5 Offsite Venues Guaranteed to Impress Your Delegates

We know that for many conferences, a great offsite event is the pinnacle experience for delegates. We’ve compiled a list of 5 extraordinary offsite venues that are sure to leave your attendees impressed.

Treat your delegates like royalty. Robert Dunsmuir, a wealthy Victorian entrepreneur, started building the lavish Craigdarroch Castle in 1887 to tout his importance and affluence throughout Western Canada. Influenced by Romanesque architecture, the venue features dramatic spires, interior oak paneling and original stained-glass windows throughout. Best suited for stand-up cocktail receptions, the Castle can accommodate 200 people indoors and even larger groups outside on their 70,000 square foot lawn.

There is just something special about being in a museum after hours (Night at the Museum, anyone?). Home to over 7 million artifacts and 26,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space, the Royal BC Museum contains the province’s foremost collection of natural and human history. Dine inside the Totem Hall of B.C.’s First Peoples gallery or bring your event to life within the replica exhibit of Victoria’s Old Town. Elevate your event with themed food and entertainment (think Asian fusion cuisine in Victoria’s replica Chinatown or a traditional Lekwungen dance performance in the First Peoples gallery).

In bloom for over 100 years, The Butchart Gardens turned what was once a limestone quarry into a floral spectacle spanning 55 acres. Now a National Historic Site, the Butchart Gardens has over 1 million plants on display, creating a picturesque backdrop to any gathering. Treat your delegates to a tour before enjoying a west-coast inspired meal in one of their five indoor/outdoor spaces. The Butchart Gardens can accommodate up to 220 for a sit-down meal and 400 for a stand-up reception.

Situated within the historic Steamship Terminal building constructed in 1924, The Robert Bateman Centre is a landmark venue dedicated to the work of Canada’s most famed wildlife artist, Robert Bateman. First and foremost an art gallery, the space features over 100 items ranging from his earliest work to his most recent peices, and also offers sweeping views of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The venue houses one central gallery with eight adjoining galleries and can accommodate stand-up receptions for 100 and seated dinners for 60. Gallery admission included.

The Victoria Public Market occupies the historic Hudson Building, which was constructed in 1921 as one of Canada’s six original Hudson Bay Company retail stores. The venue is an attractive mix of modern and industrial, offering 3,000 square feet of space, with tall ceilings, smooth concrete floors and an on-site community kitchen, useful for staging, cooking or storage. The Market can hold 350 standing, 216 for a sit-down dinner and 180 with a dance floor.

Contact our Business Events Victoria team to start planning your event today.