ASBC Annual Meeting 2001
June 23 - 27
Victoria Conference Center
Victoria, British Columbia
Guest
Program Activities
| Dear ASBC
Friends and Colleagues,
I know you'll enjoy this
year's Annual Meeting in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia,
the "City of Gardens." This intimate yet
sophisticated seaside city is the premiere tourist spot in the
Pacific Northwest. Victoria is situated on the southern tip of
Vancouver Island and sparkles in one of Canada's mildest
climates. This area is the sunniest spot in the province and
the gentlest in the country in terms of climate, environment,
and lifestyle. Victoria's unique character is deeply rooted in
its 150-year history—a history full of colorful people and
fascinating tales. The city's British colonial heritage is
still very much in evidence, but contemporary Victoria has a
distinctly Pacific Northwest flavor. Today, Victoria is best
known as the capital city of British Columbia and as a
world-renowned tourism destination. One of the most
visitor-friendly cities anywhere, Victoria is also one of
Canada's favorite places to call home. Greater Victoria and
its outlying areas now have a population of 300,000, and the
one-time colonial outpost is alive with cosmopolitan dining,
superb shopping, a colorful nightlife and a full complement of
cultural offerings.
This year's guest program is
comprised of tours of some of Victoria's most beautiful and
famous locations. Participants will learn about Victoria's
past and present while enjoying some of the most beautiful
settings in the world.
Each event is discussed
below. I hope you will join us in Victoria this June. It is a
special place, and this promises to be a memorable meeting.
Sincerely,
Louise McCaig |
Sunday, June 24
Introduction to Victoria 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
When you register for the meeting,
be sure to get a copy of the on-site Guest Program which will
provide additional information regarding guest activities.
Afterwards, gather in the Guest Hospitality Room where a
representative from the beautiful city of Victoria will welcome you
and share information about the variety of activities available to
you in and around the city.
Sunday, June 24
Welcome Reception 6:30 pm – 9:00
pm
Royal British Columbia Museum
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, June
25-27
Guest Breakfast 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Guest program registrants will be
provided a continental breakfast before the tours depart.
Guest Hospitality Room 9:30 am –
5:00 pm
Guests not wishing to participate
in the tours may gather in a hospitality room set aside especially
for them.
Guest Program Tours
All buses will board and return at
the Douglas Street entrance to the Victoria Conference Centre.
Monday, June 25
Butchart Gardens followed by Tea
at The Fairmont Empress Hotel
Buses begin boarding at 9:30 am,
depart precisely at 9:45 am and return at 1:45 pm for 2 pm Afternoon
Tea at The Empress.
Guests will travel to Butchart
Gardens following a scenic waterfront route that includes Beacon
Hill Park, Mile O (the beginning of the TransCanada Highway), Marine
Drive, exclusive residential properties and the University of
Victoria. The bus will stop at the Mount Tolmie lookout before
traveling through the back roads of pastoral Saanich Peninsula and
arriving at Butchart Gardens.
Once at Butchart Gardens, visitors
will be amazed by the beautiful flowers that make up this
world-renowned marvel. From the exquisite Sunken Garden, once a
limestone quarry, to the charming Rose, Japanese and Italian
gardens, this 50-acre showplace has established an international
reputation for the continuous display of flowering plants. Each year
over 1,000,000 bedding plants in some 700 varieties are used to
ensure uninterrupted bloom from March through October.
Visitors will return to The
Fairmont Empress Hotel by traveling through pastoral areas of the
Saanich Peninsula. Learn about agro tourism, kiwi fruit production,
vineyards of Vancouver Island, ostrich and fallow deer raising and
First Nation's People.
Upon arriving at The Fairmont
Empress, visitors will be treated to Afternoon Tea (at 2 pm) in the
Tea Lobby of The Fairmont Empress Hotel, a famous tradition since
1908. The hushed elegance of this exquisite room is perfect for fine
conversation, while overlooking Victoria's inner harbor. As guests
sip their cups of Empress blend tea (china black, Ceylon and
Darjeeling), they will be served fresh seasonal berries, tea
sandwiches, plump scones, and light pastries. Despite the exquisite
tea flavor, the most important ingredient of Afternoon Tea is
conversation – afternoon tea is a very social time.
