The physical setting for a planning session is important. We look for a setting that can provide...
- plenty of room for the full group to meet and discuss as well as room to break away in smaller teams,
- lot's of open wall space on which we can post flipchart pages,
- access to the usual audio/visual supports,
- a private location away from noise and
- as far away from the office as we can get.
Most major cities have hotels, conference centres and small retreat facilities that cater to meetings, but the ideal setting, especially if your session is going to last more than one day, is away from the city with all of its distractions. In Manitoba, here are a few places we have used and would reccommend. They are presented in order of distance from Winnipeg....
LAKEVIEW RESORT
Manitoba's own seaside resort on Gimli Harbour is a popular meeting place just one hour North of Winnipeg. You have all the features of a big city hotel in a small town. Gimli offers a variety of restaurants, shopping and a beautiful beach in the Summer. Check it out at their website.
MISTY LAKE LODGE CONFERENCE CENTRE
Misty Lake Lodge has all of the required amenities including spacious meeting rooms, large dining area and reasonably priced rooms. In addition, it has lots to do when you are not meeting including access to cross country ski trails, a skating rink and an Olympic size pool. In the summer it has miles of beach, huge grounds, nearby walking trails and nearby golfing. Check it out at their website.
PINEWOOD LODGE
There are lots of resorts in the Whiteshell that might accommodate small groups, but the newest addition, Pinewood Lodge specifically caters to small conferences and meetings. Located on Dorothy Lake on highway 307 this facility offers both hotel rooms and cottages along the lake. Check it out at their website.
HECLA OASIS RESORT
The old Gull Harbour resort is back under a new name and a new look. It re-opened in March 2008 as a five star resort. In addition to all of the attractions of Hecla Island, the new hotel will offer a spa and water park. Check it out at their website.
SMOKEY HOLLOW RESORT
An alternative in Western Manitoba is Smokey Hollow. It doesn't look like much from the road but be prepared for a surprise when you get past the motel that is just off the highway on the way into Clear Lake. There is a separate building for meetings and several condo style accommodations in the big valley behind the motel. A golf course is in their future plans but in the meantime, you can golf at the classic Clear Lake course. Check it out at their website.
ELKHORN RESORT
Elkhorn Resort near Clear Lake is another favorite. It is a long drive from Winnipeg but worth it if you really want to get away. You have the option of staying in comfortable hotel style rooms or booking one of the many luxury cabins on the property. They have many meeting room choices, a great dining room, wellness spa with mineral pool, riding trails, golf courses and access to all of the attractions of Riding Mountain National Park and Clear Lake. Check it out at their website.
KENORA, BRANDON, THE PAS, RUSSELL OR THOMPSON
If you want to venture a little further afield, you can always try Kenora's round hotel on Lake of the Woods. Check out their website. Brandon has several hotels that cater to conferences and meetings including the Vicoria Inn and the Royal Oak Inn and Suites
In The Pas there is a brand new hotel called the Kikiwak Inn near their casino. Thompson has a few hotels that cater to meetings, we have used the Mystery Lake. The Russell Inn in Russell Manitoba, not far from the Assissippi Ski Resort, is a popular meeting place.
But my all time favourite location is in the living room at 311 Gimli Road in Ponemah Manitoba or on the deck by the water in the Summer.
If you have an opinion about where to hold a planning session, click here to let us know what you think. To see what others think, click here
