Ottawa Meet Week never disappoints, and this year was no exception! With an upgraded booth, an exciting new partnership, and plenty of meaningful conversations, we left feeling inspired, energized, and ready for what’s ahead.
Starting Strong at Destination Direct
The week kicked off with Destination Direct (February 24-25), where Tourism Kelowna proudly participated as a Level B sponsor. This gave us the opportunity to engage in 15 one-on-one appointments with hosted buyers, including association representatives from various sectors, third-party planners, and independent planners. Each conversation opened new doors for potential business in Kelowna, reinforcing why our destination continues to stand out—our community spirit, accessibility, stunning venues, and exceptional hospitality create an unbeatable experience.
An Evening of Connections at REVEAL Social
Following Destination Direct, Tourism Kelowna and its program partners (50th Parallel Estate, Cantrav, Coast Capri Hotel, and Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort) joined industry colleagues at REVEAL Social for an energetic evening of casual networking at the Canadian Museum of Nature. This event set the tone for deeper connections ahead of the highly anticipated CSAE Tête-à-Tête tradeshow the next morning.
Creating an Inviting Space, Leaving a Lasting Impression at CSAE Tête-à-Tête
This year, we transformed our tradeshow booth into a warm and welcoming space, complete with a harvest-style table adorned with twinkle lights, a rustic wooden bar, and wine barrel cocktail tables. The inviting setup encouraged attendees to stay a while, connect, and experience a true taste of Kelowna.
The response was incredible—we saw more touchpoints and engagements than in the last five years, a testament to Kelowna’s growing appeal as a premier meetings and events destination.
One of the biggest highlights was our total experience Kelowna prize package, which offered attendees the chance to win an unforgettable getaway valued at $5,000, including:
✈️ Two round-trip flights courtesy of Porter Airlines
🏨 2-night hotel stay + breakfast at the Delta Grand and 2-night hotel stay at the Coast Capri
🍷 An exclusive wine and dining experience at 50th Parallel Estate
🚗 Private VIP transfers courtesy of Cantrav
We're grateful for a new partnership with Porter Airlines that allowed us to include flights as part of the prize, and also want to extent a huge thank you to our other incredible partners for making this amazing package possible. Your support helped us showcase the best of Kelowna in a truly unforgettable way!
And speaking of Porter Airlines—one of the most exciting announcements from this year’s event is their new service to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) starting May 14, 2025! This route strengthens the connection between Toronto and Kelowna, making it easier than ever for business events, incentive groups, and leisure travellers to experience our region.
This year’s activation at Tête-à-Tête also brought a taste of Kelowna to Ottawa with our "Refresh Your Senses" station, featuring Farming Karma’s all-natural, locally crafted mocktails. Attendees sipped on mini samples of the Musing Mojito, Conscious Cosmo, and Mindful Mule, each packed with fresh, high-quality ingredients that showcased Kelowna’s farm-to-glass philosophy. The buzz around our booth was nonstop, and it was exciting to see so many people enjoying a little taste of what makes Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley so special.
Cheers to an Exceptional Week
Pictured (left to right): Katrina Gillett, Coast Capri Hotel; Erin Urquhart, Cantrav; Vanessa Osborne, Tourism Kelowna; Kirsten Harrison, Delta Grand; Dana Haudenschild, 50th Parallel
Between new flight access, growing interest from planners, and a strengthened network of industry connections, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for meetings and events in Kelowna. Ottawa Meet Week once again proved to be an invaluable opportunity to showcase what we have to offer—and we’re excited to continue these conversations!
If we had the chance to connect—thank you for stopping by. If not, let’s chat soon. There’s always something exciting happening in Kelowna, and we’d love to welcome you to learn more!
Contact me at vanessa@tourismkelowna.com or at (416) 717-0009.
