Ottawa, Ontario |
 |
Early Bird Registration |
Conference Socials
Get To Know You Social
Tuesday, September 25 - 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Marriott Hotel - Café Toulouse
For students and delegates arriving on Tuesday, take advantage of this event to mix and mingle at the Café Toulouse. Located in the Lobby of the Marriott Hotel, this location is perfect for meeting new friends, catching up with colleagues, and networking in a social atmosphere. See you there!
Trade Show Opening and Social
Wednesday, September 26 - 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Immediately following the Opening Ceremonies, the annual Trade Show will open. Transportation will be provided to bring you back to the conference hotel to participate in this great party. Beverages, hors d’œuvres and the opportunity to meet personally with close to 70 exhibitors will be part evening. Don’t miss this chance to see first hand the new and exciting products that are available to better meet the leisure needs of your clients. The Trade Show Social is sure to delight everyone and continue the tradition of setting a high standard for the start of the conference.
Dinner, Flight and Away for the Night!
Thursday, September 27 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Bus Tour followed by Dinner at the Canada Aviation Museum
After hours fun (ByWard Market) 9:00 pm and on….
Buses departing from Crowne Plaza Hotel starting at 5:30 pm until 6:45 pm
Return bussing to ByWard Market and Crowne Plaza Hotel begins at 8:30 pm
The City of Ottawa is thrilled to invite you to see our sites, enjoy historical landmarks and kick up your heels. Begin your evening with a bus ride past the Houses of Parliament, Governor General’s Residence and 24 Sussex. Knowledgeable bilingual guides will highlight the history as you wind your way through the heart of the Nation’s Capital.
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime elegant dining experience beneath the wings of aviation history at the Canada Aviation Museum. With 130 aircraft, the Museum has the best collection in the country and one of the most representative in the world.
On the return trip you may choose to be dropped off at the renowned ByWard Market for after-hours fun, entertainment and laughter, or you can continue on to the hotel.
Established in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, laid out by the legendary builder of the Rideau Canal, Colonel By himself. We invite you to explore all the ByWard Market has to offer!
Visit websites below for a taste of what to expect:
http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/about_us/our_website/website.shtml
http://www.ottawaentertainment.ca/festivals/bywardmarket.asp
A Night on the Town, Quebécois style!
Friday, September 28 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, and beyond!
In 2008, Québec City will host the 10th World Leisure Congress from October 6 to 10. This international Congress, in association with Canada’s annual National Parks and Recreation Conference and Trade Show, will be a unique opportunity to share experiences and initiatives with the world, as over 60 countries will participate.
To give you a taste of Québec hospitality and energy, the organizing committee invites you to a truly Québecois party. In just a few minutes we will transport you across the Ottawa River to traditional Québec land.
Here you can enjoy Happy Hour at Gatineau's Studio 426. This is a great opportunity to meet the 2008 World Leisure Congress Québec staff, relax in a casual atmosphere, take full advantage of our special offers, participate in various contests, and, for those who still have some energy after a complete day of training, dance to the music of the 70's and 80's.
At 9 pm it’s time to make a choice! Three options are available to you: the first is to return to the Crowne Plaza, the option is to travel downtown for dinner with your colleagues at one of Gatineau's trendy restaurants; and the third offers you the opportunity to enjoy the Casino du Lac Leamy.
Friday night, come swing your partner!!!
Bus transportation to Gatineau from the Crowne Plaza will depart at: 6:30 pm, 6:45 pm and 7:00 pm. Return buses will leave Studio 426 at 8:30 pm, 8:45 pm and 9:00 pm. A late evening shuttle will leave the Casino at 11:00 pm with a stop outside Studio 426 at 11:05 pm.
Enjoy The Partners' Program
Ok, so your plan is complete for “Connecting in the Capital” …what about your spouse and children? Don’t worry! We’ve got that covered with “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” -- three days, three exciting events! Come for one or try all three!
Check out the Partner's Program Page for more details as they become available.
Tips For The First-Time Delegate
We want to help you to make the most out of your conference experience. We’ve included some tips and links for your information. Don’t forget, you can always ask a volunteer on-site, ask at the registration desk, or better yet—your fellow delegates.
First Time Delegates' Reception
Wednesday, September 26 (4:30 pm – 5:30 pm)
By Invitation Only
Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) welcomes all first time delegates to this year's national conference. If you have never been to Canada's National Parks and Recreation Conference and Trade Show before, you will receive a special invitation to attend this private reception. Click here for more information about the First Time Delegates' Reception.
- Have a good sense of why you are going, and what you want out of the
conference experience before you reach the hotel. This will help you
prioritize the activities you want to participate in.
- Don’t be shy! Conversations with other delegates outside of sessions
are just as important as the messages you learn when in session.
Remember that networking and making connections with other professionals
in your field is a big benefit of attending conference.
- You’ll be busy, but don’t forget to rest and eat too. Take advantage
of breaks to rest and have a snack. This will keep your energy up.
- Planning is essential. Take some time your first evening on-site to
review all the activities going on, the sessions you will be attending,
and the socials you would like to be a part of.
- Embrace the mantra “Work hard—play hard!” While attending sessions
and meetings at conference is extremely important, you should also make
the time to attend evening social events. This time is especially
designed to let you kick up your heels, relax, and get to know other
delegates.
- Know when “enough is enough” for you. Take it from us—if you are
exhausted, it won’t be fun to continue driving hard. If you feel you
need to quit an event or social early, and find some rest on your own,
then do so.
- Take advantage of your trip. If you are visiting somewhere new try
avoiding places that you see every day at home. Appreciate being away,
and eat at a restaurant with a local cultural appeal. Visit some local
points of interest in your off-time. Even a walk of the riverbank or
downtown area will let you have a feel of “the difference”.
- Bring many of your business cards, as these are a handy way to pass
out your contact information when meeting new people. Remember to
collect many business cards from others. They’ll remind you of who you
met—try to make notes on the back too, so when you get home you’ll
remember when and what you spoke on.
- Relax and have a good time. If you are nervous, tired, or frustrated with your daily schedule, you’re not going to enjoy the benefits of attending a national conference. Remember to enjoy the events that conference has to offer. Take home not only session notes, but warm memories as well.
.
[ Back to top ] [
Version
française ]
[ Send your suggestions ]
[ Return to CPRA home site
]