The Great Outdoors: Outdoor Meetings in Victoria, B.C.

Outstanding outdoor meetings in Victoria, B.C.

The natural landscape of the Pacific Ocean and nearby mountain ranges are a large part of what makes Victoria so special, and they also are to thank for Victoria’s mild year-round climate. The sun favours Victoria too, shining more days here than anywhere else in British Columbia. Summers are kept comfortable by the ever-present ocean breeze, while winters remain mild with little to no snow.

Combine this pristine natural environment with strict COVID-19 safety guidelines and adjusted services to ensure the safety of guests and staff, and you have the ideal location to host an outdoor meeting in Victoria, B.C.!

Stunning outdoor venues

Victoria’s favourable climate is an open invitation to enjoy the outdoors. Being surrounded by natural beauty can invigorate any meeting or event, and Victoria offers countless outdoor offsite venues that can be enjoyed year-round.

Take advantage of Victoria’s reputation as the City of Gardens at the stately Hatley Castle National Historic Site and Gardens, The Butchart Gardens or the Gardens at HCP, which are lush and full of life whether it’s June or January.

For a more urban vibe, Market Square – located on the trendy “LoJo” fashion strip – is full of interesting local shops, popular boutiques, and tasty eateries in an historic part of Old Town Victoria. The brick and beam heritage buildings surround an open air courtyard where events are hosted throughout the year.

Just north of Victoria along the Saanich Peninsula, mild temperatures, fertile valleys, and expert vintners offer incredible varieties – of wines and venues! Enjoy award-winning wines, spectacular vineyard views and perfect pairings with locally sourced fare. At Church & State Wines or Blue Grouse Estate Winery, a meeting or farm-to-table meal among the vineyards will leave your delegates dazzled.

“Room” with a view

From classic architecture to British influence, Victoria blends tradition with modern luxury and west coast flair. The result is stunning properties that are a destination unto themselves. Enjoy meeting and staying at one of these luxurious properties.

To respond to COVID-19, Fairmont Empress has reimagined their outdoor special events, meetings and team building experiences. From venues deeply rooted in history, to unique outdoor spaces that offer inspiring views, their team specializes in creating exceptional events tailored to your needs.

The Gold Floor and Terrace at Fairmont Empress offers a completely private, curated experience perfect for those intimate events where you can gather and celebrate in style. The outdoor private terrace provides sweeping vistas of the inner harbour and Victoria’s most impressive sunsets.

The Rose Garden at Fairmont Empress offers a fairytale setting matched with a world-class culinary experience. Meet, gather, connect and dine in a venue that evokes Victoria’s rich history of stunning gardens.

Located in the heart of downtown Victoria, the Parkside Hotel & Spa is surrounded by beautiful parks and greenery. Spacious, airy venues full of natural light allow for memorable settings for events of all types. Spaces with continuity of indoor to outdoor areas allow guests to enjoy fresh air and safe distancing during their events. From the stunning rooftop garden to the spectacular City Club Lounge – more than 5,000 square feet of event space – there is an assortment of intimate yet flexible spaces to choose from.

With over 10,000 square feet of fully equipped event space available for annual conferences or galas, monthly corporate meetings, once-in-a-lifetime receptions, and anything else you might need a meeting venue for, Inn at Laurel Point’s picturesque location on the harbour is full of natural light and fresh ocean air. The Rogers Suite located on the top floor of the Inn features 180° views of downtown Victoria and the inner harbour, seen from a stunning outdoor patio space.

Located directly on the water with spectacular views of Victoria’s Harbour across to the lights of the city and the BC Legislative Buildings, the Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort has 13,500 square feet of fully renovated function space offers unique options from gorgeous outdoor patios overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour for small to large meetings and events. The Harbour Patio is a versatile space for group meals, meetings, movie nights, barbecues, car launches, tradeshows, and wedding ceremonies. Some of the smaller banquet rooms have patios overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour for meeting delegates to catch a breath of fresh ocean air.

LURE Restaurant & Bar is home to “Victoria’s Hottest Patio” with amazing local bites, cocktails, wines by the glass and local brews on tap. Or enjoy the breathtaking views from the third floor Club Lounge patio.

*All meeting set-ups will follow proper physical distancing protocols, and food and beverage options are offered in individual servings, or attendants will assist to minimize contact. Hand sanitizer stations are featured in key areas and colleagues servicing events will wear masks. Heightened cleanliness standards are enforced, as teams disinfect all touchpoints between events.

Pre/Post meeting

And after the meeting? Greater Victoria is home to seemingly endless trails to traverse, outdoor spaces, wide-open places and fewer faces. These outdoor activities enable you to soak in Greater Victoria’s beautiful sights and sounds while still allowing you to maintain physical distance.

Getting here is a breeze

Temperate weather patterns mean Victoria doesn’t experience nearly the same amount of winter travel issues as other Canadian cities – no need to stress over snowstorms delaying flights or blocking roads. The Victoria International Airport (named one of the friendliest airports in the world by CNN Travel and twice named ‘Best Regional Airport in North America’ by Airports Council International) has daily flights throughout Canada and is known for efficiency and friendliness. Harbour Air and BC Ferries also operate connections from Vancouver year-round.