In 2009, Travel Manitoba setup a very promising partnership with the University of Manitoba’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) program.  The idea was to offer doctors a chance to combine a relaxing fly-in fishing adventure at many of Manitoba’s premium lodges while at the same time being able to advance themselves by completing some of their constant CME requirements during their stay.  In conjunction with the U of M, the course would be done via webcast and is a fully accredited 15-hour course and is recognized by the ACCME and AMA in the US, and by CACMS in Canada. 

For 2010, the course is entitled “Physician Resilience” and will be offered from July 12-16, 2010.  Learners enrolled in this course will review the concepts and tools that will better allow them to manage themselves, others and their environments – promoting a healthy balance between work and personal life. 

The best part is that the course fee is covered at no charge by Travel Manitoba as long as you book at one of Manitoba’s premium lodges, and why not choose Aikens Lake!!!   Doctors will arrive on Sunday July 11^th, and courses will be administered for 3 hours a day every afternoon.   You will get to fish with your guide in the morning, enjoy a succulent shorelunch, then come in to take the course.  You will go out again with your guide again in the evenings after dinner.  It will be a great 5 day, 6 night event.

Each year the CTC (Canadian Tourism Commission) and the  TIAC (Tourism Industry Association of Canada) puts on a huge event showcasing Canada’s tourism wares and services to international markets.  These international buyers come to Canada to learn about and book different destinations for their travelers. Hosted by Travel Manitoba in Winnipeg, May 2010’s edition of Rendez-Vous will feature hundreds of Canadian products and destinations to tourism operators during the four day event.

Unlike traditional tradeshows where buyers circulate freely shopping around and sellers trying to attract them, Rendez-Vous puts the focus on the sellers and ”matches” them with prospecting buyers. These folks represent a large body of world-savvy travelers, most of which see Canada as the epitome of true outdoor adventures. Not surprising that Aikens joins up with RVC to show off its untamed beauty.

Following the four day marketplace meetings, select operators are invited to go on several post-conference trips. Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge is proud to have been chosen as one of these signature experiences. Guests will arrive the day after the show (May 13) and stay with us for two days. We will offer them a truly unique experience, by offering to them a chance to not only angle for big fish, but to re-trace the footsteps of the area’s pioneers: The Voyageurs. Through authentic interpretation, these lucky people will learn about life in a canoe and how the fur trade laid the cornerstones in colonizing the West. We’ll teach them how to prepare and cook their own shorelunch. We’ll develop fun-filled and truly hands-on activities that will have them leaving Aikens with a head full of totally Canadian experiences.

We’re excited to be part of this showcase! We’ll be sure to write about this big event in months to come. Now, let’s all pray for an early thaw!

To view Rendez-Vous’ website please go to : http://www.rendezvouscanada.travel/ 

Fall is always a busy time in the Aikens office. We have been hard at work wrapping up a successful 2009 season and are now setting our sights on setting up an even better 2010!

In the “Aikens Office”, we are currently beginning the process of contacting all of our clients from the last couple of years to extend to them our special ”Carry-over pricing”.  This popular promotion runs till the end of November 2009 and offers to you, our wonderful patrons, the opportunity to lock in your dream trip to Aikens next summer at last year’s rates. Carry-over pricing is also available to new groups who book before the November 30th deadline.  This incentive, especially when coupled with our Prepayment discount (trips prepaid in full by Feb. 28th, 2010), can amount to considerable savings for a return or first visit to Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge. If you’d like a proposal from us or would like to take advantage of this exciting offer, please contact Pit, Julie or Pat at fishing@aikenslake.com or call toll-free 1-800-565-2595. Have a great day!

It is with great pleasure that we’d like to extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Daniel & Natasha (Fontaine) Garand. On August 21st, 2009 these two Aikens veterans tied the knot in hometown Winnipeg amidst friends and family. Of course, many happy lodge-folk attended the celebrations. Notably, Christian Dupont (Kik) as D.G.’s best-man, André Fontaine groomsman and cousin to the bride and Patrick chipped in as the evening’s M.C.

The wedding was held in a magnificent and grandiose hall in Downtown Winnipeg. The Millennium Center is a converted bank dating back to the turn of century. It’s imported Italian marble construction and four-storey tall domed ceilings makes it a posh sight to behold.

The happy couple joins a rapidly growing list of married Aikens employees. Thank you so much for including us in your special day Dan & Natasha! All the best to you two on behalf of everyone at Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge.