Opening day is here for this summer’s YVR Take-Off Fridays. Every Friday from today until August 28, the terminal will come alive with music, entertainment and family-friendly activities.

We stopped by to check things out, and we weren’t disappointed. Today’s event had a DJ, live musicians, caricaturists, balloon artists, mascots, face painting and more. You can enjoy these activities between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Each Friday there will be delicious food samples and great deals from airport shops and restaurants. On select days there will be on-site activities with The Vancouver Aquarium, Science World, and the Vancouver Canadians.

For the aviation buffs, in the Public Observation Area there are interactive displays, quizzes, and behind the scenes videos. Tours are also available to learn about YVR’s history, art, and operations.

We’ll be back soon and hope to see you there too!

Here’s what you need to know:

WHEN:               Every Friday from July 3 to August 28,             9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE:             Vancouver International Airport, Domestic and International Terminals, Departures – Level 3

COST:                 Free event. Reduced parking rate available for $5 for up to four hours. Parking vouchers available at the Customer Information Counter, International Terminal, Level 3

ONLINE:            Website: www.yvr.ca | Twitter: @yvrairport | Facebook: Vancouver International Airport

#YVRTakeOffFridays

This is the third post in our ongoing series, “Two Minutes With”. We’re getting to know a little more about the Elettra team, our clients, and our partners/suppliers. Today we chat with Jenna Anderson, who has been on the Elettra team since September 2014 as a Tour Guide at Vancouver International Airport. Jenna is now moving into a Community Relations Coop position at YVR. Best of luck in your new position, Jenna!

Favourite quote: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” - Anais Nin

Favourite place to visit: New Zealand. It has gorgeous scenery, lovely people, and amazing activities like canyoning!

Favourite author: George R. R. Martin, he created a captivatingly detailed universe in A Song of Ice and Fire and I cannot wait for him to finish the Winds of Winter.

Morning beverage of choice: First, orange pekoe tea then an hour later a cup of coffee.

Best piece of career advice you have received? Take initiative, triple check all of your work, and always arrive 15 minutes early.

Why do you choose to live in Vancouver? Where else can you hit the slopes, go hiking, go to the beach, and then get some of the best sushi all in one day.

Natural talent you wish you had: The ability to gracefully walk in high heels.

Company now operates 16,500 square feet of premium lounge space at YVR

Vancouver, BC; (March 3, 2015) Plaza Premium Lounge is pleased to announce the official Grand Opening of its recently upgraded lounge at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The lounge, one of four Plaza Premium Lounge spaces at YVR, is located in the airport’s new A-B Connector on Level 3 Departures of the Domestic Terminal.

The 6,390-square foot space continues Plaza Premium’s commitment to offering all travellers a first class experience regardless of airline or class of travel. The opening of the new lounge follows the 2014 facelift of Plaza Premium Lounge in YVR’s International Terminal. The company will also open a lounge in Winnipeg International Airport later in 2015.

 Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited Founder & CEO Mr. Song Hoi-see says, “Vancouver is a very important market for us, and this new lounge is the next step in our plan to grow the Plaza Premium Lounge brand throughout North America. For 10 years, travellers through YVR have embraced the comfort and convenience of having a lounge option. We are dedicated to continually improving upon the premium experience we offer our guests. And we say to all travellers ‘you are a member at Plaza Premium Lounge’.”

 The stylishly appointed facility has seating for 135, including a comfortable lounge, dining and bar areas, and a business centre. There are also private spaces where travellers can freshen up with a shower or unwind in one of three semi-private resting areas outfitted with comfortable recliners. Guests enjoy a menu of freshly prepared hot and cold food and beverages, and stay connected with Wi-Fi, large screen TVs, and a selection of international newspapers and magazines.

 Designed by Kinney Chan of renowned Hong Kong design firm, Kinney Chan & Associates, the space demonstrates the company’s commitment to first class comfort. Travellers enter the reception area via a soaring glass entrance and head up a sweeping spiral staircase to the lounge level. Upstairs, the expansive, open-air floorplan offers views of the airfield and the Strait of Georgia in the distance. The furnishings and materials are luxurious, with a warm colour palette.

