Tourism Whistler has launched a series of virtual tours of the new Whistler Conference Centre at, the site for conference and meeting planners.

The Whistler Conference Centre, the British Columbia, Canada resort's largest meeting facility, is currently under renovation and slated to re-open in October 2003.

The virtual tours illustrate the exciting new features of what will be a signature Whistler building, designed to reflect the region's spectacular mountain environment.

Part of the recently launched Web site whistlermeetings.com, the tours provide an easy-access electronic format to view detailed features such as the new raised reflective roof, the grand sky-lit gable entranceway and unique finishes such as exposed glulam wood beams and decking framed with native flora and boulders.

"Our primary goal with the Whistler meetings site is to provide meeting and conference planners with information and the necessary tools to plan their Whistler meeting with ease," said Lynda Gilroy, Director, Meetings and Incentive Experience, Tourism Whistler.

"Now, with the Conference Centre closed for renovations, the new virtual tours will also help planners visualize the upgraded facility."

The renovated Whistler Conference Centre will feature a larger ballroom, expanded pre-function area, and additional meeting rooms, as well as updated telecommunications, and a business centre.

The 65,000-square-foot facility will include more than 40,000 square feet of total meeting space for up to 2,000 delegates, and have the capacity to accommodate up to five simultaneous meetings. Resort-wide, Whistler will have the capacity to host group room blocks of up to 3,000 in more than 120,000 square feet of meeting space in multiple venues.

Located in the Coast Mountains 75 miles north of Vancouver, Whistler features a natural mountain setting that serves as a spectacular meeting backdrop and a playground for an array of year-round outdoor activities.

Whistler has 5,200 rooms, 92 restaurants and bars, several resort spas, and a wide range of boutiques and galleries. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is also home to a diverse community of 10,000 permanent residents.