News

PRESS RELEASE

November 14, 2008

The International Centre Unveils its New Conference Centre with a Truly ‘Grand’ Opening!

 

October 29, 2008, Mississauga, Ontario: On Thursday October 23rd the International Centre hosted a much anticipated Grand Opening Reception for its new Conference Centre addition. Hundreds of guests came to view the elegant new space and to experience the outstanding culinary offerings now available at the International Centre. 

 

The evening was highlighted by an address from Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion as well as a charitable donation made from the International Centre to the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation. The President of the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation, Norma Bandler, was on hand to accept a $10,000 donation for the Foundation.  Noting that ‘there is never a good time to ask for money, and never a good time to get sick’, Bandler graciously accepted the donation and informed the crowd that she will be looking for their assistance for her upcoming campaign.

 

Mayor McCallion praised the Conference Centre, noting her city’s longterm need for new elegant event space, and reminded guests about the Centre’s excellent location so close to the ’Mississauga International Airport’.

 

Award-winning design and décor company Designing Trendz Inc. was responsible for the exotic look and feel of the evening.  From beautifully costumed living statues, contortionists, dancers and fire eaters through to oxygen bars, colourful martinis, and a rock & roll playing harpist, Designing Trendz creatively and beautifully highlighted the new Conference Centre space; showcasing the range of possibilities the space offers.

 

"When guests arrive early for a grand opening event - you know it must be something special.  When guests stay long past the end of the event - you know that it is spectacular,” said Scott McAllister, from Designing Trendz. "The International Centre has a powerful team of experienced event professionals and vendors who all worked together to create a truly memorable opening; what they ended up with was a phenomenal event that revealed their true talents and gave everyone a taste of what they are really capable of - excellence.  Every detail was considered, every aspect of both the client's and the vendor's needs was not only met, but exceeded."

 

Five human statues, painted to represent the Constellation-themed rooms; each situated underneath an impressive skylight, were the focal point of the Grand Lobby. The Lobby also hosted an oxygen bar which was the perfect uplifting indulgence before entering the sensory-heavy Orion ballroom. Featuring a mix of cool and classy furnishings, this 17,000 sq. ft. ballroom was broken into five sections, each representing a different room within the new complex, and each with its own customized food station and distinct mood lighting. From Asian cuisine to seafood offered from an ice bar through to delectable desserts and a carvery, each unique dish prepared by Executive Chef Joe Levesque was creatively in keeping with the constellation theme and was paired with an appropriate wine or cocktail.

 

Key sponsor Designing Trendz Inc. is a full service event design and décor company whose mission is to deliver creative, innovative and exceptional events.  Their Designers and on-site Decorators create décor that parallels the world’s latest trends in fashion, art and interior design. With a proven passion for design and creativity, they are consistently at the top of the industry for social and corporate events in Canada. Designing Trendz’ success includes over twenty special events industry awards and numerous features in magazine and television media throughout North America.

 

The evening was also generously sponsored by: AVW -Telav Audio Visual Solutions, Ben McEvoy Creative Projects, BRB Parking Control, Coat Connexion Inc., Coca Cola, Conexsys Registration, Envision Photography, GES Canada, Mill Street Brewery, PMA (Peter Mielzynski Agencies Ltd.), Vincor Canada and Willow Printing Group Ltd.

 

The new Conference Centre is uniquely built to accommodate both intimate gatherings and large corporate meetings.  This seamless addition offers an expansive ballroom and grand reception lobby. The Conference Centre’s 15 multi-purpose breakout rooms of varying sizes can meet the needs of any clients. Combined with this expansion, is the company’s launch in 2007 of its first ever in-house Food & Beverage department.  Led by innovative Executive Chef Joe Levesque and his outstanding culinary team, clients will enjoy first-class catering paired with the finest service.  

 

About the International Centre

 

Since opening in 1972, the International Centre has steadily grown to over 10 times its original size, consistently satisfying the needs of an exploding population base and the growing influx of Canadian and multi-national corporations in the surrounding area.  The new Conference Centre opened in late September 2008 is expected to boost annual foot traffic for the International Centre’s trade and consumer shows to 2.25 million people; an impressive 12.5% increase over their current annual attendance.

 

The International Centre is the leading trade and consumer show venue in North America, and one of Canada’s largest privately owned multi-purpose conference facilities. The Centre boasts 36 years of success hosting trade and consumer shows; the mainstay of its business.  Located at 6900 Airport Road, offering free parking for as many as 5,000 vehicles, and surrounded by more than 10,000 hotel rooms, the International Centre is easily accessible from any point in the Greater Toronto Area and especially for business travelers who arrive at Pearson International Airport, just minutes away. The International Centre is truly ‘at the Centre of great events’.

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For more information and for Grand Opening or other International Centre photos:

 

Stacie Smith

Public Relations

416-910-8112 or stacie@smithcommunications.ca

 

Leslie Bruce

Director of Sales

International Centre

905-677-6131 x. 106 or lbruce@internationalcentre.com