Name Your Fair Contest

Northlands has given the City of Edmonton, and even our Guests a perfect opportunity to name their Greatest Summer Treasure....

As the times change, so do the names it went from Klondike Days and Capital Ex now it is your opportunity to decide what will reflect the future of Edmonton.

Voting is from July 10 at 10:30am - July 28 at 6:30pm.
Go to capitalex.ca to find out how you can vote

Here are your choices
-EdFest- submitted by Cynthia Chizen
-The Edmonton Exhibition -submitted by Jon Brenda
-Edmonton Summer Exhibition-submitted by Ryan Tomko
-K-Days-submitted by Chad Willsey
-River City Festival-submitted by Donna Zaozirny
-River City Summer Fair- submitted by Jow Romerowicz

Each of these semi finalists will receive a Lifetime Pass to the fair.
The person who submitted the future name of the fair will receive an additional two Lifetime Passes and a Northlands Concert Prize Package-one pair of tickets to 12 concerts at Rexall Place.

Congratulations to all, and for everyone who submits their choices is already a winner.

Shelly R Ladouceur

Summer in the City!

It’s the second day of summer and the events here in Edmonton are already out in full swing! There are so many things going on within walking distance of the hotel, and many, many more within transit or driving distance.

The first, going through the rest of the year, is the flea-market, farmers-market, outdoor shopping extravaganza. It is on 104st and Jasper Avenue, just one block from the hotel. It goes from 9am to 3pm every Saturday.

The Works, arts festival, is also going on at Churchill Square right now, just a few blocks walk from the front door. There is food, shopping, shows and some of the most effervescent and exciting company you can find in the city. Go check out the amazing local artists and take a moment to appreciate the beautiful weather! It runs from June 21st to July 3rd.

The Work's festival, Edmonton.

The Summer Solstice Festival from June 22-24 where outstanding chamber musicians from across North America present three concert programmes of exciting diversity. Guest artists include acclaimed Canadian cellist Shauna Rolston, Edmonton-born violinist Jessica Linnebach, and noted American pianist Stephen Prustman.

The 24th Annual Shakespeare Festival begins on the 26th. Head out to the Amphitheatre at Hawrelack Park for weeks of exciting performances and fun adventures following modern day versions of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.

If you have a love for Irish and Gaelic culture then there is a festival built just for you. The Serca Festival of Irish Literature features six main stage plays and an Irish pub (complete with Irish poetry readings, music, and dance) in between performances. It’s located at the old cycle building on Edmonton’s Avenue of Champions.

Choralieses Internationales is an annual francophone music festival. You'll hear a wide variety of musical styles, including major works with orchestra, classical a cappella, contemporary song and traditional African music. The whole family will enjoy these rich cultural events, which will take place in downtown Edmonton's most beautiful churches.

Whyte avenue is one of the most young and exciting parts of Edmonton and it still holds some of the most culturally rich and historic buildings and parks in Edmonton. Each year an art walk is put up July 13th to 15th to appreciate some of our city’s best and most eclectic artists. Head down there and take a walk through famous and new artists alike and perhaps pick up a piece to call your own!

Edmonton's Whyte Avenue

All in all we would have to say that Edmonton is the most exciting place to be this time of year, all you have to do is explore!

-Karlee

(p.s. If you see me, be sure to ask me about the fesitivals in the city, I'd love to help find the ones for you!)

Canadian Tourism Commission’s tourism trading floor to wow international travel buyers from over 20 countries in Edmonton, Canada’s Festival City.

