NEXT Archibus/FM Users’ Group Meeting
When: Thursday, November 18 th , 2004
Time: 12:00pm to 3:30pm
Where: Delta Hotel & Suites
361 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Algonquin Room C/d
Please confirm your attendance and number of representatives
by email at vvasku@tiree.ca, or by calling 613.324.1828.
For more info

The International ARCHIBUS/FM Users' Conference draws together the ARCHIBUS community from diverse industries and global locations. The 6th Annual, which was helded in Ottawa Canada (May 6-9, 2001), offered a forum for sharing ideas and expertise, learning new FM strategies, and networking with peers and industry luminaries. This event has gained stature as the "not-to-be-missed" conference for keeping pace with the latest in FM automation and infrastructure management technologies.

Following the users’ conference in Ottawa, Prime Minister of Canada The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien met with ARCHIBUS, Inc. President and CEO Bruce K. Forbes. The meeting, which took place in the ARCHIBUS/FM-managed buildings of Parliament, expressed both sides’ mutual respect and support. “Canada has been a very gracious host to us during our stay,” says Forbes. “It is a real honor to meet with The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien.”

Special thanks to Ronald Saumure of Public Works and Government Services Canada who was instrumental in planning this memorable meeting and the many other members of the ARCHIBUS/FM community in Ottawa and Canada at large who helped make this year’s conference a tremendous success.

Prime Minister of Canada The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien; ARCHIBUS, Inc. President and CEO Bruce K. Forbes; Ms. Marlene Catterall, Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean and the Chief Government Whip

As the country’s capital city, Ottawa is best known as being home to the seat of federal government. But behind that façade lies an architecturally stunning city with a unique combination of urban and rural experiences. From cultural performances at the National Arts Centre to street performers in the Market, the ambiance in Ottawa is ever changing. Festivals, sporting events and exhibits at over 29 local museums present visitors and residents alike with a wonderful menu of things to see and do. The changing seasons offer highlights as well – spring, with over 3 million tulips in bloom, summer, with an action-packed festival and event schedule; fall, with the beautiful changing colours, and in winter, the world’s largest skating rink.

Looking at Ottawa’s history, its very origins lie in meeting and trading. This holds true today as Ottawa has become one of Canada’s top destinations to hold a meeting, convention or incentive gathering. Not only is Ottawa a major national centre for high technology, biotechnology and medical research, it is also home to over 1,000 associations. Other essential ingredients for success include Ottawa’s location in one of the most beautiful settings in the country with easy accessibility, a variety of meeting facilities, excellent tourism infrastructure, and proximity to the federal government.

Ottawa has been described as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Less than an hour's drive from the American border, Ottawa enjoys the attributes of a major centre for the visual and performing arts, as well as other big city attractions. Yet, it still maintains the accessibility, atmosphere and charm of a smaller city.

Not only is Ottawa a major national centre for high technology, biotechnology and medical research, drawing delegates from across the globe, it is also home to over 1,000 associations. Other essential ingredients for success include Ottawa's location in one of the most beautiful settings in the country, with easy accessibility, a rich variety of meeting facilities, excellent tourism infrastructure, reliable service, and proximity to the federal government and exciting entertainment.

Location:

Ottawa lies on the border of Quebec, at the confluence of the Rideau, the Gatineau and the Ottawa rivers. Meandering through the city, the rivers add greatly to Ottawa's gentle charm and atmosphere. The co-existence of the English and French-speaking cultures, and many others besides, gives Ottawa a cosmopolitan outlook all its own. Ottawa is also known as Canada's cultural capital. The region offers an unparalleled wealth of museums and attractions, allowing international delegates the opportunity to discover the entire country in just one destination.

One of the safest cities in North America, Ottawa is a place where health and fitness are a way of life. Ottawa boasts endless year-round recreational possibilities. Where else can delegates take advantage of 150 kms/90 miles of scenic, multi-use recreational paths and trails which weave their way through the city, or go for an early morning winter skate on the Rideau Canal from the doorstep of their hotels? And just across the river in Quebec, lies beautiful Gatineau Park, an 85,440 acre wilderness conservation area which is home to 40 lakes and almost 200 kms (111 miles) of groomed trails ideal for hiking, biking and cross country skiing. Five downhill ski resorts are located anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour's drive from the city centre. Spectator sports include baseball with the Triple A Ottawa Lynx and hockey with the National Hockey League (NHL) Ottawa Senators. All these sports teams are of major North American league status and all add to the sports appeal of the city.

