millions of happy guests!

As Lisa, George and I watched over 100 people carry out the ribbon, heard a blessing from our Coast Salish Elder, and many warm words from those integral to this coming to life, it was hard to believe we were seeing a building open that will bring great experiences to so many generations of guests still to experience all Vancouver has to offer.

For me, it was sixteen years ago I was forced to change careers, and did an Event Management diploma that culminated in a practicum that happened in the offices of the VCEC, with many of the people who are still there today!  It was a historic moment, and one that I am honoured to have been a part of.

Last week we also had the opportunity to welcome nearly 100 meeting planners to Vancouver to share this with us, and wow, what a whirlwind of excitement that was.  From an excellent welcome in Vistas at the Renaissance, the fun continued.  The next morning, it was a “cocktail breakfast” at the Westin Bayshore, with with sun breaking over the mountains for our hikers, bikers and float-planers, a perfect setting indeed. This was followed by a lunch at the Fairmont Waterfront in a stunning room where each table showcased Fairmont’s three downtown properties many sustainable and guest initiatives, to a reception at the Wall Centre, followed by a delicious dine-around in Yaletown, with this day culminating in a dessert reception at the Westin Grand… these troopers embraced it all, and returned to a plethora of comfortable beds in the many hotels who opened their doors to this important group.

The second afternoon, the, in their words, “jaded” meeting planners were treated to two interesting presentations. Terry Wright joined us from VANOC and talked about the process from the bid, through the intense planning going on as Vancouver and Whistler prepare to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, which was fascinating for all of us in this industry.  After Terry, we had the joy of sharing the experiences of Mark Tewksbury, a Canadian Olympic swimmer who brought home a bronze, silver and gold medal between the 1988 Barcelona and 1992 Seoul Games.  Over the intervening years Mark has faced numerous challenges and has had many successes and in the process has grown into one of the most engaging speakers many of these planners have had the pleasure to hear speak.  He is also one of the few he brings his “lucky” medals to his speaking engagements, and shares these with each and every guest in the room.

Friday was a final exciting day that began with an Olympic team-building challenge that included shooting on the net from centre ice at the home of our playoff bound Canucks, and ended with the ribbon cutting and welcome reception at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

What can we say about this spectacular event? Fireworks, drums, excellent BC cuisine and wine, showcases of the fantastic decor available in Vancouver, helicopters, firetrucks, hummers floating from the exhibition hall ceiling, kabuki drops, great music, cirque performances, a 32′ marionette… truly the list of surprises and delights is endless, and all built from our local talent pool.  We truly could not be more proud to live here and we can’t wait to share it with you! - Tahira Endean

At Cantrav we are truly fortunate to celebrate both success and Western Canada with our guests.  As part of the motivational and business programming inherent to many programs, we often have the opportunity to experience great speakers with our groups.  Last week we had just such an opportunity with John Patrick Hughes and Patrick Henry Hughes, a dynamic father and son duo with a great story, and some incredible piano playing by Patrick for all to enjoy.  John is Patrick’s father, and their family of five has some great, typical family stories to share that build on Patrick’s “F’s” of faith, family, friends and freedom.  Their stories show that if you are lucky enough to have these four, you can do anything.

John shared with us his stories of starting a family, raising a family, working as we all do, and also his participation in the University of Louisville Marching Band.  Patrick also shared with us how he meets the challenges that could be faced on any given day, from an abundance of homework, to typical daily challenges.

What made this story special was the positivity, the strength and focus on the family unit, the support of an entire community and how we can all contribute to that, and the importance of belief in the potential of all that life has to offer each of us if we just look for it.

Patrick Henry Hughes was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder; arms that could not straighten, legs that would never be able to walk, and most devastating of all, permanent blindness. He had been born with no eyes.  All of this did not matter to his parents who welcomed their first of three sons and have continued to find the best in each minute of each day, no matter what has come up to challenge them.  Patrick is, with his father’s constant support, both a straight A student (Spanish major) at the University of Louisville, and an active member of their marching band, where he and his dad both have to learn the formations, although only Patrick plays the trumpet!

If you ever want to think about what really matters and how you can make the most of what you have to offer, check out their story at: http://iampotentialbook.com/

We are fortunate to have seen many outstanding speakers, and we really look forward to sharing inspiration from many avenues with you! -Tahira Endean

I read a story that touched me and defined exactly what keeps me planning events, and I want to share this with you now.  Picture yourself in a perfect moment. You are at the side of a lake, the mist is low, the sun is rising, the light beams down.  You think, “I will remember this moment forever.”  Your friend stands beside you, terminally ill, and says your thought out loud.  He says, “I am remembering it now.”

