Alberta, AB

Key Highlights

Hotels	487
Total Sleeping Rooms	49,000
Average Hotel Room Rate	CAD $162
Average Daily Meal Cost	CAD $120
Average Weekly Car Rental	CAD $280

Alberta, AB Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to the Alberta Meeting and Event Planning Guide, a province-wide guide written for meeting professionals. Home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Alberta is arguably one of the most awe-inspiring provinces in Canada. With its geographic diversity, two international airports and state-of-the-art meeting facilities, it's no wonder Alberta meeting venues are popular with meeting planners worldwide. Affordable and accessible, Alberta is also the only province in Canada with no provincial sales tax.

Alberta enjoys a strong economy based in petroleum, agriculture and technology. The province is the largest producer of crude oil, synthetic crude and natural gas in the country; it is the 2nd largest exporter and the 4th largest producer of natural gas in the world. In addition, Alberta is home to a number of colleges and universities, including the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, Athabasca University and the University of Lethbridge.

Getting to Alberta is quick and easy, with most major cities in the U.S. less than five hours away. In fact, it is less than a four-hour flight from Chicago to Calgary and under 3.5 hours from Los Angeles to Edmonton. The recently renovated Calgary International Airport is Canada's 3rd busiest airport and Western Canada's top rated airport for passenger satisfaction, while Edmonton International is Canada's fastest growing airport conveniently located just 16 miles from the city's core. Together these airports serve more than 18 million passengers annually.

Old-world charm and modern convenience converge in Alberta's capital city of Edmonton. With more than 12,000 hotel rooms and 2,000 restaurants to choose from, Edmonton makes an attractive option for meeting and convention groups. The centerpiece of meeting venues in Alberta's capital is the award-winning Shaw Conference Centre. Located in the heart of the city and featuring panoramic views of Edmonton's river valley parkland, the Shaw Conference Centre features 110,000 square feet of floor space, capable of handling up to 6,000 people. Meanwhile, the meeting level of the Shaw Conference Centre has space to accommodate groups ranging from 20 to 400 people.

Among the meeting venues in Calgary – Alberta's largest city – are those created for the 1988 Winter Olympics. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains nearly 200 miles south of Edmonton, this delightful city manages to combine its cowboy roots with a chic and youthful vibe. Some phenomenal Calgary meeting venues include the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. Featuring 122,000 square feet of function space including a 47,000-square-foot exhibit hall along with three connected 4 star hotels, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre is one of Calgary's premier meeting spots.

For intense communion with nature, planners can also look to the lovely snow-capped Canadian Rockies, near Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. Here, state-of-the-art meeting venues are found amid the beauty of a protected wilderness environment and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Host a meeting at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the 118,000-square-foot Mount Temple Wing, or take advantage of the lecture halls, theaters and auditoriums available at the Banff Centre. Capable of accommodating groups from 5 to 5,000 people, this cutting-edge meeting facility offers a range of unparalleled meeting spaces with breathtaking views.

Meanwhile, for affordability in Alberta's 3rd-largest and sunniest city, planners need look no further than Lethbridge. Situated just one hour north of the Alberta-Montana border, Lethbridge is closer to the U.S. than any other city in Alberta. Meet within the largest conference center in Southern Alberta at the new Lethbridge Hotel and Conference Center, or enjoy business and pleasure combined at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort.

About Alberta, AB / Additional Info

Alberta is the country's fourth largest province and home to approximately 3.7 million people. It is Canada's fastest growing and most populous western province, with more than 3 million people residing in the two urban centers of Edmonton and Calgary. Alberta enjoys a diverse terrain populated by dense forests and prairies along with badlands, glaciers and mountains. The province's lush landscapes, along with its rich history of First Nation cultures and prehistoric dinosaur remains make it easy to see why Alberta is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Established as a province along with Saskatchewan in 1905, Alberta is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. History buffs are never bored in Alberta, with more than 350 museums housing millions of objects, including some of Alberta's most popular attractions dating back millions of years. Visitors to Alberta can experience a history of prehistoric proportions in the Canadian Badlands at Dinosaur Provincial Park – one of the richest dinosaur fossil discoveries in the world (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Or, take a trip to the Royall Tyrell Museum to uncover more than 40 mounted dinosaur skeletons. Meanwhile, 10,000 years of Alberta's First Nations heritage is waiting to be explored at such attractions as the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, which introduces First Nations history, spirituality and culture to visitors around the globe. Situated on sacred ground, the park features a 62,000-square-foot museum that includes a $3-million display on Blackfoot culture. Other favorite spots include the Royal Alberta Museum (which tells an intriguing tale of the province's past), the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village and the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Used by the peoples of the plains for more than 5,500 years, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is among the world's largest, oldest and best-preserved buffalo jumps.

