Hello from Canada,

As we wind down an unprecedented year for global business events, we can’t help but be mindful of all we are grateful for: a cohesive national response to a global pandemic, the innovation that will help us recover and become more resilient as a nation and an industry, and countless ways Canadians are working together to ensure we are ready to welcome the world when the time is right to travel again. As we pause and reflect on the myriad reasons why, when international business travel resumes, conference organizers and delegates will be making their way to Canada, we can’t help but appreciate the level of trust you have placed in our cities, resorts, hotels and experience providers to keep your attendees’ health and safety top of mind.

Canada has always been an alluring choice for hosting international business events. Its reputation for safety and affordability are well respected, and as conference organizers know, Canada offers a wealth of advanced industries to aid planners in creating purpose-driven events: content-rich conferences designed to engage audiences and expand organizational reach. In other words, exactly the sort of events audiences will be seeking once in-person meetings can resume.

Read why Virginie DeVisscher, senior director of business development, economic sectors for Destination Canada Business Events points to Canada’s naturally collaborative culture, and the country’s leadership in technology, life sciences and natural resources (amongst others), as “playing key roles in attracting global business events to Canadian innovation hubs.”  Read more.

We look forward to the day when we can connect in person again. Until such a time, Team Canada will be online, at the other end of the phone, or a simple email connection away. Sending our best wishes to you and yours this holiday season. 

An annual winter tradition - skating beneath the Victoria Glacier on a frozen Lake Louise - one of Canada’s most sought-after winter incentive destinations  and experiences.

Urban and adventurous — these Canadian cities deliver the wow factor for your next incentive

Reward the peak of your peak performers with aspirational experiences in unexpected places.

Canada’s largest urban centres may be hubs of innovation for a whole spectrum of industries, but they are also some of the country’s top getaway locations to reward top performance. From stylish Montréal with its distinctly French flair, to Vancouver's laid-back coastal mountain vibe, to the multicultural mosaic that makes Toronto unique in all of Canada, here are just a few ways you can reward the best of your best in Canada’s largest cities. Read more.

The MTL Reunion — reimaging events

The iconic and innovation-fuelled Palais des congrès de Montréal

Montréal has always taken pride in being a city of innovation and creativity in various sectors, with imagination leading to research and eventually to ground-breaking discoveries. This year international travelling restrictions have not allowed many associations to witness this first-hand, but the Palais des congrès de Montréal recently proposed the next best thing. Combine its in-house technology and flexibility for virtual events, like the Palais Média Propulsion, and the Palais+ business restart program of worry-free event organising and hosting packages, and you end up with a tailored solution for all needs. Read more.

Palais Média Propulsion offers myriad possibilities: hybrid events, videos, podcasts, live recordings, interviews.

As hybrid events continue to assert themselves as the current standard, the Palais des congrès de Montréal keeps innovating by adding three immersive rooms to its permanent facilities – a world first among convention centres. This new feature comes in the wake of the launch of three new OASIS immersion studios spanning 2,000+ m2  of rental space. With 105 laser projectors and 119 surround sound speakers that will be rentable for events, and will also host a rich array of walkthrough exhibits for the general public. The state-of-the-art equipment makes 360° projections on walls and floors possible to capture your audience’s imagination. These spectacular settings, which are also entirely customizable, are perfect for hybrid conferences or training events, for film shoots, or even for corporate events looking for something out of the ordinary. Read more.

Meet the Canadian scientist using 3D computer vision to attract visitors to Québec City

In our latest article in SKIFT Jean-Francois Lalonde shared how events such as the International Conference on 3D Vision, hosted by Québec City in 2019, can help incentivize organizations and professionals within the technology sector to consider the city as an attractive destination.

Jean-Francois Lalonde, an associate professor at Université Laval in Québec City, studies computer vision and artificial intelligence. He’s also playing a leading role in attracting and hosting events within Canada’s technology sector. Read more.

Canada's blue wave

Iceberg-watching in Newfoundland and Labrador is but one experience to be had in Canada.

Leaders in fisheries, aquaculture, defence, offshore resources and ocean technology are coming together to advance Canada’s blue ocean economy attracting business events in the process. Read more.

