There is no such thing as a traditional business meeting anymore, and women are partly to thank. How, when and where women conduct business has evolved, due to flexible working hours and a need to mix business with pleasure. Women are developing fresh ways of making contacts, exchanging ideas and building relationships. Where do women in Vancouver go to network, talk deals and promote their companies? The answer is – pretty much anywhere. Here are some traditional, and some not-so-traditional, venues where female executives are taking care of business (and themselves).
HiVE
210 – 128 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, 778-800-1250
www.hivevancouver.com
HiVE, which describes itself as an event, programming and co-working space, allows individuals and groups to rent desks, either on a drop-in basis or for a more permanent stretch. It also rents out space for meetings and allows clients to use office equipment. The space provides members with an opportunity to collaborate and share ideas in an open environment. In addition, HiVE puts on small networking events for social ventures or meet-up groups. For example, every third Monday of the month, it hosts a learning and support group for individuals wishing to discuss ways to foster positive social change. These meet-ups also set aside time for individuals to talk about maintaining work-life balance.
Five Sails Restaurant at the Pan Pacific Vancouver
410 – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, 604-844-2855
www.fivesails.ca
Where the elite meet to eat – and strike business deals.
The Pan Pacific’s Five Sails Restaurant, located on Vancouver’s waterfront, is cited by some of the city’s movers and shakers as one of the best places to do business over dinner. The restaurant is known for its West Coast-inspired cuisine, and some of the restaurant’s signature dishes include roasted halibut and lavender honey-glazed duck. Its views of Stanley Park and the inner harbour make it one of the best locations to impress out-of-town guests. The restaurant has a private dining room available for 10 to 20 guests. It also has water views, and the tables can be arranged to suit different meeting types.
Grouse Grind
Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, 604-980-9311
www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind
Every year, more than 150,000 people head to the Grouse Grind to test their endurance and strength on a 2.9-kilometre hike that takes them up 2,800 steps to more than 1,000 metres above sea level. Some executives find the Grind is the perfect place to hold team meetings, allowing them to exercise while working out business deals. It is open only during daylight hours, so it’s best to check the website before starting the climb. The Grind is closed during the winter and when weather conditions are bad.
Heading to the Grind is not the only way to combine physical fitness with team-building. For example, Shannon Wilson, co-founder of Kit and Ace, says her go-to activity is heading to a spin class. “Staying active is an important part of my life, and because Vancouver is such an active city, it’s a great way to connect with other women in business here,” she says. “Like all working moms, my schedule is packed, so the ability to kill two birds with one stone is appealing. Plus, it keeps the meeting fun.”
Wilson says men and women are starting to move away from traditional forms of networking, especially in an active city like Vancouver. “Business relationships are less about formal networking; the focus has shifted to authentic connections and experience,” Wilson says.
Scandinave Spa
8010 Mons Road, Whistler, 604-935-2424
www.scandinave.com
It is hard to beat the experience at Scandinave Spa. The setting’s natural beauty and the relaxing Scandinavian baths and world-class spa facilities have made it a go-to destination for tourists from around the world. It can also be a great place for team-building. While there is no talking allowed in the baths themselves – the spa wants to maintain an air of serenity for visitors – the on-site bistro can be a perfect place to wind down and share ideas after a day of pampering. Scandinave provides special rates for groups of 10 or more.
The Vancouver Club
915 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, 604-685-9321
www.vancouverclub.ca
The Vancouver Club first opened its doors in 1889 and was long considered the hub of the city’s Old Boys network. This is no longer the case. Women have been able to become full members since the 1990s. In 2000, the Vancouver Club merged its membership with the Georgian Club, which was an association of Vancouver women whose home was in the former Royal Bank building at Homer Street. The club has a boardroom, a grand ballroom and several meeting rooms in which members can rub elbows with some of the city’s high-powered executives. The building also has bars, a tasting room and a rooftop patio, and its private gym includes yoga and Pilates. Entrepreneur Cybele Negris finds herself at the Vancouver Club often, either attending or speaking at events. “I like that they make a concerted effort to host women-in-business events,” says Negris, co-founder and CEO of Webnames.ca Inc. “We need to encourage women to network with each other and with men because, I find, a big part of success is still and always has been who you know.”
