Samples to Savour

When reviewing the samples below there is one thing that you should keep in mind at all times. We will show you the Whistler, Vancouver, Victoria and Tofino that even the locals might not know about. This is our equivalent of R&D. We take the time to find those out of the way spots, the restaurants that make memories not just meals, the hotels that understand that you are paying for pampering not just a roof over your head. And even more important for the adventure seekers – we ONLY use certified professionals with years of experience.

WRGW International – (We Rule the Gaming World Inc.)
Specializing in strategy games, WRGW is a growing concern. Still relatively small, it is breaking ground and expects to put a new PC game on the market that will capture the imaginations of gamers and non-gamers alike. The company is a mix of young and middle-aged personnel and not all of them are techies. They went public a year ago and they want to plan for the AGM. They are sensitive to the stereotypes about gaming companies and want to combat those but at the same time, they have no desire to appear to be something they are not. What they want is to communicate to the shareholders is that yes, they are young and have an edge but they also understand the basic rules of business. They want to let people know they are not about to use the profits to build the world’s largest foosball table in the middle of the conference room but they also want everyone to know that they are current enough to be setting trends instead of following them.

They also want to give their staff, who have been working insanely long hours finishing up this latest game, a bit of a treat while at the same time preparing them for some of the changes the company is about to go through.

Their corporate retreat:
Tofino is British Columbia’s ‘beach town.’ As with any beach town, it not only understands cool, it defines it. Blending ‘too blue to be true’ water, beaches and B.C.’s infamous towering greens, the natural beauty is clearly the star attraction. It is a world away from the stainless steel and frosted glass loft they work in, and that is why it is the perfect place to ground themselves for the months to come.

Tofino – Deluxe Executive

• Middle Beach Lodge
• Whale Watching
• Kyaking
• Explore Long Beach
• Surfing
• Ferry or Small plane charter

Middle Beach Lodge is the perfect home base for exploring the wilderness of Clayoquot Sound. Relax in the magnificent oceanfront lounges with massive stone fireplaces, overstuffed couches, antique pine furnishings, planked floors and Persian carpets.

Snuggle in your room under a warm duvet and wake up to the sights and sounds of the open Pacific. Wood smoke from the fireplaces compliments wafting scents of freshly baked goods and homemade jams provided for breakfast.

Secluded meeting rooms provide an atmosphere conducive to a fully focused conversation, brain-storming, team building or motivational session with your co-workers. When a successful business day is complete, fresh Pacific winds, secluded beaches, rain-forested mountains and abundant wildlife beckon.

Ocean fishing, whale watching, sea kayaking, or even surfing can be arranged for your whole team or just individuals.

The small coastal fishing village of Tofino is just 3 kms from the lodge, eclectic restaurants, bakeries, galleries and shopping all compete with the spectacular views from the inner harbour. World famous Meares Island with its ancient rainforests, rugged coastline and Clayquot Sound is a view people travel thousands of miles to see.

Their AGM:
Vancouver – cool

• Opus Hotel, Metropolitan or Sheraton Le Soleil
• Palladium
• Kyaking in English Bay
• Main St, Yaletown, Robson St shopping
• Bike/rollerblade around Stanley Park or seawall
• Aquabus to Granville Island
• Rock-climbing
• Rollerblading Molson Indy
• Amazing Race
• Commercial Drive
• C Restaurant
• Wild Rice
• Alibi Room
• Blue Water Café
• Elixir
• Drinks at Voda, Milk & Honey, Yaletown Brew Pub, Bar none, Opus Bar

Wee, Always, Wynn and Partners
Wee, Always Wynn and Partners is a well-established medium-sized law firm that is about to expand. They have recently won some landmark cases and they are broadening out to include entertainment law as well as their traditional corporate practice. The lawyers, like their clients cover the spectrum of interests. Some are serious adrenalin junkies who play as hard as they work, and others believe that the whole point of working this hard is to be able to relax and enjoy the finer things in life.

The two sectors rarely mix and there is concern that they will never become a team.

Wee, Always, Wynn and Partners has decided they need a retreat with the goal of becoming a team. Each group has agreed to spend a bit of time walking in the other person’s shoes so they decide they are actually going to split their stay.

Destination: Whistler

Whistler offers something for those who want to work for their fun and those who want it laid out on 600-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. You can hoof it through the woods with the grizzlies or sample carpaccio at La Rua Restaurant.

