Create a Unique Convention Theme

Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan /
Douglas E. Walker

Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan

Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan / David Innes

Photo: University of Saskatchewan

Photo: Sunrise Publishing / Stuart Kasdorf

Photo: Canadian Light Source Inc.,
University of Saskatchewan

Photo: Gord Taylor

Photo: POS Pilot Plant

Saskatoon's rich history, vast culture and bright economy offer plenty of choices for unique convention themes. Here are just two samples:

Pull of the Land, The Call of the Skies

It was perhaps the largest move ever. A move that would bring three million people to homestead the great prairie frontier we now call Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Carrying what they could, settlers arrived in Saskatchewan at the turn of the last century by the thousands. They came from everywhere: Germany, Scandinavia, France, Belgium, England, Ireland, Scotland, Ukraine, Russia...the list goes on. Today we celebrate our ancestors and though our lives are much different we still feel the pull of the land and the call of the skies!

Airport Greeting

• Airport greeters in traditional period costume.
• A single Prairie Lily handed to each arriving delegate.
• Singing cowboy as background music in terminal.
• Old railroad porter carts for handling baggage from the carousel.
• Covered wagon with team of horses parked outside airport.

Hotel Arrival

• Selected staff in period costumes greet guests.
• Welcome gift in rooms: Keepsake wheat sheaf.

Reception

• Food stations with storyboards at each that tell the story of the experience of the various cultures that settled Saskatchewan.
• Attired in their traditional costumes, interpretive guides from each culture tell their story.
• A selection of musical entertainment celebrating Saskatchewan's cultural diversity.

Coffee Breaks

• Themes for every coffee reflecting various aspects of the natural, cultural and human heritage of Saskatoon. Coffee break stations decorated with appropriate display materials including storyboards about each topic.

Banquet

• Harvest Dinner theme and Barn Dance

Saskatoon Shines in Innovation

The University of Saskatchewan is certainly the heart of innovation in Saskatoon and from this world-class institution flow both the spirit and structure of high-level scientific discovery. A critical mass of experts have converged in Saskatoon, attracting an ever-increasing number of researchers keen on exploring the limits in their chosen field.

The Canadian Light Source Synchrotron - the largest scientific research project in Canada - is the only facility of its kind in the world to be built on a university campus, where it can feed off the synergies of medical, dental, veterinarian and other science and arts-based colleges.

Saskatoon is a true leader in the field of research and innovation thanks to highly imaginative people, phenomenal infrastructure and sound planning.

Airport / Hotel Welcome

• Actors as comedic scientists and staff in lab coats welcome delegates.

Reception

• Hosted at Innovation Place - the Atrium, Boffins and the Gardens of Boffins (weather permitting).
• A science fair fun theme - with a series of fun interactive experiments wherein people can win fun "scientific" brain-teaser prizes - is incorporated. Dry-ice, beakers, mirrors and lighting for effect.
• Fun food and drink stations with themes around Saskatoon's firsts in science and technology:
  • Dr. Hertzberg wins the Nobel Prize for research in the natural sciences
    • molecule centre pieces
  • Dr. Lemieux synthesizes sugar
    • test tubes artfully displayed with different coloured sugars
  • VIDO creates five animal vaccines that are world firsts
    • veterinarian comedian with large needle
  • Saskatchewan scientists help develop Canola oil
    • a creative display of frying pans, with a chef cooking special dishes using Canola oil
  • A new more versatile malting barley is developed
    • beer stations with barley
  • Specialty coffees and cognacs/liqueurs in Boffins with some great warm jazz playing in the background.

  Tour

  • Conduct a tour of the University of Saskatchewan and Innovation Place, where actors play roles to help delegates understand new discoveries that Saskatoon has been involved in bringing to market.