BY AIR AND BY SEA Just 15-minutes from the city, Nanaimo Airport connects to major hubs across Canada, with service from Air Canada, WestJet and Pacific Coastal. Scenic flights into Nanaimo Harbour, including service via HeliJet helicopters and Harbour Air seaplanes, connect Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver, while BC Ferries and Hullo offer daily ferry service between the two cities. CONFERENCE SPACES THAT SCALE With flexible spaces, cutting-edge amenities and chef-driven menus, the Vancouver Island Conference Centre (VICC) delivers seamless gatherings. From a ballroom that hosts receptions for 1,300 to a 200-person theatre, the 38,000-sq.-ft. facility caters to events of all sizes. VICC also champions sustainability with an award-winning design and waste-reduction and community-focused programs. With views of the Salish Sea, Vancouver Island University offers versatile spaces, including theatres, classrooms and an art gallery, supported by audio visual and on-site catering services. During the summer months, student housing provides accommodations for delegates. MEET IN STYLE With more than 1,200 rooms throughout the city, from stylish boutique hotels to cost-conscious options, Nanaimo accommodates groups of all sizes and budgets. On the waterfront, Coast Bastion Hotel features 179 spacious guestrooms, each with a Juliette balcony to enjoy the coastal vistas. Planners will appreciate more than 9,000 sq. ft. of gathering space, including a ballroom that seats 220 for banquets and boardrooms with inspiring views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Just steps from the Vancouver Island Convention Centre, the Courtyard by Marriott offers a contemporary stay in the heart of downtown. Owned by Snuneymuxw First Nation, the 172-room hotel combines business traveller comforts with two modern meeting spaces, the largest accommodating up to 50 attendees. GATHER, EXPLORE, CONNECT Whether it’s teambuilding, immersive tours or wellness experiences, Nanaimo provides memorable ways to gather and engage. A quick ferry ride to Saysutshun Island trades cityscapes for forests, quiet beaches and authentic cultural experiences rooted in the traditions of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, whose ancestral lands this island has been for thousands of years. Guided interpretive experiences share stories, teachings and perspectives that deepen connections to place, culture and community. The island also offers walking and cycling trails, kayaking and gathering spaces, including the Pavilion, a restored 1930s dance hall—creating a meaningful setting for connection, reflection and discovery. Explore the Salish Sea with Vancouver Island Whale Watch’s expert-led, sustainable excursions to spot whales and other marine life. The Nanaimo Art Gallery offers immersive exhibits, hands-on workshops and event-ready gallery space. At the Nanaimo Museum, local history comes alive with guided tours and events held among its artifacts. Boost energy and focus with wellness activities inspired by Nanaimo’s coastal setting, from yoga in the park to wood-fired saunas at Island Sauna and invigorating spin classes at Zen Revolution. Have an event in mind? Let Nanaimo welcome your group. Gina Bethell Business Development Manager Tourism Nanaimo [email protected] tourismnanaimo.com/meetings-conferences Scan the QR code to download our Meeting Planners Toolkit Nanaimo welcomes your next meeting Nanaimo delivers more for meeting planners. • With Tourism Nanaimo's Conference Incentive, planners can receive between $2,000 to $10,000 on new bookings of 200+ room nights for a meeting or conference. • Outside the Box BC offers incentives for meetings booked in Nanaimo, Kamloops and Penticton within five years. [email protected] • The free Unlocked Pass gives delegates access to exclusive deals and signature experiences. Gina Bethell introduced us to the warm and welcoming hospitality that only a smaller city can offer. I knew as soon as I arrived that Nanaimo was not only possible, it was the right fit. Our conference took place a few weeks ago, and our attendees are still talking about everything Nanaimo offered. — Cheryl Spencer Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association On Vancouver Island’s east coast, Nanaimo takes meetings beyond the ballroom. With convenient air and ferry access, modern gathering spaces and rich cultural and nature-based experiences where delegates connect authentically with each other and the destination, the city offers groups a purposeful and memorable stay. Invite the Snuneymuxw First Nation to enrich opening ceremonies and guide culturally respectful land acknowledgements. 24 | Ignitemag.ca | Sponsored Feature
