Program: Incentive Canada 2026

Monday, March 9, 2026

Welcome to Canada’s North!

Guests will arrive throughout the day and into the late evening at Yellowknife Airport (YZF) on convenient direct flights from major Canadian hubs such as Vancouver, Edmonton or Calgary.

Upon arrival, you will be met by an Incentive Canada representative who will direct you to the short transfer to the Explorer Hotel, our host hotel for the week.

For those who arrive during the day, you will check-in for Incentive Canada at our hospitality suite. The Destination Canada team will be eagerly awaiting your arrival there and will provide you with any winter outerwear you are renting to keep you warm during the week. There will be a casual dinner scheduled in Yellowknife (details to come).

For those arriving on the late night flights, please get some rest and the Incentive Canada hospitality suite will re-open in the morning.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Our official programming will begin with a warm welcome from the Destination Canada team at the hotel and an overview of the week.

Next, we will head out as a full group for an official welcome to the North from a local family-run Indigenous business. You’ll have the chance to venture out on winter activities surrounded by nature, such as dog sledding and snowshoeing, and also learn about the local Dene People’s cultural activities and practices—before enjoying a hearty homemade lunch.

In the evening, our local hosts from Northwest Territories Tourism will welcome the group to a dinner of northern fare at the iconic Aurora Village, located just outside of town. This will also be our first opportunity to view the magnificent northern lights. Stay warm in a private teepee, or explore the grounds to find your perfect viewing spot — whether nestled among the trees looking out on the frozen lake, or from the comfort of a heated viewing pod.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

After a late night, we’ll start today’s marketplace meetings mid-morning at the hotel giving each client and partner the opportunity to connect with one another and explore the extraordinary incentive experiences available across Canada. Lunch will be provided.

In the afternoon, you can choose from three local experiences to enjoy. Venture out on a snowmobile tour of Great Slave Lake, get creative at an Indigenous beading workshop, or reinvigorate your senses in a cedar barrel sauna followed by a cold plunge cut into the frozen Great Slave Lake. (Check the Experiences page for more details.)

In the evening, we will gather for dinner at The Copperhouse Eatery & Lounge, a local gem where familiar comfort foods get a creative twist. Later, for those who are keen, join us at a at a traditional Dene camp on located the shores of Great Slave Lake, for an immersive aurora-viewing opportunity, combining Indigenous culture, stories and traditions with the magic of the northern lights.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Today is another day of optional experiences—including another chance to go snowmobiling! Other options include a wildcrafting workshop making wellness items from hand-foraged plants and berries. Or join a local Indigenous guide on a tour around the city—and a journey out to the ice road.(Check the Experiences page for more details.)

The group will then come together for lunch at the historic Sundog Trading Post, a local family-run cafe. Afterwards, Destination Canada will moderate an insightful discussion on the latest incentive market trends and emerging experiences.

In the evening, Destination Canada will host our signature dinner at Woodyard Brewhouse & Eatery, a cozy craft brewery and gastropub showcasing local flavours. Later, we’ll move to a more unique local setting, as we enter a winter wonderland that exists only here and only now!