Three accolades that prove Canada is an unparalleled business events destination

Laying the groundwork for meaningful, inspiring events begins with the perfect destination that combines cutting-edge facilities, access to renowned thought leaders and sector expertise, writes
Wendy Helfenbaum.

Canada has proudly hosted some of the most significant international events because it provides the foundation required to stage world-class meetings and conferences – and many of its vibrant cities have recently received prestigious recognition for excellence.

Canada’s distinguished leadership in six sectors – Technology, Finance & Insurance, Agribusiness, Natural Resources, Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing – along with its spectacular landscapes and array of cultural activities, is a driving factor in bringing diverse people together from around to world to share best practices. And while accolades aren’t the only reason to choose your next host city, they do provide a good indication of areas in which this country excels.

A recent report from GainingEdge declared Montréal to have the highest ‘harnessing ratio’ in North America. The ‘harnessing ratio’ is the relationship thought to exist between the number of leaders active on boards of international associations and the number of meetings drawn to the destination. Montréal has hosted 129 conventions since 2018 thanks, in part at least, to having the most leaders sitting on boards of international associations.

Montréal’s sophisticated local industry is bolstered through strong relationship-based programmes designed to reward its valued partners. For example, the Palais des congrès’ Ambassador’s Club helps promote the city and its industries by providing access to leading inspirational experts and changemakers that further attract events.

Across Canada’s cities, planners can draw from similar ambassador networks that act as one-stop-shops, providing innovative speakers to round out conference programmes. For example, Yoshua Bengio – founder of Québec’s MILA AI Institute and winner of the 2018 Turing Award, the ‘Nobel Prize of Computing’, for his pioneering work in deep learning – delivered the keynote address at the 2023 World Summit AI Americas, which took place in Montréal in April. The event, which brought together global AI leaders from enterprise, big tech, startups, academia, law, government and investment, is just one example of how planners can leverage Canada’s elite intellectual capital.

This intellectual expertise, however, is not limited to Montréal. Business events held in cities throughout the country also gain invaluable access to state-of-the-art facilities such as Ottawa’s Area X.O, a research and development complex that helps innovators accelerate time-to-market and commercial adoption of next-gen technology across all sectors and scientific disciplines – from autonomous vehicles to agritech. This complex is just one of many reasons Ottawa has earned a stellar reputation as a global tech hub with the highest concentration of tech talent in North America.

Encouraging meaningful business-to-business exchanges is yet another strong offering, thanks to Canada’s industry giants and pioneering startups across sectors including finance & insurance, where Toronto presents the perfect fit. As North America’s second-largest financial services hub after New York City – generating about $82 billion in GDP – Toronto makes it easy for organisations to find businesses that are leading in their arena.

The city employs more than 400,000 people in this sector and is home to the headquarters of Canada’s four largest banks, three of the top five largest Canadian insurers, eight of the country’s 10 largest Canadian asset managers and the largest chartered financial analyst society in the world. It’s also home to nearly 50 top universities and colleges.

Tapping into Canada’s intellectual capital means events professionals can elevate agendas, boost attendance and support, and save costs in the process. Hosting an event in a destination that promotes collaboration and innovation shows attendees they’re in for an enhanced and memorable experience.

Local thought leaders and sector-specific experts, along with unforgettable site tours at top-notch facilities, bolster all aspects of a conference programme. Access to these resources gives planners the foundation to create world-class events and networking opportunities designed to attract the brightest minds. Hosting meetings in an industry hub increases the buzz within professional networks — driving attendance, support and access to potential sponsorship.

Of course, the shifting economic climate means the bottom line is always top of mind. Here’s where tapping into Canada’s wealth of local keynotes and other experts can make all the difference – reducing transportation and lodging costs while also fuelling interest from sponsors and funding agencies. Organisers of 2022’s Collision in Toronto, which drew 35,000 delegates from 130 countries, leveraged Canada’s intellectual capital to attract 250 partners and more than 700 investors.

The city’s stunning Shaw Centre took home the coveted title of ‘Best Convention Centre in the World’ at the most recent AIPC Apex Awards. Awarded bi-annually by the International Association of Convention Centres – which represents professional convention and exhibition centre managers worldwide – the award recognises excellence in facilities, operations, project management capabilities, catering and technical capacity.

