Kelowna's renowned four-season playground, easily accessible from destinations across Canada and the U.S. thanks to its international airport, provides one-of-a-kind experiences that will have your event delegates excited to meet in the Okanagan's largest city.

Read on for a glimpse at why Kelowna and the Central Okanagan are the perfect destination for your next meeting or conference.

Year-Round Appeal

^{Image credit: Ken Hagen}

Kelowna's year-round appeal makes planning your business event easier since the destination stands out no matter the season. 

Fall in Kelowna means taking advantage of the summer-like weather that lingers well into the season and savouring the region's bountiful harvest through local dining experiences. The views are stunning in winter, thanks to mountains blanketed in snow. Plus, you can take advantage of added-value opportunities and stretch your budget during the quieter shoulder season. Fruit blossoms, warm weather, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy BC wine are a few of the advantages of planning your event during spring in Kelowna.

While the summer boasts plenty of sunshine, warm weather, and activity, it remains the busiest season for tourism in the region. Be sure to connect with Tourism Kelowna's business development team to find out if this time of year will be a fit for hosting your event. 

World-class Wine and Culinary Experiences

^{Quails' Gate Winery. Image credit: Ken Hagen}

The Okanagan is well known for its world-class wines, with Kelowna being the birthplace of BC’s wine industry. The more than 40 wineries that call the region home offer an array of experiences that will showcase the area’s award-winning wine and food, wowing your delegates in the process.

A uniquely Okanagan experience is dining at Quails’ Gate Winery’s harvest gathering site, seated amongst the growing vines with exquisite views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding mountains. The winery’s onsite restaurant, Old Vines, specializes in wine-led, contemporary cuisine inspired by the seasons and all things local, accommodating 80 guests for dinner or 110 for a reception. For groups of less than 50, be sure to inquire about the Stewart Family Room or the more intimate Stewart Family Private Library, which can host up to 14 people.

^{Global Meetings Industry Day 2019 at 50th Parallel Winery. Image credit: Sherpa Events & Meg Creative}

On the opposite side of the Central Okanagan in Lake Country, you’ll find 50^th Parallel Estate, comprised of several unique event locations including its vineyard infinity event pad, winery crush pad, and winery tank hall. With more than 10,000 sq. ft. of event space, the winery can easily accommodate groups of up to 350 people. Earlier this year, the winery opened its new wine cave, dubbed the Granite Room, which guests can visit on a tour of 50^th Parallel’s state-of-the-art facilities. The team at BLOCK ONE, the winery’s onsite restaurant, will ensure the most delectable bites are served as part of your event.

Unique Off-Site Experiences

^{Group tour of Myra Canyon. Image credit: Shawn Talbot Photography}

There is no doubt that incorporating unique off-site experiences will help delegates genuinely immerse themselves in the destination and provide them with memories they’ll want to reminisce about for years to come. In Kelowna, you'll have plenty to choose from when it comes to creating those memories for your attendees. 

Myra Canyon Trestles Trail, part of the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR), is one of Kelowna’s most visited outdoor activities and for good reason. Your group will marvel at the views as they bike or walk along the 18 trestle bridges and two tunnels that make up the trail, which runs along a steep-walled canyon. Several local companies can assist in planning your group’s visit, including Cheers! Okanagan Tours and Transportation and Myra Canyon Bike Rentals & Tours.

^{The Harvest Golf Club. Image credit: Shawn Talbot Photography}

At the nearby Harvest Golf Club, your delegates will play amongst 45 acres of fruit-laden orchards and hillside vineyards, all with stunning views of Okanagan Lake and Kelowna in the background. In addition to incorporating a round of golf or tournament on the Graham Cooke-designed, champion-length course, you can also host dinner or other team-building activities in the Harvest’s clubhouse, which has an indoor capacity of 160 and an additional outdoor capacity of 60 on its patio.

Lakefront Resort Accommodation

^{The view from the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. Image credit: Nic Collar Film}

Okanagan Lake is one of Kelowna's most distinguishing and appealing natural features, so booking accommodations at one of the area's lakefront resorts will offer your delegates easy access and incredible views. 

Choosing the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort will have your group in the heart of the city, with direct access to the lake. The resort boasts 324 newly renovated guest rooms and suites, along with 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting and function space that can accommodate groups of up to 1,000 for banquet seating. Onsite, guests can dine lakeside at OAK + CRU Social Kitchen & Wine Bar, plan some me-time at Damara Day Spa, or admire the pieces on display at Art Lovers Gallery. Walking along the waterfront boardwalk, exploring the nearby Cultural District, or grabbing a treat at one of the many nearby cafes are just a few more options to fill up downtime. 

^{The Cove Lakeside Resort firepit. Image credit: Shawn Talbot Photography}

The Cove Lakeside Resort sits next to Okanagan Lake in West Kelowna and is located near several wineries, orchards, and beaches. The resort has 100 fully-appointed, condo-style suites with one, two, or three bedrooms. Thanks to more than 4,500 sq. ft. of event space, The Cove can welcome groups as small as 16 to as large as 160, depending on the space configuration chosen. Delegates can lounge poolside, spend time with new friends at the outdoor firepit, walk along the resort's private beach, or take advantage of one of the other onsite amenities, including the Spa at the Cove and The Landing Kitchen + Bar. 

Thriving Business Ecosystem

^{Binny Boparai-Gill, Co-Founder and President of Farming Karma Fruit Company (left), and Jennay Oliver, Owner/Operator of Paynter's Fruit Market (right), leading a tour as part of the OKGo campaign. Image credit: Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission}

As one of Canada’s most entrepreneurial cities, Kelowna is also recognized as a knowledge centre for several of Canada’s key economic sectors, including aerospace, agriculture, clean tech, viticulture, and more.

Through the collaborative, award-winning OKGo campaign, which showcases success stories from these sectors and differentiates Kelowna and the Central Okanagan from other destinations, planners can incorporate unique and relevant site tours, coordinate impactful networking sessions, or select local keynote speakers to augment their agendas.

The entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that pulses through the region’s thriving business ecosystem, demonstrated by the local entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and innovators featured through the OKGo campaign, will surely help you round out your event and inspire your delegates.

Memorable Pre- and Post-Event Activities

^{Löyly Floating Sauna Kelowna. Photo via Instagram @loyly.kelowna}

Whether they come early or stay late, your delegates will have numerous activities and attractions to add to their itineraries, including:

• Discovering Indigenous history and culture at Sncewips Heritage Museum and the Okanagan Heritage Museum.
• Learning about the region's history of achievement in Canadian aerospace at the KF Centre for Excellence (which, FYI, also doubles as an event venue). 
• Visiting Kelowna's outdoor floating sauna and cold plunge pool, Löyly.
• Booking one of the many guided tours offered, from wine and food tours to boat and helicopter and so much more.
• Taking advantage of Kelowna's outdoor playground through one of its many recreation activities. 

The online itinerary builder will make planning their perfect pre- or post-event trip easy. Be sure to let your delegates know they can also use KAITI, the AI Assistant on Tourism Kelowna's website, or connect with the Community & Visitor Engagement team before their trip or when they arrive to learn more about what to see and do in and around the city.

To learn more about planning your meeting, conference, or other business event in Kelowna, explore the Meetings & Groups section of Tourism Kelowna's website or connect with a member of the organization's business development team.