Conference Centre

Notwithstanding her prior entrepreneurial work in the creation of her own environmentally friendly greeting card company (using student art from the Alberta University of the Arts) and multiple international modelling contracts, the real test for grit and PR professionalism came working with volunteers and staff on the road to becoming CEO of the multi-faceted philanthropic western Canadian OC Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. https://www.uniquevenues.com/venue/oasisedmontonconfctr/

The stunning building and gardens have recently (2022) been purchased by the international Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) whose mandate “to educate and foster cultural understanding while improving quality of life through access to green spaces” remains “dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender.” https://the.akdn/en/what-we-do

Group Cohesion Seminar

With Canadian Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team General Manager Kevin Lowe **https://www.nhl.com/oilers** and Sir Robert Swan polar explorer, environmentalist, philanthropist and motivational speaker **https://2041foundation.org/**. Sir Robert Swan remains the only man to have walked both the north and south poles, and is famed for his dedication to the preservation of Antarctica.

Benita von Sass wanted the centre to be “that special hybrid of deeper aesthetic/transcendent inspiration with business-related events.” To this end, it was important to create an indoor/outdoor environment incorporating nature. Businesses, charities and clients celebrating important events had the wonderful option of including the outdoors in their planned activities, photography objectives or just to take a break between work.

Diabetes Fundraiser

Benita von Sass pictured here - cartoon drawn by renowned artist Yardley Jones - at the top of the OC - with Nick (‘Danger’) Lees playing Santa.
This was a fundraiser for the Canadian Diabetes Association in association with the Edmonton Journal. Sales from the event and sale of this poster were donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

CONFERENCE CENTRE - Gallery Highlights

Hosting media-attended arts, business and educational seminars, von Sass invited high profile charity and motivational events and speakers to offer hope, incentives and funding in her city. These seminars addressed a higher humanity to uplift the community:

Remembrance Day Celebration with then Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong;
Kids with Disabilities charity event;
Diabetes Association fundraiser (see images);
Group Cohesion and Conflict Management with Edmonton Oilers Manager Kevin Lowe and famed Polar Explorer Sir Robert Swan (see images);
renowned Forensic Psychologist and criminal case consultant Dr. Reid Meloy (Alberta Threat Assessment seminar), among others.

Her footprints in the building foundations were requested as a lasting reminder of her multi-faceted contributions to the Conference Centre - seen below imprinted in the concrete foundations of the building beneath the entry mat of the marble foyer.

At the Fairmont Hotel McDonald fundraising for the Arthritis Society. Greeted by famed cartoonist/artist Yardley Jones Edmonton Journal Aug 29, 2008

With Nick Lees (Nick ‘Danger’) - Edmonton Journal staff writer and renowned Fundraiser at the Holly Ball, Edmonton fundraiser.

*Photo by © RedTree BLUSH Magazine - All rights reserved for copyright holder. Thank you to internet public domain source.* *Copyright holders for Gallery photos include JMStudios.ca, Weddingwire.ca, BLUSH Magazine, RedTree et al. All rights reserved for individual copyright holders.*

Gallery notes by Benita von Sass… Benita von Sass’ feet and footprints

For the interior design and decorating…

1. I chose generally neutral tones in natural materials indoors:

Crema Marfil light beige polished marble walls (and honed Crema Marfil floors) in the Foyer (with sandblasted ribbons creating an illusion of greater height going upward);
·Beige 24 - foot faux suede curtains around the Grand Hall
Hand-finished mahogany wood for the Bistro Bar in the Foyer, Grand Hall doors, stage facade in the Grand Hall, and door frames upstairs in all office areas, breakout rooms, executive lounge, office and board rooms.
· Light golden curtains upstairs; gathered white on rods in Bistro downstairs
White 3-inch marble slab with light and dark brown veining (and natural rough edging and irregular shape) from the Carrera quarry in Tuscany, Italy for the upstairs south Executive Board Room table. (Marble for the Statue of David was quarried at the same location.)
Dark brown marble French bistro tables in the Foyer with traditional French wrought iron pedestal bases in black, French looking dark brown wooden chairs and upholstered seats, gathered ivory French demi-curtains on rods.

2. I chose complementary rich fabrics and carpeting in a colour scheme and style that would show least dirt and wear, but most importantly appeal to traditional, contemporary and modern tastes alike. I opted for warm teal and golden tones to bring detail, opulence and unique beauty against the neutral backdrop:

High quality custom wool carpeting with ornate oriental design using dark teal and 8 accent colours (including salmon, rust, yellow, ivory, gold, black, orange, light teal) in Grand Hall
Central stage curtain options: gold fabric with interwoven design option, teal option and regular beige faux suede option
Leather sofa set in upstairs private Executive Office suite in amber

3. I chose high-end furniture, appliances, statement pieces and dishware to differentiate the OC Centre and create a strong and unique identity

