Attracting more than 500 delegates from Canada’s water utilities sector –– along with private sector partners, academics and members of government and the not-for-profit sectors –– the National Water and Wastewater Conference washed over Winnipeg from November 2-6, 2024.
The event was a flushing success, with Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Executive Director Robert Haller raving about the facilities, the organization, and the overall vibe of Winnipeg.
“I was so impressed with Winnipeg as a site for an event. The facilities at the RBC were excellent, but if we were a bit smaller, we would have been happy at the Fort Garry Hotel or Fairmont Winnipeg too,” said Haller.
“Then there were so many options for our big celebration night and so many musical choices too. Meanwhile, I fell in love with the city, getting to visit all its wonderful sites, discovery brewpubs and a cigar sampling hideaway, and so many great restaurants. I plan to return on vacation just to see the baseball team (Winnipeg Goldeyes) and enjoy another Nuit Blanche… and the fried chicken and dan dan noodles at The Merchant Kitchen,” Haller continued.
In the interview below with Haller, we learn what surprised delegates most about Winnipeg, what hidden gems you must discover during your next business event, how Tourism Winnipeg makes booking your next event so easy, and why groups will relish The Merchant Kitchen.
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What surprised you the most about Winnipeg?
I’d have to say the overwhelming number of locations to choose from – for both the conference itself and for the big celebration party. Between the RBC Convention Centre and Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg, along with Fairmont Winnipeg and The Fort Garry Hotel, this city has so many great venues.
Plus, all the museums, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Zoo and The Leaf made for great offsite venues and general attractions that our delegates loved. The Leaf was so cool, and I’ve been at events in Assiniboine Park with the polar bears and it’s unforgettable.
Did you find any more gems?
I could imagine us at any of the sites and it would have been a success, but the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is overwhelming in its architecture and grandeur.
The Forks is such a wonderful space to shop, eat and drink, and Hargrave Street Market was a great place with a communal space to eat where everyone can get their own style of food.
How did Tourism Winnipeg services help your conference?
I don’t know where to begin! This was years in the planning and delayed by the pandemic, so I had two full FAM tours with Team Winnipeg. I saw every possible hotel and party site and met the right people at each spot who shared inspiring ideas on how to have fun on our big Celebration Night.
Then they treated me like royalty while I was there, picking me up at the airport, helping me to discover the best places to eat or just grab a local beer. They also knew of my love of baseball and treated me to an unforgettable night at the ballpark. I was also invited to attend the Winnipeg Wine Festival and experienced the RBC Convention Centre at its exciting best - pulling out all the stops!
Even after I signed a contract, they continued to support the development of my big celebration night, recommending bands and restaurants to go to. When my keynote speaker cancelled just weeks before the show, Maria Paletta brainstormed ideas and introduced me to an incredible local speaker who proved to be a great hit. They were there on the day I arrived and provided directions on where to get the liquor for our hospitality suite and where to find a printer. I am forever grateful.
Why did The National Water & Wastewater Conference choose Winnipeg?
We chose Winnipeg for multiple reasons, but it was a good decision! We move our event across the country –– from central (ON/QC) to west to central to east –– and it was time to do the prairies. I had attended the Western Canada Water Conference when it was in Winnipeg and I fell in love with the city.
We marketed “Meet us in the Middle” appreciating the fact that Winnipeg was right in the centre of Canada with easy flight access from anywhere. I also love the RBC Convention Centre as a facility – so modern and so compact with direct connection to the Delta Hotel.
By luck, I also landed in Winnipeg for Nuit Blanche and was so thoroughly blown away by the arts and music culture of the city.
Favourite Winnipeg restaurant?
Again, there are too many great ones. I enjoyed the style of Hargrave Street Market, with its ample choices, and I loved my dinner at Gather Craft Kitchen at The Leaf. But hands-down, my favourite was The Merchant Kitchen. I hosted my board dinner there for 24 people in their private side room. We loved the family-style menu that helped build the mood for the night and the food and service was amazing. I took another group of 16 there later in the week and we ate the same dinner –– it was that good!
What advice would you give to planners looking to book Winnipeg?
Ignore the cheap comments people will make about Winnipeg being cold and have fun with it. Really market the fun things to see and do. I put out a Top 10 Things to Do in Winnipeg – of course #1 and #10 were to attend the conference!!
As our conference was in November, I played with people’s worries that it would be cold, so we hosted a New Orleans-styled Mardis Gras Party. (I originally thought of it being a beach party, but the New Orleans theme worked out best.), We found a local band, the Dirty Catfish Brass Band, and they were amazing – we even had a French Quarter parade! The Cajun menu from WOW Catering was amazing. And you wrap all of that in the inspiring CMHR and we hit a home run with our delegates – a night they will always remember.
Is there anything you’d like to add that we haven’t asked?
I cannot say enough about Team Winnipeg.
We appreciated the financial incentives as well as the additional sponsorship we received from the Winnipeg Water Department and the free city buses to get us to the CMHR and back on “The Water Bus.” But the special attention and genuine kindness I received from Maria Paletta, Patrick Hauta and Frances Wellink will never be forgotten. I teased them about their persistence in getting me to bring our event to Winnipeg, but in the process, they treated me like a true friend and I could sense their sincere love of the great product they were selling – an incredible city.
