One of Canada’s largest convention centers can be found on Canada Place, along with the Pan Pacific Hotel and a terminal for cruise ships. The Vancouver Convention Center (VCC) opened in 1986 and following a 2009 expansion has 466,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, 20 meeting rooms and a ballroom. Of this space, 91,000 square feet is column free and dividable. The East Building proper is part of Canada Place, the West Building is adjacent and surrounded by bikeways, plazas and all manner of public places, including retail space along the waterfront promenade.
In 2010 VCC was the main press centre and international broadcast center for the Winter Olympics. Other notable events include TED conferences, SIGGRAPH: The international conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques, and Expo 86, where the facility served as the Canada Pavilion during the World’s Fair in 1986. In keeping with Vancouver’s place as “Hollywood North,” over 60 movies and television shows have filmed there.
The VCC is proud of its green tradition with LEED Platinum certification. Its sustainability measures include seawater heating and cooling, on-site water treatment, and a fish habitat. The venue also boasts a six acre living roof, the largest in Canada, and the largest non-industrial living roof in North America. Reflecting the environment of coastal British Columbia, the grassy roof supports 400,000 native plants and bee colonies with a population of nearly a quarter million. At the waterfront, the restored shoreline ecology supports a salmon migration path. One of Canada’s largest, Vancouver Convention Center is a veritable green marvel.
EAT
Done with your convention day and you want to eat, but not go far? LOT185 Café + Wine Bar (1055 Canada Pl #78) is in the West building by Jack Poole Plaza. Café with fresh-roasted coffeed and baked pastries by day and by night a wine bar with tapas-style small plates. Local sourced ingredients and multicultural menu brings out Vancouver’s best.
If you want something a little more robust, but still close, CHOP Steakhouse & Bar – Coal Harbour (1055 Canada Pl #26) is just steps away. This elegant steak and seafood restaurant overlooks the harbor and mountains, combining refined flavors with a memorable atmosphere. From the Avocado Super Bowl to the Butcher’s Board, there’s plenty to choose from at Vancouver’s Coal Harbour.
SLEEP
For sleeping, you won’t have to go far to get to the convention if you’re staying at the Fairmont Waterfront (900 Canada Place). Directly connected to the center, with floor to ceiling views of the harbor and mountains, pet friendly luxurious suites, and an all-year-round heated pool will take the edge off any busy convention day.
Pan Pacific Vancouver (999 Canada Pl #300) sits at Canada Place, with full service spa (get a mud bath!), babysitting, and a ski shuttle. A heated rooftop pool, electric vehicle charging station, and a bar/lounge will take you away from the hubbub of any visit.
PLAY
For fun, right outside the center is Jack Poole Plaza (right next to the Vancouver Convention Centre at 1500 Canada Place), a waterfront plaza where you can walk the seawall, take in harbor views, and maybe see an outdoor concert. During the winter holidays there’s even the Vancouver Christmas Market, and all year round see the Olympic Cauldron, which burned during the 2010 Winter Games.
Photo by Arkitek Creative, courtesy of the Vancouver Convention Centre
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 40. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jan_feb_mar_2026/40.
