In a place as breathtaking as Banff, AB, many attendees of the annual TV festival have found breaking away from boardrooms and heading into the great outdoors highly conducive to doing business.

It’s a concept that’s been embraced by the Banff Television Festival from the beginning, and over the years it has become a growing part of the experience.

‘A key part of the festival has always been mingling, networking and having fun, so we try to plan a combination of social and more formal activities,’ says Christie Pashby, festival spokesperson.

Outdoor events tend to get people interacting on a more personal level, and serve as lighter additions to a heavy agenda filled with back-to-back meetings, so the festival offers opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Banff while doing important networking.

On Sunday, June 13, the 25th Anniversary Banff Television Festival opens with a tournament at the world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. It’s the first year the festival is hosting what will be an annual official golfing event, not only to celebrate its birthday, but also in response to the growing attraction of the game.

‘We decided to introduce the golf tournament because many people come to Banff and golf on their own,’ explains Pashby. ‘It will be a great way to kick off the festival.’

The festival sessions wrap June 16, and the following day offers delegates more opportunities for outdoor activity. Pashby lists events including hiking, horseback riding, rafting, sightseeing and boat tours, organized with Brewster Transportation and the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel.

One outdoor event noticeably absent from this year’s lineup is the Great Canadian Barbecue. A long-standing tradition of the festival, its elimination reveals a new direction for the festival, spearheaded by new CEO Robert Montgomery, to streamline scheduling and costs.

Of course, delegates can always plan their own BBQs and other events during the festival, and some companies have already caught on to taking advantage of Banff’s breathtaking outdoor setting.

For the third year in a row, national equipment supplier PS Production Services will host two events at the festival to create networking opportunities for longtime clients and colleagues.

The first event is the ‘3rd Annual Excellent Mountain Walk,’ taking place on the Monday afternoon. Cohosted by Toronto’s Tattersall Post Production and law firm McMillan Binch, approximately 20 guests are expected to take part in the 12km Spray River Loop excursion – an event that’s becoming a tradition in its own right.

‘This adventure began when PS executive chairman Douglas Barrett and Jane Tattersall decided to take a leisurely nature walk on the Sunday of festival week,’ says Irene Trinh, marketing manager at PS Toronto. ‘The idea caught on, and has since grown in size to include invitations to our friends and colleagues in the industry.’

Then, on Tuesday, PS will host its own third invitational golf tournament. According to Trinh, both events are becoming increasingly popular.

‘For us, Banff is about the networking opportunity,’ she says. ‘The people who join us on the outdoor excursions either already know us and use us, or know of us and want the time to get to know us better.’

One golfer who has participated in PS’s golf tourney is Brad Pelman, executive VP sales and distribution for Lions Gate Films. This year, Pelman is expecting to spend two days on the links.

‘The Banff festival has all the elements of what makes a good festival and market, and takes place in one of the most spectacular settings in Canada,’ says Pelman. ‘Golfing at Banff is a great opportunity to have a good time, and also build relationships.’

Pelman and his colleagues from Lions Gate, which sponsors the fest’s Innovative Producer Award, this year going to Vancouver toonco Studio B, are planning on golfing with international delegates this time round.

So no matter from which side of the industry you are coming to the Banff festival, be sure to polish up your golf clubs, lace up those hiking boots, pack the sunscreen, and prepare to spend some time in the great outdoors. It just might open up the best business opportunity of your week.

-www.psps.com