In case you haven’t heard, in the past five years Winnipeg has been in the midst of a cultural, architectural and economic renaissance, and the world has taken note.
During this time, we’ve been designated by National Geographic Traveler as one of the 20 best trips in the world, Vogue has labeled us, “vaguely exotic, totally obscure, and an absolute must-visit destination,” while both the New York Times and LA Times have raved about how creative and enjoyable our legendary winters can be.
One of the most interesting aspects of all this international press is that it tends to focus more on the people, places and events that make this city so great, meaning you are guaranteed to find an inviting environment while you are here. On top of that, there’s no shortage of world-class attractions and amenities that will wow your conference goers.
Over one million visitors – including hordes of enamoured international media – have already visited the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which opened in autumn 2014. This architectural icon to date has won 37 international and national awards, ranging in categories including design, programing, and accessibility. As well, there’s the Journey to Churchill at Assiniboine Park Zoo – the world’s most comprehensive Arctic species exhibit – another multi-award winning attraction where you can get nearly nose-to-nose with polar bears that literally swim and play right around visitors.
The newly $180 million remodeled and expanded RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg has already hosted approximately 61,000 delegates and over 65 conference events since it reopened in March 2016. Each year it continues to break its own attendance records.
Brand new in 2017 was the opening of the $200 million Outlet Collection Winnipeg, central Canada’s only dedicated outlet shopping centre, which features more than 100 retailers in a chic 400,000 sq. ft. indoor space. Adjacent to it is the brand new, four-star, 127-room Hilton Garden Inn Winnipeg South.
Plus, there’s no shortage of massive projects and properties coming down the pike that are going to make meetings and conventions even better.
Right in the middle of downtown, completing our SHED (Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District) will be True North Square. Currently in construction beside Bell MTS Place (one of the busiest venues in North America), this mixed-use development will feature four towers and a great deal of amenities, including a massive public plaza, shops, a restaurant, a boutique market, and the Sutton Place Hotel – a 27 storey, 275 room luxury hotel.
Nearby will be the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s four-storey, $65 million Inuit art Centre, which will display the world’s largest contemporary collection of Inuit Art in a truly spectacular setting indicative of Manitoba’s North. As well, Assiniboine Park is also in the midst of building Canada’s Diversity Gardens, a $75 million architecturally striking and immersive indoor/outdoor horticultural attraction that replicates biomes from across the globe. It is slated to open in 2020.
As you can see, Winnipeg is a city that is continually making investments to improve and create new world-class cultural offerings and attractions.
It all makes for one spectacular setting – and one that will only get better and better – for your next event.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your next meeting or convention in Winnipeg and you’ll quickly see how we’ve gone from being the centre of the continent to the centre of everyone’s attention.