Ottawa’s convention centre took the honour in 2020 after receiving the highest client rating from its peers, joining other Canadian facilities that have won recently including Vancouver in 2002 and 2008, and Québec City in 2006. Other notable winners from previous years include Spain’s Valencia Conference Centre, which won in 2018, Australia’s Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, which topped the list in 2016, and London’s Royal College of Physicians, recognised in 2012.

Canada boasts leading-edge conference infrastructure in many other cities. When it opens in June 2024, Calgary’s newly expanded one-million-square-foot BMO Centre will be the largest convention centre in Western Canada – ready to welcome guests from around the world to its prized location at Stampede Park, home of the famous Calgary Stampede. The facility will anchor the exciting new Culture and Entertainment District in one of the most energetic convention cities in North America.

Delegates will also be wowed when attending events hosted at the state-of-the-art Niagara Falls Convention Centre, located just 250 steps from the majestic falls in the heart of Canada’s wine and culinary region. This area welcomes more than 14 million visitors, with easy access from three international airports.

And Montréal’s Palais des congrès has positioned itself as a future-forward solution centre. Its ground-breaking Events Lab features a partnership with 14 disruptive local companies and is an incubator for culture, tourism and entertainment. Offering everything from a biometric engagement indicator to customised mixology workshops, the facility can help planners design showstopping experiences.

With a huge variety of accommodation options in Canada’s safe, diverse cities, attendees will flock to these destinations.

It’s no wonder the Vancouver Convention Centre was the first in the world to achieve double LEED Platinum certification. In 2009 it was certified for Building Design and Construction and, in 2017, for Building Operations and Maintenance. The Centre has become a landmark green building and model for other facilities around the world, with many enviable sustainability initiatives including robust water conservation, energy efficiency and waste management system.

Vancouver is just one example of Canada’s commitment to sustainability in many facets of the events industry. Last year, Destination Canada launched the Canadian Business Events Sustainability Plan. This first-of-its-kind national programme intends to improve the economic, social and environmental sustainability practices of business events hosted in the country by providing turnkey programmes to global clients and partners. In doing so, the programme will drive awareness and action, raising sustainability standards across the country.

Many Canadian cities, however, already have ambitious sustainability initiatives in place. Edmonton’s Responsible Events Program aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and helps ensure delegates can participate in socially and environmentally responsible schemes that give back to the community. Some examples include donating food to the Edmonton Food Bank’s Second Helping Program, the City Cleanup Program and Urban Farm Experience. The convention centre is also sponsoring a beehouse to promote urban biodiversity and local pollination.

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is committed to reducing its environmental footprint. It diverts 90 per cent of event waste from landfill and is decreasing energy consumption. It was the first convention facility in Canada to offer planners the option to use clean energy, and is now working to reduce CO2 emissions during event move-in and move-out by collaborating with the app Voyage Control.

And in Québec City, an unwavering commitment led to the creation of a Sustainable Development Action Plan at its convention centre. The Québec City Convention Centre collects compostable materials in prep kitchens and when clearing food functions, offers regional ingredient-based menus and beverages, and distributes surplus food to charitable organisations.

Canada’s sustainability mindset means that when your organisation hosts an event here, you’ll always have strong partners helping you achieve your sustainability goals.

This combination of intellectual capital – which can be leveraged to enhance your event’s agenda – phenomenal convention infrastructure and leadership in sustainability makes Canada the perfect place to host inspiring meetings and events of any size.

Add on the easy accessibility of many of these cosmopolitan cities, and the wealth of diverse cultural offerings and the natural beauty that can be found in this vast country, and you can truly bring your event to new heights.

This is just a small taste of what visiting organisations can expect when hosting an event in Canada, where business event professionals can guide you to your best conference yet.  

For impartial insights, inspiration and introductions, contact the Destination Canada team:

Virginie De Visscher
Senior Director, Business Events, Destination Canada
Destination Canada Business Events
[email protected]

Learn more at www.businesseventscanada.ca