Because many consider Afternoon Tea
a full meal, the tour of Butchart Gardens will not include lunch.
Tuesday, June 26
Eclectic blend of Victoria
Favorites
Buses begin boarding at 9:30 am,
depart precisely at 9:45 am and return at 3:30 pm
Visitors will begin the day by
traveling to the Craigdarroch Castle, home of one of the wealthiest
families in western Canada circa 1900. Set in the historic Rockland
neighborhood, Craigdarroch Castle was built in 1887-90 as a lavish
residence for Robert Dunsmuir and his family. Dunsmuir, a coal
baron, died before Craigdarroch was completed, but his widow, Joan,
and three of their ten children moved in. The mansion features the
best collection of residential stained and leaded glass on the West
Coast, magnificent woodwork, and period furnishings. Enjoy
spectacular views over the city from the fifth floor tower.
Following the castle visit,
visitors will be treated to a scenic backroad tour on their way to
the Raven Hill Herb Farm where they will enjoy a tour and lunch. The
Raven Hill Herb Farm is an internationally renowned working garden
featuring fragrant herbs artistically and formally combined with
flowers and vegetables. Delight in the splendor of this pastoral
setting overlooking the beautiful Saanich Inlet while enjoying a
delicious herbal luncheon.
On the return to Victoria, guests
will stop at the Old Growth Rain Forest, one of Victoria's most
beautiful natural locations. Here you will experience the old growth
forest as its easy walking trail draws you into the beauty of the
wilderness park.
Please note, the walking portions
of Tuesday's events take place on clean and flat trails.
Wednesday, June 27
Optional Tours
Victoria offers so much to see that
we are providing you the opportunity to select one of the following
exciting options that best meets your interests.
Optional Tour fees are in addition
to the Guest Program fees. Please indicate which option you would
like on the registration form.
Oak Bay Tour, Lunch, and
Shopping
Buses begin boarding at 9:30 am,
depart precisely at 9:45 am and return at 2:00 pm
This event consists of a scenic
tour from your hotel to Victoria's "little bit of Old
England," Oak Bay. Stop for lunch in the heart of Oak Bay with
its spectacular scenic views, beautiful gardens and quaint old
English charm. Close your excursion with a visit to Oak Bay's unique
shopping spots… something for everyone.
Marine and Whale Watching Tour
Meet in the Guest Hospitality Room
at 1:15 pm
Your hostess will walk you to the departure point.
Southern Vancouver Island is home
to approximately 90 resident killer whales. The salmon populations
pass through this area on their way to their spawning grounds from
April to September. The whales spend much of their time around
Victoria and San Juan Island feeding on the abundance of salmon.
Other wildlife frequently seen on the tours include minke whales,
dall's porpoise, harbour porpoise, eagles, sea lions and various
seabirds. Learn about the local history of this area while enjoying
a smooth and stable ride onboard a twin-hull vessel equipped with
inside and outside seating, spacious observation decks and a full
onboard washroom. Lunch is on own.
Chemainus, "the little town
that did," and Lunch at a Country Cafe
Buses begin boarding at 9:30 am,
depart precisely at 9:45 am and return at 3:30 pm
Chemainus is one of the oldest
European settlements on Vancouver Island. Chemainus Valley has been
home to farmers since the 1850s. Today, Chemainus has more than 34
colorful murals depicting the early settlement and industry of the
area. A different mural can be seen around every corner, vividly
illustrating, in larger than life characters, those who pioneered
the valley. In addition to the world-famous murals, this quaint
coastal community has a wonderful collection of interesting shops
and galleries featuring everything from a modern sawmill to local
crafts, renowned art and antiques.
© Copyright
2001 by the American
Society of Brewing Chemists. All rights reserved. |
