Research Report

Lorisa Potter, Robyn Blacquiere, Kimberly Sullivan

COMM 2710
Durham College

April 9, 2020
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Lorisa, Kimberly and Robyn

Contents
Intro.............................................................................................................................................................3
Paris, France.............................................................................................................................................3
Accommodations..................................................................................................................................4
Transit.....................................................................................................................................................4
Sight Seeing..........................................................................................................................................5
Ottawa, Canada........................................................................................................................................6
Accommodations..................................................................................................................................6
Conference Facilities............................................................................................................................7
Transportation.......................................................................................................................................7
Sightseeing............................................................................................................................................8
Dubai, United Arab Emirates...................................................................................................................8
Accommodations..................................................................................................................................8
Transit.....................................................................................................................................................9
Sightseeing..........................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................................11
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Conference Recommendations

Intro
This report will explore three potential cities around the world that would be excellent

candidates for our companies’ team-building morale conference. Among the chosen

cities are Paris, Dubai and Ottawa. Each city possesses incredible sightseeing

opportunities, top rated hotel accommodations, and easy to navigate transit. A

recommendation for the city that best suits the conference will be made at the end of

this report based on the following research.

Paris, France
“Paris is regularly voted the world’s most coveted and charismatic destination by

independent international surveys” [ CITATION Woo17 \l 4105 ]. I believe Paris is an

exceptional choice for a morale-building conference and would highly appeal to

everyone on the team. The trip would entail a conference hall built right into an elegant

4 -star hotel alongside the Eiffel Tower, and the chance to visit the many famous

attractions surrounding the area.

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Accommodations

Conveniently, Novotel Paris Center Tour Eiffel, the hotel our team would be staying at,

is also home to an amphitheatre that can hold up to 600 people. “Set in the heart of

Paris, on the left bank of the Seine, just steps away from the Eiffel Tower, the Novotel

Paris Center Tour Eiffel provides a privileged venue for ours guests and meetings with

all the services of a 4-star hotel” [ CITATION Nov20 \l 4105 ]. Within the hotel, guests can

enjoy services and facilities such as:

 Internet access

 A gym

 Buffet breakfast

 Private swimming pool and sauna

 Two restaurants and a bar

 Room service
[ CITATION Nov20 \l 4105 ]

Standard rooms can be offered with either two twin

beds, a queen-sized bed or a queen-sized bed with

a couch. Each room is equipped with an HD 48-inch

TV, free Wi-Fi, safety deposit box, air conditioning,

mini fridge and a coffee maker.

[ CITATION Nov20 \l 4105 ]

Transit

According to an article written on Trip Savvy, “Paris boasts one of the worlds safest and

most efficient public transportation systems” [ CITATION Cou19 \l 4105 ]. The Paris metro

system contains 16 routes that can all be identified by numbers and colours. The lines
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run every day of the week from 5:30 a.m. to either 1:15 a.m. or 2:15 a.m. making it very

convenient to navigate around the city. The downfall to Paris’ metro line is that not all

lines are accessible. Purchasing tickets is simple and comes with many options such as

5-day unlimited passes, which comes with discounts to certain local attractions. Novotel

Paris Center Tour Eiffel is easily accessible by metro line 1 or 6.

Sight Seeing

Lastly, Paris has many famous and exceptional sight seeing

opportunities for our employees to visit during this trip. The Eiffel

Tower is “ an object of discord, desire and fascination [and] never

fails to impress” [ CITATION Soc20 \l 4105 ], and would make an

excellent group tour for our employees. If there are some

employees who would prefer not to climb the Eiffel Tower, they

may enjoy a relaxing cruise down the Seine

[ CITATION Soc20 \l
4105 ]
River where they would enjoy sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Opera House

and the Louvre [ CITATION Via20 \l 4105 ]. One last place that must be visited while in Paris

is the Louvre Museum. Home to famous pieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa,

Venus de Milo, Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People and the Great Sphinx of

Tanis, the Louvre is a historical piece of architecture the team would love to visit.

