How do I book my flight?
Where do I go when I arrive at the Fairmont Empress?
How will I get around to the events during Innovate Canada?
Where should I go to meet our event transfers?
What is the dress code for Innovate Canada?
What is the weather like in Victoria in September?
What are the one-to-one meetings?
How is my one-to-one meeting schedule determined?
Can I gift items to the clients during the program?
How can I help the sustainability efforts at Innovate Canada?
Can I expect communications from Innovate Canada prior to the event?
How do I book my flight?
Partners and oceans experts are required to book their own flights. We ask that your flight arrive no later than 2:00 pm on Monday, September 11 to participate in the partner briefing. Please book your departure from Victoria International Airport no earlier than 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 14. In order to help make Innovate Canada a carbon neutral event, we would ask that you consider purchasing carbon offsets for your flights.
Air Canada has provided a promo code for all Innovate Canada flights. The code is: EXB9QYJ1
Applicable rules:
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Victoria, YYJ (BC)
- The travel period begins Monday, September 4, 2023 and ends Friday, September 22, 2023.
- Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- For North America' 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For International Travel' 10% on standard fares & higher.
Where do I go when I arrive at the Fairmont Empress?
You will see the Innovate Canada check-in counter in the lobby of the hotel on September 11 from 12:00 pm–5:00 pm. We ask that you stop by during these hours to pick up your room key, welcome package and event details. If you arrive before, you may proceed directly to the Fairmont check-in desk to obtain your room key. Please remember to stop by the Innovate Canada registration desk to pick up your welcome package! If your schedule does not permit, we will have it delivered to your room. We would also ask that you provide your credit card information at the front desk during your stay.
How will I get around to the events during Innovate Canada?
Complimentary transfers to/from all off-site programming are provided by Destination Canada’s Business Events team and our sponsors.
Where should I go to meet our event transfers?
Please meet in the lobby of the Fairmont Empress by the Innovate Canada sign for all event transfers.
What is the dress code for Innovate Canada?
There will be a number of different activities taking place at Innovate Canada — from city excursions and business meetings, to cocktail receptions and our gala-style signature dinner. We recommend that you wear what you are comfortable in for each situation. There will not be a dress code for any of the activities. Business casual for the daytime is recommended. Please bring flat, comfortable footwear as we will be walking to many of our activities. Note that some of our activities will be by or on the water and the temperature can be quite chilly; please bring waterproof layers.
What is the weather like in Victoria in September?
Temperatures will drop to their lowest in the mornings and evenings with average low temperatures of 9°C (48°F). However, they may climb to an average high of 17°C (63°F) in the afternoon hours. Sea surface temperatures are also still some of the coldest they will be all year with an average reading of 13°C (55°F).
What are the one-to-one meetings?
The one-to-one meetings are a set of 15 to 20-minute rotating informational sessions that allow you and your oceans sector expert to connect with each invited guest to share what your destination offers in terms of supporting business events, trade, expansion or investment.
How is my one-to-one meeting schedule determined?
We will be building a pre-set schedule for each guest to meet with each destination. The schedule will be posted in your personal schedule on the event app approximately one week in advance of your arrival.
Can I gift items to the clients during the program?
As part of our sustainability initiative, we would like to offer the clients an option of selecting which gifts from the partners they would like to keep. In a new direction, we will be hosting a small marketplace at our registration desk on September 11, where clients can choose all or some of the gifting items graciously provided by the partners. Destination Canada will be working with each of the partners individually to help curate the gifting item, along with helping to tell the story behind it. We are requesting that Marketplace items arrive at the hotel no later than 10 am on September 11. If shipping, please have items arrive by September 8. Please ship them to:
The Fairmont Empress
721 Government St
Victoria, BC
V8W 1W5
Attention: Innovate Canada, Genevieve Carter
We kindly ask that you also refrain from handing out additional gifts or items at your one-to-one meetings.
How can I help the sustainability efforts at Innovate Canada?
Destination Canada Business Events is taking several steps to make Innovate Canada 2023 – Oceans a sustainable and carbon-neutral event. Here are some of the things you can do to elevate these efforts.
- Book flights with no/minimal layovers
- Aim to pack light and reusable (remember to bring your water bottle and sneakers to get in those steps!)
- Feel free to decline housekeeping if your room can go a night without
- Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use
- Keep communications digital and avoid printing email or app notifications
- Choose souvenirs from local artisans and vendors
- Take some time to learn about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
Can I expect communications from Innovate Canada prior to the event?
Absolutely! We will be sending you emails leading up to the event to keep you informed, as well as daily newsletters while you are onsite at the event. Keep an eye out for more information from our event email: info@innovatecanadaevents.ca. Keep an eye out in your email inbox and check your spam folder frequently to ensure you don't miss important communications from us.
