Long a favorite of meeting and incentive planners, Québec is the only walled city in North America. The wall, built by the British in the 18th century to fend off a possible attack from Americans, remains intact and surrounds historic Old Québec. The city's maze of narrow, winding streets contains more than 100 cafes, bistros, restaurants, and shops, many on Rue Petit-Champlain, considered North America's oldest shopping street.

While the dominant culture here is French, Anglos (as French Canadians like to call those who speak English) have no trouble communicating.

A number of historic structures offer some memorable venues for special theme events. At the Plains of Abraham, a park marking the British siege of the city, for example, groups can spend an evening re-enacting a council of war, dining in the style of the 18th-century British military, and hearing about a soldier's life.

Groups can choose from a number of accommodations — the city has 12,000 hotel rooms — but a standout and city landmark is the historic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. Overlooking the sloping streets of Old Québec, the century-old hotel pampers guests and offers 618 elegantly furnished rooms with splendid views of the city and the St. Lawrence River. On site are 22,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space on two floors, including14 conference rooms and a ballroom for up to 1,000. A hospitality suite that opens to an outside terrace overlooking the river is also available. The property includes three restaurants and a lounge, a fitness center, and indoor pool.

Although it is difficult to leave such a charming city, the visitor who wants to escape has a number of options. Within a half-hour's drive one can find wilderness parks, white-water rafting, hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobile trails, dogsledding and snowshoeing. The Charlevoix region offers a distinctive change of pace. About 90 minutes upriver from Québec City, Charlevoix is known for its natural wonders and for the many artists who call it home. There, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, established in 1899 and completely rebuilt in 1929, provides a relaxing retreat overlooking a broad expanse of the St. Lawrence River. The 405-room resort includes 15 suites, three restaurants, a tea room, and a cigar room. A bustling casino is also part of the property. Le Manoir contains 12 meeting rooms on the same floor, including a ballroom that can be divided into three sections, for a total of 22,000 square feet of space. The Amerispa, with 22 treatment rooms, offers a long list of treatments, and an 18-hole golf course is being expanded to include 9 more holes.