Great Incentive:

"Naturally phenomenal" is a slogan often used to describe Ottawa's amazing array of activities and attractions. With whitewater rafting, canal and river cruises, hot air ballooning, golfing and tennis, arts and culture and world-class entertainment, Ottawa is becoming an increasingly popular incentive destination. A number of local specialists can assist in creating unique and memorable programs.

Accessibility:

Transportation to and from Ottawa is both convenient and easy whether it is by air, road or rail.

Air: The region's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is served by 16 airlines including Air Canada, Canadian Airlines, Delta, and USAir. Direct flights arrive daily from all major Canadian cities. There are also direct flights from many major American cities - New York, Newark, Boston, Baltimore, Syracuse, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington and Chicago. International flights arrive from London, Frankfurt, and Mexico City. The airport is only a 20-minute drive to the heart of the city by car or by a shuttle service which links the airport with the major hotels. Travel connections can also be made through international gateways in Toronto and Mirabel.

Rail and Road: There are train and bus stations minutes from the centre of the city that connect Ottawa to other cities in Canada and the United States. The road access into the city is excellent with routes that will provide either express or scenic routes, as time and interest dictate.

Accommodation:

Over 6,000 hotel rooms are located in the downtown core. They range from large and spacious, to small and more intimate, to practical suite settings. Hotel meeting and convention facilities are available to satisfy the size and budget requirements of any function. Many hotels offer discounts during shoulder periods, complimentary meeting space based on the number of rooms occupied, as well as special packages for extended stay programs and other complimentary features. In addition, most are conveniently located within walking distance of the city's shopping, museums, galleries, restaurants, farmers' market, beautiful heritage buildings and other attractions.

Meeting Space:

The Ottawa Congress Centre: As a state-of-the-art meeting facility accommodating up to 5,000 people, the Ottawa Congress Centre provides 84,114 square feet of meeting space for large conventions, trade shows, product launches and exhibitions. Enjoying beautiful views of the Rideau Canal, it also attracts a variety of special events including concert performances of international acclaim. Located in the centre of the city, it is very close to the major hotels, adjoins the Rideau Centre (which has over 200 stores and restaurants) and is situated near many other of the city's major attractions.

Most of Ottawa's hotels offer medium to large-scale conference facilities on-site, providing an additional 350 meeting rooms. Two universities, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, offer a combined number of 300 meeting rooms and 2,100 rooms available during the summer months. Over 100 meeting rooms are also located in various other facilities. In total, 730 meeting rooms, serving small to large groups, are found in the city.

Distinctive meeting venues are to be found at many of the region's museums as well as the National Arts Centre. Complete with video conferencing and simultaneous translation capabilities, these buildings offer a variety of meeting spaces, including auditoriums, ideal for conferences or product launches.

Off-Site Functions:

With its wealth of attractions and national museums, the region has a variety of spectacular venues for off-site functions, offering opportunities for corporate and cultural worlds to meet. Meeting planners can set their conventions apart by adding such unique touches as a private exhibition viewing in conjunction with a special event. Some notable venues include the Grand Hall at the Canadian Museum of Civilization with its awe-inspiring totem poles or the National Gallery of Canada's Great Hall with its pectacular dome of granite and glass; both facilities offer magnificent views onto the Parliament Buildings and the skyline of Ottawa. The National Arts Centre and the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography have function rooms that overlook the historic Rideau Canal. The National Aviation Museum has a vast array of antique aircraft that can serve as a backdrop for a special event, while the popular train bay at the National Museum of Science and Technology, featuring vintage Canadian locomotives, also affords a distinctive location. The Canadian Museum of Nature offers an excellent variety of function rooms with an opportunity to tour one of the finest gem collections in the world. For an experience unique to the capital, a special event can also be staged on Parliament Hill, complete with entertainment by the Governor General's Foot Guards Band.