Ottawa, Canada
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Ottawa is the capital of Canada, historically speaking it’s got it all. There are more than

35 major festivals in Ottawa throughout the year and nearly all of Canada’s national

museums (Schwarts, 2016). You won’t be disappointed and certainly not bored hosting

our all-staff moral-building conference in this beautiful quaint bustling city, home to the

“largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world as designated by Guinness World

Records: The Rideau Canal Skateway!” (Ottawa Tourism –

Ottawa Insider – Rideau Canal Skateway, 2020). While you are

in the heart of the city don’t miss the opportunity to visit the

historical ByWard Market packed with shops, boutiques and

restaurants surrounded by a thriving outdoor market featuring

local artisans and so much more. (Ottawa Tourism – ByWard Market, 2020)

Accommodations

There is no better place to than the Fairmont Château

Laurier Hotel to accommodate our staff. It is situated in

the heart of the city, and steps away from every tourist

attraction. This magnificent hotel provides opulent and

luxury suites, featuring one king size or two double

beds with outstanding views of Parliament Hill and the

Rideau Canal Locks. Our staff will enjoy and relax in this newly renovated hotel with all

the luxury amenities they offer. (Fairmont Château Laurier, 2020)

Conference Facilities
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Fairmont Château Laurier host the

most successful meetings and

conferences with must-have

technology, customize catering

options and exciting outings to

reenergize our participants. They meet every criterion to hold our morale-building

conference. From opening speeches to celebratory toasts, Château Laurier sets the

standard for meeting excellence. (Fairmont Château Laurier, 2020)

Transportation

Get ready for a thrill of a lifetime, the staff will thoroughly enjoy themselves aboard the Amphibus;

a bus that transforms into a boat. They will explore the beautiful city of Ottawa by land and water.

For those who might not like the idea of a bus turning

into a boat, they can climb aboard on open top double

decker bus. They will enjoy a guided city tour at their

own pace with “Hop on – Hop off” options.

Alternatively, there is options to reserve these buses

for a private group tour. (Lady Dive – Amphibus and

Buses, 2020)

Sightseeing

There is always something going on in the city known for its festivals, sometimes called

the “Festival City”. (Schwartz, 2016) From the Beer Festival, to the Jazz Festival, the

Tulip Festival, and the Bluesfest to name a few. Ottawa has haunted evening walks and
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informative historical site tours, to some of the best museums including the Canadian

War Museum and the Royal Canadian Mint. (McAdam, 2019) From the Rideau Canal,

to the ByWard Market, Parliament Hill, Spark Street pedestrian only road and all the

sights of the Capital, the staff will have plentiful of options to choose while attending the

all-staff morale building conference.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Accommodations

(FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel, n.d.)

(FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel, n.d.)

It would be a

great opportunity

to host the

conference in
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the city of Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is an innovative city that is

well known for it’s high standards of building designs, road maintenance, and quality of

life (Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Dubai, n.d.). It is home to one of the largest

airports in the world, as well as the tallest building in the world and is a great location for

business travel. The city has a variety of hotel

accommodations to fit the needs and budgets of travellers, either it be for a get

away vacation or business related. Among the top-rated hotels for business is the FIVE

Palm Jumeirah Dubai. This hotel is located at the base of the Palm Jumeirah which is a

man-made island designed in the shape of a palm tree (FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel,

n.d.). This hotel has a simple, but very elegant style and has received excellent reviews

for it’s standard of cleanliness. Some key features of this hotel include its own private

beach, three outdoor swimming pools, free Wi-Fi, and it is close to many popular

attractions. There is also a modern spa available to guests where they can relax and

renew with a professional massage. A standard room with free breakfast

service starts at the price of $209 per night. An important reason why this hotel would

be a great choice is because it has a conference room that can accommodate 350

people. This would be needed for the purpose of the morale-building conference.