Combining modern culture and world-renowned shopping, Alberta's capital city of Edmonton is home to the world's largest shopping mall, which spans 48 city blocks. The 800-store West Edmonton Shopping Mall sees 28.4 million visitors per year, making it Alberta's most popular tourist attraction. When it comes to arts and entertainment, there's no shortage of stages indoors and out in Alberta. From the recently renovated Jubilee Auditorium to the Citadel Theatre – one of the highest ranking theaters in Canada – dance, music and theater are always in the spotlight in Alberta.

Along with rich history and culture, this phenomenal province is a nature lover's dream with plenty of ways to get outdoors and take an exhilarating adventure through the diverse terrain. Visitors can twist and turn through the winding rapids of the Red Deer River on a whitewater rafting or kayaking tour, cast their lines on a sport fishing trip on Cold Lake – the largest lake in the region — or explore the traditions of the past when cowboys roamed the prairies on a horseback riding tour. For a slew of mountain adventures including hiking, snowshoeing and more, visitors can look no further than Jasper National Park – Canada's largest and most northerly Rocky Mountain national park. Meanwhile, for those interested in experiencing wildlife up close and personal, the Calgary Zoo is the second largest zoo in Canada, while the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre is a wildlife conservation center featuring birds of prey from Alberta and around the world.

Alberta, AB Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Mountain Time (MT)
Convention Center(s):

Hotel at Convention Center? No

Airport(s):

Destination Type(s):

Golf Destination
Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
104
Population
3,700,000
Restaurants
454
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
15.00%
Currency
Canadian Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
15%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English, French

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Alberta, AB

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Banff	80 mi	1 hr 33 min	n/a	N/A
Lethbridge	130 mi	2 hr 40 min	42 min	CAD $344+
Edmonton	185 mi	3 hr 26 min	47 min	CAD $252+
Jasper	258 mi	5+ hrs	n/a	N/A
Vancouver	604 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 18 min	CAD $309+

Alberta, AB Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	19	23	34	50	62	68	71	69	61	51	31	21
Avg. Low (°F)	2	4	16	29	39	46	50	47	39	29	13	3
Rec. High (°F)	46	55	63	86	90	88	90	91	93	83	64	48
Rec. Low (°F)	-49	-40	-29	-18	18	30	36	25	16	-15	-29	-47
Rainfall (in)	0.9	0.6	0.7	0.8	2.0	3.5	3.4	3.6	1.9	0.2	0.6	1.0

Alberta has a dry continental climate characterized by low humidity and considerable variability between regions and seasons. Temperatures in July range between 10 °C and 30 °C, while temperatures in January range from -20 °C and +10 ° C. (Southern Alberta, including Calgary and even Red Deer, get Chinook winds periodically throughout the winter that give a welcome break from cold temperatures.) Annual precipitation ranges from 300mm in the southeast to 450mm in the north. However, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains are notably wet and rainfall can reach up to 600mm annually. Alberta sees more sunshine than any other province in Canada.

The very best time to visit Alberta is in summer when visitors can get outdoors and enjoy the diverse landscape and phenomenal festivals and events such as the Calgary Stampede, which has been called "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" and takes place in July. Edmonton is known as Canada's Festival City, and hosts more than 30 major festivals throughout the year that celebrate music, theater, arts, sports, film and culture.

Meeting Planning in Alberta, AB

Edmonton EXPO Centre

The Edmonton Exposition & Conference Centre (Edmonton EXPO Centre) integrates high-tech features with more than 522,000 square feet of flexible, adaptable, indoor space to host up to 25,000 attendees at one time for trade and consumer shows, conferences and special events. The center boasts four new exhibit halls, a grand ballroom and world-class conference and catering services. New gallery spaces connect the halls and provide the most state-of-the-art technology and business services to ensure the best trade show experience and business environment. A business center, a food court with licensed services and, of course, Wi-Fi access ensure the best trade show experience and business environment.

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Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre combines a picturesque outdoor backdrop of the Canadian Rocky Mountains with urban amenities. Easily recognizable by its light-catching glass window facade, the facility, comprising the original South Building and the North Building, was built in 2000. It boasts 47,000 square feet of exhibit space, 122,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 34 meeting rooms. A 20,000-square-foot ballroom and five pre-function areas for informal gatherings, displays or registration provide extra space sure to meet the needs of any event.

Within the South Building, Macleod Hall can be divided into seven soundproof areas, each with independent audio-visual, lighting and temperature controls. Ideal for large receptions, Macleod Hall has room for 1,200 guests. For smaller gatherings, Glen Meeting Rooms on the upper floor can host 20 to 44 guests in various configurations.

As host to 1,000 events annually, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre knows what it takes to execute a successful event. Its full-service business center provides photocopying, faxing and laminating services as well as office supplies and accessories. High-speed Internet access is easily utilized with the help of the on-site telecommunication service provider. The Calgary Marriott provides exclusive catering, from morning breaks of grilled local sausages and freshly-baked croissants to dinners of slow-roasted prime rib and herb-coated chicken supreme with saffron shrimp.