I approach each event with the attitude that my role in the puzzle of an event is to create the environment that enables memorable moments.  Whether that is a hug shared with a new friend, or an engagement during a quiet moment of a glacier picnic, or a group of people holding hands, swaying together and singing along with the soloist sharing “Leaving on a Jetplane”, or a gasp as you see the sun set over the spectacular mountain scape that is our backyard… we never know what that moment will be, and I get to work with fantastic people who with me never lose sight of our part in bringing memories to life.

When a group is brought together, whether it is for a reward and recognition program, a world-class sporting event, a fundraiser, a gala dinner, a meeting meant to inspire collaboration, or any of a hundred other reasons, there is always a deeper objective.  The objective is to create an emotional connection where shared values are celebrated and memories are made.  What continues to drive us, what gets us through the challenges, is passion; a belief that we are not just here to ensure the logistics of your event work, we are here because we believe that together we can create special moments.

For me, this is what keeps me up at night, fills my mind during long runs, making them shorter.  It is what has kept me at this, around the world and for a huge diversity of groups for many years. Every step we take with you can make a difference to someone.  Every day, we are presented with new possibilities, and every day, we know we are lucky that this is what we get to do.  With each new opportunity, we get to start with fresh inspiration and excitement, and look forward to each connection, each moment.  I appreciate my moments, and look forward with great anticipation to what might come next.

Tahira Endean

Cantrav is focused on meeting your business goals through outstanding and unforgettable meetings and events that people will be talking about for years.
Here’s why…Nestled in a spectacular natural environment, Vancouver is an internationally competitive meeting and convention destination. Vancouver is a breathtakingly beautiful city boasting award winning hotels, convention centre, meeting spaces, globally recognized restaurants and an unforgettable playground of memorable activities for conference delegates and their families.
The Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre is western Canada’s flagship convention facility.  Located on the waterfront, surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains, this multi award-winning facility currently has over 150,000 square feet of convention and meeting rooms, and by 2009 will be expanded to 473,500 square feet.
With over 13,000 hotel guestrooms downtown and over 24,000 guestrooms in Greater Vancouver, these facilities offer customer service and product quality second to none.

Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum, will make its North American premiere at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria BC from May to September in 2009.   The exhibition will be a journey through the evolution of civilization and includes some of the most celebrated objects from the British Museum’s renowned collection – from the oldest-known artifacts made by human hands to monumental antiquities from ancient Greece and Rome to provocative contemporary art from around the world.

Cantrav can arrange your Victoria program…
From exciting whale watching safaris, delectable local cuisine to the scenic Buchardt Gardens and winery tours, you will be amazed by the countless experiences the Cantrav team can offer you in Victoria.  On the southern tip of Vancouver Island, halfway between Vancouver and Seattle, Victoria remembers its colourful history with First Nations totem poles, heritage architecture and afternoon tea at the The Fairmont Empress.  This regal hotel features 477 luxury rooms with magnificent views over the spectacular inner harbour.

 UPDATE: Peak 2 Peak Gondola Now Open! As of December 12, 2008 the Gondola is open to the public.

Construction of the new Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is well under way with two of the four towers already built.  The gondola which will link the two mountains will open in December 2008.   The world record-breaking gondola will be the highest and longest unsupported lift span in the world and will carry 2,050 people per hour each way with a ride time of approximately 11 minutes.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a world-class attraction showcasing the distinct cultures of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, is now open.  Located in a spectacular natural setting, the centre offers highly flexible space, accommodating banquets for up to 280 people and receptions for 500.  Cantrav can incorporate authentic First Nations traditional food, drumming and singing for a truly unique experience.

Why not combine the classic Canadian experience with a thrilling Alaskan trip?  Cantrav recently designed a unique incentive program incorporating Vancouver and Alaska for a group of Australian guests. Participants stayed at the upscale Alyeska Resort in Alaska, went bear watching, heli-sightseeing, dog sledding, fishing, white water rafting in the Chugach National Forest (highest altitude guided rafting trip), gold panning, and on a high speed catamaran trip to the tide water glaciers.

The new Fairmont Pacific Rim located in Vancouver’s downtown Coal Harbour is due to open October 2009 with 377 luxury rooms and 12,000 sq ft of function space.

The new five-star Shangri-La Hotel which will occupy the first fifteen floors of a new 61-story landmark building, the tallest in Vancouver, is opening in January 2009.