Join Ottawa Tourism, ICCA and others to learn about the Hybrid City Alliance

The Hybrid City Alliance offers organizers of international events a solution when organizing multiple city hub events. The city partners in the Alliance are ready to act as one point of contact to streamline and simplify the clients’ interaction with multiple cities regarding one event.  

Hybrid events are an important way forward for the event industry to return to live formats. The multiple city hybrid meeting can now be seen as a suitable alternative to online meetings at a time when more face-to-face participation is desired. 

Learn more, join the Hybrid City Alliance launch webinar

December 16, 2020 16:00 - 17:00 CET

Register here

Canada will be ready (when the time is right) to welcome back business events

In a virtual discussion with Conference & Meeting World (CMW) publishers, Chantal Sturk-Nadeau and Virginie De Visscher discussed the impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s meetings industry, and how Destination Canada has worked with its stakeholders to ensure Canada is ready to welcome back business events. Watch the video.

The importance of in-person events to drive industry forward

Competing for delegate attention has never been easy. Now, with the rise of virtual events, the power of connecting with audiences in-person is becoming clear. Read more.

Meet safely in Canada (when the time is right)

Each province and territory within Canada has their own unique restrictions and requirements for the safe restart of business events when the time is right. Our website has been updated to include an interactive map showing gathering restrictions by province, as well as a collection of resources for planners. Bookmark this page as your go-to resource as we prepare for a new era of business events.

Toronto Pearson International Airport teams up with McMaster HealthLabs to test incoming passengers for COVID-19.

Of the international travellers who volunteered for McMaster HealthLabs (MHL) COVID-19 testing study at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, newly released data reveals that only one per cent tested positive for the virus. The study was conducted between Sept. 3 and Nov. 14 and these interim results are based on more than 20,000 tests conducted on more than 8,600 people who travelled between from Sept. 3 to Oct. 2. Read more.

Explore Canada — virtually

While in-person sites and FAMS are currently paused, DMO partners across Canada have developed a variety of innovative, online events and experiences to connect planners with our destinations, virtually.

Explore Québec City

Historic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac towers over Québec City.

Québec City Business Destination recently offered event organizers the opportunity to experience their historic city from the comforts of home. The on-line event showcased the city, it’s unique venues and the wealth of experiences organizers can find to create meaningful, content-rich conferences and incentive events. Watch here.

Canada’s celebrated wine region: Kelowna, British Columbia

Past conference delegates stroll downtown Kelowna’s waterfront boardwalk between business sessions.

Last month, Tourism Kelowna welcomed 20+ planners to Canada’s wine country — virtually — during a guided destination showcase event. An opportunity to explore the community, share stories, and learn why this hybrid resort/city, surrounded by mountains, lakes and endless orchards and vineyards is a top draw for meeting and incentive organizers. Didn’t catch the live stream? No worries — you can explore at your own pace here.

See the steps Kelowna is taking to safely welcome conferences (when the time is right).

Meet again: success stories

Meetings Means Business Canada has curated success stories of the return of in-person events in Canada. Get inspiration for your next event, for when the time is right to meet in-person again. Read more.

The world needs more Canada

Canada is made up of friendly faces, iconic places and rich cultures worth celebrating every day, and although you can’t travel here at the moment, that doesn’t mean we can’t bring a little of Canada to you, virtually. Find inspiration for your next adventure, incentive or meeting enhancer, listen to the Canada Calling podcast, or download our virtual Zoom backgrounds for your own online events. Read more.

Stay connected to Team Canada

While many of our destination, hotel and DMC partners are currently furloughed due to the pandemic response, our full team remains intact and ready to help answer any questions you may have related to hosting business events in Canada. Feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll connect you to available partners. Of course we’d be happy to talk to you about future opportunities, too! Here’s how you can reach us.

Destination Canada's Business Events team is charged with growing Canada’s share of international business events by promoting the country’s unique meeting, convention, and incentive event possibilities. The Business Events team is the first point of contact for planners seeking inspiration, impartial insights, introductions and bid assistance for global events.