University Of British Columbia In Vancouver | Unique Venues
University of British Columbia – Vancouver

University of British Columbia – Vancouver

Unique Venue Features

  • Winner: Large-Market Venue
  • Best of Awards - Unique Venues

Event Types Welcomed

  • Adult Social Events
  • Corporate Social Events
  • Expo/Competitions
  • Family Reunions
  • Leisure Travel
  • Professional Meeting / Training / Conference / Retreats
  • Wedding Ceremonies
  • Wedding Receptions
  • Youth Retreat/Camps

About

arSurrounded by breathtaking views and remarkable scenery, the University of British Columbia (UBC) lies on the beautiful West Side of Vancouver. UBC is Canada’s largest university conference facility with its picturesque campus providing 85,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space with attractions, recreation, shopping, and restaurants on-site making it a convenient locale for your event. UBC offers affordable accommodations with the capacity of hosting groups up to 4,000 people. Vancouver is well known for its beautiful landscape and makes it a perfect backdrop for any wedding, corporate, social and private event.

UBC offers a wide-range of facilities from extraordinary venues, extensive conference venues, diverse meeting and workshop spaces, to comfortable and convenient accommodation. Our venues provide unforgettable lighting and ambiance in a beautiful setting and is ideal for weddings, presentations, conferences and other social events. With over 200 unique venues and facilities to host up to 2,500 attendees year-round, you are certain to find a venue to meet your event requirements.

From our year-round hotels; West Coast Suites and Gage Suites, to the additional 4,000 rooms available seasonally from May-August, UBC offers cost effective accommodation to meet the needs of any event. UBC offers a variety of room types including contemporary suites, studios and affordable rooms.

Planners that require classrooms and other meeting spaces for their corporate or social events will find that UBC boasts some of the finest spaces in the area including Woodward, which contains six large lecture theaters than can comfortably accommodate anywhere from 108 to 503 people. Groups can similarly find smaller classroom setups at the Earth Sciences Building (ESB), Ponderosa Commons, Allard Hall, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, or Residence Meeting Rooms.

Take advantage of expert planning and support services for a seamless event from start to finish. Our conference planning, coordination and onsite services will put your mind at ease and make your event at UBC a great success.