 Plaza Premium Lounge takes traditional airport lounge food to the next level by offering a wide variety of enticing meal options. The focus is on healthy and fresh options that will help prepare travelers for their onward journey. The menu includes everything from freshly baked artisanal breads, hot breakfasts, signature pastas, toasted Paninis, quesadillas, soups, and salads. The bar offers specialty espresso coffees, juices, beers, wines, and spirits.

 “We are committed to providing our customers with remarkable customer service,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “This stunning new Plaza Premium Lounge, which is open to all travellers within Canada, is a most welcome addition to the award-winning 170-plus shops, services and restaurants available to YVR passengers.”

 A single visit to Plaza Premium Lounge starts at CAD 40 per person for two hours, and includes use of the lounge facilities, showers and all food and beverages. Semi-private resting areas are charged separately.

 Travellers will find the new Plaza Premium Lounge after security near Gate B15. Other YVR Plaza Premium Lounges are located after security in the International Terminal (Gate D53) and after security in the Transborder Departure Terminal (Gate E86). Plaza Premium Lounge also operates a Distinguished Visitors Lounge on Level 2 of the International Arrivals Hall. This space is available by reservation only.

 Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited now operates in more than 120 locations in 31 international airports throughout the world.

We are told from a young age to “dot the i’s and cross the t’s”. The practical application for this expression has never been so clear in my mind until working on my first major event as an Account Coordinator.

On Tuesday, January 13, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) held the grand opening for the new A-B Pier Connector. This event unveiled a new space in the Domestic Terminal, including “new gates, an expedited baggage system, seismic upgrades and a bunch of new places for travellers to eat and shop.” The event also the featured the unveiling of a stunning work of art by First Nations artist Marianne Nicolson.

Here is what I learned while working on this event:

1)    Once the event date is set, create an event plan, including detailed budget, timeline, and event details. The more bases you cover leading up to the event, the more prepared you are to ensure the event is a success on the day.

2)    If there are technical requirements, do a run through. You don’t want to be on the other side of the building only to realize your walkie-talkies don’t work during a big unveil. For the YVR event, I watched the project leads test each tech detail before the big day.

3)    It matters how the room is arranged. When planning your layout, think about where you want most of the crowd to be and place something important there, such as food. Also think of where people should be looking; if there is a speaker, don’t use round tables so people have to uncomfortably crane their necks.

4)    Treat a speech as a highlights reel. Ensure speakers know their allocated time frame and give the key points only.

5)    A smile goes a long way. At the end of the day, everyone would rather work with positive people. Treat every challenge as an opportunity to do your best for the client, treat every guest like they are important, and receive feedback and compliments graciously.

One of the most exciting parts of event planning is that you can see your hard work unfold in front of your eyes. You can watch the crowd react, and witness the client’s expressions. It is rewarding work and I look forward to being a part of more events. 

Elettra's Leanne Kedrosky has spent the fall at YVR providing tours to grade five students from around the Lower Mainland. In the following post, Leanne relates some of her favourite things about exploring YVR with a group of ten-year-olds.Navigating the Airport with Young Eyes

If you've been to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) recently, you may have seen streams of children being led throughout the terminal. Each year, from September to December, YVR hosts 60 Grade 5 classes for the YVR School Tour program, an educational experience were children learn about the airport's operations, history, and First Nations art. This year, I had the pleasure of navigating groups around the airport and sparking their enthusiasm for aviation. Each day provided new entertainment and lessons for me, as their tour guide. The following are some of my favourite experiences from the last few months.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Did you ever watch the old TV show Kids Say the Darndest Things? These are some of my favourite questions or statements from this fall's tours:

When I asked that students what is a domestic flight? Answers included:

• Is it one that carries animals?
• Is it a very fancy flight?

Students also asked: Can you take a hippo on a plane? And If there were no lights on the runways, could they use fireflies to light it at night?

