On June 25-26, 2010, Ontario’s Deerhurst Resort & Conference Centre joined a storied group of landmark hotels around the globe when the Government of Canada welcomed world leaders to the G8 Muskoka Summit. Chosen as the host venue for the 36th annual Group of Eight gathering, Deerhurst marked Canada's fifth time hosting the event since joining the forum in 1976.
Deerhurst also represented the third time a lodge-style property had been selected to represent the Canadian landscape and the country’s heritage of wilderness retreats for a G8 Summit, following Alberta’s Lodge at Kananaskis (2002) and Quebec’s Chateau Montebello (1981).
This meeting was also unique because it represented the first time G8 and G20 Summits were held back-to-back. Destination-wise it was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to showcase country and city attractions, the charming rural town of Huntsville and Muskoka’s famous “cottage country” in close contrast to nearby urban Toronto, Canada’s largest city, attracting potential visitors from around the globe.
SUMMIT SELECTION
Located two hours and three turns from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, 780-acre Deerhurst Resort was chosen as summit location based on its proximity to major hubs, ease of access, secluded setting and proven facilities including 400 guest rooms with a capacity for 1,000 people and 45,000 sq. ft. (4,181 m2) of flexible interior venues. Deerhurst also has extensive experience hosting large scale resort-wide events including the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships and Muskoka Ironman 70.3. For more about hosting events at Muskoka’s largest, most complete venue, click here.
A TASTE OF MUSKOKA
One unique way that the world’s leaders experienced Muskoka was right at their dining table. Deerhurst is the only resort in North America that produces its own honey and maple syrup on-site as well as harvesting herbs, shiitake mushrooms and apples. Executive Chef Rory Golden and his brigade prepped for months to flavour Summit dining with ingredients from across Canada and the Savour Muskoka culinary trail.
SUMMIT RESOURCES
DEERHURST DETAILS
G8 BACKGROUND
A few Summit facts that might surprise you:
- Each calendar year, the responsibility of hosting the G8 rotates through the member states in the following order: France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.
- G8 ministers also meet throughout the year, including the G8/7 finance ministers (who meet four times a year), G8 foreign ministers and G8 environment ministers.
- The personal representative, chief negotiator and right hand of a head of government who prepares for these international summits is known as their “sherpa,” a term derived from the people who serve as guides and porters in the Himalayas.
- The European Union and European Commission and their leaders are also represented at every G8, but they do not host or chair the event.
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