#myCanada with M&IW's Kelly Fuller – An unforgettable stay at Sonora

Around 80 buyers from around the globe got to experience the Canadian wilderness first-hand at Destination Canada’s Incentive Canada networking gathering in 2019. The four-day trip included a stay at Sonora Resort, a luxury lodge set in the pristine wilderness of British Columbia, combined with two nights in Vancouver.

Attendees were transported to Sonora via helicopter, and once there were treated to a feast of locally sourced seafood and wine, as well as several activities that spotlighted Sonora's remarkable natural surroundings: whale-watching outings, foraging hikes, tree plantings and more.

We caught up with Kelly Fuller, Sr. Event Experience Manager at Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc. (M&IW), who was lucky enough to join the trip, to get the lowdown on the experience…

Kelly Fuller, Sr. Event Experience Manager, Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc

First impressions…

This was my first ever trip to the West Coast of Canada. Vancouver is somewhere I had always wanted to visit and combining the city with a stay at Sonora Resort was fantastic as we got to experience the best of both worlds. I didn’t know much about Sonora so wasn’t sure what to expect, but the helicopter arrival alone was amazing.

Having that birds-eye view over the resort and then coming into land on the private helipad – something I have never experienced before – was super cool. I love the fact that you can’t get there by car as it really adds to the feeling of exclusivity. I was blown away by the views – it’s just stunning and you really do feel totally immersed in the wilderness.

After checking in, we enjoyed a welcome reception at the Discovery Islands Gazebo and Viewpoint, which overlooks the water and is the perfect spot for viewing wildlife such as sea lions.

The accommodation is spread across 12 lodges and designed so that each room has views across the water. I really loved the fact that the lodges had outdoor hot tubs, which we made use of one evening and got to sit back and look at the stars.

The highlights…

I loved waking up in the morning and seeing the sun rise over the water. It was so quiet and peaceful there and all you can hear are the sounds of nature. I took a walk early one morning and just soaked it all in. There are some fantastic walking and hiking trails around Sonora, and I was lucky enough to enjoy some time in the spa, including my first ever yoga session and a lovely relaxing treatment.

I wish we could have stayed longer. As an event planner, you get to visit lots of fantastic hotels and destinations, but Sonora is one of those places you find yourself thinking about and I genuinely want to go back.

The food was incredible – we were treated to a chef tasting menu one night, all focused around fresh, seasonal produce which was simply delicious. Although I didn’t want to leave, our journey back to Vancouver was via seaplane, something else I’ve never done before, so our Sonora experience ended on a real high.

The verdict…

Canada is a truly fantastic destination for incentive trips and suitable for just about any group. You could easily arrange an entire programme around Sonora and the wilderness as there are plenty of activities on offer. Or you could pair a wilderness experience with a stay in the city like we did, which works well.

Once travel picks up again and clients feel comfortable to cross country borders, I think Sonora could be popular for incentives because it is secluded and safe and it would be very easy to create your own bubble there. It’s also all-inclusive, which lots of clients like as it enables them to manage budget more easily.

Some clients can be quite traditional with their incentive rewards and tend to opt for beach destinations. I love recommending something different and out of the box. Beaches are great, but why not change it up and try something new?

Sonora is a real hidden gem, and I don’t think many people would have even heard of the resort let alone been there. So it would be a completely new and different experience for incentive attendees, and one that they are unlikely to have booked independently.

Since coming back from trip, I have definitely become a cheerleader for Canada because the destination has so much to offer.

This content is sponsored by Destination Canada Business Events. To find out about future Incentive Canada events contact incentives@destinationcanada.com