Favourite Moments

One of the moments that caught me most off guard involved a Grade 5 girl. All the children in this group were exceptionally engaged throughout the tour and ran to give me a hug when the tour was over. One small girl ran up last with her arms outstretched. Expecting her to behave just like the rest of the class, I continued a conversation with another student, but was shocked when I was suddenly being lifted into the air and carried off. This girl was carrying me like it was no problem, which was shocking considering her tiny size! Thankfully I was able to convince her to put me down promptly, and after the shock wore off I was very impressed with her strength.

Tour Take Aways

Leading the school tours was entertaining and enlightening in many ways. I learned more about Vancouver International Airport than I ever imagined. The Airport Authority is highly involved in the local community and I am walking away from this position with a new appreciation for everything the employees do locally. Not only is the School Tour Program fully supplied by the Airport Authority, they also donate $750,000 a year to the Greater YVR Community, making a big difference to non-profit groups across the Lower Mainland. We have a very special airport here in Vancouver, and I am thrilled to have been part of it and to spread the word.

- Leanne Kedrosky

The YVR School Tour Program  is almost set to take off for another year. This week our two new tour guides Jenna Anderson and Leanne Kedrosky are in the midst of a rigorous training program. It takes a lot of knowledge to be a YVR Tour Guide, so they're spending the next two weeks getting to know the airport, meeting the key players, and memorizing a three hour-long tour script.

Jenna is an SFU Communications student currently on a Co-op work term. Leanne is a recent graduate from BCIT's Marketing Communications Management Program, who did her practicum at Elettra this past spring.

Leanne and Jenna are excited to be a part of the Elettra and YVR School Tour team, and can't wait to meet a lot of smiling young face this fall.

Welcome on board, Jenna and Leanne!

The YVR School Tour is in its final month for 2013. Thousands of grade five students from across the Lower Mainland have visited the airport to learn about the operations, art, and architecture of Canada's second busiest airport. They've even learned the very best technique for folding the perfect paper airplane.

Tour Guides Jake and Anna of Elettra Communications have been leading the classes through their airport adventure day. Read about some of the rave reviews our tour guides have been getting on the YVR blog.

Today Elettra Communications bids a fond farewell and says a big "thank you" to our Tour Guides for the YVR School Tour Program. For the past few months, Jake Sobrenpena, Annalisa Pareja, and Breanna Kato (all Co-op students from SFU) have been leading more than 2,100 grade five students on tours of the airport. The review from teachers have been excellent!

For a Tour Guide's take on the program you can read Jake's recent post on the YVR blog here.

Elettra Communications is thrilled to be working with the Vancouver Airport Authority on their School Tour Program again this year. Through the program, 2,700 grade five students from schools across the Lower Mainland will have the chance to visit YVR for a first hand look at the operations of a major airport.

We're pleased to welcome to our team Jake Sobrepena and Breanna Kato who are new School Tour Guides this year. A hearty welcome back to Annalisa Pareja, Tour Guide extraordinaire, returning for a second year.

To learn a little bit more about the program, read Annalisa's post on YVR's blog.

The Richmond News picked up our release about the YVR Penny drive. Check out their full article here.

Got a jar of old pennies at home? Put those coins to good use through YVR's Penny Drive. YVR is calling on travellers and the airport community to donate their pennies to help fund lunches for children in need this summer.

According to Quest Food Exchange, a Vancouver-based not-for-profit organization that helps those in need access affordable, healthy food, many kids rely on school lunch programs for healthy food. When schools are closed in the summer, providing lunch can be an extra burden for families that are already struggling financially.

From June 13 to 28, YVR will be collecting pennies to fund food vouchers that be provided to families to shop in Quest’s three not-for-profit grocery markets.

Check out the full release here.

Jaeger Mah, the man who's spending 80 days and nights living at YVR, caught up with the YVR School Tour Program last week.

Watch his video here.

This week, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is officially launching its 2011 School Tour Program, The Future Lands Here. Over the next two months, thousands of Grade Five students from Metro Vancouver will visit YVR for a tour full of activities, information, and fun. Elettra Communications' Marcus Tan, Wyanne Wong, and Annalisa Pareja are the YVR School Tour Guides. Our Tour Guides hail from SFU's Communications Co-op Program and we're delighted to have them on board. Read their bios on the YVR Connections blog.