Whistler Summer – Adventure Seeker

Whisked from Vancouver by coach or limousine, directly to your door at the Delta Whistler Village Suites. Enter your private chalet style suite with a breathtaking mountain view in full alpine tradition complete with all of the amenities that add a special charm: fireplaces, balconies, living rooms, fluffy duvets, fully equipped kitchens, remote cable TV, in-suite movies and Nintendo.

Order room service, relax and charge up for a morning of on-site meetings in the beautifully appointed meeting rooms. –add to this

After taking care of business, quick change and onto the shuttle to the rafting base camp. A wild afternoon shooting the rapids with fellow adrenaline junkies – “devil’s elbow”, “steam roller”, cliff jumping, and raft rodeo all followed by a delicious West Coast Salmon BBQ in the great outdoors before heading back to Whistler Village for more fun. Meet your friends and swap rafting tales at the casual Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, legendary for its live music sessions, then onto Buffalo Bill’s Bar & Grill for lively nightlife and a busy dance floor jumping with party favorites.

Are you interested in more activities? High adventure can be found on the Ziptrek course – an incredible 2.5 hour journey riding on a series of cables and suspension bridges exploring the hidden beauty of Fitzsimmons Creek and the picturesque forest valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Or tour the old growth forest by ATV.

The rest of your stay won’t be complete without a leisurely visit to the exclusive on site indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub in the sun-drenched beautifully landscaped setting (Health Club also features gym, saunas, and steam rooms).

• Delta Village Suites
• Whitewater rafting
• Ziptrek
• ATVing
• Dinner at the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
• Drinks at Buffalo Bill’s Bar & Grill
• By Bus or Limo

And Now For How the Other Half Live:
Whistler Summer – Executive

A beautiful drive via the Sea-to-Sky Highway leads you to the AAA Four-Diamond, all-suite luxury of The Westin Resort and Spa. Take in the fresh mountain air and breathtaking natural beauty while surrounding yourself with rustic elegance. Majestic timber and indigenous artwork in the lobby provide a taste of the exceptional amenities in-suite including soaker tubs, down duvets, gas fireplaces, upscale kitchens and exceptional mountain views.

Your business day can start in your room, fully equipped with two phone-lines, voice-mail and data ports with high-speed internet access. Full service convention hotel offering 18,000 square feet of advanced technological conference facilities.

Take advantage of the resorts coveted location at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Gondola’s and head up for a morning hiking through the alpine or stroll the many shops and restaurants of charming Whistler Village.

Or treat yourself to the tranquility of the Avello Spa – complete restorative treatments for the body, mind and soul. The State of the art health club offers personal training, yoga and pilates.

Ready to dine? The choice is yours: stay in your robe and order 24 hour in-suite dining; or wander down to the resort’s own Aubergine Grill, FireRock Lounge or a few minutes walk to superb world-class dining at Bearfoot Bistro. A Whistler destination all its own, the Bearfoot Bistro’s amazing wine cellar contains over 14,000 bottles, 1,300 labels with bottles ranging in price from $40 to $16,000. Pull up a chair and discover for yourself why they are considered Whistler’s finest restaurant.

Another post-meeting afternoon could find you taking a serene paddle down the sparkling River of Golden Dreams or taking advantage of a true golf mecca with valet and shuttle service to the areas top four designer champion courses including Nicklaus North, Whistler Golf Club and Big Sky Golf & Country Club.

A wonderful mountain retreat in the heart of Whistler.

• Westin Resort & Spa
• Hiking in the Alpine
• Golf at Nicklaus North
• Spa at the Westin
• Kayaking down the River of Golden Dreams
• Dinner at Bearfoot Bistro or La Rua
• Transportation by Executive coach or Limousine service
  

Team Building – Executive – Summer Retreat

Tucked away in the forest, Brew Creek Lodge is a twelve-acre piece of paradise awaiting your discovery. Rustic elegance and custom décor, this ultimate hideaway showcases Brew Creek's natural splendor.

• Brew Creek Lodge
• Shuttle Service
• Hiking Trails
• Golf
• Critical Path Finders or Whitewater teambuilding skills
• Horseback riding
• Outdoor BBQ
• Fly-fishing

Client:
An Investment Advisor

Project:

• o A series of interesting events held bi-monthly* for clients with the objective of further building relationships and showing client appreciation.
• o No business will be conducted although clients are free to bring guests and introduce them.
• o This would be a “private club” offering exclusive benefits by way of activities to those who belong.
• o They should offer unique experiences not usually available i.e. that “money can’t buy” and that entice members to participate in activities that they don’t usually do.
• o Clients would be both male and female, fairly conservative investment portfolios, ages 50 and up, semi-retired or facing retirement.
• o Each event would host 6-15 people; 60-90 minutes. High-end details would be implemented in all areas including catering, transportation etc.

