Discover Edmonton

A comfortable mix of small-town friendliness and big city sophistication, Edmonton is the perfect place to plan a tour, convention, trade show or meeting. Ideal for gatherings, large or small, Edmonton offers versatile meeting spaces, and is the ideal gateway for day tours and group tour destinations.

Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is an experienced host that has been building its reputation as a tour, conference and trade show destination for years. We welcome hundreds of thousands of guests each year to large scale sporting events and international conferences and have hosted prestigious events such as the 1983 World University Games, 1996 World Firefighter Games, 1996 World Figure Skating Championships, 1984 and 1997 Grey Cups and 1999 Labatt Brier. In 2001 Edmonton will host two world-class events; the ITU Triathlon World Championship, July 21 to 22 and on August 3 to 12, the 8th IAAF World Championships in Athletics. The third largest sporting event in the world, the IAAF World Championships in Athletics is expected to attract more than 3,000 athletes, coaches and officials, over 2,500 media, and a television viewing audience of four billion people, further enhancing Edmontonšs profile on the world stage. More than 9,000 hotel guest rooms make Edmonton a highly accommodating centre. From the majestic Hotel Macdonald, restored and reopened in 1991 to become one of the cityšs best loved historical landmarks, to a host of suite hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, Edmonton's accommodations offer something for every taste. Best of all, hotel room rates in Edmonton are among the lowest of all major cities in Canada, ensuring superb value. There is no shortage of variety in the city's dining offerings either. Almost 2,000 restaurants showcase our culinary expertise and our penchant for international cuisine. You'll find everything from Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese to Lebanese, French, Italian and Greek. While in the province, don't miss the opportunity to sample our regional cuisine which marries local food products such as our world-famous Alberta beef, bison, venison and Saskatoon berries with a wide range of global flavours. World renowned for its shopping, Edmonton features eclectic and unique shops selling everything from clothes, gifts and crafts to fabrics and books. One-of-a-kind stores line the streets in all areas of the city, most notably in the Old Strathcona area where pubs, cafés, restaurants and more than 300 stores offer one of the more unique selections. The city is also home to a thriving gallery scene and of course, to the largest shopping centre in the world, West Edmonton Mall. It features a number of retailers exclusive to the region, as well as locally owned shops celebrating home-grown arts and crafts. In downtown Edmonton, plentiful shopping and the vibrant Arts District (home to the Edmonton Art Gallery, Winspear Centre, Citadel Theatre and other attractions) promise a full roster of activities. For added convenience, above and below ground pedways connect many downtown hotels with government centres, theatre, galleries, shopping centres, and the Light Rail Transit system. Moving from place to place is possible in all seasons, rain or shine, in the comfort of indoors. Edmonton is a city with much to offer, from Broadway shows and world-renowned opera and ballet companies to thrilling sports teams and a non-stop line up of special events. The city, with 18 major festivals annually, has earned the title "Canadašs Festival City" and celebrates a range of culture, music, theatre, visual arts and sports. Here you will also find North America's longest natural urban park: the North Saskatchewan River Valley park system, which features a tremendous selection of outdoor and indoor facilities for the recreation enthusiast. Therešs an abundance of park trails for cycling and hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. There are also many outstanding golf courses, fitness centres and tennis courts to enjoy. And with more hours of sunshine than almost all other major Canadian cities, there's even more time to explore our vast outdoor attractions and natural beauty. The rich history of Edmonton and Alberta is brought to life in many museums and attractions, including Fort Edmonton Park, the Provincial Museum of Alberta, and the Edmonton Space & Science Centre. Best of all, these attractions offer a perfect stop for tours, as well as serving as unique venues for meetings and group functions. Easily accessed, Edmonton is served by the Edmonton International Airport which offers flights from international destinations throughout the world. Major highways connect the city to the rest of Canada and the United States, while VIA Rail's Canadian route brings visitors from Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Jasper and Vancouver. Once here, visitors to Edmonton can easily access the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, as well as the vast horizons of Albertašs North. In short, Edmonton is an ideal destination, combining excellent value, warm hospitality and stunning surroundings. Plan to make Edmonton the location for your next tour, meeting or convention.

Quick Facts
-Alberta has no provincial sales tax (PST)
-International visitors qualify for a Goods & Services Tax (GST) rebate
-Edmonton is among the top four convention destinations in Canada
-Edmonton is a 3.5 hour drive from the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Jasper National Park, and a 45-minute drive from Elk Island National Park
-Edmonton is easily accessed via air, rail, and highway
-Edmonton has hosted many world-class events: the 1978 Commonwealth Games, the 1983 World University Games, and 1996 World Figure Skating Championships. In July and August 2001, Edmonton will welcome the ITU Triathlon World Championship and the 8th IAAF World Championships in Athletics
-The Canadian Finals Rodeo, held every November in Edmonton, is the largest annual indoor sporting event in Western Canada
-The Edmonton International Airport has non-stop air service from major cities in Canada, the United States, and selected overseas countries
-Edmonton is home to the largest shopping and entertainment centre in the world ­ West Edmonton Mall
-Edmonton has more than one million sq. feet (92,000 sq. m) of meeting and exhibition space
-Edmonton's Shaw Conference Centre is the headquarters of award-winning Culinary Team Canada
-Northlands AgriCom is Western Canada's largest enclosed exhibition facility with 325,000 sq. ft. (29,900 sq. m) of meeting and exhibition space
-Edmonton has over 9,000 hotel rooms
-Hotel room rates in Edmonton offer the best value of any major Canadian city
-Average meal costs are the lowest among major Canadian cities
-Edmonton is large enough to provide all of the amenities of a major international destination, yet small enough to deliver personalized service
-Edmonton is easily accessible from anywhere in Canada and the U.S.
-Alberta is the only province without a sales tax. Albertašs total accommodation tax is the lowest in Canada
-Alberta has one of the strongest economies in Canada
-The Shaw Conference Centre offers over 7,000 square feet of clear span exhibit/assembly space which can be divided into three separate halls
-West Edmonton Mall, at over 5.3 million square feet features, many unique meeting sites

Š 2001 Copyright Tanner Young Marketing Ltd. This article can not be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written permission.