Welcome to Winnipeg

Delegates at the 2007 National Convention in Winnipeg will have lots to see and do between May 9 and 11. On the one hand there are conference sessions with speakers, such as American ambassador David Wilkins and Leonard Asper, president and CEO of CanWest Global Communications. On the other hand there are many opportunities to meet with your peers and schmooze at social events running every night, or during the Better Newspapers Competition gala awards dinner on Friday night.

But if you have some free time, Winnipeg has a lot to offer, providing a rich array of music, arts, and culture for just about anyone.

One of the most popular areas of town is the Forks (www.theforks.com), a riverside public area located in the heart of the city, and featuring shops, dining, entertainment, and an IMAX theatre. The site is also a historic point of interest that focuses on the areaÔÇÖs 6000-year-old history.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Assiniboine Park is a leafy retreat from the city covering 1100 acres and featuring the Winnipeg Zoo. The park also includes a number of bike trails, picnic areas, and landmarks.

If music or live events are your passion, Winnipeg is a great city to catch a show whether you head to a large venue or local bar. Some of the main venues include the Burton Cummings Theatre, Rumors Comedy Club, and Cowboys Roadhouse.

Should you take the time to visit the Legislative Building, youÔÇÖll be treated to WinnipegÔÇÖs most prominent symbol, the Golden Boy, a 17.2 -foot gilded statue sculpted by Charles Gardet of Paris in 1918. The statue is seen as a symbol of the spirit of enterprise and eternal youth, and faces to the north, where the province sees its future among natural resources.

If throwing dice, playing roulette, and slot machines are more your style, Winnipeg has two casinos: the McPhillips Street Station Casino, and the Club Regent Casino. Delegates will have a chance to visit the Club Regent Casino on Wednesday night during the planned social event with the CNA, which will feature entertainment by the Winnipeg Ballet School and illusionist Brian Glow.

For more ideas on how to spend your time in Winnipeg, visit the Destination Winnipeg web site at www.destinationwinnipeg.ca.