Transit

Transportation needs in Dubai are very easy to find since there are many options

available. There are taxis available at any time and can drive to any destination in the

city. This is considered to be the easiest way to travel around Dubai (Dubai City Pass,

n.d.). Buses are another easy way to get around and they are available every 10

minutes. There are regular city buses or open-top buses that will stop at popular
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attractions. A ticket to ride the bus can be purchased in the form of a multipurpose NOL

fare card and this card can also be used for the metro. The Dubai Metro rail travels all

around the city and is one of the fastest, most convenient modes of transportation

(Dubai Public Transportation, 2019.). There would be no

issue to find a way to get around the city because of the

multiple and easy access to public transportation.

Sightseeing

In the city of Dubai, there are endless sightseeing

opportunities. It is a place that is full of unique architecture

and stunning, must see views. The three most popular things

to do/see while in Dubai include the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and the Dubai

Fountain. The Burj Khalifa is iconic to Dubai because it is the world’s tallest building,

“standing at 828 metres high “(Top 18 Things To Do in Dubai, n.d.). Simple enjoy the

sight of the massive building or experience an amazing view from one of the two

observation decks inside. Located beside the Burj Khalifa is the Dubai Mall which is

paradise for those who like to go shopping. Inside, shoppers can experience over 1,200
(Burj Khalifa, n.d.)
stores and get something to eat at one of the 150 restaurants available. What makes

this mall so incredible is it has its own indoor theme park for thrill seekers, a huge indoor

skating rink, and an aquarium underwater zoo. After spending a day at the mall, upon

leaving is the opportunity to experience the Dubai Fountain just outside of the building.

This is the world’s largest choreographed fountain and “each colourful, illuminated jet

sways in time to various musical numbers from around the world, producing what has

become the one of the most popular shows in Dubai” (Top 18 Things To Do in Dubai,
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Lorisa, Kimberly and Robyn

n.d.). It is best to experience the fountain in the evening when there are shows every 30

minutes and when the lights are more breath taking to watch. Among the various sight

seeing opportunities for travellers, the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and the Dubai

Fountain are must see experiences.

Conclusion
After exploring every option and using thoughtful consideration for the three exceptional

world class cities we researched to host our morale-building conference, Ottawa,

Canada is the one city that offered the most peace of mind. The team would not need a

passport to visit the world class attractions and restaurants Ottawa has to offer.

(Schwartz, 2016) The staff won’t loose too many days of travelling and experience the

dreadful time difference with traveling to Paris, France and Dubai, United Emirates. The

hotel amenities, conference facilities, city transit and sightseeing options are offered in

both official languages and they meet our accessibility policy. Ottawa is also the most

cost-effective city to host our conference. While Paris would accommodate all of the

requirements, Dubai would be the best second choice as their hotels offer a more

vacation like feeling with their spa and beach. This would be especially great for those

who do not wish to stray from the hotel during this trip. Therefore, attending Ottawa for

the morale-building conference is the best choice, followed by Dubai and then Paris.
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References