Attached to three hotels, including the recently renovated 384-room Calgary Marriott, guests can easily access accommodations from the center. For those staying a bit farther way, parking is available in the center's underground parking garage.

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Shaw Conference Centre

Guests at The Shaw Conference Centre enjoy world-class hospitality, decadent dining and a spectacular view of Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River Valley. Located in downtown Edmonton, the center is an approximate 30-minute ride from the Edmonton International Airport. A visually appealing structure, one of its most notable features is the abundance of windows that allow sunlight to flood the building. Built into the hillside, the center has an atrium at street level that welcomes guests to settle in and relax. Underground parking for up to 500 vehicles is available next door to the Shaw Conference Centre at Canada Place and airline check-in and ground transportation is located one block away at the World Trade Centre.

Shaw Conference Centre underwent upgrades in 2006 with the addition of the 26,000-square-foot Hall D, an impressive room that holds 2,000 guests theater-style or 1,200 for a sit-down dinner. Its 30-foot-high windows offer some of the most spectacular views in the city. This addition brings the center's total floor space to 110,000 square feet, making the facility capable of handling conferences of up to 6,000 delegates. The center is also making strides to reduce its environmental imprint, implementing the Simple Steps program that encourages staff, partners, contractors, suppliers and clients to make changes such as donating surplus food to homeless shelters, replacing concession disposables with reusable flatware and recycling anything from paper to toner cartridges to oil from the kitchen.

The meeting level of the Shaw Conference Centre has 20 different salons designed to accommodate everything from small groups of up to 20 guests to larger meetings of up to 400 people. Space ranges from 395 square feet to 3,720 square feet, configurable in a variety of ways, from theaters to classrooms to boardrooms to banquet rooms. The assembly level features Halls A, B and C and Salons D, E and F as well as dressing rooms and producer's offices. The Pedway level is shared with Hall D and contains boardrooms and provides enclosed pedestrian access to restaurants, hotels and shopping. All catering, from coffee breaks to cocktail receptions, is done on-site. Wi-Fi is available upon request.

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Alberta, AB Meeting Venue Spotlight

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Situated in Banff National Park and within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise provides a striking backdrop for meetings, along with an array of active pursuits, such as downhill skiing, mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and other recreational activities. Two hours from Calgary International Airport, the historic property is surrounded by glacier-capped mountains of the Canadian Rockies. There is a covered parking lot on property, and private and scheduled shuttle services are available to guests.

The dedicated meeting space, the Mount Temple Wing spans 118,000 square feet and features designs inspired by the wildlife of Banff National Park and Lake Louise. The Mount Temple Ballroom, spanning 29,000 square feet can be divided into three separate rooms and accommodate up to 750 delegates. Four Trail Rooms featuring mountain motif are available for smaller business meetings, while the historic Victoria Ballroom can hosts special banquets for 400 guests. Planners will also find convenient features, such as a business center, state-of-the-art technology and Wi-Fi access in many of the public areas.

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Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre

Situated in downtown Lethbridge, the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Conference Center offers guests ample opportunities for leisure with its close proximity to historical and cultural attractions, shopping and golf. Approximately 124 miles from Calgary, the hotel and conference center is located at the edge of Lethbridge’s river valley near Waterton Lakes National Park. There are 190 guest rooms and those driving will find ample parking with two lots on property.

A total of nine meeting rooms can host groups ranging in size from 4 to 1,000 delegates. Spanning 8,410 square feet, the Grand Ballroom is a multi-purpose space that can host full-scale conventions or banquets. The smaller Antons Ballroom at 2,800 square feet, seats 200 for theater-style functions and receptions, 150 for dinner and 90 for classroom settings. There is also the 3,190-square-foot Aspen and the Birch and Cedar Ballrooms (both 2,610 square feet). Smaller dinners and meetings take place in the Willow Room, which can accommodate 15 for theater-style events and receptions and 10 for dinner. High speed Internet access is available.

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The Banff Centre

Charged with a mission of "Inspiring Creativity," The Banff Centre provides an inspiring learning environment with its idyllic location set within Banff National Park. Along with arts classes, the Centre offers development programs ideal for executives from the corporate, government and non-profit sectors. A 90-minute drive from the Calgary International Airport, the venue features a range of recreational activities, including aquatics, climbing, squash and outdoor options, such as lessons in cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing. As for accommodations, there are more than 400 guest rooms at Lloyd Hall and the Professional Development Centre.

