Winnipeg has been a meeting place for 6000 years - and it's in the centre of the country. No cross-continent travel.

We have a new airport - maybe.

Aurora.  Winnipeg is a prime location to see the Northern Lights. If the Sun cooperates.

It's our birthday: the Winnipeg Centre turns 100 this year.

New facilities.  The University of Manitoba is undergoing a building boom and a new residence and conference room will be at our disposal.

Good food.  Breakfast and lunch packages are available and downtown Winnipeg has some of the country's best restaurants.

Arts and culture:  We are Canada's art capital this year.  It shows!

Our programs:  Our invited speakers are Dr. Christine Wilson, McMaster University; Dr. Samar Safi-Harb, University of Manitoba; Alan Dyer, author and astrophotographer; Dr. Paul Delaney, York University. We have tours to Canada's oldest stone fort, tours to dig for Mosasaurs at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, a visit to Assiniboine Park and Zoo to see animals that haven't turned into dinosaurs, or a ride on a 19th-century steam train with the Prairie Dog Central. The Wine and Cheese takes place at the Manitoba Museum, one of Canada's best. The Michelin Guide thinks so.

Our wide-open skies: daytime thunderstorms and nighttime stars in a sky that goes down to the horizon. In all directions.

and...