Vancouver: Hot Trade Show Venue, an International Delight
In late April I traveled with a client to Vancouver, British Columbia to supervise the installation of their exhibit at the RIMS trade show. Having last been in Vancouver in the late 90′s, I was impressed with how much the city has grown. Today, Vancouver is one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the west coast of North America. A city with nearly 600,000 residents, Vancouver has an incredibly vibrant economy and for the last decade has been experiencing unprecedented growth. A large port city with major import export ties to Hong Kong, Vancouver is also now 2nd only to Hollywood for film production. The city is also home to key national industries including forest products and mining and is quickly becoming a Canadian Mecca for biotech and software development companies as well.
Vancouver lies in a spectacular setting surrounded by coastal mountains and beautiful waterways. Most if not all of the deluxe high-rise condos built along the waterfront district are sold out prior to ground breaking. This in large part can be attributed to the enormous inflow of capital from Hong Kong immigrants since the 1990′s. But it’s the city’s charm that is most appreciable. The city is home to one of the greatest parks in the world, Stanley Park – the city’s top tourist destination. English Bay is home to many restaurants, beach front parks and waterfront walkways and Vancouver harbor offers float plane tours all day, which one can hear from inside the convention center. Today, the city is consistently voted to be one of the most livable cities in the world. It is exceptionally friendly, clean – and very green with respect to recycling.
For a city that already has everything, it was a case of the rich getting richer when the city landed the 2010 Winter Olympics. The area is home to two world-class ski resorts in Whistler and Blackcomb as well as several other ski resorts within 30 minutes of downtown. The city used the massive influx of capital generated by the Olympics to expand its infrastructure including the installation of a state of the art rail system and a large new media center, which is now the new convention center – Canada Place West.
To date, RIMS is the largest trade show at this new exceptional facility. Its 466,500 square feet are more than enough to satisfy the requirements of most large trade shows. In addition to breath-taking views and exquisite dining, the facility also features the largest living roof in the world. Located within walking distance from Robson Street, one has easy access to fabulous dining and exciting night life entertainment.
The overall setting the city of Vancouver offers for a trade show host city is one of the most impressive and enjoyable you will experience. If you have never been before, it’s time you visit. And if you have, then you already know that encouraging your industry to host future events here is a must. Be prepared for a humbling experience when it comes to the friendly nature of the Canadian people. Perhaps it helped that their beloved Canucks were continuing to advance in the NHL hockey playoffs. Nonetheless, an unforgettable experience awaits and the future looks bright for this future home to more and more larger trade shows and events.
Vancouver Convention Center
Canada Place West Lobby
Canada Place and Canada Place West
Vancouver's Coastal Mountains
The Olympic Cauldron at Canada Place West
Berkeley Dowd
Skyline Displays Bay Area
Skyline Displays Northern California
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