At SKY Hangar in Pitt Meadows, our facility is more than just a spacious warehouse for storing aircraft. You get an event venue unlike any other in the Greater Vancouver region for throwing memorable parties, meetings, and celebrations!
The unorthodox nature of booking an airport hangar for an event is precisely what makes it so intriguing. Over the years, we’ve welcomed everything from weddings to corporate speaking events and everything in between.
With 6,000 square feet of open space at your disposal, our hangar is full of potential for any gathering (up to 300 guests).
At SKY Hangar, the possibilities are endless. The space can be transformed to suit any event, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, limited only by your imagination.
Understanding the Space at SKY Hangar
What do you think of when you hear the term “hangar”? Perhaps you’re picturing a giant garage with miscellaneous aircraft and uniformed mechanics? Although we have a fleet of helicopters and a working crew, our home base isn’t restricted to charter guests.
As Vancouver’s #1 heli-tour company, SKY Helicopters offers an unforgettable experience that starts the moment you arrive at the hangar. At SKY Hangar, you are greeted by a clean, spacious facility with plenty of parking and modern charm.
When you have a building this elegant, it would be a shame not to utilize it to its full potential. Over the years, we’ve hosted some pretty fantastic events!
Key Features of SKY Hangar:
High Ceilings
Whether you want a venue with great decorative potential or good acoustics, SKY Hangar’s 20-foot ceilings are highly suitable.
While scanning the enormity of the room, you’ll likely notice the propeller-themed ceiling fans and suspended lighting rig high above. These little touches complement the venue’s aeronautical feel and contemporary decor. They also enhance your comfort and presence during presentations.
Open Floor Plan
Whether you prefer a setup with dining tables, space for dancing, and a massive buffet, or you anticipate a room full of seated guests, SKY Hangar’s wide-open venue allows you to plan the event as you see fit.
Natural Lighting
SKY Hangar is happy to adjust the lighting to accommodate your needs. Our light-coloured floors and walls contribute to the space’s bright and luminous feel.
The windows along our 24-foot hangar door permits a healthy amount of sunlight to enter the space. However, we’re happy to dim the lights and cover the hangar door windows upon request to create a theatre-like atmosphere for speeches and presentations at any time of the day.
Accessibility
SKY Hangar is centrally located in Pitt Meadows, less than 10 minutes from the Lougheed Highway and > 45 minutes from Downtown Vancouver/Abbotsford.
Upon arrival, guests have ample free parking in front of the building and across the YPK Airport terminal. Our main entrance features a ramp for wheelchair accessibility along with wide doors and open pathways inside. Our washrooms are located on the main floor, including 2 wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Layout Ideas by Event Type:
Is your event for business or pleasure, or is it a bit of both? SKY Hangar makes all types of events feel more festive.
Corporate Events
Our multi-purpose event space has welcomed all of the following:
- Conferences
- Conventions
- Town hall meetings
- Product launches
- Training events and seminars
Theatre Style
This popular seating format (also known as auditorium or stadium seating) involves sectioned rows of aligned chairs facing our venue’s elevated stage. Chevron seating is a slight variation that involves two smaller clusters of chairs. This arrangement features an aisle running down the middle.
Benefits
- Suitable for large groups
- Channels people’s attention in the same direction
- Generates a concert-like atmosphere of anticipation
- Assembled crowds look impressive in photos and videos
U-Shaped Configuration
This seating arrangement involves placing adjoining tables in a U-shape with chairs along the outside perimeter. The speaker or moderator can use the open space within this layout to engage with the seated attendees up close.
Benefits
- All participants can see each other
- Promotes active discussions
- Creates a more intimate approach to training or speaking events
- Suitable for presentations and collaborative work
- Ideal for smaller groups
Breakout Rooms
You may be familiar with the online concept of virtual breakout rooms where side meetings can occur outside the confines of the larger conference. SKY Hangar’s open layout enables multiple physical breakout rooms to be created. These designated areas allow smaller groups to carry out focused discussions in person.
Whether you prefer to create a distinct section with rented furnishings and trade show accessories or you need a private room away from the main area, our facility is large enough to accommodate multiple activity stations simultaneously.
Benefits
- Provides opportunities for active learning
- Fosters individual engagement
- Smaller sessions command spectator attention
- Nurtures a vibrant, kinetic energy as people move about
- Encourages team bonding
Social Gatherings
Our hangar space is available for all types of social events, including:
- Weddings
- Anniversary parties
- Reunions
- Graduation ceremonies, dances
- Performances and recitals
Banquet Style
Anyone who’s ever attended a wedding reception will likely be familiar with this popular seating option. Banquet guests sit around large circular tables in groups of 8 – 10 people. These “islands” are distributed evenly throughout the event space, ensuring people have enough room to push out their chairs and mingle between the event’s scheduled speeches and dining portion. Cabaret seating reduces the number of guests around each table, opening up the table’s view. In this scenario, nobody is left with their back turned toward the speakers or presentations.