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Meeting & Event Spaces

  • Max Capacity: 2500 guests
  • Largest Classroom Style: 1000
  • Largest Theatre Style: 5000
  • Largest Auditorium Seating: 1200
  • Largest Arena Seating: 5000
  • Academic Year Largest Group: yes
Chan Centre Concert Hall
Versatile and architectually stunning theatre. Ideal for plenary sessions or lectures for up to 1200 people. Additonal space for breakout sessions in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts are the 160-seat Royal Bank Cinema and the 250-seat Telus Studio Theatre.
Museum of Anthropology
Host a memorable gathering at the Museum of Anthropology. Designed by award-winning architect Arthur Erickson, the museum offers spectacular views of the North Shore Mountains and the Georgia Strait. It’s home to beautiful First Nations artwork and fascinating cultural exhibitions with guided tours available. A truly unforgettable venue for hosting meetings, weddings, receptions, dinners, cultural performances, award ceremonies, workshops and salmon barbecues.
Sage
This airy European style brasserie is ideal for catered banquets and receptions. With the combined space in the main dining area and the outdoor terrace, it can accommodate up to 500 people for a cocktail reception. The restaurant’s main dining area and patio overlook the spectacular Strait of Georgia.
Cecil Green Park House
A popular choice for wedding receptions and picture-perfect social events, the Cecil Green Park House features historic architecture dating back to 1912. Works as an elegant meeting venue with a separate boardroom. Gorgeous landscaping and a breathtaking view of the ocean.
First Nations Longhouse
Majestic cedar log construction and a large collection of First Nations artworks make the First Nations Longhouse a wonderful event and conference venue. Book the 3,000-square-foot Great Hall year-round for meetings, receptions, cultural events and conferences.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
A one-of-a-kind meeting space and reception venue in one, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum has impressive indoor and outdoor event-hosting capabilities. Ideal for small conferences, intimate receptions and live music events. Your guests can stroll through over 22,000 square feet of exhibits and displays.
Allard Hall
Allard hall features meeting rooms with video-conferencing capabilities, large lecture halls equipped with the latest audio-visual technology and a design conducive to discussion and dialogue, lounge areas for more casual gatherings or receptions, and the Forum, which is a unique multi-purpose space prominently located on the main floor that features retractable stadium-style seating with floor to ceiling windows and LCD panels.
Earth Sciences Building
Organized into two wings, the building surrounds an open-concept atrium featuring a dramatic free-floating cantilevered solid timber staircase, a first of its kind in the world. The clean and elegant lines of the impressive timber stair appear to defy gravity while visually expressing the aesthetic and structural capabilities of modern engineered timber. Features: - Three classrooms with capacity from 80 to 350 - Fixed tablets and chairs
The Life Sciences Institute
The Life Sciences Institute is the largest centre of its kind in Canada. It’s home to leading research facilities that explore life science and personalized medicine. The building itself is the largest on UBC campus, with plenty of opportunity for hosting all kinds of gatherings. Features: - Ideal for social events and receptions - Main space holds up to 1,100 guests - Meeting rooms and lecture halls for up to 128 guests
Forest Sciences Centre
Designed to showcase construction using Canadian forest products, the Forest Sciences Centre is a 17,505-square-foot wonder with plenty of meeting space options. Features: - Conference rooms, lecture theatres and computer labs - Holds up to 250 guests - Audio-visual support available
Woodward
The Woodward Instructional Resources Centre features six large tiered lecture theatres with capacities ranging from 108 to 503. It also has several small seminar rooms which are perfectly suited for breakout sessions or speaker ready rooms. The 2,000 square-foot lobby area is regularly used for coffee breaks, exhibits, poster displays, and conference registration.
Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena
Host venue of the 2010 Olympic Games. The arena has 5,000 permanent seats and can house up to 7,500 people for concerts, sporting and special events.
War Memorial Gym
Accommodates up to 3300 delegates for plenary sessions. Ideal for tradeshow or poster sessions.
  • 15000 Sq. Ft.
  • 800 Banquet Style
  • 650 Classroom Style
  • 3000 Theatre Style
Student Recreation Centre
Located directly across from the Walter Gage Residence. Ideal for tradeshow, poster sessions or plenary.
  • 17713 Sq. Ft.
  • 1000 Banquet Style
  • 800 Classroom Style
  • 1500 Theatre Style
  • Floorplan Layout

Food & Beverage Options

Sage Catering
From weddings and private functions to conferences and events, Sage Catering provides fresh, West Coast cuisine that makes for a charming experience. Choose from one of our unique locations, from the historic Cecil Green House to the panoramic University Centre, designed by architecture legend Arthur Erickson, Sage Catering can adjust to the needs of your event.
  • Seating Capacity: 200
Mercante
At Mercante you’ll find authentic Cucina Italiana featuring made-to-order traditional Italian pizzas cooked in a fiery-hot stone hearth oven. You can also find a variety of fresh pasta and salad options here, along with breakfast served throughout the morning. The restaurant is located near many of UBC’s attractions, including the AHVA Gallery, the Pacific Museum of Earth and Wreck Beach.
The Point Bar & Grill
UBC's newest innovative upscale casual dining restaurant with exceptional cuisine, beautiful and stylish decor, and cheerful service in a relaxed lounge style environment located in the heart of Marine Drive Residence, the restaurant is equipped with HDTV's and full bar service featuring draft beer, bottled beer with both local and imported beer, coolers, wine and mixed drinks and cocktails. Chef Josh uses locally sourced foods, organic greens from the UBC Farm and Ocean Wise seafood. Group menus and BBQ available. 11:00am– 10:00pm (Sunday – Wednesday) 11:00am – 11:00pm (Thursday - Saturday)
  • Seating Capacity: 110
  • Menu

Accommodations

  • Total Number of Overnight Guests: 5000
  • Number of Overnight Rooms: 2,200
  • Wi-Fi in Guest Rooms: Yes
Overnight Room Attributes
  • 24-hour check-in
  • Air-conditioned rooms available
  • Linens Provided
  • Kitchen Available
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Shampoo
  • Soap

 