This is a press release from the Canadian Tourism....way to go Edmonton

Suggested tweet:  @ctccct Rendez-vous Canada 2012 ready to rev up big business for #Canada #tourism http://xxxxxxx/ #rvc2012
Vancouver, BC, May 8, 2012 — International tourism already contributes over $15.1 billion in revenue every year to Canada’s economy, and will soon be even bigger as the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) gears up to kick-off Rendez-vous Canada 2012 (RVC), the country’s largest annual international marketplace for the tourism industry.
Led by the CTC, RVC 2012 will take place May 13-16 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre in Edmonton, connecting some of the world’s most influential travel buyers from over 20 countries with Canadian sellers of tourism products and services. During 23,000 face-to-face business appointments over four days, buyers and sellers hold meetings that would otherwise only be possible through a number of around-the-world trips. RVC enables tourism professionals to broker deals and close sales, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Canadian businesses.
“RVC provides a great opportunity to showcase authentic and engaging Canadian tourism products for high-end buyers who sell packages to international travellers,” says Michele McKenzie, CTC President & CEO. “For many sellers, RVC is the single most important sales and marketing event they attend.It’s an extremely valuable way to generate international demand for Canada’s tourism industry.”
The CTC’s Signature Experiences Collection^® (SEC)—a collection of 163 outstanding experiences from every region of the country, and a key feature of Canada’s Federal Tourism Strategy—will be highlighted at RVC 2012 after first being announced last year in Québec City. Members of the SEC become the priority pool of high-quality tourism experiencesfrom which the CTC chooses content for its marketing campaigns in the 11 countries where it invests.
The CTC will also showcase its new Global Marketing Platform and Explore Canada Like a Local website and mobile application, cutting-edge approaches that highlight authentic traveller-to-traveller experiences. By facilitating traveller stories, they encourage advocacy—a powerful tool in convincing future consumers to visit this country. It’s the next stage in developing Canada’s tourism brand.
“Sellers find no better place than RVC to display the strength and depth of Canadian travel experiences that allow modern, discerning international visitors to connect with Canada’s people, geography and culture,” says Charles McKee, CTC Vice-President, International, and the CTC lead for RVC.
International buyers include foreign tour operators, wholesalers and packagers from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Latin America and North America, all eager to find new products, services and packages. Canadian sellers consist of a wide range of small to large businesses putting their best tourism products and experiences forward for sale to travellers.


Look at us Grow! Proud to be in Edmonton.


Shelly

Rendezvous Edmonton

To all our Rendezvous Delegates...welcome to Edmonton, Welcome to Alberta Place Suite Hotel.

Rendez-vous Canada (RVC), lead by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), hooks up international buyers with Canadian sellers of tourism products and services. The event, held annually in a different Canadian city, is staged by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada on behalf of CTC.

This is an excellent showcase for our citys assets including our most popular sites and sounds, festivals and so much more.

The theme is "Surprise" and we want to do just that.

You can do your part as well...if you see our delegates in the lobby or around town feel free to give them an Alberta welcome !

Our mission WAS possible

The AHLA convention is over. It was in Jasper Park Lodge on April 15, 16, and 17.

We came out of this one like a Movie Star at the Oscars!

Flurishing with networking opportunities and the keynote speaker of Frank O'Dae the founder of Second Cup, all the delegates came out motived with fun, livelihood and philanthopic ideas.

The Alberta Place Suite Hotel received our placards for

     * 3 star rating with the new Star Quality Program

     * 2012 Employer of Choice

     * 2012 Housekeeping Award
 ( thanks for Mona one of our Front Desk Staff for holding the sign for me)

The trade show this year was well received and well attended by over 75 exhibitors scheduled to attend.

With the overall theme for this Conference being Mission Impossible, I believe they were successful in helping everyone feel their goals are just a little more possible.


Until next year


Shelly R Ladouceur

EDMONTON CAPITAL EX IS COMING!

Every year, Edmontonians are waiting for fun-filled experience in Capital Ex. From the rides & games, music & entertainment, food & shopping for friends, lovers, tourists and families as well.

What an amazing 10 days!! Awesome!!

Don’t forget to stay until 11pm because you’ll be dazzle with the spectacular firework show.

 See you there!

-Mona

Spring is Here!

Here at Alberta Place we are ringing in spring with the preparation for festivals and tons of activities that can be enjoyed in both the great and not so great weather.

 This month the festivals begin with the poetry festival April 22-29 that promises to take over downtown Edmonton in a celebration of great local authors.  

The Edmonton farmers market is a lively place for fresh-vegetables and home-made gifts of all kinds every Saturday in City Hall.

