The 48,000-sq.-ft. expansion to the Airport Rd. centre, which for the past 35 years has hosted many of Canada's largest and most popular events, will be completed next month. It's being built to accommodate both intimate gatherings and large corporate meetings.
International Centre officials say they expect the addition to boost attendance to 2.25 million people, a 12.5 per cent increase. Offering an expansive ballroom and reception lobby, the new facility's 15 multi-purpose rooms of varying sizes will meet the needs of nearly every client, officials say.
“The International Centre’s expansion is in response to a need for more versatile and stylish space combined with exceptional cuisine,” said International Centre CEO Michael Prescott. “The new conference centre will have a comfortable, yet modern feel complete with all the latest technology, raising the bar for meeting space and culinary excellence within our industry.”
Advanced technological capabilities including screens, projectors and extensive lighting options enable the centre to handle requirements for any event. There are 19 LCD screens as well as wi-fi and satellite capabilities throughout.
“The versatility of our space was very important to us. We wanted to keep it simple and elegant so that our events can create their own look and feel,” said Trevor Lui, the International Centre's director of food and beverage. “But just as important was the quality of our culinary services. We can create state-of-the-art restaurant-style cuisine that can be prepared for 25 or 2,500 guests, with each plate having as much colour, texture and flavour as you would experience in a high-end dining room.”
The new, 8,000-sq.-ft. kitchen offers the most advanced cooking, chilling and serving equipment on the market, officials say.
Since opening in 1972, the International Centre has grown to more than 10 times its original size.
jslack@mississauga.net