HOT SALSA

• o Evening Activity - Dance class with a difference
• o Held in a real dance studio or suitable nightclub to lend atmosphere.
• o Entertaining, sexy dance instructor(s);
• o hot Latin music (could include live three piece brass ensemble)
• o colourful tropical flower laden tables with Latin food and rum cocktails
• o This same theme could extend to ballroom dance or retro lounge theme

EXPRESS YOURSELF – GO WILD!

• Evening or weekend activity – Larger than life art class
• Held in a towering loft or hanger space; twelve foot high fabric banners or canvases strung from the ceiling around the entire perimeter of the room;
• Masses of open cans of brightly coloured latex paints in the center of the room; variety of large brushes; white painter coveralls provided to all; go crazy!
• Would be facilitated by local art celebrity or art therapist with sense of humour
• Painting session would be preceded by inspiring art talk and themed food and wine table . . .i.e. Local BC Artist, Picasso or Dali as inspiration

Alternate Activity:

• Dinner & Private showing at an artists home . . . with the artist to entertain / educate offer private “art” class.
• Go with guest conductor to the symphony . . . opera singer to the opera

FULL MOON RISING

• Evening or weekend activity – weather dependent
• Late Summer: Beach Bonfire Picnic; moonlit evening by the ocean, under the stars, serenaded by acoustic musicians (think Gypsy Kings or other alternate: ethnic African drums or other)
• Winter: Alpine Bonfire Picnic; moonlit cross-country snowshoe or ski ending with bonfire and hot food and drink; guided by entertaining local enthusiast.

TOY STORY

• Evening activity
• Interactive demonstration of the newest / latest / greatest electronic gizmo’s and gadgets.
• Celebrity geek to demo to participants and give short introduction on where trends are going in high tech “toy” world.
• Would be held in high-end retail store or showroom.
• Food and beverage provided

ADRENALINE RUSH

• Evening or Weekend activity
• Provide top-level instructor and crew for vicarious sporting activity
• Be a part of a sailing race crew lead by an Olympic medallist . . . wine & cheese on deck!
• Harley or BMW Showroom with expert – try the gear, have a lesson, etc.
• Mini-certificate for ocean kayaking – group demo and lesson etc.

EXOTIC DESTINATIONS

• Evening activity
• Travel talk and presentation by knowledgeable pro
• re: insiders secrets of one location/destination or the latest/greatest trends in travel destinations – or wild excursions catered to the individual i.e.: remote river trip in the Amazon.
• Venue could be interesting . . . inside airplane hanger or on board a docked cruise ship

LIVE FOREVER

• Weekend Day Activity
• Experts invited to share latest theories, trends in health and wellness.
• Humourous talks on sex in mid-life; holistic cuisines, herbalist, personal trainer, yoga etc.

BIRDS and BEES

• Weekend Activity
• Join a naturalist for an exclusive walk through the beautiful wetlands of Burns Bog;
• learn about fascinating flora and fauna and picnic on local BC organic cuisine.

IN THE GARDEN

• Weekend Activity – Weather dependent
• A leading landscape architect and botanist will scan images of your outdoor spaces and do a virtual re-design showing you the types of things that are possible.
• Could focus on woodland gardens, water gardens, meditation gardens - any number of themes.
• Peter Kruek or Cornelia Oberlander are suggestions.

Alternate activity:

• A workshop/lecture on adding art and sculpture to your outdoor spaces
• examples of how sculpture can enhance the garden.
• Held in garden setting or tour of one outstanding example (Ron Rule’s home, Thomas Hobbs’ home etc.) and outdoor picnic lunch included.
• Art installation expert Trudy Van Dop

THEMED WINE TASTING

• Evening activity
• Italian: Held in the wine cellar at Villa Del Lupo – exclusive wine tasting and dinner – perhaps guest starring opera singer and private performance and lecture from wine expert.

PROFESISONAL GOLF LESSON

• Exclusive group lesson with a professional golfer at a prestigious private club with a catered cocktail party following.
• Opportunity to demo new golf clubs.
• Video replay of golf swing.
• Leave with custom golf balls and club cover.
• Limit to 6 individuals.