West Coast Suites
Available year round, the only all-suite hotel on the UBC Vancouver campus. Sofisticated, well-appointed one-bedroom suites (450 sq. ft.) feature contempory west coast furnishings, in room safe, fully equipped kitchens, and free WiFi.
  • 47 Rooms
  • 94 Beds
Gage One-Bedroom Suites
One-Bedroom Suites have the feel of apartment life. Amenities include a bedroom complete with a king-sized bed, living space with a queen-size sofa bed, a full kitchen, private bathroom with shower, Wi-Fi, TV, telephone, and air-conditioning. Complimentary tea and Starbucks coffee are provided, as well as daily housekeeping so you don’t have to worry, and discounted parking. 61 suites available from mid-May to mid-August, with the capacity to accommodate up to 4 people per suite.
  • 61 Rooms
  • 122 Beds
Gage Studio
Gage Studios offer 305 Sq Ft of luxurious air-conditioned space, allowing even the busiest of minds to relax and unwind. Amenities include a Queen sized bed, a private washroom with shower, a full kitchen with counter seating, Wi-Fi with a dedicated workspace, and a telephone. Complimentary tea and Starbucks coffee and daily housekeeping to help you focus on the more important aspects of your stay, along with discounted onsite parking. Studios are available from mid-May to mid-August. 92 suites available with room to accommodate up to 2 people. These suites will give you space to relax, and prepare for important meetings and conferences.
  • 92 Rooms
  • 92 Beds
Gage Signature Studios
Signature Studios gives you the space to work comfortably, sleep well in a queen-sized bed, and have the privacy you want when travelling. A dedicated workspace with Wi-Fi and a telephone allow you to prepare for the work ahead, the kitchenette allows you to prepare meals in comfort, and the complimentary tea and Starbucks coffee will help you focus. The Signature Studio suites are a perfect fit for 2 people and comfortable enough for just one if you are travelling alone. 196 units are available year-round, so you’ll always be able to relax in comfort and within budget.
  • 196 Rooms
  • 196 Beds
The Residences
Budget friendly modified traditional dorms, traditional dorms and shared accommodation available.
  • 1484 Rooms
  • 1484 Beds

Featured Amenities

  • Air Conditioning Air Conditioning
  • Bus - Shuttle, Public Bus Access Bus
  • Eco-Friendly
  • Fitness Center Fitness Center
  • Golf Course Golf
  • Linens
  • Near Public Transit
  • Outdoor Space
  • Overnight Rooms
  • Paid Parking
  • Running Trails
  • Sports Facilities
  • Taxi
  • Theater Seating
  • WiFi

Venue Location + Transportation

Address

 
Conferences & Accommodation at UBC,
5961 Student Union Blvd,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2C9

Transportation

  • BusBus
  • TaxiTaxi

Nearby Airport

  • Vancouver International - 20 minutes

Nearby International Airport

  • Vancouver International - 20 minutes

Parking

  • Onsite Parking: Yes

Nearby Cities

Vancouver – 7|Whistler – 77|Victoria – 70

Things to Know

Catering

  • Must Use In-house Catering: No
  • External Catering Allowed: Yes
  • Cultural Catering Available: Yes
  • Food and Beverage Onsite: Yes

Technology

University of British Columbia has wireless internet in all suites and all other properties have Ethernet ports. There is free ultra-high speed wireless connectivity throughout the British Columbia campus.

  • Guest Wi-Fi: Free
  • Onsite Tech Support: Yes
  • Wi-Fi in meeting space: Yes
  • Equipment Available On-Site:
    • Projector Screen
    • Laptops
    • Microphones
    • Sound System

Venue Policies

  • Alcohol Consumption: Yes
  • Smoking Permitted: no
  • Eco Friendly: Yes
  • Family Friendly: Yes
  • Pet Friendly: No

Testimonials

Video Testimonial:
2019 - Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Video Testimonial:

Services

Sales Plan Boot Camp
Conference Services
Complimentary to all of our conference groups. We provide expert assistance in organizing conferences on campus, such as conference coordination and support services.
Registration Services
Make delegate registration for your conference effortless by using our Registration Services. > Online registration > Conference Website > On-site Staffing and Management > Secretariat Services > Conference Promotion > Conference Account Financial Management
Meeting Planning Services
We are experienced in managing a wide range of academic and association conferences. > Budget preparation and control > Abstract handling > Exhibit management > Registration Services > Social and guest programs > Website creation and maintenance > Preparation, printing and distribution of promotional materials

Technology

Internet
The UBC Campus has high-speed wireless connectivity in all public areas and campus accommodation rooms.