Fairmont Château Laurier. (2020). Fairmont Château Laurier - Meetings. Retrieved from
Fairmont Château Laurier: https://www.fairmont.com/laurier-ottawa/meetings/
Fairmont Château Laurier. (2020). Fairmont Château Laurier - Ottawa. Retrieved from
Fairmont: https://www.fairmont.com/laurier-ottawa/
Lady Dive - Amphibus and Buses. (2020). Lady Dive - Amphibus and Buses. Retrieved
from Lady Dive: https://ladydive.com/amphibus-and-buses/
McAdam, L. (2019). Hike Bike Travel - Fun, weird and interesting facts about Ottawa.
Retrieved from Hike Bike Travel : https://hikebiketravel.com/30-fun-weird-
interesting-facts-ottawa/
Ottawa Flower Market. (2020). Ottawa Flower Market. Retrieved from Ottawa Flower
Market: https://www.ottawaflowermarket.ca/
Ottawa Tourism - Byward Market. (2020). Ottawa Tourism - Byward Market. Retrieved
from Ottawa Tourism: https://www.ottawatourism.ca/member/byward-market/
Ottawa Tourism - Gray Line Ottawa Tours. (2020). Ottawa Tourism - Gray Line Ottawa
Tours. Retrieved from Ottawa Tourism:
https://www.ottawatourism.ca/member/gray-line-ottawa-tours-tour-services/
Ottawa Tourism - Ottawa Insider - Rideau Canal Skateway. (2020, January 9). Ottawa
Tourism - Ottawa Insider - Rideau Canal Skateway. Retrieved from Ottawa
Tourism : https://www.ottawatourism.ca/ottawa-insider/rideau-canal-skateway/
Schwartz, A. (2016, July 31). The Loop - Life Travel. Retrieved from The Loop:
https://www.theloop.ca/10-things-about-ottawa-that-make-other-capital-cities-
jealous/
Sociéte d'Exploitation de la tour Eiffel. (2020). The Eiffel Tower at a Glance. Retrieved
from TOUREIFFEL.PARIS: TOUREIFFEL.PARIS
Novotel Hotels and Resorts. (2020). Espace Eiffel - Level 3. Retrieved March 28, 2020,
from Novotel Hotels and Resorts: https://www.novotel-paris-
toureiffel.com/meetings-events/conference-center/
Traub, C. (2019, June 26). Getting Around Paris: Guide to Public Transportation.
Retrieved from Trip Savvy: https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-to-use-paris-public-
transportation-1618925
Viator. (2020). Seine River Cruise and Paris Illuminations Tour. Retrieved from Viator:
https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Seine-River-Cruise-and-Paris-Illuminations-
Tour/d479-2050CI
Woolard, H. (2017, August 18). World Report: Global Top 15 International Meeting
Cities. Retrieved from Smart Meetings:
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https://www.smartmeetings.com/magazine_article/global-top-15-international-
meeting-cities
9 Things You Must Know About Dubai Public Transportation. (2019, June 11).
Retrieved from https://www.livingindubai.org/9-things-you-must-know-about-dubai-
public-transportation/
Burj Khalifa: The tallest building in the world. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/hall-of-fame/burj-khalifa-tallest-
building-in-the-world
Dubai City Pass. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.turbopass.com/dubai-city-
pass/public-transport.html/
FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel: Luxury Hotel & Resort in Palm Jumeirah Dubai. (n.d.).
Retrieved from https://palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com/
Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Dubai: Visit Dubai. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.visitdubai.com/en/business-in-dubai/why-dubai/top-10-reasons-to-
visit-dubai
Top 18 Things To Do in Dubai: Sightseeing in Dubai: Visit Dubai. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.visitdubai.com/en/discover/things-to-do-in-dubai
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Research Report Rubric

NAME: _______________________________

5 = Excellent 3 = Meets the Standard 1-2 = Needs Improvement 0 = Not

completed/unsatisfactory

Content
5 4 3 0 -2

Length requirements met (6 - 8 pages including References ___ ____

page) _ _

Introduction –
 the situation or problem
 the particular information that must be explored or
questions that must be answered
 a purpose statement
All three cities/treatments and criteria are addressed
equally & in detail

The research findings are presented and discussed with

respect to the purpose of the report.

Conclusions summarize the criteria and comparisons

Recommendation clearly states the best, average, and

worst sites in which to hold the conference/treatments

/30

Style
5 4 3 0 -2

Report is written objectively

Report is reader-focused, not writer focused.

Does not use “I” “We” “me” more than necessary.

Writing is clear, concise and professional

/15
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Lorisa, Kimberly and Robyn

Cont’d

/15

Structure

5 4 3 0-2

Report has an easy-to-read layout, with well-formatted headings,

clean presentation, pages numbered, stapled

Report includes a minimum of:

3 graphics (correctly cited); and
3 credible sources
A correctly formatted APA style References page and in-text
citations used *
Required to pass

/15

Grammar and Spelling 25 marks 1 mark subtracted for

every spelling and
grammar error

/25

Final Report Assessment = / 85

Report is to be completed using APA style.

*A Reference page and in-text citations are required to pass