Vancouver BC Business Trip – a destination guide

While Vancouver BC is a definite bucket-list destination for many vacation travelers, it is a frequent stop for business travelers as well.  As the gateway to the Pacific Rim and epicenter of Asian business in Canada, Vancouver is also home to tech giants like Hootsuite and EA.

Note: This is a guest post from Lesley @ Freedom56travel.com.  Lesley is an a travel enthusiast, avid motorcyclist and aspiring retiree! She has traveled extensively while working 9-5 and is looking forward to making traveling her full-time job. With Vancouver as her home base, Lesley seeks to share her travel adventures with the
world! Lesley writes about travel from a mid-life perspective at her blog. CBoardingGroup is not responsible for the content provided.

Visiting Vancouver Canada on Business

With its temperate climate, Vancouver is an easy business stop.  No need to worry about packing your parka!  It rarely snows in winter with temperatures averaging 35-40 F with summer temperatures averaging 75-80 degrees F.  You may need to bring your umbrella though!  The stories about rainy Vancouver are definitely true!

Vancouver with Science World in Foreground (Photo Credit at Bottom of Post)

Transportation

Transportation into the city from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is quick, easy and inexpensive via the Canada Line Skytrain.  The Canada Line stop is steps away from the Arrivals area at YVR.  Time to downtown is less than 30 minutes and the fare is $5.  If taxis are more your style, the flat rate from YVR to downtown Vancouver is $35 but expect a longer ride in rush hour.

Want to learn about airport codes like YVR? Click here find out more than you probably wanted!

Where to Stay in Vancouver

Staying in downtown Vancouver is the best option for business travelers and you’ll be spoiled for choice with many great hotels in the downtown core.  The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is an iconic Vancouver hotel reflecting the timeless luxury and history of Vancouver.  It’s close to Vancouver’s best restaurants as well as other attractions.  There’s a spa for your down time as well as a canine ambassador to take for walks if you’re missing the family pooch.

You might be interested in 31 Amazing Hotel Hacks Travel Pros Use all the Time

Another favourite hotel for business travelers is the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, located right at the Trade & Convention Centre.  Featuring some of the best views in the city, this beautiful hotel has exceptional meeting and event facilities and can accommodate large groups as well as small.

Interesting Fact: Cannabis is legal in Vancouver and Cigarette Smoking is not cool

It won’t take long after your arrival in Vancouver to notice that things are a little different there.  There’s a preponderance of yoga wear everywhere and dress is decidedly casual.  Nobody smokes. 

This is partly because Vancouver has really strict smoking laws, including a ban on smoking on outdoor patios and partly because Vancouverites are very health-conscious.  If you think you can detect a hint of marijuana smoke, you’re probably right.  Cannibis has been legal in Vancouver (and all over Canada) since 2018.

What to do in Vancouver

If you have business in Victoria on Vancouver Island during your trip, access is easy via the downtown seaplane terminal.  Harbour to harbor, the trip is approximately 35 minutes and takes you right into the heart of downtown Victoria.  Service is offered on a regular schedule every 30 minutes, 7 days a week.

You won’t need to leave downtown to entertain or impress clients.  Hawksworth Restaurant, run by celebrity chef David Hawksworth is one of the most sought-after reservations in town.  Menus feature modern Canadian cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients. The bar is an excellent spot to take advantage of the full menu if you’re dining alone.

Hawksworth – Aged Beef with Onion and Parsley (IG Credit: Hawksworthrest)

Vancouver is the epicenter of Asian cuisine in North America so don’t miss out on some of the best Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese food you’ll find anywhere.  Kissa Tanto is making a splash with its Japanese/Italian fusion offerings.  Check it out in Chinatown or find one of many other authentic Asian restaurants close by.

Both Rogers Arena (home of the Vancouver Canucks) and BC Place Stadium (home of the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions) are within easy walking distance of any downtown hotel.  Although Vancouver has a love/hate relationship with the Canucks depending on how they’re doing that season, a hockey game at Rogers Arena is always a great experience and not to be missed.  You shouldn’t have any trouble getting tickets to a game.  Check with your hotel concierge or one of the local ticket resellers like StubHub.

The outdoor scene in Vancouver is spectacular if you have some downtime during your trip.  Cycling around the Stanley Park seawall is an easy option with many bike rental companies doing business close to the park.

Grouse Mountain – Photo by Connor Danylenko on Pexels.com

If you’re looking for a more challenging afternoon (and you have the time to break away from your business activities), exert yourself alongside Vancouver’s toughest athletes on the Grouse Grind.  This 2.9 kilometre trail goes straight up the face of Grouse Mountain.  Elevation gain is 2800 feet with the summit at 3700 feet.  There are 2830 stairs along the way to “help” you.  It takes a reasonably fit person approximately 90 minutes to finish the Grind.  If you want to challenge the record, it’s 25.01.

Closing Thoughts on Visiting Vancouver for Work

After you’ve spent any time in Vancouver you’ll soon begin to think about how you need to spend more time there.  Perhaps that voice inside your head will start plotting how to move to Vancouver.  A word of advice:  check the housing prices before you make any plans to move.  After you’ve gotten over the sticker shock, start planning your next trip, but just to visit.

Note: This is a guest post from Lesley @ Freedom56travel.com.  Lesley is an a travel enthusiast, avid motorcyclist and aspiring retiree! She has traveled extensively while working 9-5 and is looking forward to making traveling her full-time job. With Vancouver as her home base, Lesley seeks to share her travel adventures with the world! Lesley writes about travel from a mid-life perspective at her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. 

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Photos:

1. Vancouver Convention Centre

https://pixabay.com/en/sea-canadaplace-landscape-vancouver-1928587/

2. Vancouver with Science World

https://pixabay.com/en/vancouver-british-columbia-canada-1620772/