Outdoor functions can be held on Victoria Island, located in the middle of the Ottawa River. Another venue is the historic bandshell at Rockcliffe Park. One more site which is unique to Ottawa is the Central Experimental Farm, a modern farm complete with animals, rolling land and beautiful gardens. All sites are located in the heart of the city. For a change of pace, Ottawa River or Rideau Canal boat cruises provide beautiful settings for receptions and dinners.

All these, and many other attractions, allow planners to add individual elements to their programs which will create a lasting impression of Canada's capital for national and international delegates alike.

Entertainment:

As the nation's capital, Ottawa has an immense variety of entertainment to choose from - be it arts and culture or sports and other recreational activities. Two new facilities - the Casino de Hull and the Corel Centre, offer world-class entertainment. Ottawa is particularly well known for its many festivals and events which attract national and international audiences year-round. These include one of North America's largest winter carnivals, Winterlude; the world's largest floral festival - the Canadian Tulip Festival; Le Festival Franco-Ontarien; the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival and many more.

Arts and culture abound in Canada's capital. Twenty-nine museums are found throughout the region, 12 of which are national institutions. They offer their own fascinating permanent collections of art and artifacts which bring Canadian history and development alive, but they also attract world-class travelling exhibitions. Accompanying these exhibitions are special educational programs, lectures and concerts which further add to the enjoyment. There are also a number of private commercial galleries offering selections of local, national and international art.

Heritage attractions such as the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Canal, By Ward Market and Mackenzie King Estate offer insight into Ottawa's origins. Architectural points of interest are to be found all over the region.

As a major centre for the performing arts, the National Arts Centre showcases performances in the realms of music, theatre and dance. It attracts a wide variety of celebrated artists from around the world and stages a year-round program entertaining audiences with a broad range of interests and tastes. With 1,500 restaurants, dining in the nation's capital is a cosmopolitan treat. Apart from Canadian cuisine, culinary delights which reflect the region's cultural mosaic await - from Afghani to Mexican, Malaysian to Vietnamese. Many of the capital's restaurants are capable of accommodating large groups, and the meeting planner may want to incorporate a special dining event into the conference itinerary. In short, Ottawa has all the ingredients to make a meeting truly unforgettable.

Hotels

The Crowne Plaza Ottawa
101 rue Lyon Street
Ottawa, ON K1R 5T9
Tel: (613) 237-3600
Fax: (613) 237-2351
E-mail: crowneplazaottawa@chipreit.com
Website

Chateau Laurier Hotel
C.P. Hotels Inc.
1 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7
Tel: (613) 562-7053
Fax: (613) 562-7032
E-mail: info@cphotels.ca
Website: www.cphotels.ca

The Citadel Ottawa Hotel & Convention Centre
101 Lyon Street North
Ottawa, ON K1R 5T9
Tel: (613) 237-3600
Fax: (613) 237-9114
Email: citadel@cyberus.ca

Days Inn Ottawa City Centre
123 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5L9
Tel: (613) 237-9300
Fax: (613) 237-6536

Howard Johnson Hotel Ottawa
140 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5H6
Tel: (613) 238-2888
Fax: (613) 235-8421

Lord Elgin Hotel
100 Elgin Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5K8
Tel: (613) 235-3333
Fax: (613) 235-3223

Market Square Inn
350 Dalhousie Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 7E9
Tel: (613) 241-1000
Fax: (613) 241-4804

Novotel Ottawa Hotel
33 Nicholas Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 9M7
Tel: (613) 230-3033
Fax: (613) 760-4767
Email: Novokay@aol.com

Quality Hotel By Journey's End
290 Rideau Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 5Y3
Tel: (613) 789-7511
Fax: (613) 789-2434

Radisson Hotel - Ottawa Centre
100 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5R7
Tel: (613) 238-1122
Fax: (613) 783-4229

Ramada Inn 417
480 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, ON K1S 3N6
Tel: (613) 237-5500
Fax: (613) 237-6705

Sheraton Ottawa Hotel
150 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5G2
Tel: (613) 238-1500
Fax: (613) 238-8443
Email: 5665@sheraton.com
Website: www.sheraton.com

Travelodge Hotel Ottawa
402 Queen Street
Ottawa, ON K1R 5A7
Tel: (613) 236-1133
Fax: (613) 236-2317

Westin Hotel Ottawa
11 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4
Tel: (613) 560-7000
Fax: (613) 560-7359

Ottawa Links