Last night was a triumph!  Fifty celebrities from the world of travel media and the travel industry descended on (and ascended up) The Gherkin to be entertained by Atlantic Canada.  

We’ve only been working with Atlantic Canada for six months but, already in that time, we’ve hosted two other events; a media reception at World Travel Market, and the Christmas TravMedia evening.  Both of these went really well, with a fantastic turnout, but that didn’t stop the butterflies circulating as we waited for our guests to turn up.  It’s always the same with events.  However many you organise in a year, the adrenaline never fails to make an appearance. 

Of course, we needn’t have worried.  The limosines all turned up as we planned and all the guests remembered their ID and made it through security!  By 7pm, they were all safely esconced in the domed, glass bar of The Gherkin, staring out at the lights of London with one of the best views in the Capital, and sipping a Blueberry Mimosa (a mix of blueberry juice and sparking wine from Nova Scotia), or a ‘Bay of Funtini’ (vodka, blue curacao, cranberry juice, with a slice of lemon to represent the sun over the Bay of Fundy).  Do you see what we did there?

Aside from the spectacular view, the reason you go to the 40/30 restaurant at The Gherkin is for the fabulous food.  Atlantic Canada has some of the best seafood in the world so, of course, that’s what we served;  delicious jumbo seared Canadian scallop in a tasty sauce with celeriac and samphire.  And for the main dish, well, lobster of course.  You can’t celebrate Atlantic Canada without lobster.

And after all this healthy fare, we thought it only right we ended with a mouthwatering blueberry muffin. 

It was a great evening.  There’s something so invigorating about being perched at the top of London looking out across the City.  The guests all seemed to enjoy themselves, and we had a lot of interest from the media for story ideas and trips out to the four provinces which make up the region.  It was lovely to see our friends from New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Price Edward Island again too. 

Thanks to everyone who came along.  Enjoy the pictures and we look forward to welcoming you to Atlantic Canada soon.

“Only February and the best press thrash of the year already…a hard act to follow!”–  Paul Wade and Kathy Arnold

“it was just wonderful, from start to finish!” – Jini Reddy

“Thank you all so much for a wonderful evening;  for superb hospitality, generosity, food, apple cocktails (!) and company.” – Mary Loudon

“Thanks so much for such an amazing evening up the Gherkin! My mind’s eye’s still savouring all the views and tastes!” – Adrian Gillan

“I had a wonderful evening and thoroughly enjoyed a taste of Atlantic Canada!” – Sarah Foden

“Now I really can’t wait to visit!”  – Gillian Thornton

“Great to learn more about this region of Canada, too – although it means the list of places I’d like to visit has grown even longer!” – Becky Ward

“The views were fantastic, the food was delicious and the company was great.” – Jacqueline Branch  

“A big THANK YOU!! for a truly splendid evening! It was such an amazing venue, and really great food” – Louise Roddon