Ottawa’s rural communities help win Country Women conference

Ottawa’s rural communities and cultures, along with its modern event facilities helped it to win the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) 2026 Conference. 

ACWW brings rural women and their organisations across 82 countries together to address the isolation of their communities, discrimination and lack of standing in political processes.

"Ottawa is an ideal destination for the 31st Associated Country Women of the World Conference as it offers world-leading event facilities juxtaposed against strong local rural communities and cultures,” said Tish Collins, executive director of the Associated Country Women of the World.  

“As a G7 capital, it also sits at the heart of world politics at a time when the rights of women have never been more in the spotlight. It is the right time and the right place to be at such an important time in history.”

The ACWW’s 31st Triennial Conference will be held at Ottawa’s Westin Hotel between 24 April and 5 May 2026, where resolutions focused on the empowerment of rural women in all their diversity will be made. 

Collins added: “This is the first time we have worked directly with a CVB team to deliver one of our events and Ottawa Tourism’s creativity, ideas and local knowledge have had a significant impact on the conference as well as its expected legacy. So much so that we are considering locating other fringe events in the run up to 2026.” 

Tish Collins & Lesley Mackay.

Ottawa Tourism’s vice president, meetings & major events, Lesley Mackay, said: “It has been a long-term aspiration of ours to host this event here in Ottawa. We are the perfect fit for it in terms of infrastructure and more importantly culture and political influence. I cannot wait to see the event take place, as well as its legacy and long-term impact for women in rural and indigenous communities.”

The 30th Triennial Associated Country Women of the World conference will take place in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia in 2023.

Written By

Holly Patrick

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A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.