Chris Millar at the Art Gallery of Alberta has some amazing art that is being called a must see! He’s here until April 29^th so be sure to check him out.

 Animal lovers are in luck, the Edmonton Valley Zoo is running talks and adventures throughout the month, the arctic foxes are waiting for you!

Babies in the zoo!

-Karlee Tobin

Tours for Tots

Children come in all shapes and sizes and finding something fun and stimulating for them to do in the downtown area can be a challenge.

Here is something really fun

Drop-in Wednesday mornings for these family fun adventures with art! Visits include Gallery explorations, art-making, story-telling, and more! Each Art Adventure has a different theme related to current exhibitions and promotes early childhood learning skills such as literacy, numeracy, community awareness and creative expression.
For families and kids aged 3-5
Wednesdays, 10-11 am
Free with Gallery admission
Please note that the Tours for Tots program is designed for children aged 3-5 accompanied by an adult. Day care and other community groups can book a School Program



Enjoy


Shelly

Green Key- Eco Rating Program

Congratulations to Alberta Place Suite Hotel for our continued committment to the environment and achieving for another year a 3 Green Key Star Rating!

Green Key Global is pleased to recognize our accomplishments in environmental management and corporate social responsibility.

We are a hotel that has taken significant steps to protect the environment through strong environmental programs, management practices , training programs, and engineering solutions.

For more information about the Green Key Eco-Rating program you can go to www.greenkeyglobal.com

Shelly R Ladouceur

Join the Green Side

March 17th brings to mind a few things...Spring and Green

If you find yourself outside of Edmonton on this infamous day here are a few locations you may want to be instead

* Chicago, every March 17th the city of Chicago dyes the Chicago River Green

* 4 Seasons in Dublin, who won best hotel in Dublin, they cater to the Irish Celebrating crowd by changing out the furnature, bedding and some carpets (in their deluxe suites) to green theme. It is striking.

* Dublin also holds its annual and most famous St Patricks Day Parade;  but there are parades popping up in Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver as well

If you find yourself in Edmonton, St Patricks Day is one of the busiest nights at pubs in Edmonton and is the most likely place to capture your leprechan for the night.

Best places to have fun, but drink responsibly with an Irish Theme Pub: O'Byrnes Irish Pub, Ceili's Irish Pub, Devaneys Irish Pub, Sherlock Holmes and the Druid Irish Pub. If you are looking for something closer to home here then The Hat just around the corner on Jasper Ave is celebrating St Patricks Day as well.

For those of us looking at Green in a different way, I want to announce we have our Green Key rating for 2012 as well.  Going Green is Good.

Have a great weekend

Shelly

Lunch dining experiences

When guests early check in they are right between our light continental breakfast and before an end of day dinner. Since all our suites have full kitchens they are prepared to go shopping for dinner, but would like something in the meantime.

Many blogging sites highlight dinner restaurants but I would like to mention a few very close..fantastic lunch restaurants that are within 2 blocks walking distance. These are highlighted because they are very popular with staff and management.

The Remedy Cafe..just opened this location and has my staff going there at least 2 times a week. http://remedycafe.ca/ Excellent value for the money and if you like spicey, this is the place to be.

The Hat Restaurant and Bistro is a favorite of the General Manager here. Their lunch menu features some fantastic and creative choices. Excellent for those on a medium lunch budget. Take your time and enjoy you lunch here. http://thehatonjasper.com/

Oodle Noodle is another favorite of the staff on Jasper Ave and another new addition to the restaurants here. This is a fast food or sit down Chinese Stir Fry restaurant. Excellent prices and good portions. This is a great option. http://www.oodlenoodle.ca/locations.php

Fantasia Cafe is a buffet / high school cafeteria style lunch service. This is one of my favorite for fantastic salads, sandwiches and soups. Again medium budget but you have to watch your timing for this location and the food goes fast. Don't get me started on how delectable the gelato is yum. http://www.fantasiacaffe.com/

This is just a sample of what downtown edmonton has to offer. If these don't tickle your tummy ask at the front desk and we would be happy to give you more suggestions.

Shelly

And the Oscar goes to.........

