Love a good makeover? Then you’re in luck, because this year’s awards banquet is getting one—well, not the banquet itself, but rather the venue, which was recently rebranded from the Delta Chelsea to the Eaton Chelsea, under the ownership of luxury hotelier Langham Hospitality Group. It’s also the first Langham property to open in Canada.
Completed in June 2013, the $92-million renovation project includes a new “vertical garden” in the lobby, a “plug ‘n’ play” coffee kiosk in the (also renovated) Market Garden Restaurant, and, most notably for EAC conference attendees, an additional 30,000 square feet added to the ballroom and event space. Other upgrades include new carpeting, lighting, wall and window coverings, and furniture—and EAC conference attendees will be among the first groups to enjoy this fresh twist on an already historic venue.
The Eaton Chelsea also promises interconnectivity for those with their noses glued to their smartphones. Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel means there’s no reason not to tweet the winners and Instagram your dinner (just don’t forget to add the #EAC2014 hashtag).
And the best part? Conference attendees can walk to the Eaton Chelsea from the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute in about 10 minutes, or cab it in four. It’s also conveniently located close to Toronto’s public transit system (TTC), at Yonge and College, for those who may need to venture farther away. The banquet will be held on Saturday, June 7, in the historic hotel’s Scott and Rossetti rooms, and is a great chance to solidify relationships with colleagues old and new, share what we’ve learned, and cheer the award winners. It’s also a chance to dress up (or not) for a relaxing and festive event that promises to be entertaining and informative. The pre-dinner reception starts at 7 PM, with the feast at 7:30.