The Banff Centre boasts more than 60 conference and meeting facilities. The Kinnear Centre for Creativity and Innovation features 17 meeting rooms of various sizes, while the TransCanada Pipelines Pavilion offers 10 classroom-like settings suited for groups of 10 to 50 persons. The Max Bell Building is home to a 330-seat auditorium and 17 meeting rooms, and the Margaret Greenham Theatre Meeting Space accommodates up to 246 people. Business services are available on the ground floor of the Professional Development Centre 24 hours a day.

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Alberta, AB Airport Information

Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Canada's fourth busiest airport, Calgary International conveniently links Alberta with destinations across the globe. Located just to the north of Calgary in the southern area of central Alberta, the airport is easily accessible from metropolitan portions of the province. The airport accommodates over 12 million passengers each year, making it one of Canada's busiest. With nearly 60 destinations across North America and the world, Calgary International Airport makes travel to Alberta simple.

Calgary International is divided into three concourses to maximize efficiency of operations. One concourse has been divided into wings to serve only international flights. The airport features facilities to handle U.S. border pre-clearance in order to provide convenience to travelers.

While at Calgary International Airport, travelers will be treated to a wealth of dining and shopping options to help pass time before a flight. Visitors should not miss the opportunity to stop by Wing's Lounge for cocktails and pub food. Also, the airport features Palomino, an upscale lounge with incredible Italian fare and breathtaking mountain views. For last-minute shopping, Calgary International Airport houses a number of stores featuring items unique to the area. Passengers can find Western-wear clothing, gifts from the Calgary Zoo and hockey souvenirs at specialty stores within the airport.

Airline carriers serving Calgary International Airport

Air Canada
Air North
Air Tansat
American Airlines
British Airways
Canadian North
Central Mountain Air

Delta Connection
Edelweiss
Enerjet
Horizon Air
KLM
Lufthansa
Mexicana

Northwest Airlines
Sunquest
Sunwing
Thomas Cook
US Airways
United Airlines
WestJet

Edmonton International Airport (YEG)

Approximate taxi fare: $25-35 USD

Alberta is also home to the 5th-busiest airport in Canada. Serving about 6 million passengers per year, Edmonton International Airport provides service to over 50 cities around the world. The airport features U.S. border pre-clearance to expedite travel between the two countries.

Edmonton International is currently in the midst of an expansion project. The airport will add an additional 13 gates for aircraft as well as enhance food and retail spaces within the terminal. Upon completion, the airport will be able to accommodate 21 million passengers by 2020.

While in the airport, passengers can enjoy the numerous amenities that Edmonton International has to offer. The airport features 16 restaurants ranging from casual to upscale dining. Additionally, travelers can purchase last minute gifts at any of 13 stores in the airport. For busy travelers that need to stay connected, Edmonton International Airport features free Wi-Fi throughout the facilities.

Airline carriers serving Edmonton International Airport

Air Canada
Air North
Air Tansat
Canadian North
CanJet

Central Mountain Air
Delta Connection
First Air
Horizon Air
Northwest Airlines

Sunwing
Thomas Cook
United Express
US Airways
WestJet

Alberta, AB Train Information

Edmonton and Jasper

Canada's VIA Rail features stations in Edmonton and Jasper. Service to these stations is offered on the Canadian line route between Vancouver and Toronto. The Canadian line runs three times a week. Additionally, U.S. passengers can connect to the Vancouver station from Seattle, Washington, and can book rail travel to Alberta through Amtrak.

Alberta, AB Ground Transportation

Alberta Public Transportation

Public transportation in Alberta is convenient and easily accessible for residents and visitors. A number of cities in the province have public transit systems in place. Visitors to Banff, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Waterton and Wood Buffalo National Park will find reliable bus service for nominal prices. Additionally, the cities of Edmonton and Calgary also operate light rail transit systems within their respective metropolitan areas.

Shuttle Buses

Many companies operate from Calgary International Airport as well as Edmonton International Airport. Visitors can reserve private travel on a number of shuttle bus services for groups of any size, or can participate in shared ride services. Additionally, private bus companies feature scheduled daily service to cities throughout Alberta to and from the airport.

Rental Cars

Car rental service is available at Calgary International Airport. Counters for Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National are located at the Rental Car Centre across the roadway from the main terminal. Counters for Avis, Hertz, National and Thrifty can be found at Edmonton International Airport.

Taxis

Taxi service is available 24 hours a day at Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport. Taxis operate on a metered system and the typical fare from Calgary International Airport to downtown Calgary ranges from $40 to $45. Typical fares from Edmonton International Airport into Edmonton are $45 to $55. Fares to other parts of Alberta vary depending on distance.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Banff	80 mi	1 hr 33 min	n/a	N/A
Lethbridge	130 mi	2 hr 40 min	42 min	CAD $344+
Edmonton	185 mi	3 hr 26 min	47 min	CAD $252+
Jasper	258 mi	5+ hrs	n/a	N/A
Vancouver	604 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 18 min	CAD $309+