About Victoria, British Columbia
Voted one of the most popular destinations in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine, a top city in the Americas and the best temperate island by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, Victoria offers the perfect destination for the 28th International Biometric Conference (IBC 2016).
Victoria boasts some of the country’s most exhilarating scenery: there’s an ocean and mountain vista around every corner. Heritage architecture, colourful gardens and traditions such as afternoon tea mix with soft adventure such as fishing, hiking, cycling and golf. There are culinary experiences such as gourmet farm and wine tours, microbreweries, world class dining and arts and culture. As an island destination, Victoria offers visitors an escape from the hurried world and beams with ambience.
Victoria has received many accolades including:
- #1 Destination to Visit in Canada
- Best Island in North America
- 2nd only to San Francisco for number of restaurants per capita
- 2nd Best Destination for Culture and Sightseeing in Canada
- One of the Most Walkable Cities in Canada
- Canada’s Smartest City
Very close to the Victoria Conference Centre (VCC), where the IBC2016 is being held, you’ll find an abundance of eco-adventures such as whale watching and guided sea-kayak trips, harbor cruises and seaplane tours. Victoria is known as “The City of Gardens” with its annual flower counts of over 2 billion. The gardens are word famous including Butchart Gardens with its breathtaking 55-acres of spectacular floral displays.
Victoria was voted one of the most walkable cities with museums and unique shops just steps away from the VCC. Most attractions are located within walking distance, including the world renowned Royal British Columbia Museum, which preserves and shares the stories of British Columbia through its remarkable collections and exhibitions.
The Victoria Convention Center
Sophisticated. Welcoming. Inspiring. Located in the heart of Victoria’s scenic Inner Harbour and adjoining the world renowned Fairmont Empress Hotel, the VCC is the perfect setting for conferences and events of all sizes. Our unique, intimate venue combines the best of traditional West Coast culture with modern elegance. Honouring our rich history and reflecting our natural environment, stunning works of First Nations art are showcased in an open glass atrium with lush foliage. Steps away you can enjoy the serenity of the garden courtyard within sight of the historic Crystal Garden.
The VCC offers 73,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, which can accommodate a wide range of conference programs, large corporate and incentive events and trade shows with ease. Twenty multi-purpose meeting rooms, a flexible, spacious exhibit hall and a 400-seat lecture theatre provide space combinations that are both comfortable and functional. Delegates with vehicles can take advantage of on-site underground parking.
Dining Options
Victoria has an extraordinary assortment of cuisine – from elegant fine dining to casual bistros, waterfront pubs and killer cocktail lounges. Victoria chefs are blessed with an abundance of local fare including outstanding locally made wines, ciders, beers and spirits.
Surrounded by coastal waters and the rich farming regions of the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley, Victoria’s gourmet chefs are blessed with an abundance of local produce right in their own backyards. In Victoria, you can meet the chefs, meet the farmers and visit the farms.
Using the freshest local ingredients that reflect the West Coast, a number of restaurants, public markets and food festivals have put Victoria on the culinary map.
For a full list of restaurants, reviews and prices, we invite you to reference Victoria’s official vacation guide. Download your full guide here. You can also download the Victoria Official 2014 Vacation Guide app from iTunes here. The app converts the print magazine into an interactive, user-friendly experience.
