Everybody welcome

Infrastructure

Of course it’s not just a familiar welcome and broad mindedness that underline Toronto’s suitability as an events destination for large congresses, the city also has a robust infrastructure and strong network to support the events.

After flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport from one of 180 destinations around the world, transportation into the city centre is just 25 minutes by train or a little more by car. On arrival at Union Station, delegates find a broad choice of public transport: subway, tram, bus, bike, and some wide pavements for those who prefer to walk.

Venues are equally as varied and accessible and there’s no shortage of a place to sleep. The city’s 180 hotels hold more than 43,000 hotel rooms between them.

Self-contained options like the Westin Harbour Castle, the 977-bedroom waterfront hotel with more than 6,000 square metres of flexible event space and Canada’s largest conference hotel, the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel with a whopping 1,372 guest rooms and more than 12,000 square metres of flexible meeting spaces, mean delegates don’t have to even consider public transport if they don’t want to.

The elegant 1,347-bedroom, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, offering more than 6,500 square metres of meeting space and undergoing works to improve it further, completes the triangle of self-contained options. Accessibility is this hotel’s middle name as it’s located directly opposite Union Station and a five minute walk from the Metro Convention Centre (with over 700,000 square foot of exhibition and meeting space), the CN Tower and the Rogers Stadium, home to Toronto’s baseball team The Blue Jays.

On the topic of sport, let’s not forget that Toronto was one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a world event it managed to squeeze in between seven major international congresses taking place in the latter part of this year.

The events, including the 29th World Congress of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (held in July) and the 19th World Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health (taking place in October), were secured through The Leaders Circle, a network of local scientists, academics and meetings experts dedicated to help attract international conferences to Toronto.

Over the last decade, this network and Destination Toronto has secured 66 international conventions for Toronto, generating more than CAD $435 in economic impact. While those behind the programme laud the city’s strength ‘as a global hub for scientific and professional exchange’ for this achievement, there’s no doubt that the diverse and inclusive environment the city has carved out for itself has played a role.

Gordon concludes: “Toronto offers associations more than the infrastructure needed to deliver a successful conference or meeting. Beyond its venues, the city brings together an exceptional network of professionals, local leaders, entrepreneurs and institutions across a wide range of industries.

“Together, this depth of expertise and Toronto’s global mix of cultures and perspectives bring a broad range of ideas and insights into the program, creating meaningful opportunities for delegates to exchange ideas, build relationships and experience the city beyond the venue.”