Page 34 - GBC ENG Winter 2025

across Canada and the U.S. have
returned year after year for one
simple reason: the connections
matter.
A CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY
Over the years, the conference has
carried delegates from coast-to-
coast, each host city adding its own
unforgettable chapter to the story of
Golf Business Canada Conference &
Trade Show.
In Niagara Falls, delegates
toasted as the iconic waterfalls
glowed in conference colours before
fireworks lit the night sky - a
moment that was tailor-made for a
national celebration.
In Whistler, delegates still recall
the evening they boarded a gondola
that lifted them halfway up the
mountain for a champagne toast - a
sparkling pause in the alpine air
that became a true ‘you had to be
there’ moment. The ride then
continued to the summit, where a
mountaintop dinner unfolded
against panoramic views and an
evening of entertainment. And just
when the night seemed complete,
guests were offered a nightcap for
the gondola ride back down,
making the descent as memorable
as the climb.
Halifax offered a 007-inspired
lobster dinner and an evening at
Pier 21, where many delegates took
the chance to explore their own
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Golf Business Canada
family histories. Quebec City
dazzled with the grandeur of Le
Château Frontenac, while Ottawa
marked milestones with events at
the Museum of Civilization and,
most recently, a roaring 20s-themed
gala to celebrate the Association’s
25th anniversary.
From Toronto to Victoria, Banff
to Halifax, Montreal to Calgary, and
even Lake Louise, the conference
has carried delegates to some of the
most iconic destinations in Canada.
Each city has left its own mark -
from castles and waterfalls to
gondola rides and galas - weaving
together a cross-country journey
that mirrors the very breadth of the
golf industry. Wherever it has
landed, the Golf Business Canada
Conference & Trade Show has
transformed local landmarks into
the backdrop for lasting memories.
Of course, the conference isn’t only
defined by where we gather - it’s
also about what happens when we
come together.
BEYOND THE BALLROOM
The education, keynotes, and trade
floor are the backbone of the
conference - but the real proof of its
impact is often found in the spaces
in between. Over the years,
partnerships have been born over
coffee breaks, mentors discovered
in late-night lobby conversations,
and friendships forged during
dinners that stretch long after the
last session ends.
Exhibitors echo the same theme:
this is where they meet the decision-
makers who can act on the spot,
turning a casual conversation into a
business deal. Delegates often leave
saying that the most valuable ideas
weren’t just the ones presented on
stage, but the ones they heard in a
hallway, at a table, or in a quiet
corner of a reception.
As delegate Debra Griffith of
Greensmere Golf & Country Club
reflected: “Many of us have made
friends from coast to coast and look
forward to spending time together
for 3 days each year. Thank you
NGCOA (Canada) for providing an
opportunity where I can learn how
to better my business, travel and
make new friends.”
NIGHTS TO REMEMBER
If the days of the conference are for
learning and discovery, the nights
are for pure celebration. Over the
years, the gala evenings and
receptions have produced some of
the most enduring memories in
conference history - nights filled
with elegance, entertainment, and
just the right touch of surprise.
Delegates have stepped into the
fairytale grandeur of Le Château
Frontenac, dining beneath glittering
chandeliers while cirque-style
performers dazzled both on the