Join us in Vancouver for the CPS-ECP Annual Conference October 25-30th

Apr 26, 2016

The Vancouver 2016 National Conference for Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons begins Tuesday October 25 until Sunday October 30, 2016 at the spectacular Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.

Conference Location and Lodging
The Sheraton Wall Centre offers dynamic hospitality. There are 733 guest rooms each boasting unbelievable views of the city, surrounding mountains or the breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean. Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, 1088 Burrard, Vancouver, B.C. 1 800 325-3535
CPS-ECP Sheraton guests will find themselves in the heart of Vancouver surrounded by boutiques of Robson Street, steps from trendy Yaletown, Granville Island, picturesque English Bay and False Creek. Vancouver is truly one of the most picturesque, beautiful and cosmopolitan cities in the world. Popular off site attractions include the Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, Science World, Center for Performing Arts, Queens Elizabeth Theatre, the exciting incredible Fly Over Canada, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Capilano Canyon or a gondola ride up Grouse Mountain.

Preliminary Agenda
Thursday – Board of Directors Orientation in the morning and meetings in the afternoon. Newcomers reception at 4:30 p.m.
Friday – Squadron Commanders, DCs and Educational Department meetings and informational seminars. Friday evening theme dinner and costume contest as “Explorers of the West Coast”. We hope to engage everyone in fun and frivolity for the evening with reliving the past history of the many fine name sakes, legends, pirates, privateers and salty sea dogs. A list of “explorer” names will be provided to chose your favorite character to portray.
Saturday – The Annual General Meeting in the morning and Chief’s Gala dinner and dance Saturday evening.

Tours
Looking forward to the upcoming CPS-ECP conference in beautiful Vancouver this October there are five exciting tours available to show off the beauty and diversity the city has to offer. There’s so much to see in Vancouver and the surrounding area that the organizing committee has had to work hard to offer a very broad sampling of the city’s best. There is something here to offer for everyone and it is truly hoped that every guest has the opportunity to experience at least one of these tours.

Wednesday October 26th – 1:30 pm departure – False Creek mini-cruise/Granville Island walk
This tour begins with a 30 minute boat tour around False Creek. It will offer many varied sights of one of Vancouver’s unique waterfront communities. Following the mini-cruise participants will disembark on picturesque Granville Island with a guided tour including the well-known Granville Island Public Market and other points of interest. Those wishing will have the option to linger after the tour and continue their explorations of the attractions or continue on a short distance to visit the Vancouver Maritime museum, museum of Vancouver or the Planetarium. The tour departs the Sheraton Wall Centre at 1:30 pm and will require a walk of several blocks to the ferry departure terminal. Cost is $20.00 (Maximum tour size – 15 passengers).

Wednesday October 26th– 5:30 pm departure – Lights of Vancouver tour with dinner
This is our only evening tour for the conference. Passengers will be treated to beautiful views of Vancouver’s spectacular waterfront skyline, and other postcard sights aglow with the lights of an October evening. Tour will be on a mini-coach with limited seating and followed with dinner in the sky overlooking the city after dark. Dinner is at a top-class revolving restaurant and tour guests will be allotted a $50.00 credit as part of the tour. Cost is $80.00 (Maximum tour size – 24 passengers).

Thursday October 27th – 1:30 pm departure – Forbidden Vancouver’s Prohibition City Tour
“In 1917 prohibition hit Vancouver harder than a slug of bathtub gin…” so the opening line of this tour description begins. Forbidden Vancouver will take you back to the mean streets of the city in the early part of the 20th century. You’ll see the where the speakeasies and illegal drinking dens once operated and hear the stories of crooked cops, mobsters, rum runners and die-hard prohibitionists. If you’re a bit of an armchair sleuth, history buff or just want to try something a little different, you’re going to enjoy this one. Of note, this is a walking tour and lasts about two hours. It will leave from the Sheraton Wall Centre hotel. Cost is $25.00 (Maximum tour size – 20 persons).

Friday October 28th – 1:00 pm departure – Three hour Vancouver Scenic Highlights Coach Tour
This tour will be with a mini-coach for great viewing and a more personalized experience. It will take in many of the scenic highlights that the city of Vancouver is renowned for. You will see the place where the city began in old Gastown, named after Gassy Jack Deighton, and continue on through world famous Stanley Park with its amazing display of totem poles. You’ll cruise through Chinatown, one of the biggest in North America; have a look at the beautiful Canada Place convention centre and 2010 Olympic cauldron and more. There will be several stops along the way with plenty of opportunity for photos. This tour will depart directly from the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel at 1:00 pm. Cost is $30.00 (Maximum tour size – 28 passengers).

Saturday October 29th – 2:00 pm departure – Three Hour Vancouver Harbour Cruise
The final tour of the conference on Saturday will take participants on a relaxing three hour afternoon cruise through Vancouver harbour. The city is set in a spectacular location at the foot of the Coastal north shore Mountains. Vancouver has a dynamic harbour with something to see everywhere you turn. If it’s not the large container port or cruise ship terminals, you will see boats of every size coming and going amongst the steady stream of sea planes based a stone’s throw from your departure point. Keep your eyes on the water and you are sure to spot a variety of marine life. Along with a large assortment of sea birds, expect to spot seals, maybe an otter or two and on rare occasion, the harbour has been visited by cetations. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. (Maximum tour size – 80 passengers).

Click here for conference and tour registration.