Largest and rare brass and copper Italian Rancilio Commercial Espresso and Cappucino machine with dome and golden eagle.
24” German LiebHerr brushed nickel refrigerator in upstairs Executive Suite and Lounge
Amber leather sofa set in upstairs private Executive Office suite
Original oil paintings from Europe, numerous watercolours and other original art, some reproductions with hand embellishment
High end inlaid wood furniture from McElheran Furnishings (kidney desk, coffee and occasional tables etc.)
Unique lamps and shades
Cut glass water dispensers with spout and valve; crystal wine glasses
Fine Noritake dishware in upstairs Executive Suites and Board Rooms
Decorative glass vessel filled with colored chrystal cut ‘gems’ in the ‘Jewel Café’ and bistro in Marble Foyer
Unique front entry door with 2300 gal koi fish pond between doors (indoor/outdoor) and live fish

Freshly arranged flowers weekly on main floor and in Executive Suite and Lounge
Promotional water bottles bearing a picture of the Centre and OC logo, and coffee bean bags with same brand identity - both designed by me.

4. I created matching promotional materials using gold and black as a general theme, and designed an OC logo in gold against black, then gold with silver against black, reminiscent of the chic ‘Chanel’ logo that stands for quality and European elegance.

The overall effect was of a congruent, high-end modern looking facility with European quality, elements of traditional European style and Asian flair in chosen areas. The centre is a clean, inviting, highly functional venue where every room is multi-purpose.

I called it the “Jewel of the West End” in promotional materials – an exceptionally beautiful conference centre I co-designed with three others architecturally, then completed as gardens designer and interior designer and decorator myself.

Conference Centre gardens in August, 2022.

Footprints of Benita von Sass in concrete foundation under marble Conference floor.

2022 EXT expansion by AKDN of conference building and revision of onsite parking facilities. https://www.akfc.ca/

RECENT NEWS: Edmonton Journal, September 30, 2022

Aga Khan Foundation - Expressing Gratitude to Canada

Princess Zahra Aga Khan with Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani and Alberta Premiere Jason Kennedy at the U of A Botanic Garden - a gift of the Aga Khan Foundation.

OUTDOOR GARDENS

I designed the award-winning gardens (blueprints completed with local professional architect for city approval) containing eight distinct areas (the eight representing eternity), with outdoor stage and numerous unique seating and filming zones to create an indoor/outdoor environment unlike any other conference centre in the city.

The pond with waterfall contained waterlilies and numerous marsh shrubs; there was a walking path around the periphery that in fall, naturally became covered with yellow leaves like a golden beauty trail. Some areas contained specimens requiring no pruning, others were highly manicured - inspired by English and French landscaping. Stone or wooden benches and sculptures were dispersed throughout.

Conference Centre, August 2022

The eight distinct planting sections included diverse rose species, edible herbs, berries and fruits (including among others cherry, grape and raspberry - see below). There were native Alberta plants, flowering bushes, diverse trees from oak to birch, to evergreen and more.

I personally chose many specimens, sometimes planting them with my own hands on the occasions I joined our work crews. When my dog wondered from the gardens one Sunday and was killed by a passing car, he was buried in those gorgeous gardens – his earlier footprints remaining in the poured concrete patio outside as a lovely tribute to his memory.

My love of beauty and composition guided the design of diverse backdrops, allowing clients – especially those strongly utilizing photography or video services for special events, celebrations and weddings – to complete all aspects of their event requirements onsite. I created a rose-covered arch amidst the rose bush section for couples to enter into their vows.

To capture what became often extremely beautiful and artistic wedding and conferencing events, our indoor audio/visual booth was cutting edge with the latest technology, including video conferencing capability, simultaneous broadcast, dual 12’ screens, and dual remote ceiling-mounted cameras etc. As head of the film department, I created the onsite and international filming manual which was followed by all operators. I personally filmed, mixed and/or simultaneous-broadcast hundreds of personal development events with audiences of up to 400 people.

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CREDITS

All text ©2019 Baronesse Productions Inc. All photos and videos ©2019 Baronesse Productions Inc. and ®2019 Philosopher Fox Films from the personal library of Benita von Sass unless otherwise indicated.

Thank you to Public Domain wedding photos by: BlushMagazine, jenniferbergmanweddings.com, Kellyredinger Photography, DeepBlue Photography, ENV Photography, The Weddingwire.ca, JMStudios.ca Available on internet public domain - copyright 2019

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Edmonton McNamara Industrial - Construction pics by kind permission of AKDN onsite project Management. akfc.ca/ August 24, 2022

After the inauguration of the new Aga Khan (AKDN) Garden October 16, 2018 in Edmonton, Alberta by Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and His Highness the Aga Khan, the garden was gifted to the University of Alberta by His Highness the Aga Khan, celebrating over 40 years of partnership between the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the University of Alberta. https://www.akfc.ca/

The 2022 acquisition of the OC Conference Centre premises and gardens by the AKDN marks a further initiative toward the organization’s mandate “to educate and foster cultural understanding while improving quality of life through access to green spaces.” https://the.akdn/en/what-we-do

“The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. Our multifaceted development approach aims to help communities and individuals become self-reliant” - © 1967 - 2022 Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. All rights reserved.

WORK / INTERIOR DESIGNGuest UserJune 5, 2025