Vancouver: Invictus Games Showcase Inclusive & Accessible Events!
A renowned destination for business events, HQ had already set foot on Canadian soil during the BestCities 2022 Global Forum, very much focused on sustainability and accessibility. The celebration of the Invictus Games, from 8 to 16 February 2025, provided the perfect backdrop to remind a select group of international associations and the media of the city's place on the global events scene. Destination Vancouver organised an ideal blend of urban energy, neuroscience excellence, and inclusivity. This fam trip showcased its top-tier conference venues, academic leadership at University of British Columbia (UBC), and the inspiring spirit of the Invictus Games, highlighting why the city is a prime destination for global events.
Jesús Parrado reports
The excitement about the Invictus Games was mounting long before we landed in Vancouver. At Amsterdam airport, groups of people wearing their teams’ jerseys filled the terminal, spreading their energy and enthusiasm through lively conversations. As my first visit to Canada, it was an unexpected but fitting introduction to an event built on resilience and community.
Once in Vancouver, that energy turned into electricity in the air. The city was in full preparation mode, welcoming delegations from all over the world and fine-tuning the last details to host one of the most anticipated international events of the year. Our first night took place at the Pan Pacific Vancouver, a waterfront hotel perfectly connected to the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC).
As we explored Vancouver’s venues, research institutions and cultural sites, the links between business, academia and sustainability became clear. From discussions with renowned academics from the UBC to surveying the city’s ability to host a seamless international sporting event, this experience has reinforced why the Canadian city remains a strong contender for the world’s most innovative conferences.
A Science and Research Hub
As a key player in Vancouver’s science and research ecosystem, we could not miss a visit to the UBC. A strategic partner in attracting international conferences, our group discovered much more than impressive facilities on this visit.
The culminating point was a meeting with Dr. Chris Honey (above), an eminent neurosurgeon from Vancouver General Hospital and Head of Neurosciences at UBC. For our group, which included medical association executives from various disciplines, this first-hand interaction with one of Vancouver’s prestigious ambassadors was a precious opportunity to understand how academic expertise and engagement has been directly influencing the selection of meeting destinations.
During our visit, Dr Honey gifted our group with copies of his book, the Tenth Nerve, which brings the complexity of neurosurgery to life through real-life cases that challenge the limits of modern medicine. As we explored UBC’s robotic-assisted stroke recovery labs, the connection between cutting-edge research and conference appeal quickly became evident. For international medical and scientific associations, access to local pioneers like Dr Honey adds value.
Axes like UBC’s research hubs thrive alongside venues like the VCC, allowing the city to balance large-scale event capabilities with convenient access and environmental responsibility. As Claire Foster, Senior Business Development Manager at the VCC, mentioned, the venue was designed for impact and sustainability. The six-acre living roof, seawater heating system and zero-waste policies are more than symbolic gestures.
VCC’s waterfront setting, with stunning views and 466,500 square feet of flexible event space, makes it an attractive and logistically adaptable venue. By embedding environmental responsibility into its operations, Vancouver ensures that organisations looking for ESGaligned conference destinations find a reliable partner to offer responsible, carbon-neutral events.
Blending Business and Culture
The impact of a destination extends beyond the conference rooms, shaping how participants connect with its geographical space. Vancouver perfectly integrates local culture and the raw nature of British Columbia to create lasting memories and meaningful experiences for the participants of any event.
A visit to Granville Island revealed a different side of Vancouver’s event potential. The island’s public market, artisan workshops, and waterfront venues offer planners an authentic environment that is perfectly connected to the surrounding space. Over a lunchtime discussion, our group reflected on how Vancouver’s mix of cultural spaces, waterfront dining, and local artisan markets could enhance delegate engagement and create more immersive event experiences.
The trip also underscored Vancouver’s leadership in accessible and inclusive experiences, directly connecting to the Invictus Games’ spirit. At Grouse Mountain, our group met representatives from Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports, an organisation dedicated to making winter sports accessible to all. Seeing adaptive skiing in action gave the group a firsthand understanding of the transformative power of inclusive sports, reinforcing the conceptual impact of events like the Invictus Games.
Through these experiences, the city demonstrated that its infrastructure and its ability to imagine events go beyond the formal agenda, encouraging delegates to deepen their relationship with partners, venues and local values.
A Live Demonstration of Vancouver’s Inclusive Event Strategy
The Opening Ceremony at BC Place Stadium was a powerful showcase of the city’s ability to host high-profile international events with purpose. The ceremony featured a speech from Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games, emphasising the event’s mission to empower wounded, injured, and sick service personnel through sport. He highlighted the participants’ resilience, determination, and camaraderie, reinforcing the Games’ focus on abilities rather than limitations. His words served as a powerful reminder of how competition and community can help veterans rebuild confidence, redefine their capabilities, and inspire audiences worldwide.
The emphasis on adaptive sport, mental health awareness and community building reflects a shift in the industry towards more inclusive event design. With the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada, the first international multi-sport event to fully integrate local First Nations hosts, Vancouver is positioning itself at the forefront of accessibility and cultural representation in event planning.
The following day, we watched a wheelchair basketball match between Ukraine's Unconquered Team and teams from the UK and Colombia. The game demonstrated skill and competitive spirit, reinforcing that accessibility in sports and events should be about removing barriers for everyone.
On my last day in Vancouver, I had the opportunity to get to know the city at my own pace, with the Destination Vancouver Experience Pass in hand. At FlyOver Canada, I was immersed in a flight simulation that showed off the country’s vast landscapes. A walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offered a different perspective, where the dense rainforest at high altitude towered over the landscape and urban lifestyle of the Canadian city. The Vancouver Art Gallery added another cultural layer to the city’s diverse narrative and identity, featuring works that showcased Canada’s indigenous and contemporary artists. The Experience Pass invites delegates to enjoy this beautiful destination beyond the conference room, ensuring a deeper insight into the destination and the surrounding ecosystems in which they participate.
For conference planners, the Games served as a real-time case study of how event infrastructure, inclusivity and social impact can work together.
Published by Meeting Media Group, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.