‎Edmonton International Film Festival presents the Oscar Nominated Shorts at the Princess Theatre. 2 screenings: Saturday (Feb. 25) @ 3pm is the LIVE ACTION package. Sunday (Feb. 26) @ 3pm is the ANIMATION program. Tix just $7 at the door. Watch CTV noon news clip with Festival Producer, Kerrie Long.

Here is the You Tube Clip

Summer In Alberta Video

This is a Beautiful video about Alberta in the Summer.

Produced by Alberta Tourism

So many of us work hard and rush and hurry only to enjoy a vacation away from home, but here in Alberta there is so much to see and do if we just take the time.

Click on the link to see what we have to offer.

Remember to Breathe 

Contact Alberta Place Suite Hotel to assist you in planning your vacation to Edmonton.


Shelly R Ladouceur

We're Hiring!

If you are interested in changing careers, or trying something new we may be the place for you.

We are looking for Front Desk, Housekeepers and a Housekeeping Supervisor.

If you would like to chance to work for a fantastic Chinese Family Run Hotel right in the downtown core, this is the place to be.

Email your resumes by Feb 12th to

hr@albertaplace.com

Looking forward to working with you!

Shelly

Its Groundhog Day

Many Canadians take the time to observe Groundhog Day on February 2 each year, Groundhog Day in Canada focuses on the concept of a groundhog coming out of its home in mid-winter to “predict” if spring is on its way in the northern hemisphere.

Many Canadians celebrate Groundhog Day by attending festivals, engaging in activities and reading or listening to news about groundhog appearances on February 2. Some Christian churches celebrate Candlemas on this day. Other people mark Groundhog Day as the date to take down their Christmas decorations.
Groundhog Day is not a public holiday in Canada. However areas around parks and some streets may be busy or congested in towns, such as Wiarton, where Groundhog Day events are popular.

Movies, advertisements, cartoons and other media have portrayed the legendary role of the groundhog in popular culture. The term “Groundhog Day” is a phrase that is sometimes used to express if the same events or actions occur repetitively for a period of time.

 According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.


Here in Edmonton:

Beyond the Shadow of Doubt, It’s Groundhog Day at City Hall Market

January 27, 2012

Groundhog Day is coming early this year at the Downtown Market at City Hall with the help of the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Poet Laureate Anna Marie Sewell.
Sewell and four other Edmonton poets will present odes to the mighty groundhog during the indoor market. Edmontonians are encouraged to participate by bringing in their own poems to add to the Poem Catcher at City Hall.
Date: Saturday January 28, 2012
Time: Downtown City market is open from 10am-3pm with the readings starting at noon
Location: City Hall, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Admission: Free
A larger than life balloon groundhog will be on display and smaller balloon groundhogs will be available for kids to take home.
The Downtown Market at City Hall happens every Saturday until May 12 and then it returns to 104 Street for the outdoor season. The indoor market boasts a variety of local producers, artisans and vendors.

Groundhog Day is the name of classic movie staring Bill Murray. If you have nothing to do that night, why not check out this movie?

Groundhog Day is one of my favorite non-holidays. Enjoy it here at Alberta Place Suite Hotel.

Shelly R Ladouceur

Here's an update

Here are new images from our room make overs. Come and try the new beds and bedding!

Last of the Big Time Reno's

We are moving forward with our Room renovations at a nice pace this time around. This cycle should see the last of all our floors completely redone.

We are thrilled to be moving towards a new direction with some of the rooms...but you will just have to wait, watch and see.

Keep an eye on our facebook page for more images....

sh.....don't tell but we are looking at changing up our website too!

So many changes....stay in touch.

Shelly R Ladouceur

Winter Festival

Edmonton has decided to warm up the traditionally cold Edmonton climate with a Winter Festival.
This festival started New Year Eve and is scheduled to run until the end of Feb.

What a fantastic year to start a festival with above average temperatures to encourage everyone to come out and visit.

Our guests at Alberta Place Suite Hotel are within walking distance to the Hub of the Winter Festival on Churchill Square.

For updated information on the happenings at the festival, follow the link.

Happy Winter

Metropolis Winter Festival

Happy New Year