Every year, in a different Canadian destination, Rendez-vous Canada brings selected international buyers and travel trade media together with invited suppliers of Canadian tourism products, services and information. The 34th-anniversary edition took place May 8-12, 2010 at The Winnipeg Convention Centre located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The goal of the event is to showcase what Canada has to offer and features destinations, resorts, venues, attractions, tours and of course hotels. The event is owned by the CTC and managed by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
Over 1400 delegates attended this year’s conference with representatives from over 20 different countries. This year part of the CTC’s goal was to bring in new buyers from countries that had never participated in Rendezvous Canada. First-time representatives from China, Brazil and India were honoured at a special VIP reception just prior to the official opening event on May 9th.
Among the many event partners involved in Rendezvous Canada was well-known producer Rick Naylor from Accucom, a Toronto-based event Production Company. Accucom was responsible for producing the Opening Night event which featured an authentic Canadian theme. According to Ken Ross, CMP, Director, Event Operations for Tourism Industry Association of Canada it was a great success for all the stakeholders. “The opening reception was one of the highlights of the week as it showcased our true Canadian hospitality from coast to coast and was an excellent way to welcome our international and Canadian guests to Rendezvous Canada”.
Accustom played the lead role in the opening event securing sponsorships and handling all creative, production and design. The lead sponsors were the CTC, Fairmont Hotels, Delta Hotels, Contac Services, Air Canada, Vincor, Molson/Coors and Via Rail.
Production Partners included Accucom Corporate Communications Inc. – Rick Naylor; Fort Gary Hotel (food and venue); Vincor (wine); (Molson Coors (beer); AVW-Telav (AV); Epic Productions (lighting) and Events by Emma (decor), In addition to the fabulous food and creative enviroscapes guests grooved to the sounds of Canadian Favourites the Danny Krammer Band, the Campbell Brothers and the Mudmen.
Check out http://www.rendezvouscanada.travel/english/buyer/default.asp for details of the event and next year’s program.