Benefits
- Encourages introductions and interaction among strangers
- Allows associated groups to sit together for greater comfort
- Assigned seating ensures all invitees have a designated seat
- Creates an intimate feel that is well-suited for special occasions
- Establishes a setup that most people will anticipate
Cocktail Reception
Not every function requires designated seating. This style of event is all about mingling and getting yourself noticed. Guests have access to beverages and finger snacks and are provided with ample space to move around and engage with others.
Benefits
- Creates a nightclub vibe
- Perfect for mixers and holiday functions
- Makes efficient use of the available floor space
- Less formal and stuffy than events with assigned seating
Dance Floor Area
Anytime a group of people get together in the evening to celebrate and socialize, there is an expectation that there will be music and dancing. SKY Hangar has seen its fair share of guests busting out their best moves on the dance floor. If you want to highlight the dance area, why not mark it with an applied vinyl floor covering for a glamorous decorative touch atop our white concrete floor? Vinyl Labs is our preferred local vendor as they provide consistently spectacular results.
Benefits
- Invites social interaction
- Encourages people to loosen up and have fun
- It sets the tone for a festive evening
- Dance floors give people an excuse to get active
Educational Workshops
SKY Hangar offers a venue that’s conducive to learning and instruction:
- Thought leadership training
- Lectures
- Product launches
- Webinars
- Brainstorming hackathons
Classroom Style
This particular seating arrangement involves long, evenly spaced tables with approximately four seated guests at each, all facing in the same direction towards the instructor or invited speaker. This spread-out arrangement isn’t as favourable to socializing between guests. Each table permits enough space for note-taking during all types of events.
Benefits
- Immediately recognized as a learning environment
- Attention is always directed towards the presenter
- Enables the instructor to identify audience members with greater ease
- It opens up the space and feels less claustrophobic than auditorium seating
Round Table Discussions
To facilitate an open exchange of ideas, you need a small, controlled group that can address one another without distractions. Round-table discussions are exactly what they sound like and offer an effective way to elicit lively and engaging conversations.
Benefits
- Close proximity encourages spontaneous dialogue between guests
- Discourages any sense of a hierarchical structure
- Everyone can see who’s talking or raising a hand for orderly exchanges
Trade Shows & Expos
Whether the intent is more industry-oriented or consumer-focused, your choice of venue creates an immediate impression. SKY Hangar welcomes exhibitions of every variety:
- Technology expos
- Home and garden shows
- Comic book conventions
- Arts and crafts fairs
- Events catering to health care, manufacturing, agriculture, and more
Exhibit Booths Arrangement
Trade show companies offer various ways to maximize a stand area. SKY Hangar is spacious enough for vendors to set up their in-line, perimeter, or peninsula booths to showcase their products and services in the best possible light.
Benefits
- Events boasting a variety of exhibitors tend to generate lots of interest
- Any opportunity to distinguish yourself from competitors is invaluable
- Puts brands face-to-face with new and existing customers
Central Stage Area
SKY Hangar offers all companies in attendance the space to set up and tear down during their stay. Event rentals gain access to our internal AV systems and a staging platform for making announcements, introducing special guests, or hosting panel discussions. In-house (subcontracted) AV Technicians are required to ensure a knowledgeable troubleshooter is designated to our AV system for a smooth presentation.
Benefits
- A spacious venue with free parking is always a draw
- Provides an opportunity to educate and market to people in a more engaging fashion
Tips for Maximizing Our Space Effectively
Use Multi-functional Furniture
Folding tables (round and rectangular) and stackable chairs are the standard rentals at any popular gathering. However, those aren’t your only options. Podiums, backdrop panels, silk plants, and artificial hedges aren’t just decorative; they also work as partitions to guide visitors by delineating one area from the next. Additionally, attractive centrepieces don’t just enhance tables; they may also serve as giveaway prizes. In terms of event decor and its functionality, your options are limitless.
Consider Flow
One nice thing about booking a venue with so much open space is that you have a say over the flow of indoor traffic. SKY Hangar’s open-concept layout enables event planners to create distinct zones. These areas include designated sections for checking in, acquiring beverages, mingling, dancing, snacking, or anything else on the itinerary.
Utilize Vertical Space
SKY Hangar’s 20-foot ceilings give the room an expansive feel while offering more space for decorating and branding. From helium balloons and banners to draped linens, there’s no shortage of ways to personalize the room.
Plan Ahead
Before any other plans can go forth, you must secure the venue. Prior to that, you’ll want a tour and a conversation with our staff to outline your expectations.
As one of the most unique rental venues in the Vancouver area, SKY Hangar’s scheduled availability is filling up quickly. Avoid disappointment and reserve your preferred date today!
Book Different Types of Events at Sky Hangar
The staff at SKY Helicopters and SKY Hangar hope to make the experience associated with wealthy and adventurous lifestyles more accessible for everyone.
If you’re anticipating a top-tier experience, SKY Hangar doesn’t disappoint. The service bestowed upon our heli-tour guests is the very same you’ll receive when visiting our venue.
Book your upcoming wedding, corporate event, or speaking function today. Don’t miss out on celebrating your plans in sophisticated style. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our team.