If you’re looking for a fresh spot for your next corporate retreat or business gathering, check out Prince Edward County (PEC). This charming Ontario island is just a quick drive from Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston, and Montreal, making it perfect for company conferences, meetings, events, or team-building activities.
It’s also a handy escape for professionals from different cities who want to meet halfway. The County is great for longer visits too, offering countless indoor and outdoor activities throughout the year.
“In a world of virtual calls and back-to-back meetings, employee engagement and connection is becoming increasingly important,” says Alex Portman, owner of The Eddie Hotel & Farm, located on 78 acres just north of West Lake. He’s also president of Stay PEC, a tourism marketing group for the area.
“Prince Edward County is ideal for small to medium-sized corporate groups looking to combine in-person work time with unique and engaging social activities that bolster in-person connection,” he adds. “From brainstorming new ideas for work to breaking bread with a local wine-maker to a group e-bike tour on the Millennium Trail, the County has so much to offer to get your team to connect and collaborate off screen.”
Tour together by bike or vehicle (photo: Bike The County)
Why choose PEC as your next destination for business and leisure?
Surrounded by Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Bay of Quinte, PEC’s 800 km of shoreline features three large beaches including the famous Sandbanks Beach. It also has three renowned national parks along with three lively towns – Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington.
This makes PEC a popular summer getaway for both business travelers and vacationers. The award-winning hospitality destination has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards (Top Hotels in Eastern Canada), Michelin Guide’s selections for Ontario’s boutique stays, Travel + Leisure’s Best New Hotels list, and Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.
PEC boasts over 900 accommodation choices – including boutique hotels, luxury options, B& Bs, inns, cottages as well as home rentals ranging from one- to eight-bedrooms at various price points – plus more than 25 restaurants run by some of Canada’s top chefs alongside over 40 wineries, cideries, breweries distilleries cocktail bars. There are also many cafes coffee shops boutiques antique shops art galleries bookstores selling locally-produced artisan goods.
Enjoy inspired time together (photo: Parsons Brewing Company)
A growing four-season destination
PEC has seen an increase in visitors during the off-season recently says Sonia Houle owner of Clarke Road Retreat an eight-bedroom rental near downtown Picton. Spring and fall bring fewer crowds making it easier to grab restaurant reservations or enjoy cider on a cool afternoon.
“During this shoulder season there’s also higher availability with lower night-minimums,” adds Houle.
“For corporates team-building activities like oyster shucking knife sharpening flower arranging cheese wine tasting are popular during the off-season,” she explains. “Restaurants shops museums art galleries now stay open all year round even in winter. We have the Millennium Trail-a 46-km former railway line winding through various towns that is very popular for hiking biking any time of year.”
An exciting addition this four-season draw is Wander the Spa-Ontario’s first-ever lakefront Nordic spa featuring a 10 thousand square foot hydrotherapy circuit complete with saunas steam rooms pools cold plunges along with restaurant serving seasonally-inspired menus.
Balancing Business with Well-Being (photo: Wander The Spa)
The year-round calendar packed full of local events festivals concerts includes things like Prince Edward County Jazz Festival Countylicious Maple in the County Adaptation Film Festival other happenings too guided winery tours paired with tastings food pairings available all year long.
‘PEC is really starting to bubble up’
P. E. C provides tranquil refuge those wanting escape daily life enjoy laid-back days surrounded nature’s calmness. Houle mentions how while most small towns typically offer only one or two standout attractions P. E. C offers multiple options providing conveniences world-class hospitality akin big cities still preserving its beloved small-town charm.
“Many operators here including The CAPE team have backgrounds in corporate events ensuring polished professional atmosphere while embracing charm warmth characterizes our community” explains Jake Curl GM at CAPE-a historic estate transformed into event venue featuring modern amenities.
