2017 at the Shaw Centre: The Events That Shaped The Year

Published on December 22, 2017

2017 was a Canada’s 150th – a big year for Ottawa and an even bigger year for Shaw Centre. We had a record year hosting 40 conventions and over 400 events – one of our busiest years yet. We can’t embark on 2018 before taking a look back to recognize events that helped mark 2017 as a year to remember!

Here are 10 of them:

#1: Ottawa Gatineau International Auto Show 2017

March 16 – 19

Car lovers united at this four-day tradeshow displaying over 300 cars and 29 dealers. High-end names including Tesla, Rolls-Royce, and Lamborghini, and more mainstream dealers such as Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota showcased their newest vehicles all throughout Shaw Centre’s first, second, and third floor areas.

This is a unique event in that it involves a lot of coordination with the move in and setup of all the vehicles. Having even the slightest delay or downtime with the freight elevators can throw everything off. Having to be so precise with the timing makes this event one of the most challenging and fun events to work on, not to mention you get to see some of the nicest cars out there.

Blake Rainville, Technical Services Manager, Shaw Centre

#2: 2017 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards

April 1

The 46th annual JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards was a private affair hosted at the Shaw Centre for 1,500 members of the music industry and JUNO award nominees. It featured a red carpet in the Rideau Canal Atrium on the Centre’s second level, and the dinner, awards and live entertainment took place in Canada Hall on the third level.

It was exciting to host the Juno Gala and Awards Dinner in 2017 and to be part of celebrating the success and accomplishments of Canadian music and artists. It was an honor to welcome Canada’s top music talent into the Centre to enjoy a locally inspired menu that complimented the music and performances of the evening.

Loretta Briard, General Manager, Shaw Centre

#3: Ottawa Race Weekend 2017

May 25 – 27

Canada’s largest race expo was a 2.5 day affair hosted at Shaw Centre, bringing in exhibitors from across North America and featured over 100 retailers. It attracted over 60,000 people as it was also the site of Race Kit Pick-Up for 45,000 runners.

As expo lead volunteer Kent Woodhall explained, “It’s like putting three cities the size of Brockville through that building in 17 hours.”

#4: Liberal Caucus Holiday Party

December 13

Approximately 2,500 guests, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of the Canadian Liberal Party, gathered in Shaw Centre’s Canada Hall space for holiday festivities, complete with the perfect view of Parliament Hill.

This is one of the largest dinners we host. It is always a site to see the entirety of Canada Hall set in rounds (265 rounds total this year). When service starts in the evening, we have culinary stations set in the service corridor all along the perimeter of the Hall; it’s one massive operation and our whole team comes together for it.

Alexandra Tanguay, Event Services Manager, Shaw Centre

#5: The Grand Casino presented by Welch LLP

November 8

The Shaw Centre has a reputation of being able to transform its space into practically anything, and it was no exception when the Centre’s Trillium ballroom converted into a casino for this charity social event. The event was a grand success, raising over $25,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

We love seeing a client’s vision come to life so The Grand Casino presented by Welch LLP was a unique event that we were excited to host. The Shaw Centre lends itself well to an event of this sort with ample space for guests to mingle, network and enjoy the entertainment, while of course offering picturesque views overlooking the city.

Vanessa Plante, Event Services Manager, Shaw Centre

#6: The ONE National Conference 2017

September 18 – 19

The fourth annual The ONE National Conference 2017, hosted at Shaw Centre, was a resounding success. The conference brought together more than 1,500 CPAs and other business professionals from across Canada for two days of discussion on critical issues in business and accounting.

We are always thrilled for our clients when their registration grows beyond what they had anticipated. It shows a genuine interest in the conference and the topics it will cover. This year, the ONE National Conference saw nearly a 50% pick-up in registration within 3 weeks of the event. The planners executed the conference very well, despite the large (and relatively last-minute) increase.

Alexandra Tanguay, Event Services Manager, Shaw Centre

#7: Cannabis & Hemp Expo presented by Canwest Productions

October 28 – 29

This two-day expo hosted in our Canada Hall space displayed the professionalism and maturity of the expanding cannabis industry. It included educational seminars, panel discussions, and an extensive list of exhibitors.

A new partnership between Shaw Centre and Canwest Productions Inc. brought a ground-breaking consumer experience to the Nation’s Capital. In an evolving world of Cannabis culture, this show brought together supplier partners and curious consumers providing insight on a rapidly changing and sometimes controversial industry.

Matthew Blackburn, Account Manager, Shaw Centre

#8. Gold Medal Plates

November 9, 2017

Shaw Centre hosted GMP Ottawa along with 650 guests for the fourth consecutive time where all proceeds went towards the Canadian Olympic Foundation. The event is a chance to bring together two strong communities, Canadian athletes and Ottawa chefs, for a memorable evening bursting with national pride.

Hospitality is a fast-moving industry and we often forget to show recognition to each other’s craft. This event was a great way to socialize and network among our peers, highlighting our passion, our city and region’s food by way of a friendly competition. Gold Medal Plates highlights the importance of sourcing our food and ingredients locally.

Patrick Turcot, Executive Chef, Shaw Centre

#9. 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw

November 22 – 26

Shaw Centre was transformed into the official hub for the 105^th Grey Cup Festival. For five days straight, the Centre was filled with CFL coaches, players, alumni, media and super fans attending over a dozen events including the Head Coaches Press Conference, CFLAA Legends Luncheon, Grid Iron Gals, Commissioner’s Tailgate Brunch, and CFL Awards and Rev-Up Party.

On a night when the league’s biggest stars were celebrated at the Shaw CFL Awards, Mike Reilly emerged with the league’s top honours for the first time in his career as he was named 2017’s Most Outstanding Player.The Shaw CFL Awards, hosted by TSN’s James Duthie, took place at the Shaw Centre as part of the festivities for the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw.

“In our sport, you can’t have any weaknesses because that’s going to cost you,” Reilly told the media after an emotional acceptance speech. “So to be a great team, you have to have great players. And we do have a great team so I know we have great players. I’m proud for my team that we can bring this trophy back and I’m sure the city of Edmonton is excited.”

#10. SaaS North 2017

November 28 – 29

For its second year, Shaw Centre hosted SaaS North, an annual hub for SaaS (software as a service) founders, investors, and executives to learn, network and grow. The convention nearly doubled its exhibitors’ space from the previous year, spreading out throughout the second and third levels of the Centre.

Currently watching the most tactical and useful keynote I’ve ever seen by @danmartell at #SaaSNorth.

Head of Marketing @NudgeAI

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